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Let's Play Ultima: From Akalabeth to Ascension! (Now on VII)
- Thread starter Elzair
- Start date
Faster!!! Oh... Here already.
Elzair
Cipher
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,254
Ultima V Part 3: The Last Debate
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
Part 3: The Last Debate
BTW, if you want to play this game and cannot stand the dated technology, you can try Ultima V: Lazarus, which is a remake of this game for Dungeon Siege.
One thing that I have noticed that Scorpia also touched on in her review is that the towns have fewer NPCs than in the last game. This makes them feel empty. However, the NPCs are far improved from the last game. They now have schedules, and they have more unique dialogue options. Many NPCs can give advice or items that are not immediately obvious, so many NPCs must be talked to several times.
I take a moon gate and end up somewhere new. Since it is dark, I rest.
Uh oh! I have been attacked by a bunch of slime.
Eventually, everyone wakes up, and we beat them back.
This is Jhelom, the city of Valor and the home of fighters.
Here is another law of virtue. I enter the arms merchant and speak to Bullwier.
Yes.
Bullwier: What dost thou want, and I don't have all day!
Job.
Bullwier: I make weapons, canst thou not see!
Hell, maybe he knows about the mystics?
Ambrose.
I now speak to Thorne.
Mantra.
British.
This translates to RA.
Yes.
Word.
I do that.
Elzair.
Trian: A pleasure!
Word of Power.
Trian: Dost thou intend to explore one of the forbidden dungeons?
Yes.
Trian: Well, if thou must be so foolish as to try that, I can tell thee only this.
I find Goeth on the walls.
Job.
Notice he said 'rof' instead of 'for.'
For.
Maybe saying it backwards will help?
Drow.
Dratsed. (Destard backwards)
He says the Word of Power for Destard is AIPONI. Since he has a habit of saying everything backwards, it is probably INOPIA.
Anyway, I am done with Jhelom for now. I head to the moongate.
I now arrive in Minoc, the city of Sacrifice and the home of tinkerers.
Here is another of Blackthorn's laws.
If the guard at the entrance catches me, he will ask for half my gold. This is not a pleasant situation. I proceed to the blacksmith.
Job.
Tactus: I make the chainmail armour and coifs here at Darkwatch Armoury!
Chainmail.
Tactus: Indeed, I believe it to be amongst the finest in the land!
Land.
Tactus: Since Blackthorn has come to power, our sales have increased threefold!
Yeah, sure.
Tactus: I can tell thou art very keen! I wouldst like thee to see a friend of mine, if thou couldst. Wilt thou?
Yes.
Tactus: He is very close with Lord Blackthorn himself! I believe thou shalt find him an interesting fellow!
This is the first step to infiltrating the Oppression. What do you think Codex? Should I do it or not?
I then go to the poorhouse.
I can get as much food as I want, but I have to do it one at a time.
This is Lady Sahra, another Blackthorn supporter.
This is Delwyn the beggar. What the hell! I might as well give him some coins.
Yes.
I talk to him again and give him three more coins.
*sigh* Yes.
I now talk to a sailmaker.
Job.
Fenelon: I sew sails for Captain Blythe.
Captain Blythe.
Fenelon: He's the owner of The Crow's Nest! Between thee and I, he's a real nasty soul!
Crow's Nest.
Fenelon: They do have fine sails, if nothing else!
Fine sails.
Fenelon: Made only from the finest muslin and a dash of spider silk!
Nasty soul.
Fenelon: He has myself, and Rew here, held in indentured servitude indefinitely!
Indentured servitude.
Fenelon: Yes, tis a pity, especially for such a young child as Rew.
Rew.
Fenelon: She is a wonderful child.
Wonderful child.
Fenelon: Thou dost show kindness. Dost thou usually pay the sacrifice tax?
No.
Fenelon: The guard is off at lunch and at night. Enter and leave then to avoid him!
I then talk to Rew.
Job.
Rew: I sew sails.
Sew.
Rew: It's very hard work.
Hard work.
Rew: And, we work very long hours!
Long hours.
Rew: Seven days a week!
Week.
Rew: 'Tis with great sacrifice we sew, but we have a little chant we sing to pass the time. Like to hear it?
Yes.
Rew:
The raven sees
The raven saw
And in the corn
He sayeth 'Cah'!
Dost thou believe that wishes can come true?
Yes.
Rew: I've heard that some wells are wishing wells!
CAH.
Rew: I'm told it's a mantra, whatever that is.
Wishing well.
Rew: I heard one person claim they got a horse! Unfair, dost thou agree?
Yes.
Rew: Me too. . .
Here is another scroll.
Cool! The grandfather clocks also tell the time. Since it is nearly noon, I head to the armory to follow up on Delwyn's tip.
This is Shenstone. He is about to go out to lunch.
I follow him.
He stops for a bit by that tree in the upper-left corner of town.
I search the tree and find a ring of odd keys.
These are skull keys, which can be used to open magically-locked doors. I rest for 24 hours and come back to find even more keys. Soon, I have twelve skull keys. It is now time to be rather unvirtuous.
I take the moongates back to Britain and head for LB's castle.
I head for the southeastern part of the first floor and unlock the door to the south. I then take the ladder down to the basement. The basement is mostly a square of hallways encompassing a block of rooms.
On the leftmost hallway is a door to the prisons. The sign reads "Ye Royal Prison."
In the center of the bottom hallway is a door. Notice the faint blue outline around the door? That means it is magically locked (AN EX POR). The only way to open this door is with the 5th circle spell IN EX POR or with skull keys. I use the keys.
YEAH! That is a lot of loot! The only problem is that stealing is wrong, so it lowers my karma. I justify my actions by claiming that I am using them to rescue Lord British and defeat Blackthorn and the Shadowlords. Surely, Lord British would not disapprove too much.
Oh yeah! A Magic Axe! These are the best weapons in the game outside the final dungeon; they do nice damage, can hit anything on the battlefield, and, unlike bows/crossbows/etc., they do not use ammunition. Yes, bows finally require arrows; crossbows require bolts and so on. I end up getting three magic axes, two magic bows, and a bunch of other loot out of this. Unfortunately, my karma takes a massive hit. I will need to give a lot of gold to beggars and free a lot of prisoners to make up for it.
Anyway, I head for Britain to sell some of my loot.
I have not noticed this orchard before. I speak to the orchard watcher.
Job.
Terrance: I keep this orchard to earn my humble living.
Orchard.
Terrance: It's even harder in these dark times!
Dark times.
Terrance: It's mostly on account of them blasted Shadowlords!
Shadowlords.
Terrance: If it weren't for the Resistance, I'd have nothing left.
Resistance.
Terrance: Ooops. . . . Dost thou intend to turn me in for my treason?
If I say yes, he calls the guards on me.
No.
Terrance: I am grateful. Dost thou know of the Resistance?
No.
I decide to travel to Yew. On the way I stop by Iolo's hut to see an old "friend."
Yes.
Smith: I thought so . . .
Name.
Hay.
Tell.
That translates to INFINITY, the final question in the last game. Smith was supposed to give me that hint in Ultima IV, but Garriott forgot to include it. Smith telling an important clue to the previous game will become a long running joke in the series.
On the way to Yew, we are ambushed by a pack of skeletons. It is time to try out my new gear.
Oh yeah! Magic axes can hit anything on the battle field as long as there is an unblocked route to the target (at least I think that is how it works).
When the battle is over, I send my companions away and loot the chests.
Uh oh! I have been poisoned. Like in the last two games, poison will make me take one point of damage with each step.
Luckily I have a few AN NOX spells prepared.
First, I head to the high court to talk to Judge Dryden about the Oppression.
Oppression.
Tactus.
I now head to the Arms of Justice to join the Resistance.
Resistance.
Terrance.
Yes.
Chamfort: Very good! The first thing thou dost need is to see Landon! The password is DAWN.
Landon.
Chamfort: He is the local leader of the Resistance.
Local leader.
Mantra.
Chamfort: Who told thee to ask me?
Jeremy.
Chamfort: Ah, yes. The Mantra of Justice is BEH!
I proceed through the fireplace and back into the Resistance tunnels. Finally, I find Landon in a corner. He seems to sleep most of the day, though.
Landon: Greetings, what is thy name?
Elzair.
British.
Job.
Dawn.
Landon: Canst thou help us with the cause?
Yes.
Crown.
Landon: Blackthorn uses the powers of the Crown to maintain his reign of tyranny!
Powers.
Landon: It must be recovered! Elzair, thou art the one to do it! Be warned, he uses its powers to prevent the use of magic within his castle!
Yay! I am now in the Resistance. I remember seeing some Resistance members in North Britanny, so I go there. Here are some monsters I encounter on the way.
They are not too tough (especially with magic axes). I finally arrive.
I search a tree stump and find some gems.
This sign says "welcome to North Britanny."
I now speak to some farmers working the fields.
Name.
Job.
Thentis: I am a farmer. What dost thou do?
Adventure.
Thentis: Dost thou like it?
Yes.
Thentis: Art thou helped, or hindered by the new laws?
Hindered.
Thentis: Then might I venture to say that thou doth oppose Blackthorn's new laws?
Yes.
Thentis: Art thou aware that this is heresy?
Yes.
Thentis: Dost thou know of the Resistance?
Yes.
Thentis: Dost thou support it?
Yes.
Thentis: Dost thou know their password?
Yes.
Thentis: What is it?
Dawn.
I then exit town and sleep until midnight.
With a torch I find the well with little trouble.
Dawn.
Vigil: Hmmm. . . I guess that thou art with the Resistance, yes?
Yes.
Vigil: Canst thou prove it?
No.
Vigil: At least thou art honest!
Vigil: That was before the Shadowlords!
Shadowlords.
Vigil: My friends and I learned much about them before we retired. Talk to them!
I talk to Joshua next.
Dawn.
Joshua: What didst thou say?
Dawn.
Joshua: Dost thou serve the Resistance?
Yes.
Joshua: Good! Shall I tell thee what I know?
Yes.
Joshua: Soon after, its twisted soul shall return anew!
I talk to Leof last.
Job.
Leof: I work for Miss Vigil
Dawn.
Leof: Yes, sunrise is beautiful. Hard to Resist, wouldst thou not agree?
Yes.
Leof: Whom dost thou resist?
Blackthorn.
Leof: We too resist his foul, oppressive regime! Hast thou ever faced a Shadowlord?
No.
Well, not really.
It has been a long night, so I hit the hay.
Lord British appears and raises Shamino to level three. Yes, after gaining enough to level-up, we must rest in the wilderness until the spectre of Lord British appears.
Uh oh!
I now take a moongate to Skara Brae.
It looks a little different from last time. As usual, one of Blackthorn's new laws is posted at the entrance to town.
On the outskirts I find a small child.
Name.
Froed: I am Froed.
Job.
Froed: I am hiding!
Hiding.
Froed: From those nasty people!
Nasty people.
Froed: They dragged off my father!
Blackthorn.
Froed: Since he came to power, no one can speak their mind!
Mother.
Froed: She died when I was born.
Father.
Yes.
Froed: Hast thou seen any sign of him?
Yes.
Froed: Where?
I remember seeing a Greymarch imprisoned in Yew.
Yew.
Froed: Then there is hope! Wouldst thou take him a message?
Yes.
I now search around town.
Here is a yellow potion that I find in a hut in the northwest. Of course, that is not all I find. I decide to look at that crystal ball in the corner.
Whoah! Trippy! Looking into the ball can also give me a death vision that slightly damages me.
I now head for the tavern.
This is Saul, the one Malik in Moonglow told me to speak to regarding where to find mandrake and nightshade.
Job.
Saul: I am a visitor.
Visitor.
Saul: Came to see an old friend!
Friend.
Saul: His name is Kindor. He was struck by a Shadowlord's bolt!
Shadowlord's bolt.
Saul: He resisted the Shadowlord's takeover of his towne!
Resisted.
Saul: He fled after he was shot. I found him near death and brought him here. Wilt thou help us vanquish these daemons?
Yes.
Mandrake root.
Saul: Wisheth thee to find them?
Yes.
Basically, they are in the same spots as last time.
Since it is still the middle of the day, I try speaking to Archmage Flain.
His doors are magically locked, so I need to use a skull key.
As soon as I open the door, two bats pop out and chase me around.
As soon as I defeat one in combat, the doors have relocked and the bats have respawned. It looks like I will need to outrun the bats somehow.
Anyway, I wait around until 6 PM to speak with Kindor.
Job.
Kindor: I. . . am here to convalesce.
Convalesce.
Kindor: To. . . let my wounds heal!
Wounds.
Kindor: I was. . . struck by a Shadowlord's magical arrow!
Arrow.
Kindor: I fear. . . that I shall die!
Die.
Kindor: Not knowing is the worst part, though.
Shrine.
Yes.
Kindor: Use it soon, for remember, Blackthorn too searches for the Mantra. . . .
This translates to OM.
Apart from Flain and a merchant or two, these are all the NPCs in Skara Brae. It seems . . . unfinished.
I then take the next moon gate and wind up in Trinsic.
Here is another of Blackthorn's laws.
