Mariah (Ultima)
| Company type | Video game series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1980s |
| Founder | Richard Garriott |
| Products | Role-playing video games |
This section provides an overview of key or frequently appearing characters within the Ultima series of video games, highlighting the specific titles in which they are featured.
The Avatar and Associates
- Yes: The character is present in that installment.
- No: The character does not appear in that installment.
- Join: The character has the option to join or does join the Avatar's group.
- AE: An alternate persona of the character is featured in that game.
- AEJ: An alternate persona appears and may become part of the Avatar's party.
- M/R: The character is referenced or mentioned only.
| Character | U0 | U1 | U2 | U3 | U4 | U5 | U6 | SE | MD | UU1 | U7:BG | UU2 | U7:SI | U8 | U9 | UO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The Avatar | M/R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Iolo | Join | Join | Join | AEJ | AE | Join | Join | M/R | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shamino | Join | Join | Join | AEJ | AEJ | Join | Join | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dupre | Join | Join | Join | AEJ | AE | Join | Join | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jaana | Join | Join | Join |
style="background:#FFFF90;" | Join |
style="background:#C0C0C0;" | M/R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Julia |
style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join |
style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join |
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| Katrina |
style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join |
style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join |
style= "background:#C0C0C0;" | M/R | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geoffrey |
style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join || |
- | Mariah |
style= "background:#FFFF90;" | Join || Join || |
- | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gwenno | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join | Join | No | No | No | M/R | M/R | Join | No | Yes | - | Sentri | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Join | Join | No | No | No | Join | No | No | No | M/R | - | Gorn | No | No | No | No | No | Join | Join | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | - | Johne | No | No | No | No | No ,,,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,, ,,, ,, ,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,,, ,, ,, ,,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The Stranger and the AvatarIn the initial Ultima installments, the player-character was known as the Stranger, featuring gameplay that permitted quest completion through theft or combat. Following Ultima III, creator Richard Garriott encountered parental concerns regarding the game's allowance of unethical behavior and alleged Satanic themes, largely due to the demonic figure displayed on the box art. To address these issues, Garriott incorporated profound symbolism inspired by Hindu notions of the Avatar, introducing a framework of eight Virtues for the hero in Ultima IV, who was then renamed the Avatar. The Avatar makes his first appearance in Ultima IV, charged with embodying the Virtues and recovering the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. The storyline expanded in later editions: in Ultima V, the Avatar topples a tyrannical government; in Ultima VI, he negotiates peace between humans and gargoyles; and in Ultima VII and VIII, he confronts the Guardian, culminating in their mutual annihilation in Ultima IX: Ascension. Except for Ultima IX, players had the option to name their Avatar. While earlier titles allowed customization of race, gender, and appearance, Ultima VIII standardized the Avatar as a blond-haired, blue-eyed male figure. Interaction evolved from keyword-based dialogue in Ultima IV to full conversational exchanges by Ultima VII and Ultima Underworld, with digitized voice added in Ultima IX. Originally designed as a neutral canvas reflecting player identity, the Avatar was one of the earliest game protagonists permitting selection of race and gender, laying groundwork for contemporary virtual avatar concepts. Over time, however, the Avatar acquired a more distinct appearance and personality, enriching narrative complexity and player immersion. The Eight CompanionsIn Ultima IV, the Eight Companions accompany the Stranger on his journey to become the Avatar. Only seven companions join since one sharing the Stranger’s vocation is excluded. Each companion initially practices a trade associated with one of the eight Virtues and their corresponding towns. Serving as the Avatar’s earliest allies, they reappear across Britannia-themed games—Ultima IV, V, VI, VII (Part I), and IX—often joining his party. Some alter their professions in later installments.
Additional AlliesStarting with Ultima V, the Avatar gains the ability to enlist a diverse range of companions beyond the core Eight. Some of these characters reappear throughout the series, while others have brief or significant roles within individual titles.
