A Brief History of the Ultima Collection

Based on the history given in the U9 Press Release.

These games (and their backstories) are referred to as Ultima Prime. Ultima Online’s history is splintered off after the events of U1 (without the Avatar, Lord Blackthorn merely being “chaotic” instead of evil, etc.)

• Akalabeth
• Released: 1979
• Apple II
• Many years ago, the Dark Lord Mondain traversed the lands of Akalabeth spreading evil and death as he passed, and he opened countless dungeons to bend the world to his will. Lord British, a mighty mage and champion from a distant world, resolved to lead the people of the land in opposition to Mondain’s magical terrors, offering magical rewards to those brave enough to enter the dungeons and face the evils therein in combat. ‘Tis thy duty to help rid Akalabeth of the foul beasts which infest it, whilst trying to stay alive!

• Ultima
• Released: 1980
• Apple II; PC
• Mondain the Wizard wrought his malice over the realm. He had slain his own father so he might gain the Gem of Immortality and advance his dark dominion over the land. It was against Mondain that you first answered the call of Lord British. Now you must travel through the Moongate to put an end to Mondain’s shadowy plans, while he plays a waiting game, knowing that time is on his side.
• Ultima II: Revenge of the Enchantress
• Released: 1982
• Apple II; Atari 800/1600; Commodore 64; PC
• The triumph of good was short-lived. Mondain left behind an apprentice and consort named Minax, a cold-blooded young woman whose ambition was exceeded only by her thirst for blood. Entire legions of evil creatures responded to her commands, bringing misery to the inhabitants of Sosaria. You must rise to the challenge to slay Minax’s vile minions, until at last she too, meets her fate at your hands.
• Ultima III: Exodus
• Released: 1983
• Apple II; Commodore 64; Commodore AMIGA; 8-bit Nintendo; PC
• Mondain and Minax devised a treacherous scheme to ensure their immortality throughout time. They created an offspring known as Exodus, who rose from the murky depths of the Great Ocean to unleash an assault of vengeance upon the world. Aided by the enigmatic Timelord, you must foil the mighty Exodus to bring an end to the Cycle of Doom begun by Mondain.

• Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
• Released: 1985
• Apple II; Commodore 64; Commodore AMIGA; 8-bit Nintendo; PC
• Lord British sought a new era of peace and harmony for the lands of Britannia. Evil needed to be vanquished, not only in its physical manifestations, but also in the hearts and minds of all people in the realm. An Avatar, a shining example of virtue and heroism, was needed to show the way. In order to attain the title of Avatar, you must embody the Eight Virtues and recover the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom from the bottom of the Great Stygian Abyss.
• Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny
• Released: 1988
• Apple II; Commodore 64/128; Commodore AMIGA; 8-bit Nintendo; Atari 800/1600; Mac; PC
• The acquisition of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom created a karmic imbalance in the universe, resulting in the emergence of three sinister Shadowlords from the shards of the black jewel of Mondain. Through their trickery and deceit, they imprisoned Lord British in their underworld dungeon and corrupted Lord Blackthorn, turning him into their agent and causing him to oppress the people. However, with your efforts to apply the principles of truth, love and courage, you enable Lord British to banish the Shadowlords and their agents from the realm of light.
• Ultima VI: The False Prophet
• Released: 1990
• PC
• As the Avatar you ventured from the sunlit shores of Britannia and entered a Moongate that took you to the exotic and unbeknown land of the Gargoyles. After nearly being sacrificed on a Gargish alter, you were rescued with the help of your friends Iolo, Dupre and Shamino. You discovered that Lord British’s liberation from prison caused a mass destruction of the underworld, and the Gargoyles have taken over the eight shrines. They seek the Codex of Wisdom that has been taken from them, for without it, their world is crumbling.

• Ultima VII: The Black Gate
• Released: 1992
• PC
• Once again the Avatar is summoned to Britannia, where your adopted homeland is in turmoil. Two hundred years have passed since your last visit, and a strange movement known as “the Fellowship”, under the leadership of the charismatic Batlin, has swept the land and taken hold of the people’s minds and hearts. Investigating a series of mysterious murders throughout the land, you discover the plot of a figure known only as the Guardian.
• Ultima VII: Forge of Virtue
• (Add-on for Black Gate)
• Released: 1992
• PC
• The Isle of Fire has mysteriously rose from the Sea of Britannia. You are drawn to its shores, braving its dangers to obtain the powerful Daemonsword and prevent the rebirth of the evil Exodus.
• Ultima VII part 2: Serpent Isle
• Released: 1993
• PC
• Eighteen months have passed since you thwarted the Guardian in a seeming victory. A pair of pillars have arisen in the ocean, and you are sent to investigate. Arriving on the other side, you find yourself upon the Serpent Isle, settled hundreds of years ago by Sosarian refugees. Vital questions remain unanswered, and deep mysteries remain unsolved, as you attempt to hinder the Guardian’s evil plot to destroy Serpent Isle and Britannia with it.
• Ultima VII part 2: The Silver Seed
• (Add-on for Serpent Isle)
• Released: 1993
• PC
• Your quest to save the Serpent Isle takes you to its war-torn past, wherein lies the key to its future. Here you learn the principles and history of the Ophidian culture. After these adventures, you come back through time more powerful than before — with the Seed needed to heal the devastated land.
• Ultima VIII: Pagan
• Released: 1994
• PC
• Time and again you have proved yourself a powerful threat to the Guardian’s plans. He imprisons you on the world of Pagan, where he holds absolute command. Without your companions and away from Britannia, you must defeat and harness the powers of the ruling Elemental Titans in order to escape.
• Ultima IX: Ascention
• Released: 1999
• PC
• You have been summoned to Britannia for the last time – prophecies tell of your “Ascension” after completing this final quest. The Guardian, having trapped you in Pagan, has managed to capture Britannia, your destruction of the Black Gate not withstanding. Lord Blackthorn, once in exile, has returned as the Guardian’s number one, and Lord British has gone addle-brained in his old age. Which leaves you, Avatar, as Britannia’s only hope.

• Ultima Online
• Released: 1997
• PC
• Multiple stray shards from Mondain’s Gem of Immortality have created alternate, parallel worlds within the Ultima universe, each with its own set of rules. Live, fight, quest, love or hate in a world where every action you take affects the lives of others. Go beyond life as you know it to an adventure more fantastic than you can imagine.