I recall a Hettar from the Belgariad, a series of fantasy novels by David Eddings. In those books, Hettar is an Algar, a race of horse people, and he is known for being able to communicate telepathically with horses. Something tells me this is not a coincidence. For those of you following along with this LP, please post any other allusions you see.
Elzair.
Woolfe: A pleasure!
Job.
Woolfe: I'm the blacksmith here at The Paladin's Protectorate.
Blacksmith.
Woolfe: I forge fine weapons and stout armour!
Armor.
Woolfe: Plate mail, my friend. Ey, doth shine so brightly too! 'been make'n a suit for my young son.
Son.
Woolfe: He's been sick!
Sick.
Woolfe: My son Jimmy is a fine lad. He is staying at the healer's.
Jimmy.
Woolfe: They occasionally let him visit the lake. If thou dost see him, ask him about ships. He enjoys talking about them.
Healers.
Woolfe: He's got this funny roommate that sleepwalks!
Sleepwalks.
I then find Jimmy at the healer.
Name.
Job.
Jimmy: I just like to sit by the lake and think.
Lake.
Jimmy: It is very relaxing.
Ships.
Yes.
Jimmy: Many extraordinary powers had she!
Powers.
Jimmy: Twice the hull strength and twice the speed of any other vessel!
Hull strength.
Jimmy: She bore a magical ship's wheel that did enchant her bow!
He is talking about the wheel from the last game.
Magical Wheel.
Jimmy: 'Twas lost during the Age of the Avatar!
Damn!
Jimmy: I cannot help thee with that.
Speed.
Jimmy: Rigging her sails a special way gave her this enchanted ability!
Rigging.
Jimmy: It was designed by Master Hawkins of the Oaken Oar.
Hawkins.
Plans.
Jimmy: 'Tis but only a rumour!
Yeah, I'll bet.
Anyway, I explore more of the town.
As usual, there is a passage behind the fireplace on the second floor of the armory.
I get some gems from the barrel here. The door leads out to the walls where I encounter a wandering paladin.
Name.
Elzair.
Gruman: A pleasure!
Job.
Gruman: I walk the walls of fair Trinsic!
Trinsic.
Gruman: I am waiting here for a sign!
Sign.
Gruman: I know not what form it shall take, but when it comes I shall go in search of my lord!
Lord.
Gruman: Lord British, of course!
I have to remember this man. I wait around until dark to catch the sleepwalker.
Job.
Sindar: Job?
Council.
Sindar: Yes.
Word of Power.
This translates to INFAMA.
Dungeon.
Sindar: Shame.
I now know the Word of Power for Shame.
I leave Trinsic and head south to the nearest lighthouse.
This place is called Greyhaven.
I then speak to its inhabitants.
Name.
Wife.
David: Aye, she's a good woman, but she's got some strange ideas.
Strange ideas.
David: Ask 'er!
Son.
David: He's a brat of a kid!
Job.
David: What dost ye thinks I do? Ye mangy dog!
Tend the lighthouse.
David: Good guess, ya scum!
Dimwit.
David: Aye, now I know that I speak the truth! Ye must have the brains of a jellyfish!
God, what an asshole! I hope the others are easier to deal with.
Job.
Charlotte: I live here with my husband and son, and maintain the lighthouse!
Lighthouse.
Charlotte: 'Tis quiet work.
Quiet.
Charlotte: 'Tis the ideal climate for an amateur philosopher like myself.
Oh, dear lord . . .
Amateur philosopher.
Charlotte: I ponder the virtues of Avatarhood.
Virtues.
Merit.
Charlotte: We must look at the very roots of dishonesty, and see it comes from the twisted tongues of liars. And, surely, one cannot lie without a tongue! Wouldst thou agree, the teachings of Blackthorn are meaningful and true?
No.
Charlotte: Hold thy tongue, heretic, or thou shalt lose it!
Since both the father and mother are crazy, I wonder how the son turned out?
Job.
Anthony: Well, I do my chores every day.
Chores.
Anthony: I do my studies and clean my room.
Studies.
Anthony: I am studying Virtue.
Virtue.
Anthony: Blackthorn's Eight Laws of Virtue!
Blackthorn's eight laws.
Anthony: I must learn to recite them.
Recite.
Anthony: I can't yet. Dost thou live by Virtue?
Yes.
Anthony: Art thou an Avatar?
Yes.
Anthony: If I study Blackthorn's laws well, will I become an Avatar?
No.
Anthony: Why, are his laws in error?
Yes.
Anthony: I do not believe thee! He would not lie to us!
We are batting three for three here!
Since these people are so crazy, I loot their storage room. I don't think my karma goes down, though.
I then find some other people to talk to.
Job.
Kenneth: I am the Court Composer.
Court Composer.
Yes.
He is actually telling me to pull out the manual and turn to this page.
Kenneth: Since the next three notes are descending from one above the C note, the next three notes have to be DCB.
987.
I sit down at the harpsichord and practice.
To "play" the harpsichord, I just hit the number keys 0-9 in the proper order. I have now learned Stones. There is only one person left to talk to.
Job.
Sir Arbuthnot: I am the Royal Coinmaker!
Royal Coinmaker.
Sir Arbuthnot: Well. . . That is to say I was, before I became a wanted man!
Wanted man.
Sir Arbuthnot: I am afraid I did something that was not taken too well by the current regime. Dost thou favor the current regime?
No.
Sir Arbuthnot: I minted a magical coin!
Magical coin.
Sir Arbuthnot: It was in the symbol of the Codex!
Codex.
Avatar.
Sir Arbuthnot: Dost thou know of the one true Avatar?
Yes.
Sir Arbuthnot: Art thou the one true Avatar?
Yes.
Sir Arbuthnot: 'Tis indeed an honor!
This sorta explains how I was summoned to Britannia. I am done with this place, so I head back to Britain.
Since I am tired of using moongates and have enough gold, I head to East Britanny to buy a ship because they have the best deals.
Yes.
Master Hawkins: We have availables frigates and skiffs. What wouldst thou like to see?
Frigates.
Yes.
No.
Master Hawkins: Fare thee well!
Since I am here, I might as well check up on that rumor little Jimmy mentioned.
Well, this guy sure has a lot of scrolls.
It looks like the rumors were true!
Here is my ship! Ain't she a beaut?
That about wraps it up for now!
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
Part 3: The Last Debate
BTW, if you want to play this game and cannot stand the dated technology, you can try Ultima V: Lazarus, which is a remake of this game for Dungeon Siege.
One thing that I have noticed that Scorpia also touched on in her review is that the towns have fewer NPCs than in the last game. This makes them feel empty. However, the NPCs are far improved from the last game. They now have schedules, and they have more unique dialogue options. Many NPCs can give advice or items that are not immediately obvious, so many NPCs must be talked to several times.
I take a moon gate and end up somewhere new. Since it is dark, I rest.
Uh oh! I have been attacked by a bunch of slime.
Eventually, everyone wakes up, and we beat them back.
This is Jhelom, the city of Valor and the home of fighters.
Here is another law of virtue. I enter the arms merchant and speak to Bullwier.
Bullwier: What dost thou want, and I don't have all day!
Bullwier: I make weapons, canst thou not see!
Hell, maybe he knows about the mystics?
I now speak to Thorne.
This translates to RA.
I do that.
Trian: A pleasure!
Trian: Dost thou intend to explore one of the forbidden dungeons?
Trian: Well, if thou must be so foolish as to try that, I can tell thee only this.
I find Goeth on the walls.
Notice he said 'rof' instead of 'for.'
Maybe saying it backwards will help?
He says the Word of Power for Destard is AIPONI. Since he has a habit of saying everything backwards, it is probably INOPIA.
Anyway, I am done with Jhelom for now. I head to the moongate.
I now arrive in Minoc, the city of Sacrifice and the home of tinkerers.
Here is another of Blackthorn's laws.
If the guard at the entrance catches me, he will ask for half my gold. This is not a pleasant situation. I proceed to the blacksmith.
Tactus: I make the chainmail armour and coifs here at Darkwatch Armoury!
Tactus: Indeed, I believe it to be amongst the finest in the land!
Tactus: Since Blackthorn has come to power, our sales have increased threefold!
Tactus: I can tell thou art very keen! I wouldst like thee to see a friend of mine, if thou couldst. Wilt thou?
Tactus: He is very close with Lord Blackthorn himself! I believe thou shalt find him an interesting fellow!
This is the first step to infiltrating the Oppression. What do you think Codex? Should I do it or not?
I then go to the poorhouse.
I can get as much food as I want, but I have to do it one at a time.
This is Lady Sahra, another Blackthorn supporter.
This is Delwyn the beggar. What the hell! I might as well give him some coins.
I talk to him again and give him three more coins.
I now talk to a sailmaker.
Fenelon: I sew sails for Captain Blythe.
Fenelon: He's the owner of The Crow's Nest! Between thee and I, he's a real nasty soul!
Fenelon: They do have fine sails, if nothing else!
Fenelon: Made only from the finest muslin and a dash of spider silk!
Fenelon: He has myself, and Rew here, held in indentured servitude indefinitely!
Fenelon: Yes, tis a pity, especially for such a young child as Rew.
Fenelon: She is a wonderful child.
Fenelon: Thou dost show kindness. Dost thou usually pay the sacrifice tax?
Fenelon: The guard is off at lunch and at night. Enter and leave then to avoid him!
I then talk to Rew.
Rew: I sew sails.
Rew: It's very hard work.
Rew: And, we work very long hours!
Rew: Seven days a week!
Rew: 'Tis with great sacrifice we sew, but we have a little chant we sing to pass the time. Like to hear it?
Rew:
The raven sees
The raven saw
And in the corn
He sayeth 'Cah'!
Dost thou believe that wishes can come true?
Rew: I've heard that some wells are wishing wells!
Rew: I'm told it's a mantra, whatever that is.
Rew: I heard one person claim they got a horse! Unfair, dost thou agree?
Rew: Me too. . .
Here is another scroll.
Cool! The grandfather clocks also tell the time. Since it is nearly noon, I head to the armory to follow up on Delwyn's tip.
This is Shenstone. He is about to go out to lunch.
I follow him.
He stops for a bit by that tree in the upper-left corner of town.
I search the tree and find a ring of odd keys.
These are skull keys, which can be used to open magically-locked doors. I rest for 24 hours and come back to find even more keys. Soon, I have twelve skull keys. It is now time to be rather unvirtuous.
I take the moongates back to Britain and head for LB's castle.
I head for the southeastern part of the first floor and unlock the door to the south. I then take the ladder down to the basement. The basement is mostly a square of hallways encompassing a block of rooms.
On the leftmost hallway is a door to the prisons. The sign reads "Ye Royal Prison."
In the center of the bottom hallway is a door. Notice the faint blue outline around the door? That means it is magically locked (AN EX POR). The only way to open this door is with the 5th circle spell IN EX POR or with skull keys. I use the keys.
YEAH! That is a lot of loot! The only problem is that stealing is wrong, so it lowers my karma. I justify my actions by claiming that I am using them to rescue Lord British and defeat Blackthorn and the Shadowlords. Surely, Lord British would not disapprove too much.
Oh yeah! A Magic Axe! These are the best weapons in the game outside the final dungeon; they do nice damage, can hit anything on the battlefield, and, unlike bows/crossbows/etc., they do not use ammunition. Yes, bows finally require arrows; crossbows require bolts and so on. I end up getting three magic axes, two magic bows, and a bunch of other loot out of this. Unfortunately, my karma takes a massive hit. I will need to give a lot of gold to beggars and free a lot of prisoners to make up for it.
Anyway, I head for Britain to sell some of my loot.
I have not noticed this orchard before. I speak to the orchard watcher.
Terrance: I keep this orchard to earn my humble living.
Terrance: It's even harder in these dark times!
Terrance: It's mostly on account of them blasted Shadowlords!
Terrance: If it weren't for the Resistance, I'd have nothing left.
Terrance: Ooops. . . . Dost thou intend to turn me in for my treason?
If I say yes, he calls the guards on me.
Terrance: I am grateful. Dost thou know of the Resistance?
I decide to travel to Yew. On the way I stop by Iolo's hut to see an old "friend."
Smith: I thought so . . .
That translates to INFINITY, the final question in the last game. Smith was supposed to give me that hint in Ultima IV, but Garriott forgot to include it. Smith telling an important clue to the previous game will become a long running joke in the series.
On the way to Yew, we are ambushed by a pack of skeletons. It is time to try out my new gear.
Oh yeah! Magic axes can hit anything on the battle field as long as there is an unblocked route to the target (at least I think that is how it works).
When the battle is over, I send my companions away and loot the chests.
Uh oh! I have been poisoned. Like in the last two games, poison will make me take one point of damage with each step.
Luckily I have a few AN NOX spells prepared.
First, I head to the high court to talk to Judge Dryden about the Oppression.
I now head to the Arms of Justice to join the Resistance.
Chamfort: Very good! The first thing thou dost need is to see Landon! The password is DAWN.
Chamfort: He is the local leader of the Resistance.
Chamfort: Who told thee to ask me?
Chamfort: Ah, yes. The Mantra of Justice is BEH!
I proceed through the fireplace and back into the Resistance tunnels. Finally, I find Landon in a corner. He seems to sleep most of the day, though.
Landon: Greetings, what is thy name?
Landon: Canst thou help us with the cause?
