Ventryn
This compilation lists key or frequently appearing characters within the Ultima series of video games, specifying the titles in which they feature.
The Avatar and Companions
- Yes : The character is present in that particular game.
- No : The character does not appear.
- Join : The character can join or is already part of the Avatar's group.
- AE : An alternate persona of the character is featured.
- AEJ : An alternate persona appears and may become a party member.
- M/R : The character is only mentioned or alluded to.
The Stranger and the Avatar
In the initial Ultima titles, the player-character was known as the Stranger, with gameplay that permitted completing missions through theft or combat. Following Ultima III, creator Richard Garriott faced backlash from parents concerned about the allowance of unethical behavior and alleged Satanic elements, largely due to the demonic figure featured on the game’s cover. In response, Garriott incorporated profound symbolism inspired by a television documentary on Hinduism and the notion of the Avatar, which led to the introduction of eight Virtues guiding the protagonist in Ultima IV, who was then named the Avatar.
The Avatar made its first appearance in Ultima IV, where the player was charged with embodying the Virtues and seeking out the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. In later installments, the Avatar confronted and toppled a despotic government in Britannia (Ultima V), mediated peace between humans and gargoyles (Ultima VI), and engaged in conflict against the Guardian throughout Ultima VII and VIII, concluding with their mutual demise in Ultima IX: Ascension.
Except for Ultima IX, players had the option to assign a name to the Avatar. Earlier games allowed customization of attributes such as race, gender, and appearance, but Ultima VIII standardized the Avatar’s look as a blond-haired, blue-eyed male. Interaction methods advanced from keyword-driven dialogue in Ultima IV to fully developed conversations in both Ultima VII and Ultima Underworld, with digitized voice acting introduced in Ultima IX.
Originally designed as a neutral figure reflecting player identity, the Avatar was one of the earliest game protagonists permitting selection of race and gender, serving as a digital extension of the player. Over time, however, this character evolved into a more distinct persona with specific visual traits, influencing future implementations of virtual avatars within gaming.
The Eight Companions
In Ultima IV, eight companions accompany the Stranger on his journey to achieve Avatarhood. Since one shares the Stranger’s profession, only seven become part of his party. Each companion practices a vocation connected to one of the eight Virtues and its associated town. They represent the initial followers of the Avatar and reappear across various Britannia-based games—namely Ultima IV, V, VI, VII (Part I), and IX—frequently joining forces with the Avatar. Some companions change their professions in later episodes.
- Iolo is a celebrated bard and crossbow maker residing in Britain during Ultima IV. He is married to Gwenno, as revealed in Ultima V, and together they composed the famous tune "Stones." Iolo owns a sarcastic talking horse named Smith and expands his enterprise by running two bow shops by Ultima VII. His character is modeled after real-life bowyer and musician David R. Watson.
- Shamino Sallé Dacil is a ranger originating from Skara Brae and once governed an ancient Sosarian realm. After assisting the Stranger in Ultima I, he becomes stranded in Britannia following its separation from Sosaria, leaving behind his beloved Beatrix. He travels with the Avatar to Serpent Isle in Ultima VII Part II, reunites with Beatrix’s spirit, and is eventually freed from imprisonment by the Guardian. Shamino’s name derives from Richard Garriott’s persona, inspired by his bicycle brand Shimano.
- Dupre serves as a paladin and mayor of Trinsic who joins the Stranger’s quest, becoming a recurring ally. He earns knighthood between Ultima VI and VII, is known for his enjoyment of wine and women, and authors travel guides. In Ultima VII, he accumulates a large bar tab that players can choose to settle. Dupre sacrifices himself to save Serpent Isle but returns to combat the Guardian in Ultima IX. His character is based on Garriott’s friend Greg Dykes.
- Jaana is a druid loyal to Lord British who becomes an outlaw under Blackthorn’s reign and joins the resistance movement. She later makes her home in Cove as a healer and assists against threats posed by the Guardian. Jaana is named after a Finnish acquaintance of Garriott.
- Julia is a tinker from Minoc with a Scottish accent who exposes weaknesses in ship construction during events in Ultima VII. In Ultima IX, she confesses her love for the Avatar. Her character draws inspiration from one of Garriott’s former romantic partners.
