games-pc ultima vii-the forge of virtue User Manual

Forge Of Virtue

Greetings, gentle scholar. I have yet to believe my senses fully, for it seems but yesterday
that I was within the Lycaeum walls investigating the rumors of this strange and wondrous
isle. And now I sit here in my new home, surrounded by history itself.

Indeed, consider what significant history it is! The very isle from which the fearsome Exodus
began its assault upon Britannia. The very isle that later housed the Three Principle Shrines
of Virtue. The very isle that sank beneath the waves several centuries ago...

It is upon that island, the Isle of Fire, that I compose this document. Here, at the very floor of
the sea, encased in a time-tested breathing enchantment of a mage I have never met, I am
privy to all that was spawned by the Age of Darkness. I write this now as completely as I am
able, for I know full well that, following much more exploration, I will be too engrossed in the
many archaic splendors to keep detailed records. Read on, fellow student of life, and be
amazed.

My readers will forgive the sparse and vague details of my retelling, for all this is simply
memories gleaned form weeks, nay months, spent buried in the depths of the Lycaeum:
Shortly after Exodus' fall at the hands of the Stranger (who would later become known as the
Avatar), Lord British created the eight Shrines of the Virtues. In addition, he established three
shrines dedicated to the Principles of Truth, Love and Courage, which he had placed on
Exodus' home island, known as the Isle of Fire. While all of these shrines were crafted to
benefit every citizen of Britannia, Lord British's primary concern was to locate a protector, an
Avatar, to assist Britannia in times of need. Indeed, Lord British was planning the successor
to the Age of Darkness — the Age of Enlightenment.

In this dawn of the new era, Lord British began his plans not only to locate the Avatar, but to
insure his agent could protect the Virtues as well as exemplify them. Thus, he chose to guard
the three Shrines of the Principles with creatures and traps, for only the Avatar should be
able to benefit directly from their powers. Commissioning a slew of mages and engineers,
Lord British oversaw the implementation of these foils, along with the construction of the
actual Shrines. In addition, he instilled within the Shrines the ability to adapt to the dynamic
nature of the environment, thus insuring the tests would survive the trials of time. Many
months later, the island was ready. The call for the Avatar was sent out.

However, while the search was still in its infancy, the island disappeared. Well, sank really,
but for reasons that are still mysterious. (Actually, I suspect there is a correlation between this
event and the Gargoyles's use of Exodus as a physical manifestation for Diligence.) When
word of the island's misfortune reached Lord British, he thought both the isle and the Shrines
lost forever.

That is all I know, save for the location of the island. However, lest thou consider the legends
false, consider first that thou art reading a document written from within the walls of the
ancient Castle of Fire!

At the moment, there is little hope of another ever laying eyes upon this watery land.
Although one could survive here, thanks to the envelope of air that Astelleron created to
permit breathing, it is doubtful someone else could travel here without possessing my vast
knowledge in summoning and controlling giant sea creatures. Doubtful that is, until I find the
way to make this island rise again. When it is in its proper place, atop the sea, then wilt thou
share mine opportunity.