Landon: Blackthorn uses the powers of the Crown to maintain his reign of tyranny!
Landon: It must be recovered! Elzair, thou art the one to do it! Be warned, he uses its powers to prevent the use of magic within his castle!
Yay! I am now in the Resistance. I remember seeing some Resistance members in North Britanny, so I go there. Here are some monsters I encounter on the way.
They are not too tough (especially with magic axes). I finally arrive.
I search a tree stump and find some gems.
This sign says "welcome to North Britanny."
I now speak to some farmers working the fields.
Thentis: I am a farmer. What dost thou do?
Thentis: Dost thou like it?
Thentis: Art thou helped, or hindered by the new laws?
Thentis: Then might I venture to say that thou doth oppose Blackthorn's new laws?
Thentis: Art thou aware that this is heresy?
Thentis: Dost thou know of the Resistance?
Thentis: Dost thou support it?
Thentis: Dost thou know their password?
Thentis: What is it?
I then exit town and sleep until midnight.
With a torch I find the well with little trouble.
Vigil: Hmmm. . . I guess that thou art with the Resistance, yes?
Vigil: Canst thou prove it?
Vigil: At least thou art honest!
Vigil: That was before the Shadowlords!
Vigil: My friends and I learned much about them before we retired. Talk to them!
I talk to Joshua next.
Joshua: What didst thou say?
Joshua: Dost thou serve the Resistance?
Joshua: Good! Shall I tell thee what I know?
Joshua: Soon after, its twisted soul shall return anew!
I talk to Leof last.
Leof: I work for Miss Vigil
Leof: Yes, sunrise is beautiful. Hard to Resist, wouldst thou not agree?
Leof: Whom dost thou resist?
Leof: We too resist his foul, oppressive regime! Hast thou ever faced a Shadowlord?
Well, not really.
It has been a long night, so I hit the hay.
Lord British appears and raises Shamino to level three. Yes, after gaining enough to level-up, we must rest in the wilderness until the spectre of Lord British appears.
Uh oh!
I now take a moongate to Skara Brae.
It looks a little different from last time. As usual, one of Blackthorn's new laws is posted at the entrance to town.
On the outskirts I find a small child.
Froed: I am Froed.
Froed: I am hiding!
Froed: From those nasty people!
Froed: They dragged off my father!
Froed: Since he came to power, no one can speak their mind!
Froed: She died when I was born.
Froed: Hast thou seen any sign of him?
Froed: Where?
I remember seeing a Greymarch imprisoned in Yew.
Froed: Then there is hope! Wouldst thou take him a message?
I now search around town.
Here is a yellow potion that I find in a hut in the northwest. Of course, that is not all I find. I decide to look at that crystal ball in the corner.
Whoah! Trippy! Looking into the ball can also give me a death vision that slightly damages me.
I now head for the tavern.
This is Saul, the one Malik in Moonglow told me to speak to regarding where to find mandrake and nightshade.
Saul: I am a visitor.
Saul: Came to see an old friend!
Saul: His name is Kindor. He was struck by a Shadowlord's bolt!
Saul: He resisted the Shadowlord's takeover of his towne!
Saul: He fled after he was shot. I found him near death and brought him here. Wilt thou help us vanquish these daemons?
Saul: Wisheth thee to find them?
Basically, they are in the same spots as last time.
Since it is still the middle of the day, I try speaking to Archmage Flain.
His doors are magically locked, so I need to use a skull key.
As soon as I open the door, two bats pop out and chase me around.
As soon as I defeat one in combat, the doors have relocked and the bats have respawned. It looks like I will need to outrun the bats somehow.
Anyway, I wait around until 6 PM to speak with Kindor.
Kindor: I. . . am here to convalesce.
Kindor: To. . . let my wounds heal!
Kindor: I was. . . struck by a Shadowlord's magical arrow!
Kindor: I fear. . . that I shall die!
Kindor: Not knowing is the worst part, though.
Kindor: Use it soon, for remember, Blackthorn too searches for the Mantra. . . .
This translates to OM.
Apart from Flain and a merchant or two, these are all the NPCs in Skara Brae. It seems . . . unfinished.
I then take the next moon gate and wind up in Trinsic.
Here is another of Blackthorn's laws.
I recall a Hettar from the Belgariad, a series of fantasy novels by David Eddings. In those books, Hettar is an Algar, a race of horse people, and he is known for being able to communicate telepathically with horses. Something tells me this is not a coincidence. For those of you following along with this LP, please post any other allusions you see.
Woolfe: A pleasure!
Woolfe: I'm the blacksmith here at The Paladin's Protectorate.
Woolfe: I forge fine weapons and stout armour!
Woolfe: Plate mail, my friend. Ey, doth shine so brightly too! 'been make'n a suit for my young son.
Woolfe: He's been sick!
Woolfe: My son Jimmy is a fine lad. He is staying at the healer's.
Woolfe: They occasionally let him visit the lake. If thou dost see him, ask him about ships. He enjoys talking about them.
Woolfe: He's got this funny roommate that sleepwalks!
I then find Jimmy at the healer.
Jimmy: I just like to sit by the lake and think.
Jimmy: It is very relaxing.
Jimmy: Many extraordinary powers had she!
Jimmy: Twice the hull strength and twice the speed of any other vessel!
Jimmy: She bore a magical ship's wheel that did enchant her bow!
He is talking about the wheel from the last game.
Jimmy: 'Twas lost during the Age of the Avatar!
Jimmy: I cannot help thee with that.
Jimmy: Rigging her sails a special way gave her this enchanted ability!
Jimmy: It was designed by Master Hawkins of the Oaken Oar.
Jimmy: 'Tis but only a rumour!
Yeah, I'll bet.
Anyway, I explore more of the town.
As usual, there is a passage behind the fireplace on the second floor of the armory.
I get some gems from the barrel here. The door leads out to the walls where I encounter a wandering paladin.
Gruman: A pleasure!
Gruman: I walk the walls of fair Trinsic!
Gruman: I am waiting here for a sign!
Gruman: I know not what form it shall take, but when it comes I shall go in search of my lord!
Gruman: Lord British, of course!
I have to remember this man. I wait around until dark to catch the sleepwalker.
Sindar: Job?
Sindar: Yes.
This translates to INFAMA.
Sindar: Shame.
I now know the Word of Power for Shame.
I leave Trinsic and head south to the nearest lighthouse.
This place is called Greyhaven.
I then speak to its inhabitants.
David: Aye, she's a good woman, but she's got some strange ideas.
David: Ask 'er!
David: He's a brat of a kid!
David: What dost ye thinks I do? Ye mangy dog!
David: Good guess, ya scum!
David: Aye, now I know that I speak the truth! Ye must have the brains of a jellyfish!
God, what an asshole! I hope the others are easier to deal with.
Charlotte: I live here with my husband and son, and maintain the lighthouse!
Charlotte: 'Tis quiet work.
Charlotte: 'Tis the ideal climate for an amateur philosopher like myself.
Oh, dear lord . . .
Charlotte: I ponder the virtues of Avatarhood.
Charlotte: We must look at the very roots of dishonesty, and see it comes from the twisted tongues of liars. And, surely, one cannot lie without a tongue! Wouldst thou agree, the teachings of Blackthorn are meaningful and true?
Charlotte: Hold thy tongue, heretic, or thou shalt lose it!
Since both the father and mother are crazy, I wonder how the son turned out?
Anthony: Well, I do my chores every day.
Anthony: I do my studies and clean my room.
Anthony: I am studying Virtue.
Anthony: Blackthorn's Eight Laws of Virtue!
Anthony: I must learn to recite them.
Anthony: I can't yet. Dost thou live by Virtue?
Anthony: Art thou an Avatar?
Anthony: If I study Blackthorn's laws well, will I become an Avatar?
Anthony: Why, are his laws in error?
Anthony: I do not believe thee! He would not lie to us!
We are batting three for three here!
Since these people are so crazy, I loot their storage room. I don't think my karma goes down, though.
I then find some other people to talk to.
Kenneth: I am the Court Composer.
He is actually telling me to pull out the manual and turn to this page.
Kenneth: Since the next three notes are descending from one above the C note, the next three notes have to be DCB.
I sit down at the harpsichord and practice.
To "play" the harpsichord, I just hit the number keys 0-9 in the proper order. I have now learned Stones. There is only one person left to talk to.
Sir Arbuthnot: I am the Royal Coinmaker!
Sir Arbuthnot: Well. . . That is to say I was, before I became a wanted man!
Sir Arbuthnot: I am afraid I did something that was not taken too well by the current regime. Dost thou favor the current regime?
Sir Arbuthnot: I minted a magical coin!
Sir Arbuthnot: It was in the symbol of the Codex!
Sir Arbuthnot: Dost thou know of the one true Avatar?
Sir Arbuthnot: Art thou the one true Avatar?
Sir Arbuthnot: 'Tis indeed an honor!
This sorta explains how I was summoned to Britannia. I am done with this place, so I head back to Britain.
Since I am tired of using moongates and have enough gold, I head to East Britanny to buy a ship because they have the best deals.
Master Hawkins: We have availables frigates and skiffs. What wouldst thou like to see?
Master Hawkins: Fare thee well!
Since I am here, I might as well check up on that rumor little Jimmy mentioned.
Well, this guy sure has a lot of scrolls.
It looks like the rumors were true!
Here is my ship! Ain't she a beaut?
That about wraps it up for now!
Elzair
Cipher
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,254
Ultima V Part 4: Flotsam and Jetsam
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
Part 4: Flotsam and Jetsam
Welcome back! Since I finally have a ship, I should explain a little bit more about sailing. Ultima V has two types of ships: frigates and skiffs. Skiffs are small, light ships that can be rowed in shallow water and medium water but cannot travel in deep water. Frigates, which come with their own skiffs, are the big ships that have sails in addition to oars and can travel in medium and deep water but cannot travel in shallow water. As usual, frigates also have cannons, and, as usual, they can only be fired perpendicular to the direction the ship is facing. I will explain some of the changes to sailing in a minute.
I board the ship. The light patches of water around the land represent shallow water, and the semi-straight line patches of water represent medium water.
Sailing has been made more realistic in this game. When the sails are furled and the wind is blowing from a direction other than the one in which I am traveling, and it is not calm, the ship will rather briskly travel in the desired direction. Like in real life, if the ship is pointing perpendicular to the direction of the wind (i.e. I am beam reaching), it will travel twice as fast. If there is no wind, or it blowing from the direction I want to travel (i.e. I am in irons), I must furl the sails and row. While the speed boost from using the sails is nice, I must be careful to avoid shallow water. If the ship runs across shallow water while the sails are hoisted, it will run aground and start taking damage quickly. As usual, I can repair damage from beachings and other things by holing-up.
Here is a demonstration.
I yell for the crew to hoist the sails.
I am moving out! BTW, that zig-zag pattern represents deep water.
I decide to visit the lighthouse in Britanny Bay, so I yell for the crew to furl the sails, wait for the winds to change and sail back.
That was close!
This lighthouse is facetiously named Fogsbane because it is the bane of fog.
Name.
Grandfather.
Jennifer: He is old, but very wise.
Wise.
Jennifer: He once was a great mariner!
Mariner.
Jennifer: He has travelled throughout the Great Sea.
Sea.
Jennifer: Thou should ask him of his travels!
I do that.
Sure.
Jotham: 'ere ye are, mate!
Name.
Jotham: My name be Jotham.
Job.
Jotham: I once sailed upon the open seas.
Sailed.
Jotham: 'Twas many years ago, when I was much younger.
Younger.
Jotham: Now, I leave such things to others.
Things.
Jotham: The seas are very dangerous these days.
These days.
Whirlpools.
Recesses.
Jotham: They are even those who claim that some survive the perilous journey below. Only to be killed and eaten by the horrible creatures that dwell in the dark recesses.
Since my reserves of food are basically gone, I head back to Britain to stock up on rations.
Shit! As usual, starvation makes my whole party take one point of damage with each step. Fortunately, the food is not too expensive.
While I am here, I decide to talk to the wizard who wandered in. He gets up around 5 PM.
Elzair.
Great Council.
Annon: We derived the eight Words of Power!
Words of Power.
Annon: We used these words to seal the eight dungeons!
Seal.
Annon: Blackthorn hunts us down, so that he might unlock them and free the evils within!
Evils.
Shit! I need to bump up my karma to at least 80 before he will give me the Word of Power for Despise. I now stock-up on food.
Rations.
Eight.
Yeah! This should last a little while.
I now sail south to about halfway between Paws and Trinsic (i.e. in the Fens of the Dead) and sail east.
Here is Buccaneer's Den. There are no annoying virtue laws here.
I can find some (normal) keys in a tree stump to the right of the entrance. I then head to the inn.
In this game, I cannot just kick out party members wherever I feel like it. I have to put them up for room and board, and if I ever want to pick them up again, I will have to pay their bill (that increases monthly).
As an example, I will leave Shamino behind.
Shamino is now gone. I explore the rest of the town.
Job.
Sven: I'm a pirate! ! !
Pirate.
Sven: Aye, but once upon a time, I was a glassblower.
Glassblower.
Sven: Used to make fine and wonderful things, I did.
Wonderful things.