- Katrina works as a shepherdess and is Magincia’s sole survivor following a daemon assault that destroyed her hometown. She remains among its ruins until New Magincia—dedicated to Humility—is established. As its only inhabitant for some time, she helps restore virtue to this region. Katrina is based on Garriott’s friend nicknamed Trina.
- Geoffrey is a fighter encountered in Jhelom who becomes captain of guards defending against gargoyle attacks before retiring to Lord British’s castle. His character reflects Jeff Hillhouse, Origin’s first employee.
- Mariah is an adventurous mage from Moonglow who goes into hiding at Lycaeum after Shadowlord attacks and aids the Avatar throughout their quest. In Ultima VI, she translates Gargoyle inscriptions and recovers from mage-induced madness with assistance from the Avatar. Mariah is modeled after Garriott’s personal assistant Michelle Caddel.
Additional Allies
Starting with Ultima V, the Avatar gains the ability to enlist a diverse range of companions beyond the Eight Companions. Some of these characters recur throughout the series, while others appear only briefly or in a single installment. Several companions play pivotal roles throughout entire titles.
- Gwenno is both a performer and scholar as well as an adventurer who frequently travels alongside her spouse Iolo. In Ultima V, she is credited with composing the lyrics for the song "Stones". Her full name, Gwenllian Gwalch'gaeaf, was inspired by Kathleen Jones, the wife of David R. Watson (Iolo).
- Sentri first appears in Ultima II under the title Sentri the Swashbuckler. He later assumes the role of Baron of Serpent Hold and provides combat training to the Avatar and companions in Ultima VII. Although he does not appear in Ultima IX, his enchanted leggings can be found in Trinsic.
- Gorn is a barbarian prisoner who aids the Avatar’s escape in Ultima V. He returns in both Ultima VI and Ultima VII, where he venerates a figure named Brohm. His persona was influenced by Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of Conan.
- Johne, whose vessel Ararat sank prior to Ultima V, descended into madness after encountering shards of the Gem of Immortality and went on to create the Shadowlords. Referred to as Captain John in Ultima VI, he resides among gargoyles, teaches their language to humans, and assists the Avatar.
- Maxwell and Toshi serve as low-ranking fighter and bard companions respectively in Ultima V.
- Saduj, affiliated with Blackthorn’s "Oppression" faction in Ultima V, will betray the group if permitted to join.
- Seggallion, a pirate lord introduced in both Ultima V and Ultima VI, originates from Ashtalarea, a realm featured in Knights of Legend. He provides the Avatar with a spyglass but is unable to return home.
- Beh Lem is a young gargoyle who guides the Avatar into Vesper during Ultima VI.
- Blaine is a gypsy juggler who may join the party in Ultima VI.
- Ship captains Leodon and Leonna at Buccaneer’s Den in Ultima VI offer formidable combat assistance.
- Sherry, a talking mouse scout appearing in Ultima VI, later aids children at Lord British’s Nursery in Ultima VII. Her character was based on Richard Garriott’s former girlfriend.
- Introduced in Ultima VII, Spark pursues justice for his father’s murder; his character draws inspiration from programmer Raymond Benson’s son.
- The ranger Tseramed, skilled with bee venom arrows and present in Ultima VII, holds resentment toward Fellowship leaders. His character was modeled after lead programmer Ken Demarest III’s online alias.
- From Moonshade, adept Selina may become a companion in Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle.
- The Frankenstein-like entity Boydon can join after being reassembled in Ultima VII Part Two.
- The magic thief Stefano assists with escape from the Mountains of Freedom within Ultima VII Part Two.
- Bear Knight Wilfred, originating from Monitor, might join but conceals hidden motives.
- The automaton Petra, who helps Rocco at the Blue Boar tavern, is crucial for quest completion in Ultima VII Part Two.
- Having dwelled for centuries within the Temple of Tolerance, Sethys aids in summoning powerful beings.
- Ordinary iron automatons may be brought to life and recruited through spellcasting during Ultima VII Part Two.
- Initially betraying the Avatar, Raven, daughter of Samhayne, eventually becomes an ally, permitting use of her ship The Silver Hart. She forms a close bond before departing ahead of the final confrontation with the Guardian.
