Ultima VI
                       Compendium

I, Lord British, write this exhortation in my own hand that 
you may, my virtuous Champion and Avatar, might gain a 
full appreciation of the significance of the times which face 
us. Though evil has often raised its rebellious head, I fear 
we now face a threat far greater than any yet encountered. 
In the past, you and your companions have risen faithfully 
to the challenge, undaunted by overwhelming odds, 
unwavering in your adherence to the Path of Virtue. We 
place our trust in you once more.

As though seeking vengeance against the Light, the forces 
of Darkness have renewed their malevolent aggressions. 
Not content to remain in their own realm, daemonic 
emissaries from the Underworld have begun making 
incursions into our land. It is fortuitous that you have 
returned to Britannia in these perilous times. Study well the 
words which follow, for they are essential to your quest. 
And that quest is essential to the continued existence of the 
human race.

For more than a fortnight I have dictated my thoughts and 
admonitions to the venerable Moebius, Keeper of the 
Libraries of the Lycaeum. He has scrupulously recorded 
my every word and, when called upon, made illustrations to 
aid our understanding. I have affixed my seal to this letter 
to assure you that these are indeed my words. Take them to 
heart. Heed my counsel.

Gird yourself with the infinite wisdom of Truth, Love and 
Courage, for at the end of your quest lies a destiny foretold 
in ancient times: "One shall arise who possesses the 
strength of an army, the vision of a prophet and the heart 
of a saint. This Great One will bring an end to the struggle 
between the Darkness and the Light."

Pray that you are, indeed, the One, for should you fail, the 
Light of life will surely be extinguished and Darkness will 
reign forevermore.

                                                Lord British
                                                Sovereign of Britannia


The Chronicles of Britannia  
My sojourn upon the shores of Britannia began many 
generations ago.  Long ago did I uncover the secrets of the 
moongates which brought me here from my distant 
homeland, even as they now bring you.  As you well know, 
we who pass through the gates to Britannia, though we be in 
this world are not of it.  It is for this reason, I suspect that we 
are immune to the ravages of time during our stays here.  
Remember, however, that we remain ever mortal, albeit 
seemingly ageless. 
At the time of my arrival here, this place was known 
as Sosaria, a region comprised of numerous warring city-
states and feudal fiefdoms.  It was not long before my affinity 
for order, peace and prosperity had earned me the title of 
Lord British, ruler over the city-state of Britain, and 
ultimately Lord of Britannia.  Under my guidance the land ad 
its people have prospered and grown, though not without 
challenges from the forces of Evil.  

The Ages of Darkness and the Founding of 
Britannia 
Thrice during ancient times did beings of a foul nature seek 
to conquer my domain.  Thrice did you answer my call for a 
champion.  Thrice was evil thwarted.

The Tale of Ultima I 
First was the perverted sorcerer, Mondain, who slew his own 
father that he might gain immortality and advance his dark 
dominion over the land.  It was against Mondain that you first 
answered my call, traveling through the moongate to put an 
end to Mondain's shadowy plans.  

The Tale of Ultima II
 The triumph of good was short-lived, for 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.  Again, you rose to the challenge, 
slaying Minax's vile minions by the hundreds until at last she 
too met her fat at your hands.  

The Tale of Ultima III 
Mondain and Minax had devised a treacherous scheme to 
assure their immortality throughout time.  They had created 
an offspring known as Exodus, neither man nor machine, yet 
embodying every evil impulse they possessed.  Rising from 
the murky depths of the Great Ocean, Exodus unleashed an 
assault of vengeance upon the world.  Were it not for your 
keen wit and determination, Exodus would surely have 
brought utter devastation to our land.  Aided by the enigmatic 
Timelord, you foiled the mighty Exodus, bringing an end to 
the Cycle of Gloom begun by Mondain so long ago.
In this manner did you thrice respond to my call for 
valor and overcome the Triad of Evil.  The peace and security 
brought about by your acts of bravery led to the city-states to 
band together and form the nation of Britannia, submitting to 
my just rule as British, Lord of Britannia. 

The Ascent of the Avatar, as Related in Ultima IV 
With the passing of gloom and despair from the face of 
Britannia, the citizens flourished.  Edicts went forth from my 
hand which were designed to foster both the material and 
spiritual growth of the society.  I established great centers of 
learning where the arts and sciences could be developed and 
appreciated.  During this era of renaissance, eight major 
townships were built upon the foundations of the former city-
states, each dedicated to the study and fostering of a single 
virtue.  These towns stand as symbols of great fortitude to this 
day. 
All great cultural movements require role models to 
help society maintain proper focus.  I therefore issued the 
challenge for such an individual to step forward and show the 
people the way of virtue.  You responded in a fashion which 
befits your integrity and pure heart.  Undertaking the task of 
unraveling the concepts of spirituality, you discovered the 
great Codex of Ultimate Wisdom and attained the title of 
'Avatar', the human embodiment of virtue. 
The newly discovered Codex was raised from the 
bottom of the Great Stygian Abyss in order that we might 
study its teachings.  But our acquisition of the Codex changed 
the physical, as well as the spiritual, landscape of the world.  
A fiery new island, the Isle of the Avatar, rose from the 
depths of the Great Sea, and in the violent birth of this isle, 
an immense underworld chamber opened up!  When this 
cataclysm had passed, a shrine was built on the Isle of the 
Avatar to house the Codex forever. 

The Subversion of the Shadowlords as related in Ultima V 
The acquisition of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom from the 
deep recesses of the underworld created a karmic imbalance 
in the universe, resulting in the emergence of three sinister 
Shadowlords from the shards of the black jewel of Mondain.  
These grim agents of darkness were the antitheses of virtue  
Their trickery and deceit allowed hem to imprison me in their 
underworld dungeon and, in a perversion of justice, 
compelled the leaders of Britannia to oppress the people.  The 
once noble Lord Blackthorn became the human agent who 
fulfilled their evil intent.
However, following your instincts and the 
admonitions of the Codex, you applied the principles of truth, 
love and courage against the Shadowlords and the corrupted 
Blackthorn.  Your efforts allowed me to banish them and 
their agents from the realm of light.  Thus was I restored to 
my consecrated throne. 
 However, my return to the surface world set off a 
great tectonic upheaval, resulting in the collapse of the 
cavernous underworld in which I had been imprisoned.  
Many aftershocks and cataclysmic disasters befell the world 
for a period of time after that, though eventually all was 
restored to normal.  

Today: The Threat of the Gargoyles 
Though believed to be mythological creatures the existence of 
Gargoyles was discovered shortly after the first expedition 
into the geologically unstable underworld.  At first, they 
seemed content to remain in their subterranean domain, but 
recently they began appearing in our world, seemingly bent 
on doing us great harm. 
These diabolical nemeses have begun to seize our 
holy shrines and places of enlightenment.  Scores of homes 
and villages in our land have been destroyed during nocturnal 
raids mounted by the daemonic fiends, while countless others 
stand empty and deserted.  Local and government militias 
have organized in opposition to the calamitous invasion from 
below.  Whole brigades of skilled warriors from Serpent's 
Hold have clashed with these tireless foes on the field of 
battle, but to no avail. 
The Gargoyles' methods suggest that they are 
searching for something of great value.  It is even rumored 
that they may seek your destruction, though why this should 
be is not known to us. 
I urge you, my Champion and Avatar, to study the 
pages that follow, in part to ensure your own survival.  But 
even more, heed my words that you may understand the 
condition of our world and the plight of our people against 
the unrelenting Gargoyles.