Sven: Oh, sculptures, crystals and the like.
Sculptures.
Sven: Aye, fine they were too. But, there were'nt much money in it, so I 'came a pirate!
I wonder if Sven knows anything about glass swords?
Glass swords.
Sven: I once tried to make glass weapons, but all my attempts failed. I have heard, though, of magically enhanced crystalline swords of great power!
Magic.
Airship.
Sven: Airships sound like a heap of nonsense if thou wert to ask me!
So I should search around the Serpent Spine mountains? 'Kay! I now speak to my old traveling companion Geoffrey the fighter.
Yes.
Geoffrey: Ah, that is good. I presume thou hast heard of our troubles.
Yes.
Geoffrey: Is it time we set off against them?
No.
Geoffrey: Soon, I hope.
I turn him down because I have too many fighters as it is. In the northern part of town, I find the "ruler" of this wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Elzair.
Lord Dalgrin: A pleasure!
Job.
Lord Dalgrin: Why, I am the most bloodthirsty pirate to sail the seas.
Pirate.
Lord Dalgrin: I plunder where'er the winds take me.
Winds.
Lord Dalgrin: I been 'round the world many a time!
Round.
Lord Dalgrin: More'n I can count. But today, I thinks I'll just relax an 'ave a drink with Tierra!
Tierra.
I decide to take his advice and head to the tavern for a drink with Tierra.
Drink.
Tierra: Sure, I'll drinks with ye. . . If'n I canst only find my glass.
Glass.
Tierra: I left it round 'ere somewhere.
Somewhere.
Tierra: I canst not seem to remember.
Remember.
Tierra: Speak'n of which. . . I canst not remember yer name. . . Elzair, thou ought to know by now. Dost ye think me pretty?
Yes.
Tierra: I likes thee, perhaps I canst help thee! Dost ye wish ye couldst climb mountains?
Yes.
I talk to the other patrons.
Job.
Scally: Likin' ye might expect, I entertain.
Entertain.
Scally: Why, I is the best singer 'ere in this whole towne! 'Course, I is the only singer in this whole towne. . . No matter. . . Wouldst ye likes me to sing ye a song, there mate?
Yes.
Scally: There once was a pirate named David, so crotchety and misbehav'd. And then one day, he sailed away, only to where, he would not say.
David.
Scally: A real nasty ol' bloke I 'ear!
Nasty bloke.
Scally: Aye, but I've also 'eard he was a great inventor!
Inventor.
Tool.
Scally: I believes he called it a. . . Err. . . Ahh. . . Umm. . . . . . Sextant.
Sextant.
I seem to remember a crotchety old man who fits this description. Anyway, I go talk to Bidney.
Job.
Bidney: I loves to drink!
Drink.
Bidney: Rum, that's me favorite. Hic! 'Scuse me.
Rum.
Bidney: Yo ho ho!
Yo ho ho!
Bidney: And a bottle of rum! Ey, got any?
Yes.
Bidney: Might I have a li'l taste?
Yes.
Yes.
Bidney: I used to be a. . . Hic. . . Mountain climber. . . Gave it up. . . Too dangerous. . . So, I 'came a pirate!
Hmm. I now decide to try to enter the guild shop.
I jimmy the lock on the door.
Next, I use a skull key to get past the magically locked door. There is another way from the hallway where Lord Dalgrin stands, but it still involves jimmying a lock and walking through a fireplace.
The best way is to take the secret door to the east of the entrance to town. The problem is that this guy's prices are too high for me.
On a whim, I sail to the Fens of the Dead and search the same island for mandrake root that I searched last time. It is a success. Next, I head to Greyhaven.
Sextant.
David: Aye, shiver me timbers, so ye've 'eard of me great invention?
Yes.
David: Obviously, thou art a person of exceptional wisdom! So, me matey, does ya think me invention were a good one?
Yes.
David: Thou dost speak true! Wouldst thou like one I've made with me own hands?
Yes.
Hooray! I can now locate my position in the world.
Unfortunately, it only works at night.
I then head east (and slightly to the north) to a small marshy island with a hut in the center.
It looks like someone does not want company. I have to blow a lot of my AN NOX spells to avoid taking damage.
LAWL!
Alright, enough with the foolishness! Let's see who lives out here.
I find an amulet of turning in a trunk.
I find Sutek in his sitting room.
Elzair.
Sutek: Art thou the Avatar of Legend?
Yes.
Sutek: The Shards and the Shadowlords can and must be destroyed! The Shards must be recovered from their resting places in the boundless Underworld, and cast into the Eternal Flames of Truth, Love, and Courage. . . Even as each respective Shadowlord stands nigh upon the flame of the Principle it opposes. Take now this knowledge and use it well!
To destroy a Shadowlord, I need to find its shard in the underworld, take the shard to the keep whose principle the Shadowlord opposes, stand before the flame of the given principle, call the name of the Shadowlord, and toss the shard into the flame.
Since I have not already been there, I decide to check up on the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. I sail to the western part of the Isle of the Avatar and enter the cove from the last game. There are no pirate ships this time.
After wading through the poisonous marsh, I hit a dead end. Apparently, I need to enter it from the south.
Since I am on a quest for the Shrine of Spirituality, the guardians let me pass.
I should now return to the Shrine of Spirituality. I will have to do this for the other seven virtues as well. I now head to the northern part of Verity Isle.
Here is the Lycaeum.
That is nice of them to include directions. I head for the healer.
This is Mariah, the mage. She would have been a companion if I had not been a mage.
Job.
Mariah: I have been quite ill, for many days.
Ill.
Mariah: The healers here, in the Lycaeum, canst heal even the wound of a Shadowlord quickly.
Shadowlords.
Mariah: I met one in Moonglow some time back, but did escape with my life!
Join.
Mariah: So, art thou here to set things right?
Yes.
Mariah: Wilt thou have need of my services?
Yes.
Mariah: My wounds are mostly healed. Shall I join with thee now?
Unfortunately, I don't have space. I need to come back for her because mages kick ass.
No.
Mariah: Soon, I hope.
I see who else is around.
Name.
Rollo: I am called Rollo.
Job.
Rollo: I am a scribe for the Lycaeum.
Lycaeum.
Rollo: In our libraries, we keep many of the important Britannian documents.
Libraries.
Rollo: Our libraries are the best in Britannia.
Documents.
Rollo: 'Tis here that the journal of Lord British's expedition into the underworld was authenticated!
Journal.
Rollo: Yes, 'tis sad, but 'twould seem that there is little hope for his return.
Scribe.
Rollo: I serve the duties of librarian, and have written a number of the works we have published.
Works.
NOTE: The Book of Lore is the title of Ultima V's manual. You can find a copy here.
Yes.
Rollo: Didst thou enjoy it?
Yes.
Rollo: I thank thee, kind soul.
I now speak to Lord R'hien.
Job.
Lord R'hine: I fight for the ways of Truth.
Ways of Truth.
Lord R'hine: In these days, Truth is in great peril!
Peril.
Lord R'hine: Blackthorn has warped the meaning of the Virtues to match his self-righteous needs.
Warped.
Lord R'hine: The people live as sheep, manipulated by his misguided principles!
Misguided principles.
Lord R'hine: Virtue, when imposed by force rather than belief and choice, lacks the meaning that is required for a guiding force in one's life.
WTF?! Who is this guy supposed to be? Is he somebody's D&D character?!
Job.
Lord Shalineth: I am the Lord of the Keep of Truth.
Keep.
Lord Shalineth: The Lycaeum is the Keep of Truth.
Truth.
Lord Shalineth: We use the precepts of Truth to strengthen our magic.
Magic.
Lord Shalineth: It is Truth that lends our arts the power to overcome all Evil, if we but trust in it.
Evil.
Lord Shalineth: A creature of great Evil must hide its name, for it is at the mercy of one armed with such a simple truth.
Simple truth.
Lord Shalineth: Dost thou swear not to use it foolishly?
Yes.
This translates to Faulinei.
I now speak to the lady of the house.
Job.
Lady Janell: I am Queen of the Magi of Britannia.
Queen of the Magi.
Lady Janell: Evil times are before us, but the hearts of our people shall perservere.
Evil times.
Lady Janell: Though the days grow darker, there are many who still seek the light of Truth.
Truth.
Lady Janell: I know of two sisters, ascetics of a temple of Virtue, who know of the evil artifact which most opposes Truth!
Artifact.
Lady Janell: Seek out the twin sisters in the hidden city of Cove, and ask them of the Shard of Falsehood! Dost thou
Yes.
Lady Janell: Dost thou seek the Shrine of Spirituality?
Yes.
Lady Janell: Enter one of the mystic moongates at precisely midnight. Then shalt thou find the Shrine!
I now try to buy some reagents, but the guy's prices are too high, so I tell him to shove off.
Hah! This is a reference to Ultima II BTW.
To the north of where Lord Shalineth was sitting is the Flame of Truth. I remember I need to ask Sir Sean about Stonegate.
Job.
Sir Sean: I am the Keeper of the Eternal Flame of Truth.
Flame.
Sir Sean: We stand against the three evil lords who ravage the land!
Evil lords.
Sir Sean: The Shadowlords!
Shadowlords.
Sir Sean: They are foul spectres!
Foul spectres.
Sir Sean: Indeed they are!
Stonegate.
Sir Sean: Art thou afraid to journey into Evil's abode?
No.
Sir Sean: Sail first thy ship unto the southernmost part of Lost Hope Bay. Travel so far as thy skiff will take thee. Some speak of a special implement that can be used to cross the mountains. Find first this equipment! Then climb thyway through the mountains to the south. There thou shalt find the black keep Stonegate, guarded by Balinor, foulest of daemons! This is the earthly domain of the three Shadowlords, from which few have returned!
I now head north to a hut in the drylands. Lord Michael of Empath Abbey told me to find a daemon in the Drylands who knew about the Shadowlord of Hate, so I do just that.
This must be who he was referring to.
Job.
Sin'Vraal: I once served the mighty Astaroth, but that was long ago.
Astaroth.
Summon.
Sin'Vraal: Beware, for they who yell their Names, oft die at the will of the foul wraiths!
Once served.
Sin'Vraal: No longer do I serve Evil, for deep below the earth did the Once and True King show me the paths of Virtue!
True king.
Sin'Vraal: I can only tell thee that he has turned me from the ways of darkness, but he'll have no such luck with the Shadowlords!
This must mean Lord British is still alive!
Shard.
That would be Covetous.
I proceed westward hugging the landmass until I come across another hut in the middle of marshland. Inside is a talking rat.
Elzair.
Grendel: I am called Grendel.
Job.
Grendel: I once was a great alchemist!
Alchemist.
Grendel: Squeek. . . That was before my accident!
Accident.
Spell.
Grendel: It was to be an enchantment to turn foes into rats.
Rats.
Grendel: Squeek. . . During an early experiment I was transformed into a rat! I have since perfected a lesser version.
Lesser.
Grendel: Wouldst thou like the formula?
Yes.
I now know how to cast REL XEN BET, which will polymorph my opponents. I now head for Cove.
Since skiffs can travel in shallow water, I just head into Lock Lake. It is a lot easier to get to than in the last game.
Here is Cove. I go to the temple of virtue where I picked up the Candle of Love in the last game.
Job.
Ava: My sister and I care for this temple.
Temple
Ava: The Temple of Virtue. We ask for 5 gold crowns, wilt thou give?
Yes.
Ava: We thank thee. Art thou the Avatar of legend?
Yes.
Ava: Virtue makes no mistakes. We shall tell thee what we know of the Shard of Falsehood. Ask my sister of her vision!
Vision.
Leona: In the deep of night, many moons ago, a vision came unto my sister and I. . . We saw the Shard of Falsehood deep below a dungeon named Deceit.
Leona: Then the way led southwest. At a major intersection it turned northwest, soon branching northeast.
Cool! I now have a pretty good idea of where to find two of the three shards. I now rest until 11 PM to see Ambrose.
Fuck yeah! As you might have guessed, levelling-up will only add 30 extra HP per level and give me the ability to cast spells from a new circle.
Job.
Ambrose: I am resting.
Resting.
Ambrose: A long and brutal battle 'twas.
Battle.
Ambrose: I was deep below the surface of Britannia, in search of the fabled mystic weapons of the Avatar!
Mystic weapons.
Ambrose: I had heard that they lay at the foundation of the Great Abyss!
Abyss.
Search.
Ambrose: Within the Underworld, where the Abyss once was, the lava still flows, north of the underground entrance of Hythloth. 'Tis there, northward across cavernous peaks from the dungeon, amidst the boiling lava, that the mystic arms are said to lie! Dost thou seek the fate of Lord British?
Yes.
Ambrose: Remember only the Mystic arms work near great evil. Only such evil could hold our lord!
Speaking of LB, I head back to his palace to retrieve something I need.
I use another skull key to open the door.
That is a weird rug!
Kickass! Basically, the magic carpet is an ATV. It can go over any type of terrain except mountain peaks (and the party will take damage if we try to go over deep water). Furthermore, this allows me to outrun opponents which will prove necessary for seeing Flain and getting through Stonegate.
I find a black potion on the shelf through the fireplace.
I then sit down at the harpsichord and play Stones.
The song unlocks the passage to the north.