Worlds of Ultima Allies
- Dr. Johann Spector serves as a companion to the Avatar, originally hailing from Earth. Within Ultima: Savage Empire, he falls under the corrupting influence of the Valley of Eodon’s energy and transforms into Zipactriotl, the chief of a powerful tribal community. His objective is to unite the insect-like Myrmidex forces with the intention of invading Earth. Once the Avatar dispels this enchantment, he reverts to Dr. Spector and becomes part of the Avatar’s group, eventually journeying with them to Mars in Ultima: Martian Dreams. This character draws inspiration from Warren Spector, a former Origin employee.
Arch-nemeses
- Yes : Character features in that installment.
- No : Character does not appear.
- M/R : Character is mentioned or alluded to.
- Mnl : Character appears only in the manual.
| Character | U0 | U1 | U2 | U3 | U4 | U5 | U6 | SE | MD | UU1 | U7:BG | UU2 | U7:SI | U8 | U9 | UO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
||||||||||||
| 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 |
| Character | U0 | U1 | U2 | U3 | U4 | U5 | U6 | SE | MD | UU1 | U7:BG | UU2 | U7:SI | U8 | U9 | UO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondain | Mnl | Yes | Mnl | Mnl | M/R | M/R | Yes[lower-alpha 1] | No | No | No | M/R | M/R | Mnl | Mnl | M/R | M/R |
| Minax | No | No | Yes | Mnl | M/R | Mnl | Yes[lower-alpha 1] | No | No | No | M/R | M/R | Mnl | Mnl | M/R | Yes |
| Exodus | No | No | No | Yes | M/R | Mnl | Yes[lower-alpha 1] | No | No | No | Yes | No | Mnl | Mnl | M/R | Yes |
| Lord Blackthorn | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | M/R | No | M/R[lower-alpha 2] | Mnl | Yes | Yes |
| The Shadowlords | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Mnl | No | Yes | No | Mnl | No | No | No | M/R | Yes |
| The Guardian | style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Batlin | style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | M/R | No |
Mondain
Mondain serves as the chief villain in Ultima I. As the younger son of Wolfgang, the ruler of Akalabeth, he received rudimentary magical training but was prohibited from practicing it due to his merciless nature. In response, Mondain murdered his father and seized a gem to forge the "Gem of Immortality," which amplified his dark abilities and enabled him to command creatures such as minotaurs, lizardmen, orcs, and goblins. His base of operations was located on Terfin Island.
Since Mondain could not be killed without destroying the Gem, he summoned malevolent forces to dominate Sosaria. The Stranger ultimately traveled back in time by a millennium to shatter the gem, resulting in Mondain's demise and the destruction of his fortress.
Fragments of the broken Gem play roles in subsequent games: shards appear in Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar and coalesce into the Shadowlords in Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny, whose defeat is crucial. In Ultima Online, multiple fragments symbolize alternate realities containing Britannia.
Mondain's appearance differs across titles: he is bald with a goatee reminiscent of Ming the Merciless in Ultima Online and Ultima IX: Ascension, while depicted with hair and clean-shaven in Ultima VI.
Minax
Minax is the principal antagonist featured in Ultima II: The Revenge of the Enchantress and also appears in Ultima Online. She is a formidable sorceress who was once both an apprentice and lover to Mondain, surviving his death and growing more powerful thereafter.
Motivated by revenge, Minax aimed to seize control without relying on the Gem. She initiated the Time of Legends at the Origin of Times to safely launch attacks on future timelines. Her invasion extended to Earth, where she disrupted and devastated time itself to thwart interference from the Stranger. Approximately twenty years following Mondain's fall, Minax mounted an assault on Sosaria with her armies.
In Ultima II, Lord British called upon a hero to confront her. The Stranger penetrated her fortress Shadowguard through timegates, bypassing protective force fields using an enchanted ring. After an intense confrontation, Minax was defeated by the quicksword Enilno. Her death caused Sosaria to split into two landmasses: Sosaria and Ambrosia. Unbeknownst to many, Mondain and Minax had a child together, Exodus, a being neither fully human nor machine.
Exodus
Exodus is the antagonist in Ultima III: Exodus, born from Mondain and Minax's union. Its initial manifestation involved a missing ship that returned devoid of crew, bearing "EXODUS" scrawled in blood. From its stronghold on the Isle of Fire, Exodus summoned monsters to terrorize Sosaria. Two decades after Minax’s demise, the Stranger returned with the mission to destroy Exodus.