Worlds of Ultima allies
Adversaries
MondainMondain serves as the chief adversary in Ultima I. As the younger son of Wolfgang, the ruler of Akalabeth, he initially received instruction in magic but was expelled due to his lack of empathy. In retaliation, he murdered his father and stole a powerful gem, which he used to forge the "Gem of Immortality." This artifact granted him dominion over dark beings and enabled the creation of hybrid creatures such as minotaurs, lizardmen, orcs, and goblins. His base of operations was located on Terfin Island. Following his defeat at the hands of Lord British, Mondain summoned his minions to subjugate Sosaria. The Gem of Immortality rendered him invulnerable in the present era; only by destroying this gem could he be slain. The Stranger utilized time travel to eliminate the gem a millennium earlier, thereby killing Mondain and obliterating his fortress. Fragments of the shattered gem play a pivotal role in Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny and Ultima Online. In Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar, three shards along with Mondain's skull rest within the submerged ruins of Terfin. These shards manifest as the Shadowlords in Ultima V and are essential to their defeat; meanwhile, Mondain’s skull kills nearby creatures but negatively affects the Avatar’s karma. In Ultima Online, numerous shards exist across parallel universes encompassing Britannia. Mondain’s appearance varies: he is depicted as bald with a goatee resembling Ming the Merciless in Ultima Online and Ultima IX: Ascension, whereas in Ultima VI, he sports a full head of hair without facial hair. MinaxMinax is the principal antagonist featured in Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress and also appears in Ultima Online. A formidable sorceress, she was once both an apprentice and lover to Mondain, eventually surpassing his magical prowess and seeking revenge following his demise. After Mondain’s downfall, Minax retreated into hiding but later orchestrated an assault aimed at destroying the Stranger’s homeworld by manipulating dimensional and temporal gates, initiating the Time of Legends at the Origin of Times. This measure prevented time travel before that era, shielding her from a fate similar to Mondain’s. Her campaign extended even to Earth, where she disrupted and annihilated time to thwart interference. Two decades after Mondain’s death, Minax invaded Sosaria with her armies. In Ultima II, Lord British summoned a hero to thwart her schemes. The Stranger answered this call, navigating through temporal gates and defensive barriers at her stronghold, Shadowguard. After an intense confrontation, Minax was vanquished using the quicksword Enilno. Her death unleashed dark forces that transformed Sosaria into two separate continents: Sosaria itself and Ambrosia. Unknown to most, Mondain and Minax had spawned a child—Exodus—a being that was neither fully human nor machine. ExodusExodus is the antagonist in Ultima III: Exodus, born from Mondain and Minax. The villain first emerges when a vessel returns devoid of crew members, bearing "EXODUS" scrawled in blood on its deck. Exodus then releases monsters from its fortress on the Isle of Fire to terrorize Sosaria. Twenty years after Minax’s defeat, the Stranger returns with the mission to destroy Exodus. The Isle of Fire is inaccessible due to the Great Earth Serpent trapped nearby; the Stranger frees it using a magical incantation. This serpent later aids in Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle. Castle Exodus is shielded by magical wards that require specific symbols for safe passage. Within its walls lie numerous dangers including animated floors and hostile entities. Though Exodus appears demonic, it is actually a magical computer that can be destroyed by inserting four cards labeled Love, Sol, Moons, and Death. After its destruction, the Isle of Fire sinks until events unfold in Ultima VII: The Black Gate. In the expansion for Ultima VII, Exodus’ Dark Core remains active and must be expelled to complete certain quests. Lord BlackthornLord Blackthorn assumes the regency of Britannia following the disappearance of Lord British in Ultima V. At first, he governs with fairness but gradually succumbs to corruption under the influence of the Shadowlords, transforming into a despotic ruler. By the conclusion of the game, Lord British returns to power, and Blackthorn is banished through a red moongate to Serpent Isle, where he finds atonement among the Xenkan Monks and ultimately joins their ranks. Contrarily, Ultima IX reverses this development by depicting Blackthorn once again as a villain allied with the Guardian. His story culminates in his death during a magical confrontation with Lord British at the Great Stygian Abyss, contradicting previous narratives. In Ultima Online, which branches off from the main series after Ultima I, Blackthorn’s role fluctuates between ally and foe to Lord British. He initially promotes individuality through his own principle of chaos—not as destruction but as liberation—before turning to dark sorcery and becoming malevolent. Although he appears to perish during an attack on Yew, this was later revised; the original Blackthorn ascends as king of Britannia. The character was inspired by Ultima Online’s project director Starr Long. The GuardianThe Guardian is an immensely powerful alien conqueror from another dimension who first emerges in Ultima VII: The Black Gate. Initially manifesting only as a disembodied voice, he aims to dominate Britannia through his agent Batlin, founder of the Fellowship. His scheme involves constructing a black moongate to invade Britannia physically, but the Avatar destroys this gateway. In Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds, the Guardian traps the Avatar within Castle Britannia beneath a blackrock dome, intending to dispatch forces through a portal to assassinate Britannia’s leaders. The Avatar dismantles both portal and dome, foiling this plan. The game reveals that several other worlds have already fallen or been destroyed by the Guardian. Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle unveils a contingency: Batlin is sent to Serpent Isle but betrays the Guardian and is killed after releasing the Banes of Chaos. The Avatar resolves this crisis by uniting the Chaos, Order, and Balance Serpents, although he is captured by the Guardian at the conclusion. In Ultima VIII: Pagan, the Guardian imprisons the Avatar on Pagan, a world under his dominion. There, the Avatar masters elemental magic before returning to Britannia. Ultima IX: Ascension reveals that during the Avatar’s absence, the Guardian erected eight columns across Britannia designed to pull its moons from orbit, threatening planetary annihilation. The Avatar destroys these columns and defeats the Guardian, who is revealed as a dark aspect of himself—formed from his rejected evil side in Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar. Their final battle ends with their fusion into a new entity through the Armageddon spell. Industry analysts have speculated that the Guardian symbolizes Origin’s parent company, Electronic Arts, which reportedly limited Richard Garriott’s creative freedom in later series entries. This interpretation is supported by the Guardian’s symbolic artifacts—the sphere, cube, and tetrahedron—which resemble EA’s early 1990s logo following its acquisition of Origin. Moreover, characters Elizabeth and Abraham (E&A) in The Black Gate mislead the Avatar before revealing themselves as antagonists. The Guardian’s moniker "Destroyer of Worlds" may allude to Origin’s slogan "We create worlds." Additional Notable or Recurring Characters
Lord BritishLord British serves as the sovereign of Britannia and represents the in-game identity of series creator Richard Garriott. The name originated as a childhood nickname at computer camp, with the title "Lord" added during his time playing Dungeons & Dragons. Early games such as Akalabeth were published under this moniker, and he appears as Lord British in Ultima Online. Garriott maintains the trademark for this character, who also appears as General British in his later title, Tabula Rasa. Within the narrative, Lord British arrives on Sosaria from Earth through a moongate, adopting the name Cantabrigian British in reference to his birthplace, Cambridge, UK. After vanquishing the dark wizard Mondain, he earns the titles "Champion of the White Light" and "Protector of Akalabeth." He plays a pivotal role in Britannian culture by establishing essential institutions such as the Museum and Conservatory, and he offers healing and resurrection services to the Avatar. Though traditionally viewed as invincible, Lord British has been defeated due to glitches and player exploits in multiple entries of the series. This phenomenon inspired the "Lord British Postulate," which claims that any living entity within a game will ultimately be susceptible to death. Garriott expressed displeasure when players managed to kill Lord British using cannon fire in Ultima III: Exodus. In Ultima VII, an easter egg permits his demise by a falling golden plaque—a nod to an accident involving Garriott himself. During the beta phase of Ultima Online, Lord British was slain due to software bugs and oversights, marking a landmark moment in online gaming by showcasing player agency over the game environment. Similarly, General British was killed during Tabula Rasa beta testing. In Ultima IX: Ascension, he can be poisoned with contaminated bread originating from Earth. ChucklesChuckles acts as Lord British's court jester, frequently encountered within Castle Britannia. While occasionally assisting the Avatar, he is notorious for misleading them. This character is inspired by Chuck Bueche, one of Origin Systems' co-founders. The Time LordThe Time Lord oversees the proper flow of time. He provides guidance to the Avatar during crucial quests in Ultima III, Ultima VII, and Ultima IX, delivering essential insights regarding key elements such as the Four Cards and the Fellowship. The Great Earth SerpentInitially captured by Exodus to guard the Isle of Fire in Ultima III, The Great Earth Serpent later aids the Avatar in reestablishing equilibrium on Serpent Isle during Ultima VII Part II. The GypsyBefore undertaking quests in Ultima IV, V, VI, and IX, the Avatar consults the Gypsy to evaluate their virtue levels. HawkwindStarting out as a cartographer in Ultima III, Hawkwind evolves into Seer of Souls residing within Castle Britannia by Ultima IV. He assists the Avatar on their path to becoming an Avatar and returns with a more detailed background in Ultima IX. SmithA talking horse featured throughout the series. Other Characters
External links
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