Whatever is in this sandalwood box is necessary for rescuing Lord British.
I now fly out of there like Aladdin.
Here is a photo of us taking on a sea serpent.
Here we are stealing a pirate ship.
When I try to enter Moonglow for some reagents, it looks like Astaroth has gotten here first.
When he is in town, all the people in town will randomly hit you. When Faulinei is in town, people will steal items, and when the Shadowlord of Cowardice is present, they will flee from you.
Here is a photo of me using the sextant. My current position is I'H'', O'I'' I now head to Empath Abbey to get the grappling hook.
Grapple.
Lord Michael: I have the grapple used to climb mountains. And, one can still fall whilst using it if one is not nimble enough!
Lord Michael: And, one can still fall whilst using it if one is not nimble enough! Wouldst thou like it?
Yes.
Lord Michael: Use it well, and be careful!
I am tired now, so I will go to bed. Later!
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
Part 4: Flotsam and Jetsam
Welcome back! Since I finally have a ship, I should explain a little bit more about sailing. Ultima V has two types of ships: frigates and skiffs. Skiffs are small, light ships that can be rowed in shallow water and medium water but cannot travel in deep water. Frigates, which come with their own skiffs, are the big ships that have sails in addition to oars and can travel in medium and deep water but cannot travel in shallow water. As usual, frigates also have cannons, and, as usual, they can only be fired perpendicular to the direction the ship is facing. I will explain some of the changes to sailing in a minute.
I board the ship. The light patches of water around the land represent shallow water, and the semi-straight line patches of water represent medium water.
Sailing has been made more realistic in this game. When the sails are furled and the wind is blowing from a direction other than the one in which I am traveling, and it is not calm, the ship will rather briskly travel in the desired direction. Like in real life, if the ship is pointing perpendicular to the direction of the wind (i.e. I am beam reaching), it will travel twice as fast. If there is no wind, or it blowing from the direction I want to travel (i.e. I am in irons), I must furl the sails and row. While the speed boost from using the sails is nice, I must be careful to avoid shallow water. If the ship runs across shallow water while the sails are hoisted, it will run aground and start taking damage quickly. As usual, I can repair damage from beachings and other things by holing-up.
Here is a demonstration.
I yell for the crew to hoist the sails.
I am moving out! BTW, that zig-zag pattern represents deep water.
I decide to visit the lighthouse in Britanny Bay, so I yell for the crew to furl the sails, wait for the winds to change and sail back.
That was close!
This lighthouse is facetiously named Fogsbane because it is the bane of fog.
Jennifer: He is old, but very wise.
Jennifer: He once was a great mariner!
Jennifer: He has travelled throughout the Great Sea.
Jennifer: Thou should ask him of his travels!
I do that.
Jotham: 'ere ye are, mate!
Jotham: My name be Jotham.
Jotham: I once sailed upon the open seas.
Jotham: 'Twas many years ago, when I was much younger.
Jotham: Now, I leave such things to others.
Jotham: The seas are very dangerous these days.
Jotham: They are even those who claim that some survive the perilous journey below. Only to be killed and eaten by the horrible creatures that dwell in the dark recesses.
Since my reserves of food are basically gone, I head back to Britain to stock up on rations.
Shit! As usual, starvation makes my whole party take one point of damage with each step. Fortunately, the food is not too expensive.
While I am here, I decide to talk to the wizard who wandered in. He gets up around 5 PM.
Annon: We derived the eight Words of Power!
Annon: We used these words to seal the eight dungeons!
Annon: Blackthorn hunts us down, so that he might unlock them and free the evils within!
Shit! I need to bump up my karma to at least 80 before he will give me the Word of Power for Despise. I now stock-up on food.
Yeah! This should last a little while.
I now sail south to about halfway between Paws and Trinsic (i.e. in the Fens of the Dead) and sail east.
Here is Buccaneer's Den. There are no annoying virtue laws here.
I can find some (normal) keys in a tree stump to the right of the entrance. I then head to the inn.
In this game, I cannot just kick out party members wherever I feel like it. I have to put them up for room and board, and if I ever want to pick them up again, I will have to pay their bill (that increases monthly).
As an example, I will leave Shamino behind.
Shamino is now gone. I explore the rest of the town.
Sven: I'm a pirate! ! !
Sven: Aye, but once upon a time, I was a glassblower.
Sven: Used to make fine and wonderful things, I did.
Sven: Oh, sculptures, crystals and the like.
Sven: Aye, fine they were too. But, there were'nt much money in it, so I 'came a pirate!
I wonder if Sven knows anything about glass swords?
Sven: I once tried to make glass weapons, but all my attempts failed. I have heard, though, of magically enhanced crystalline swords of great power!
Sven: Airships sound like a heap of nonsense if thou wert to ask me!
So I should search around the Serpent Spine mountains? 'Kay! I now speak to my old traveling companion Geoffrey the fighter.
Geoffrey: Ah, that is good. I presume thou hast heard of our troubles.
Geoffrey: Is it time we set off against them?
Geoffrey: Soon, I hope.
I turn him down because I have too many fighters as it is. In the northern part of town, I find the "ruler" of this wretched hive of scum and villainy.
Lord Dalgrin: A pleasure!
Lord Dalgrin: Why, I am the most bloodthirsty pirate to sail the seas.
Lord Dalgrin: I plunder where'er the winds take me.
Lord Dalgrin: I been 'round the world many a time!
Lord Dalgrin: More'n I can count. But today, I thinks I'll just relax an 'ave a drink with Tierra!
I decide to take his advice and head to the tavern for a drink with Tierra.
Tierra: Sure, I'll drinks with ye. . . If'n I canst only find my glass.
Tierra: I left it round 'ere somewhere.
Tierra: I canst not seem to remember.
Tierra: Speak'n of which. . . I canst not remember yer name. . . Elzair, thou ought to know by now. Dost ye think me pretty?
Tierra: I likes thee, perhaps I canst help thee! Dost ye wish ye couldst climb mountains?
I talk to the other patrons.
Scally: Likin' ye might expect, I entertain.
Scally: Why, I is the best singer 'ere in this whole towne! 'Course, I is the only singer in this whole towne. . . No matter. . . Wouldst ye likes me to sing ye a song, there mate?
Scally: There once was a pirate named David, so crotchety and misbehav'd. And then one day, he sailed away, only to where, he would not say.
Scally: A real nasty ol' bloke I 'ear!
Scally: Aye, but I've also 'eard he was a great inventor!
Scally: I believes he called it a. . . Err. . . Ahh. . . Umm. . . . . . Sextant.
I seem to remember a crotchety old man who fits this description. Anyway, I go talk to Bidney.
Bidney: I loves to drink!
Bidney: Rum, that's me favorite. Hic! 'Scuse me.
Bidney: Yo ho ho!
Bidney: And a bottle of rum! Ey, got any?
Bidney: Might I have a li'l taste?
Bidney: I used to be a. . . Hic. . . Mountain climber. . . Gave it up. . . Too dangerous. . . So, I 'came a pirate!
Hmm. I now decide to try to enter the guild shop.
I jimmy the lock on the door.
Next, I use a skull key to get past the magically locked door. There is another way from the hallway where Lord Dalgrin stands, but it still involves jimmying a lock and walking through a fireplace.
The best way is to take the secret door to the east of the entrance to town. The problem is that this guy's prices are too high for me.
On a whim, I sail to the Fens of the Dead and search the same island for mandrake root that I searched last time. It is a success. Next, I head to Greyhaven.
David: Aye, shiver me timbers, so ye've 'eard of me great invention?
David: Obviously, thou art a person of exceptional wisdom! So, me matey, does ya think me invention were a good one?
David: Thou dost speak true! Wouldst thou like one I've made with me own hands?
Hooray! I can now locate my position in the world.
Unfortunately, it only works at night.
I then head east (and slightly to the north) to a small marshy island with a hut in the center.
It looks like someone does not want company. I have to blow a lot of my AN NOX spells to avoid taking damage.
LAWL!
Alright, enough with the foolishness! Let's see who lives out here.
I find an amulet of turning in a trunk.
I find Sutek in his sitting room.
Sutek: Art thou the Avatar of Legend?
Sutek: The Shards and the Shadowlords can and must be destroyed! The Shards must be recovered from their resting places in the boundless Underworld, and cast into the Eternal Flames of Truth, Love, and Courage. . . Even as each respective Shadowlord stands nigh upon the flame of the Principle it opposes. Take now this knowledge and use it well!
To destroy a Shadowlord, I need to find its shard in the underworld, take the shard to the keep whose principle the Shadowlord opposes, stand before the flame of the given principle, call the name of the Shadowlord, and toss the shard into the flame.
Since I have not already been there, I decide to check up on the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. I sail to the western part of the Isle of the Avatar and enter the cove from the last game. There are no pirate ships this time.
After wading through the poisonous marsh, I hit a dead end. Apparently, I need to enter it from the south.
Since I am on a quest for the Shrine of Spirituality, the guardians let me pass.
I should now return to the Shrine of Spirituality. I will have to do this for the other seven virtues as well. I now head to the northern part of Verity Isle.
Here is the Lycaeum.
That is nice of them to include directions. I head for the healer.
This is Mariah, the mage. She would have been a companion if I had not been a mage.
Mariah: I have been quite ill, for many days.
Mariah: The healers here, in the Lycaeum, canst heal even the wound of a Shadowlord quickly.
Mariah: I met one in Moonglow some time back, but did escape with my life!
Mariah: So, art thou here to set things right?
Mariah: Wilt thou have need of my services?
Mariah: My wounds are mostly healed. Shall I join with thee now?
Unfortunately, I don't have space. I need to come back for her because mages kick ass.
Mariah: Soon, I hope.
I see who else is around.
Rollo: I am called Rollo.
Rollo: I am a scribe for the Lycaeum.
Rollo: In our libraries, we keep many of the important Britannian documents.
Rollo: Our libraries are the best in Britannia.
Rollo: 'Tis here that the journal of Lord British's expedition into the underworld was authenticated!
Rollo: Yes, 'tis sad, but 'twould seem that there is little hope for his return.
Rollo: I serve the duties of librarian, and have written a number of the works we have published.
NOTE: The Book of Lore is the title of Ultima V's manual. You can find a copy here.
Rollo: Didst thou enjoy it?
Rollo: I thank thee, kind soul.
I now speak to Lord R'hien.
Lord R'hine: I fight for the ways of Truth.
Lord R'hine: In these days, Truth is in great peril!
Lord R'hine: Blackthorn has warped the meaning of the Virtues to match his self-righteous needs.
Lord R'hine: The people live as sheep, manipulated by his misguided principles!
Lord R'hine: Virtue, when imposed by force rather than belief and choice, lacks the meaning that is required for a guiding force in one's life.
WTF?! Who is this guy supposed to be? Is he somebody's D&D character?!
Lord Shalineth: I am the Lord of the Keep of Truth.
Lord Shalineth: The Lycaeum is the Keep of Truth.
Lord Shalineth: We use the precepts of Truth to strengthen our magic.
Lord Shalineth: It is Truth that lends our arts the power to overcome all Evil, if we but trust in it.
Lord Shalineth: A creature of great Evil must hide its name, for it is at the mercy of one armed with such a simple truth.
Lord Shalineth: Dost thou swear not to use it foolishly?
This translates to Faulinei.
I now speak to the lady of the house.
Lady Janell: I am Queen of the Magi of Britannia.
Lady Janell: Evil times are before us, but the hearts of our people shall perservere.
Lady Janell: Though the days grow darker, there are many who still seek the light of Truth.
Lady Janell: I know of two sisters, ascetics of a temple of Virtue, who know of the evil artifact which most opposes Truth!
Lady Janell: Seek out the twin sisters in the hidden city of Cove, and ask them of the Shard of Falsehood! Dost thou
Lady Janell: Dost thou seek the Shrine of Spirituality?
Lady Janell: Enter one of the mystic moongates at precisely midnight. Then shalt thou find the Shrine!
Hah! This is a reference to Ultima II BTW.
To the north of where Lord Shalineth was sitting is the Flame of Truth. I remember I need to ask Sir Sean about Stonegate.
Sir Sean: I am the Keeper of the Eternal Flame of Truth.
Sir Sean: We stand against the three evil lords who ravage the land!
Sir Sean: The Shadowlords!
Sir Sean: They are foul spectres!
Sir Sean: Indeed they are!
Sir Sean: Art thou afraid to journey into Evil's abode?
Sir Sean: Sail first thy ship unto the southernmost part of Lost Hope Bay. Travel so far as thy skiff will take thee. Some speak of a special implement that can be used to cross the mountains. Find first this equipment! Then climb thyway through the mountains to the south. There thou shalt find the black keep Stonegate, guarded by Balinor, foulest of daemons! This is the earthly domain of the three Shadowlords, from which few have returned!
I now head north to a hut in the drylands. Lord Michael of Empath Abbey told me to find a daemon in the Drylands who knew about the Shadowlord of Hate, so I do just that.
This must be who he was referring to.
Sin'Vraal: I once served the mighty Astaroth, but that was long ago.
Sin'Vraal: Beware, for they who yell their Names, oft die at the will of the foul wraiths!
Sin'Vraal: No longer do I serve Evil, for deep below the earth did the Once and True King show me the paths of Virtue!