The Great Earth Serpent trapped near access to the Isle of Fire blocks entry; the Stranger frees it by speaking a magic word. This serpent later aids in Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle. Castle Exodus is shielded by magical barriers that require specific marks for passage and contains hostile creatures along with animated floors.
Though Exodus appears demonic, it is ultimately revealed as a magical computer dismantled 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 Forge of Virtue expansion, Exodus’s Dark Core persists and must be banished into the Ethereal Void to complete related quests.
Lord Blackthorn
Lord Blackthorn assumes the role of Britannia's regent following Lord British's disappearance in Ultima V. Initially governing with fairness, he falls under the corrupting influence of the Shadowlords and transforms into a despotic ruler. By the conclusion of the game, Lord British returns, resulting in Blackthorn's banishment through a red moongate to an unknown realm—later identified in Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle as the Serpent Isle. There, he seeks atonement by joining the Xenkan Monks and becoming part of their order.
Contradicting this narrative, Ultima IX depicts Blackthorn departing before the Avatar’s arrival and subsequently reemerging as a villain aligned with the Guardian. His story ends with his death in a magical confrontation against Lord British at the Great Stygian Abyss.
In Ultima Online, which diverges from the main series timeline, Blackthorn is portrayed as both Lord British’s closest ally and most formidable adversary. He advocates for freedom and individuality through his personal virtue of chaos—not destructive, but transformative in nature. Embracing dark magic, he evolves into a malevolent entity, apparently perishing during an attack on Yew; this evil incarnation was later retconned as merely a duplicate. Ultimately, the original Blackthorn ascends to rule as king of Britannia. It is notable that Lord Blackthorn’s character was inspired by Ultima Online project director Starr Long.
The Guardian
The Guardian is an immensely powerful extraterrestrial conqueror from another dimension, first introduced in Ultima VII: The Black Gate. Initially appearing only as a disembodied voice, he attempts to subjugate Britannia through his agent Batlin, founder of the Fellowship, by constructing a black moongate to physically enter Britannia. The Avatar foils this scheme by destroying the moongate.
In Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds, the Guardian renews his efforts to dominate Britannia by encasing Castle Britannia within a dome made of blackrock and deploying troops via a portal to eliminate its rulers. The Avatar dismantles both the dome and portal while exploring worlds already conquered by the Guardian.
Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle reveals that the Guardian had a contingency plan involving Batlin on Serpent Isle. Although Batlin betrays him, he unleashes the Banes of Chaos before being slain. The Avatar resolves this crisis by harmonizing the Chaos, Order, and Balance Serpents but is ultimately captured by the Guardian at the game's conclusion.
In Ultima VIII: Pagan, the Guardian imprisons the Avatar on Pagan, a realm under his dominion. There, the Avatar masters elemental magic before returning to Britannia.
By Ultima IX: Ascension, the Guardian has erected eight monumental columns across Britannia designed to pull its moons from orbit, threatening catastrophic destruction. The Avatar destroys these columns and defeats the Guardian, who reveals himself as the Avatar’s dark half—an embodiment of rejected evil from Ultima IV. Their conflict culminates in their fusion into a new entity through the Armageddon spell.
Industry analysts have speculated that the Guardian represents Origin’s parent company, Electronic Arts, which reportedly limited Richard Garriott’s creative control during later series installments. Supporting this interpretation are artifacts associated with the Guardian—the sphere, cube, and tetrahedron—which resemble EA’s early 1990s logo following its acquisition of Origin. Furthermore, two Fellowship members named Elizabeth and Abraham (E&A) mislead players and are ultimately revealed as antagonists. The Guardian’s epithet "Destroyer of Worlds" may be an allusion to Origin’s slogan "We create worlds," underscoring corporate tensions reflected within the game’s storyline.
Other Notable and Recurring Characters
- Yes : Character is present in the specified game.
- No : Character does not appear in that game.
- AE : Alternate persona is featured.
- M/R : Only mentioned or alluded to.