Sin'Vraal: I can only tell thee that he has turned me from the ways of darkness, but he'll have no such luck with the Shadowlords!
This must mean Lord British is still alive!
That would be Covetous.
I proceed westward hugging the landmass until I come across another hut in the middle of marshland. Inside is a talking rat.
Grendel: I am called Grendel.
Grendel: I once was a great alchemist!
Grendel: Squeek. . . That was before my accident!
Grendel: It was to be an enchantment to turn foes into rats.
Grendel: Squeek. . . During an early experiment I was transformed into a rat! I have since perfected a lesser version.
Grendel: Wouldst thou like the formula?
I now know how to cast REL XEN BET, which will polymorph my opponents. I now head for Cove.
Since skiffs can travel in shallow water, I just head into Lock Lake. It is a lot easier to get to than in the last game.
Here is Cove. I go to the temple of virtue where I picked up the Candle of Love in the last game.
Ava: My sister and I care for this temple.
Ava: The Temple of Virtue. We ask for 5 gold crowns, wilt thou give?
Ava: We thank thee. Art thou the Avatar of legend?
Ava: Virtue makes no mistakes. We shall tell thee what we know of the Shard of Falsehood. Ask my sister of her vision!
Leona: In the deep of night, many moons ago, a vision came unto my sister and I. . . We saw the Shard of Falsehood deep below a dungeon named Deceit.
Leona: Then the way led southwest. At a major intersection it turned northwest, soon branching northeast.
Cool! I now have a pretty good idea of where to find two of the three shards. I now rest until 11 PM to see Ambrose.
Fuck yeah! As you might have guessed, levelling-up will only add 30 extra HP per level and give me the ability to cast spells from a new circle.
Ambrose: I am resting.
Ambrose: A long and brutal battle 'twas.
Ambrose: I was deep below the surface of Britannia, in search of the fabled mystic weapons of the Avatar!
Ambrose: I had heard that they lay at the foundation of the Great Abyss!
Ambrose: Within the Underworld, where the Abyss once was, the lava still flows, north of the underground entrance of Hythloth. 'Tis there, northward across cavernous peaks from the dungeon, amidst the boiling lava, that the mystic arms are said to lie! Dost thou seek the fate of Lord British?
Ambrose: Remember only the Mystic arms work near great evil. Only such evil could hold our lord!
Speaking of LB, I head back to his palace to retrieve something I need.
I use another skull key to open the door.
That is a weird rug!
Kickass! Basically, the magic carpet is an ATV. It can go over any type of terrain except mountain peaks (and the party will take damage if we try to go over deep water). Furthermore, this allows me to outrun opponents which will prove necessary for seeing Flain and getting through Stonegate.
I find a black potion on the shelf through the fireplace.
I then sit down at the harpsichord and play Stones.
The song unlocks the passage to the north.
Whatever is in this sandalwood box is necessary for rescuing Lord British.
I now fly out of there like Aladdin.
Here is a photo of us taking on a sea serpent.
Here we are stealing a pirate ship.
When I try to enter Moonglow for some reagents, it looks like Astaroth has gotten here first.
When he is in town, all the people in town will randomly hit you. When Faulinei is in town, people will steal items, and when the Shadowlord of Cowardice is present, they will flee from you.
Here is a photo of me using the sextant. My current position is I'H'', O'I'' I now head to Empath Abbey to get the grappling hook.
Lord Michael: I have the grapple used to climb mountains. And, one can still fall whilst using it if one is not nimble enough!
Lord Michael: And, one can still fall whilst using it if one is not nimble enough! Wouldst thou like it?
Lord Michael: Use it well, and be careful!
I am tired now, so I will go to bed. Later!
Very interesting! Keep up the good work. :D
Castanova
Prophet
As usual, good shit. Time for a new page?
Elzair
Cipher
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2009
- Messages
- 2,254
Ultima V Part 5: The King of the Golden Hall
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
Part 5: The King of the Golden Hall
I head to Yew to find Froed's father.
I find him in the prisons.
Job.
Greymarch: I once sought adventure on the open range!
Adventure.
Greymarch: I've been sitting in this cell now for quite some time, with no word from my son.
Son.
Greymarch: I fear Froed was killed by the wicked guards that threw me in here! My son! Hast thou seen him?
Yes.
Greymarch: And he is well?
Yes.
Greymarch: Surely, thou wilt let me repay thee in some way?
Yes.
Greymarch: I was told that the Sceptre had great powers against the forces of evil! Seek out Sir Simon in a keep, perched on the high mountains of an isle west of Spiritwood.
I now speak to the mage in the leftmost cell.
Job.
Felespar: When I was a free man, I served on the Great Council.
Great Council.
Felespar: The Great Council once served His Majesty Lord British and sealed the 8 dungeons!
Sealed.
Felespar: To entomb the foul creatures that dwell within!
Word of Power.
Felespar: Thou must be inquiring about the Words of Power, yes?
Yes.
Felespar: The Words of Power are aptly named and not given out lightly. So, tell me, art thou with the Resistance?
Yes.
Felespar: And, their password is?
Dawn.
This translates to MALUM.
I now head for the new, mountainous island south of Skara Brae. This is where Sir Simon is located.
With the grappling hook, I can klimb over the smaller peaks. In the middle of the island, I find a small keep.
This is Bordermarch. It is where some members of the Resistance are hanging out.
I now stop by the armorer to see what he has available.
Whoah! No thanks.
I then meet Sentri, the former lord of Serpent's Hold, wandering the walls of the keep.
Job.
Sentri: We live here in Bordermarch to escape the Shadowlords!
Shadowlords.
Sentri: Spectres of Evil!
He would join me, but I don't have enough room.
Job.
Lord Simon: I am lord of this keep.
Keep.
Lord Simon: We fled here when the tyrant Blackthorn began to spread his self-righteous rule.
Blackthorn.
Lord Simon: The land has not been the same since the loss of Lord British. A good friend. I wish I knew of a way to help him.
Help.
Crown
Lord Simon: A powerful artifact. Lord British once told me of its ability.
Ability.
Lord Simon: When worn, it absorbs all magical forms of attack, no matter how powerful.
Scepter.
Lord Simon: A mighty item of immense power. It is said that when used it can disperse all magical barriers, even in the ethereal plane. I hear 'tis held by the Shadowlords themselves, in their earthly fortress!
Amulet.
Lord Simon: Of that, my wife knows more than I.
I go speak to her.
Job.
Lady Tessa: I practice the mystical arts.
Mystical arts.
Lady Tessa: I can see thou art no ordinary mortal, but the Avatar of legend, and thus familiar with my profession.
Profession.
Lady Tessa: I see it in thy eyes, but tell me, dost thou support Blackthorn's rule?
No.
Lady Tessa: I knew that one who has tread the path of Virtue could not agree with the current state of affairs.
Lady Tessa: With only this can thee find thy path in a place of unholy darkness, which I have forseen shall block thy way. 'Tis beyond such a place that thou must search, if thou art to mend the injustice wrought upon the world by Blackthorn and his spectres!
I now find the paladin Dupre patrolling the battlements.
He will join me, but I don't have room. Since Jhelom is nearby, I head for it.
I make my way to the northeast corner of Jhelom and search the right wall for a hidden door. It leads outside.
I search the tree stump to the south and find a magic axe.
I then head for a small island southeast of Jhelom.
This is the keep of Farthing. I speak to some of its inhabitants.
Job.
Quintin: I am the cook for this keep.
Cook.
Quintin: Yes, I simmer up plenty of tasty dishes for the residents of this abode.
Keep.
Quintin: One of the better looking keeps I have worked in.
Tasty dishes.
Quintin: They have to be good, or else the Lord will order Temme to turn me into a newt!
Residents.
Quintin: A mixed bunch with an interesting history, Before he retired, my lord was a famous pirate. Now, even he fears Blackthorn. But, I mustn't gossip!
Job.
Temme: I am a mage of great repute!
Great repute.
Temme: Modesty was never one of my great virtues. But, I am actually quite good. Would ye be impressed if I told thee that I can cast a spell that CREATES light even on the darkest night?
Sure. 
Temme: Well! If ye think that's good, I've NEARLY made things disappear!
Disappear.
Temme: I know I've got the words right, but I may have mixed the reagents improperly, I think.
Reagents.
Temme: I think it was Ash and Mandrake. . . But, then again, perhaps it was Garlic and Blood Moss. . . Oh, I don't know. I've never had a very good memory.
Word.
Temme: I use the chant. . . Now, don't tell anyone else. . . AN YLEM!
AN YLEM.
Temme: Not now, fool! Am I still here?
Yes.
Temme: Good, watch it!
Let's leave the great mage Temme alone for now and talk to his apprentice.
Job.
Dufus: I am apprentice to the Great Mage Temme!
Temme.
Dufus: The most all-powerful mage to walk the surface of Britannia.
Apprentice.
Dufus: I am lucky enough to be chosen as understudy to the Great Mage Temme, so that one day I too can cast powerful spells.
Powerful spells.
Dufus: Beyond imagining! Why, one day I even saw her nearly kill a Giant Rat with a single spell.
Giant Rat.
Dufus: Yes, 'tis true, I saw it with my own eyes! Would ye like me to tell thee something really amazing?
Yes.
Spyglass.
I do just that. If I remember correctly, Seggallion will show up in later games as well.
Job.
Lord Seggallion: I am the lord of this keep.
Keep.
Lord Seggallion: A fine homestead, furnished with the proceeds from my old profession.
Profession.
Lord Seggallion: Many years ago, I carved my living from the seafaring trade routes of Britannia.
Trade routes.
Lord Seggallion: You know. . . I demanded a fair toll for passage through my waters. . . The fact that this usually amounted to all of their belongings is irrelevant!
Spyglass.
Yes.
Lord Seggallion: I used it on many nights for navigational purposes. I use it but rarely now. Dost thou study the stars?
Yes.
Lord Seggallion: What is it said that the eight planets represent?
Virtues.
Lord Seggallion: I would like thee to have my spyglass, Wouldst thou like it?
Yes.
Lord Seggallion: [gives item] Use it wisely!
This pocket spyglass allows me to view the stars (and comets at night). Each planet (big white dot) represents a virtue, and when a comet (red line) is near a planet, that means a Shadowlord is visiting the town corresponding to that virtue.
It is now time to retrieve Lord British's scepter from the clutches of the Shadowlords.
First, I head to the southern tip of Lost Hope Bay (i.e. the bay off the western coast of Minoc).
Next, I use the grappling hook to climb my way through the mountains.
I then arrive at the keep Stonegate. I get out my magic carpet (because it boosts my speed) and enter.
Uh oh! It looks like Daddy is home! All three Shadowlords are in this keep. I will have to avoid them. I use a skull key to unlock the door to the north.
Inside is the daemon Balinor.
Balinor: My bound duty is to prevent intruders from passing! And so I shall! But first, thou dost seem an educated person and so I offer thee an educated solution to the problem at hand. . . I suggest a battle of wits for thy passage. If I win, I shall slay thee, if thou dost win, I shall let thee pass to face the perils within! Dost thou accept?
Yes.
Balinor: Ah good, I've not tested my wit for some time!
Let's see, this thing is tall, round, and "all the king's horses can't draw it up." The reference to "drawing it up" is the key to understanding this riddle.
A Well.
Balinor: Never trust a Daemon's word! Hah, hah, hah!
As you might have guessed, I must fight him either way.
This is my first battle with a daemon. They can be very annoying. While they can dish out some damage and take a beating themselves, their most annoying power is the ability to possess the body of one of my party members, which makes him or her attack the rest of the party. There are (non-lethal) ways to exorcize a daemon and guard against possession, but I currently don't have any available. Daemons (and dragons BTW) can also summon another daemon for help.
The battle starts off with the party pelting Balinor with magic axes and arrows. He then possesses Iolo, so I make the rest of the party flee.
After the rest of the party is gone, Iolo sleeps for a while and is cured. Weird! Anyway, Balinor is gone.
I head up to the north and around the stone circles. Those weird floor tiles that encircle the sceptre are instant death traps, so the magic carpet is required. One of the Shadowlords also enters the room.
I now have Lord British's sceptre, but I will have to get out with it first! If I ever encounter one of the Shadowlords again, he will steal the scepter from me and take it back here.
Whohoo! I am home free! Lord British's sceptre will allow me to pass through nearly any magical barriers.
However, I still need to recover Lord British's crown and amulet. As Landon told me, Lord British's crown is held on the roof of Blackthorn's castle. He buried his amulet next to his fallen comrades in the underworld. Since I am not ready to plumb the depths just yet, I decide to recover his crown first. To do that, I head back to Skara Brae to see Archmage Flain about the Oppression.
Since I now have the magic carpet, I can outrun the bats, and I try to lead them away from the southern door.
After I have gotten a few steps away, the bats no longer follow me.
Finally, the way is clear. I climb up the ladder and find Flain on the rooftop.
Oppression.
Flain: This had best be important, for if 'tis not. . . Who sent thee?
Judge Dryden.
Flain: Dost thou wish to join the Oppression?
Yes.
This is a highly unvirtuous thing to do, so I am only doing it to show you. Needless to say, I reload after this whole ordeal is done.
Hassad.
Flain: We know that one already!
Well, it was worth a shot!
Felespar.
What the hell! They have him in prison already.
Flain: Ah, very good, just as we suspected. That one will soon perish!
I now know the Oppression's password: IMPERA. I now travel to the island in the northeast corner of the map.
I then use the grappling hook to climb the mountains and approach the keep.
This is Windemere.
I find Elistaria in the eastern wing of the keep.
Job.
Elistaria: I dabble in the dark arts.
Dark arts.
Elistaria: I play with forces beyond the comprehension of most mortals.
Forces.
Elistaria: I conjure daemons and such.
Daemons.
Elistaria: Yes! My favorite creatures! Thou hast seen my two best summonings guarding this keep.
Oppression.
Elistaria: What is the password?
Impera.
Items.
Elistaria: The Jeweled Weapons of course! Ask Thrud for them!
I now have the Black Badge. If I wear it, I will be able to wander Blackthorn's castle without being imprisoned by the guards (provided I also know the password). I now go see Thrud about the Jeweled Weapons.
Name.
Thrud: My name is Thrud.
Job.
Thrud: An infamous mercenary!
Infamous mercenary.
Thrud: I enjoy killing immensely!
Killing.
Thrud: Surely thou hast heard of the time when I butchered an entire village?
No.
Thrud: I had just returned from a war across the sea, when on my way home, I stopped at an inn. The meal I ate there gave me indigestion for two days! Upon recovery, I killed the innkeeper and his entire staff. The ensuing outcry forced me to dispense with the rest of the village!
Jeweled Weapons.
Yes.
Thrud: I will let thee have these great weapons for the Resistance's password, which thou hast so cleverly discovered. Tell me, what is it?
I am SO not going to do this. I have heard the jeweled sword and shield are not that good, but I am not handing out the password to the Resistance.
British.
Thrud: Liar! Guards!
I now have to deal with Elistaria's daemon servants.
They go down, and I get out of there.
Since Serpent's Hold is close to Blackthorn's palace, I head there.
Job.
Lord Malone: I am the lord of this castle and the surrounding land.
Land.
Lord Malone: This area of the kingdom was entrusted to my ancestors by Lord British in payment for their deeds of Valor.
Deeds.
Lord Malone: My great grandfather was the famous Sir Percy, who cleared the local countryside of dragons many decades ago.
Lord British.
Lord Malone: I fear that Lord British is no more. He has been missing for some time. I feel sure if he still lived he would deal with the impostor Blackthorn!
Blackthorn.
Lord Malone: This castle, a bastion of Courage, is one of the last redoubts against the evil of the Shadowlords!
Shadowlords.
Nosfentor.
Lord Malone: Speak not that name too loudly, for 'tis the name of the Shadowlord of Cowardice!
I now know the name of all three Shadowlords. This will be useful later.
Job.
Gardner: I am the keeper of the Flame of Courage.
Keeper.
Gardner: I tend this Flame of Virtue against the darkness of Blackthorn and the Shadowlords.
Darkness.
Gardner: Within the flames I often see visions!
Visions.
Gardner: Avatar, I can offer thee my vision of the Shard of Cowardice to aid thee on thy quest.
Shard of Cowardice.
Gardner: However, there are many more such small chambers, near enough to be reached by one with the proper magic! With many uses of such magic, and a great deal of exploration, one may find the Shard of Cowardice.
Basically, he is saying I need to use Blink a lot.
This is Kristi. She will sell me five skull keys for 100 gold. Since I can get them for free in Minoc, I do not take her up on her offer. I now go to the training room.
Name.
Monsieur Loubet: J'em appelle Monsieur Loubet.
Job.
Monsieur Loubet: I am ze fencing master.
Fencing master.
Monsieur Loubet: I am ze best! As an enfant I learned fencing from my father who was tutor to ze king of a distant land.
Distant land.
Monsieur Loubet: I lived zere in my childhood, and came to Britannia upon a magical carpet!
Magical carpet.
Monsieur Loubet: Ah, an interesting tale. Unfortunately, I zold it zoon after my arrival in Britannia. I did not know zey were so scarce here, or I would not have zold it. Monsieur, dost thou seek to discover ze fate of Lord British?
Yes.
Monsieur Loubet: Perhaps zen my magic carpet would be of some use? I zold it to a mage named Bandaii. He lived in a village named Paws. Strange fellow, he was looking for a talking horse! If thou canst find him, he might be willing to zell thee my carpet!
Bye.
Monsieur Loubet: Au revoir!
Frogs are annoying.
This rookie fighter wants to join me on my quest. I turn him down.
I now sail east to the largest nearby island.
This castle looks evil.
This is Blackthorn's castle, the headquarter of the Oppression.
I then head west past the nearest guard.
Uh oh! I am now chained in Blackthorn's dungeon.
Yeah, right.
Blackthorn: Guards, release this goodman at once.
It looks like he is trying to butter me up to get something he wants.
If I tell him, he will destroy the shrine.
There's your mantra!
His guards strap Shamino to the pendulum in the center.
Fuck You!
Fuck You!
Alright, let's reload and give him what he wants.
FUCK!!
No matter what I do Shamino (or some other member of my party) is killed. If they are killed in this way, they are gone permanently. Well, they are not gone permanently because Lord British manages to resurrect them between this game and the next, but they will be gone from this game for good. Furthermore, it would have been nice to be able to actually save the party member through my actions. The fact that I am fucked no matter what I do dampens the impact this choice would have otherwise.
Anyway, the (remaining) party members are deposited in a cell and ALL MY (50+) KEYS ARE TAKEN!!
I talk to the other occupant of this cell, Gorn, a (possibly schizophrenic) barbarian who will appear in later games as well.
Yes.
Gorn: If I helps thee, wilt thou take me with thee?
Yes.
Gorn: In the dead of night we must go out through a secret door that's here behinds me. Climbs up onto the roof and sneaks down the northern ladder. In Blackthorn's bedroom, go through a secret door, down the ladder on t'other side. Through the secret door to the north, down another ladder and out the back gates! Wait there 'til morning when the drawbridge is lowered and flee for our lives! Get all that down?
Yes.
Gorn: Get the keys I hid in the brazier and let's be off!
I now reload because I just got captured to show you guys.
Here is a view of the first level of Blackthorn's castle. I head up the ladder in the northwestern part of the central chamber. The magic carpet is very useful for avoiding guards. On the second floor, I just head north of the ladder to get to the ladder to the third floor.
On the way I find a prisoner chained to a wall.
Iolo unlocks his chains. This gives me some karma.
Here is a map of the third floor. I start at the very top of the screen on the western ladder (black dot). I make my way counter-clock-wise to Blackthorn's throne room. I talk to Foulwell, Blackthorn's jester.
Job.
Foulwell: I entertain with tales of the inquisition.
Tales.
Foulwell: Why, just the other day, we had a marvelous time, watching a young lady being drawn and quartered!
Lady.
Foulwell: She refused to humble herself to a guard's advances! Isn't that a riot?
No.
Foulwell: Perhaps then, thou wouldst find more humorous the one about the visitor who failed to laugh at the Royal Jester's stories. The cook's young nephew was a little brat. He didn't laugh at my jokes, so we threw 'im in the vat! Ho, ho, ha, ha, he, he. . . How 'bout that one, like it?
No.
Foulwell: GUARDS!
Uh oh! Blackthorn's daemons are now onto me.
I keep to the west of Blackthorn's throne room and head through the next room to the ladder to the roof.
I circle around the rooftop and enter the room from the south.
Inside is the crown.
I now have the Crown of Lord British. Wearing it will prevent enemies from casting spells in battle. It is HIGHLY useful in the dungeons and underworld.
Shit! The statues are alive! I hightail it back to the ladder on the north.
In the room north of Blackthorn's throne, I search the southern wall for a secret (locked) door.
I unlock it, outmaneuver Blackthorn's daemons, and head down the ladder.
I just search the north wall for a secret door and head through it and down an adjacent ladder. I am now on the first floor at the back of the castle. Since it is night, the main gate is closed, but I find another way out.
At the very back are some locked doors. I unlock one and head out.
Since I am on the magic carpet, I fly across the moat and out of this place.
I now remember that I never spoke to Hassad, the Great Councilor that Blackthorn locked up in his dungeon. This time I will use the Black Badge.
I make sure I am wearing it. I approach the nearest guard.
Impera.
Yes! I now head for the ladder to the dungeons.
Elzair.
Hassad: Pleased to meet thee!
Name.
Hassad: My name is Hassad.
Job.
Hassad: I am a prisoner, just as thou art now.
Prisoner.
Hassad: I was taken from my home in New Magincia.
Magincia.
Hassad: Therein I led a peaceful life.
Peaceful life.
Hassad: Until the Shadowlords found me.
Shadowlords.
Hassad: I have knowledge Blackthorn seeks.
Knowledge.
Hassad: That is for me to know.
Word of Power.
Hassad: I don't know of what thou dost speak.
Council.
Hassad: I know of the Great Council, but what maketh thee ask me?
Kaiko.
Yes.
This translates to IGNAVUS.
Alright, that is all for now!
Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
Part 5: The King of the Golden Hall
I head to Yew to find Froed's father.
I find him in the prisons.
Greymarch: I once sought adventure on the open range!
Greymarch: I've been sitting in this cell now for quite some time, with no word from my son.
Greymarch: I fear Froed was killed by the wicked guards that threw me in here! My son! Hast thou seen him?
Greymarch: And he is well?
Greymarch: Surely, thou wilt let me repay thee in some way?
Greymarch: I was told that the Sceptre had great powers against the forces of evil! Seek out Sir Simon in a keep, perched on the high mountains of an isle west of Spiritwood.
I now speak to the mage in the leftmost cell.
Felespar: When I was a free man, I served on the Great Council.
Felespar: The Great Council once served His Majesty Lord British and sealed the 8 dungeons!
Felespar: To entomb the foul creatures that dwell within!
Felespar: Thou must be inquiring about the Words of Power, yes?
Felespar: The Words of Power are aptly named and not given out lightly. So, tell me, art thou with the Resistance?
Felespar: And, their password is?
This translates to MALUM.
I now head for the new, mountainous island south of Skara Brae. This is where Sir Simon is located.
With the grappling hook, I can klimb over the smaller peaks. In the middle of the island, I find a small keep.
This is Bordermarch. It is where some members of the Resistance are hanging out.
I now stop by the armorer to see what he has available.
Whoah! No thanks.
I then meet Sentri, the former lord of Serpent's Hold, wandering the walls of the keep.
Sentri: We live here in Bordermarch to escape the Shadowlords!
Sentri: Spectres of Evil!
He would join me, but I don't have enough room.
Lord Simon: I am lord of this keep.
Lord Simon: We fled here when the tyrant Blackthorn began to spread his self-righteous rule.
Lord Simon: The land has not been the same since the loss of Lord British. A good friend. I wish I knew of a way to help him.
Lord Simon: A powerful artifact. Lord British once told me of its ability.
Lord Simon: When worn, it absorbs all magical forms of attack, no matter how powerful.
Lord Simon: A mighty item of immense power. It is said that when used it can disperse all magical barriers, even in the ethereal plane. I hear 'tis held by the Shadowlords themselves, in their earthly fortress!
Lord Simon: Of that, my wife knows more than I.
I go speak to her.
Lady Tessa: I practice the mystical arts.
Lady Tessa: I can see thou art no ordinary mortal, but the Avatar of legend, and thus familiar with my profession.
Lady Tessa: I see it in thy eyes, but tell me, dost thou support Blackthorn's rule?
Lady Tessa: I knew that one who has tread the path of Virtue could not agree with the current state of affairs.
Lady Tessa: With only this can thee find thy path in a place of unholy darkness, which I have forseen shall block thy way. 'Tis beyond such a place that thou must search, if thou art to mend the injustice wrought upon the world by Blackthorn and his spectres!
I now find the paladin Dupre patrolling the battlements.
He will join me, but I don't have room. Since Jhelom is nearby, I head for it.
I make my way to the northeast corner of Jhelom and search the right wall for a hidden door. It leads outside.
I search the tree stump to the south and find a magic axe.
I then head for a small island southeast of Jhelom.
This is the keep of Farthing. I speak to some of its inhabitants.
Quintin: I am the cook for this keep.
Quintin: Yes, I simmer up plenty of tasty dishes for the residents of this abode.
Quintin: One of the better looking keeps I have worked in.
Quintin: They have to be good, or else the Lord will order Temme to turn me into a newt!
Quintin: A mixed bunch with an interesting history, Before he retired, my lord was a famous pirate. Now, even he fears Blackthorn. But, I mustn't gossip!
Temme: I am a mage of great repute!
Temme: Modesty was never one of my great virtues. But, I am actually quite good. Would ye be impressed if I told thee that I can cast a spell that CREATES light even on the darkest night?
Temme: Well! If ye think that's good, I've NEARLY made things disappear!
Temme: I know I've got the words right, but I may have mixed the reagents improperly, I think.
Temme: I think it was Ash and Mandrake. . . But, then again, perhaps it was Garlic and Blood Moss. . . Oh, I don't know. I've never had a very good memory.
Temme: I use the chant. . . Now, don't tell anyone else. . . AN YLEM!