- Mnl : Cited within the game manual.
| Character | U0 | U1 | U2 | U3 | U4 | U5 | U6 | SE | MD | UU1 | U7:BG | UU2 | U7:SI | U8 | U9 | UO | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lord British | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | AE[lower-alpha 3] | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||
| Chuckles | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | M/R | No | No | M/R | No | ||||||||||||||||
| The Time Lord | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | M/R | Mnl | No | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||||
| The Great Earth Serpent | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | ||||||||||||||||
| The Gypsy | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No | |||||||||||||||||||
| Hawkwind |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#C0C0C0"| Mnl |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes | |||||||||||||||||
| Smith |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#C0C0C0"| M/R |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |- |
Wisps |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes[lower-alpha 4] |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes[lower-alpha 5] |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#FFC7C7;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-no"|No |
style="background:#9EFF9E;color:black;vertical-align:middle;text-align:center;" class="table-yes"|Yes |
Lord British
Lord British serves as the sovereign of Britannia and represents the in-game persona of series creator Richard Garriott. The moniker originated from a nickname he received at computer camp and was further shaped by his Dungeons & Dragons character. Garriott published early works such as Akalabeth under this alias and featured as Lord British in Ultima Online. He maintained legal ownership of the character, who later appeared as General British in his game Tabula Rasa.
In the series' narrative, Lord British arrives on Sosaria from Earth via a moongate, adopting the name Cantabrigian British in reference to his hometown, Cambridge, UK. Following his victory over the wizard Mondain, he earns titles including "Champion of the White Light" and "Protector of Akalabeth." He plays a pivotal role within Britannian culture, founding key establishments like the Museum and Conservatory, and offers healing and resurrection services to the Avatar.
Though regarded as invincible, Lord British has been killed due to programming glitches and player exploits—giving rise to the "Lord British Postulate," which posits that any active game character is likely to be targeted for death. Garriott expressed frustration when players managed to kill him using cannon fire in Ultima III: Exodus. In Ultima VII, an easter egg enables his demise by a falling gold plaque, referencing an actual event involving Garriott. During Ultima Online's beta phase, bugs allowed players to kill Lord British—a groundbreaking occurrence that underscored player impact in online environments. Likewise, General British was slain during Tabula Rasa beta testing. In Ultima IX: Ascension, it is possible for players to assassinate Lord British using poisoned bread crafted on Earth.
Chuckles
Chuckles functions as Lord British’s court jester, frequently encountered within Castle Britannia. While he occasionally assists the Avatar, he is also notorious for leading them into futile pursuits. This character is modeled after Chuck Bueche, one of Origin Systems’ founders.
The Time Lord
The Time Lord oversees the proper progression of time throughout the universe. In Ultima III, he instructs how to arrange Four Cards to defeat Exodus. He supports the Avatar in Ultima VII concerning the Fellowship and returns once more in Ultima IX.
The Great Earth Serpent
Initially imprisoned by Exodus to guard the Isle of Fire in Ultima III, The Great Earth Serpent later aids in restoring equilibrium on Serpent Isle during Ultima VII Part II.
The Gypsy
Prior to embarking on quests in Ultima IV, V, VI, and IX, the Avatar consults the Gypsy for an evaluation of virtue strength.
Hawkwind
Starting as a cartographer in Ultima III, Hawkwind advances to become Seer of Souls in Ultima IV and resides within Castle Britannia. He guides the Stranger toward becoming the Avatar and reappears with a more detailed backstory in Ultima IX.
Smith
A talking horse featured throughout the series.
Additional Characters in the Series
- The King of the White Dragon once co-governed the Lands of Danger and Despair (later known as Serpent Isle) alongside Shamino in Ultima I. After Mondain’s defeat caused Sosaria’s fragmentation, Shamino found himself isolated from his homeland. Beatrix, Shamino’s fiancée and daughter of the King, perished from heartbreak. The King descended into madness, slaughtered guests during a goblin invasion feast, and subsequently took his own life. His restless spirit confronts the Avatar in Ultima VII Part Two before finally being laid to rest.
- Sir Simon
- Lady Tessa
- Gwenneth serves as Iolo’s apprentice and manages Iolo's Bows shop by Ultima V after Iolo becomes an outlaw; she assumes full control by Ultima VI.
- Dr. Cat
- Sutek
- Sin'Vraal
- Nicodemus
- Rudyom
- Penumbra
- Horance
- Nell
- Patterson
- Nastassia
- Erstam
- The tale of Beatrix unfolds in Ultima VII Part Two. As Shamino’s betrothed and daughter of the King of the White Dragon, she died heartbroken after Sosaria’s division left Shamino stranded elsewhere. Her ghost haunts Shamino’s deserted castle until confronted during game events.
- Samhayne
External links
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