Temme: Not now, fool! Am I still here?
Temme: Good, watch it!
Let's leave the great mage Temme alone for now and talk to his apprentice.
Dufus: I am apprentice to the Great Mage Temme!
Dufus: The most all-powerful mage to walk the surface of Britannia.
Dufus: I am lucky enough to be chosen as understudy to the Great Mage Temme, so that one day I too can cast powerful spells.
Dufus: Beyond imagining! Why, one day I even saw her nearly kill a Giant Rat with a single spell.
Dufus: Yes, 'tis true, I saw it with my own eyes! Would ye like me to tell thee something really amazing?
I do just that. If I remember correctly, Seggallion will show up in later games as well.
Lord Seggallion: I am the lord of this keep.
Lord Seggallion: A fine homestead, furnished with the proceeds from my old profession.
Lord Seggallion: Many years ago, I carved my living from the seafaring trade routes of Britannia.
Lord Seggallion: You know. . . I demanded a fair toll for passage through my waters. . . The fact that this usually amounted to all of their belongings is irrelevant!
Lord Seggallion: I used it on many nights for navigational purposes. I use it but rarely now. Dost thou study the stars?
Lord Seggallion: What is it said that the eight planets represent?
Lord Seggallion: I would like thee to have my spyglass, Wouldst thou like it?
Lord Seggallion: [gives item] Use it wisely!
This pocket spyglass allows me to view the stars (and comets at night). Each planet (big white dot) represents a virtue, and when a comet (red line) is near a planet, that means a Shadowlord is visiting the town corresponding to that virtue.
It is now time to retrieve Lord British's scepter from the clutches of the Shadowlords.
First, I head to the southern tip of Lost Hope Bay (i.e. the bay off the western coast of Minoc).
Next, I use the grappling hook to climb my way through the mountains.
I then arrive at the keep Stonegate. I get out my magic carpet (because it boosts my speed) and enter.
Uh oh! It looks like Daddy is home! All three Shadowlords are in this keep. I will have to avoid them. I use a skull key to unlock the door to the north.
Inside is the daemon Balinor.
Balinor: My bound duty is to prevent intruders from passing! And so I shall! But first, thou dost seem an educated person and so I offer thee an educated solution to the problem at hand. . . I suggest a battle of wits for thy passage. If I win, I shall slay thee, if thou dost win, I shall let thee pass to face the perils within! Dost thou accept?
Balinor: Ah good, I've not tested my wit for some time!
Let's see, this thing is tall, round, and "all the king's horses can't draw it up." The reference to "drawing it up" is the key to understanding this riddle.
Balinor: Never trust a Daemon's word! Hah, hah, hah!
As you might have guessed, I must fight him either way.
This is my first battle with a daemon. They can be very annoying. While they can dish out some damage and take a beating themselves, their most annoying power is the ability to possess the body of one of my party members, which makes him or her attack the rest of the party. There are (non-lethal) ways to exorcize a daemon and guard against possession, but I currently don't have any available. Daemons (and dragons BTW) can also summon another daemon for help.
The battle starts off with the party pelting Balinor with magic axes and arrows. He then possesses Iolo, so I make the rest of the party flee.
After the rest of the party is gone, Iolo sleeps for a while and is cured. Weird! Anyway, Balinor is gone.
I head up to the north and around the stone circles. Those weird floor tiles that encircle the sceptre are instant death traps, so the magic carpet is required. One of the Shadowlords also enters the room.
I now have Lord British's sceptre, but I will have to get out with it first! If I ever encounter one of the Shadowlords again, he will steal the scepter from me and take it back here.
Whohoo! I am home free! Lord British's sceptre will allow me to pass through nearly any magical barriers.
However, I still need to recover Lord British's crown and amulet. As Landon told me, Lord British's crown is held on the roof of Blackthorn's castle. He buried his amulet next to his fallen comrades in the underworld. Since I am not ready to plumb the depths just yet, I decide to recover his crown first. To do that, I head back to Skara Brae to see Archmage Flain about the Oppression.
Since I now have the magic carpet, I can outrun the bats, and I try to lead them away from the southern door.
After I have gotten a few steps away, the bats no longer follow me.
Finally, the way is clear. I climb up the ladder and find Flain on the rooftop.
Flain: This had best be important, for if 'tis not. . . Who sent thee?
Flain: Dost thou wish to join the Oppression?
This is a highly unvirtuous thing to do, so I am only doing it to show you. Needless to say, I reload after this whole ordeal is done.
Flain: We know that one already!
Well, it was worth a shot!
What the hell! They have him in prison already.
Flain: Ah, very good, just as we suspected. That one will soon perish!
I now know the Oppression's password: IMPERA. I now travel to the island in the northeast corner of the map.
I then use the grappling hook to climb the mountains and approach the keep.
This is Windemere.
I find Elistaria in the eastern wing of the keep.
Elistaria: I dabble in the dark arts.
Elistaria: I play with forces beyond the comprehension of most mortals.
Elistaria: I conjure daemons and such.
Elistaria: Yes! My favorite creatures! Thou hast seen my two best summonings guarding this keep.
Elistaria: What is the password?
Elistaria: The Jeweled Weapons of course! Ask Thrud for them!
I now have the Black Badge. If I wear it, I will be able to wander Blackthorn's castle without being imprisoned by the guards (provided I also know the password). I now go see Thrud about the Jeweled Weapons.
Thrud: My name is Thrud.
Thrud: An infamous mercenary!
Thrud: I enjoy killing immensely!
Thrud: Surely thou hast heard of the time when I butchered an entire village?
Thrud: I had just returned from a war across the sea, when on my way home, I stopped at an inn. The meal I ate there gave me indigestion for two days! Upon recovery, I killed the innkeeper and his entire staff. The ensuing outcry forced me to dispense with the rest of the village!
Thrud: I will let thee have these great weapons for the Resistance's password, which thou hast so cleverly discovered. Tell me, what is it?
I am SO not going to do this. I have heard the jeweled sword and shield are not that good, but I am not handing out the password to the Resistance.
Thrud: Liar! Guards!
I now have to deal with Elistaria's daemon servants.
They go down, and I get out of there.
Since Serpent's Hold is close to Blackthorn's palace, I head there.
Lord Malone: I am the lord of this castle and the surrounding land.
Lord Malone: This area of the kingdom was entrusted to my ancestors by Lord British in payment for their deeds of Valor.
Lord Malone: My great grandfather was the famous Sir Percy, who cleared the local countryside of dragons many decades ago.
Lord Malone: I fear that Lord British is no more. He has been missing for some time. I feel sure if he still lived he would deal with the impostor Blackthorn!
Lord Malone: This castle, a bastion of Courage, is one of the last redoubts against the evil of the Shadowlords!
Lord Malone: Speak not that name too loudly, for 'tis the name of the Shadowlord of Cowardice!
I now know the name of all three Shadowlords. This will be useful later.
Gardner: I am the keeper of the Flame of Courage.
Gardner: I tend this Flame of Virtue against the darkness of Blackthorn and the Shadowlords.
Gardner: Within the flames I often see visions!
Gardner: Avatar, I can offer thee my vision of the Shard of Cowardice to aid thee on thy quest.
Gardner: However, there are many more such small chambers, near enough to be reached by one with the proper magic! With many uses of such magic, and a great deal of exploration, one may find the Shard of Cowardice.
Basically, he is saying I need to use Blink a lot.
This is Kristi. She will sell me five skull keys for 100 gold. Since I can get them for free in Minoc, I do not take her up on her offer. I now go to the training room.
Monsieur Loubet: J'em appelle Monsieur Loubet.
Monsieur Loubet: I am ze fencing master.
Monsieur Loubet: I am ze best! As an enfant I learned fencing from my father who was tutor to ze king of a distant land.
Monsieur Loubet: I lived zere in my childhood, and came to Britannia upon a magical carpet!
Monsieur Loubet: Ah, an interesting tale. Unfortunately, I zold it zoon after my arrival in Britannia. I did not know zey were so scarce here, or I would not have zold it. Monsieur, dost thou seek to discover ze fate of Lord British?
Monsieur Loubet: Perhaps zen my magic carpet would be of some use? I zold it to a mage named Bandaii. He lived in a village named Paws. Strange fellow, he was looking for a talking horse! If thou canst find him, he might be willing to zell thee my carpet!
Monsieur Loubet: Au revoir!
Frogs are annoying.
This rookie fighter wants to join me on my quest. I turn him down.
I now sail east to the largest nearby island.
This castle looks evil.
This is Blackthorn's castle, the headquarter of the Oppression.
I then head west past the nearest guard.
Uh oh! I am now chained in Blackthorn's dungeon.
Blackthorn: Guards, release this goodman at once.
It looks like he is trying to butter me up to get something he wants.
If I tell him, he will destroy the shrine.
There's your mantra!
His guards strap Shamino to the pendulum in the center.
Alright, let's reload and give him what he wants.
FUCK!!
No matter what I do Shamino (or some other member of my party) is killed. If they are killed in this way, they are gone permanently. Well, they are not gone permanently because Lord British manages to resurrect them between this game and the next, but they will be gone from this game for good. Furthermore, it would have been nice to be able to actually save the party member through my actions. The fact that I am fucked no matter what I do dampens the impact this choice would have otherwise.
Anyway, the (remaining) party members are deposited in a cell and ALL MY (50+) KEYS ARE TAKEN!!
I talk to the other occupant of this cell, Gorn, a (possibly schizophrenic) barbarian who will appear in later games as well.
Gorn: If I helps thee, wilt thou take me with thee?
Gorn: In the dead of night we must go out through a secret door that's here behinds me. Climbs up onto the roof and sneaks down the northern ladder. In Blackthorn's bedroom, go through a secret door, down the ladder on t'other side. Through the secret door to the north, down another ladder and out the back gates! Wait there 'til morning when the drawbridge is lowered and flee for our lives! Get all that down?
Gorn: Get the keys I hid in the brazier and let's be off!
I now reload because I just got captured to show you guys.
Here is a view of the first level of Blackthorn's castle. I head up the ladder in the northwestern part of the central chamber. The magic carpet is very useful for avoiding guards. On the second floor, I just head north of the ladder to get to the ladder to the third floor.
On the way I find a prisoner chained to a wall.
Iolo unlocks his chains. This gives me some karma.
Here is a map of the third floor. I start at the very top of the screen on the western ladder (black dot). I make my way counter-clock-wise to Blackthorn's throne room. I talk to Foulwell, Blackthorn's jester.
Foulwell: I entertain with tales of the inquisition.
Foulwell: Why, just the other day, we had a marvelous time, watching a young lady being drawn and quartered!
Foulwell: She refused to humble herself to a guard's advances! Isn't that a riot?
Foulwell: Perhaps then, thou wouldst find more humorous the one about the visitor who failed to laugh at the Royal Jester's stories. The cook's young nephew was a little brat. He didn't laugh at my jokes, so we threw 'im in the vat! Ho, ho, ha, ha, he, he. . . How 'bout that one, like it?
Foulwell: GUARDS!
Uh oh! Blackthorn's daemons are now onto me.
I keep to the west of Blackthorn's throne room and head through the next room to the ladder to the roof.
I circle around the rooftop and enter the room from the south.
Inside is the crown.
I now have the Crown of Lord British. Wearing it will prevent enemies from casting spells in battle. It is HIGHLY useful in the dungeons and underworld.
Shit! The statues are alive! I hightail it back to the ladder on the north.
In the room north of Blackthorn's throne, I search the southern wall for a secret (locked) door.
I unlock it, outmaneuver Blackthorn's daemons, and head down the ladder.
I just search the north wall for a secret door and head through it and down an adjacent ladder. I am now on the first floor at the back of the castle. Since it is night, the main gate is closed, but I find another way out.
At the very back are some locked doors. I unlock one and head out.
Since I am on the magic carpet, I fly across the moat and out of this place.
I now remember that I never spoke to Hassad, the Great Councilor that Blackthorn locked up in his dungeon. This time I will use the Black Badge.
I make sure I am wearing it. I approach the nearest guard.
Yes! I now head for the ladder to the dungeons.
Hassad: Pleased to meet thee!
Hassad: My name is Hassad.
Hassad: I am a prisoner, just as thou art now.
Hassad: I was taken from my home in New Magincia.
Hassad: Therein I led a peaceful life.
Hassad: Until the Shadowlords found me.
Hassad: I have knowledge Blackthorn seeks.
Hassad: That is for me to know.
Hassad: I don't know of what thou dost speak.
Hassad: I know of the Great Council, but what maketh thee ask me?
This translates to IGNAVUS.
Alright, that is all for now!
Michael Ellis
Scholar
Poor Shamino :' (
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
eklektyk
Erudite
BUMP
Silellak
Cipher
I'm trying to remember how infiltrating Blackthorn's palace plays out in Lazarus. Without the magic carpet, things are quite different, but I can't remember any specifics.
Castanova
Prophet
:arrow:
GO GO GO!
Time to go to the Underworld.
Carlos' Bitch1
Arcane
Bump and aside: as you can see, there is a lot more to this game than the newer "RPG's" that most of the next gen'ers prefer round these parts. Oh, except the graphics...
Bump?
Just a few more..
Almost there..
Wait for it..
:arrow:
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