Ok, details on the events, from what I've put together

[Trebr Drab]

This goes deep, and I want to congratulate all the Devs, past and present, for all of this. This is fantastic stuff that goes way into UO's past, Ultima's past, and wraps around so much that we all thought was just fluff. But it's not.

To start, these "Strangers", they seek the Virtue Stones. Wiki link

(Note, I'm going to provide a few links through this, but not as many as I could. That would be even longer than this will be if you read all the links, plus the time it would take me to find many is something I don't have right now. If you ask, I'll try to find links to prove out what I tell here.)

In the most recent BNN article, The Six, we see a Red Haired beauty working behind the scenes. I don't know who the man is, he's an agent, but his name is interesting. This is something that may be relevant or may not be, but I suspect that UO uses names that come from some obscure meaning. His name is Myxkion. Possible as in "mix kin". And think also of Savage Kin paint, because this lady with red hair sounds very familiar from the Keeonean stories. And Keeonean was a Savage, and his body was filled with tattoos, and he had red hair.
But this lady may also not be of the Savages, who came to us under Minax's control, from a different and unknown shard which Minax had decimated and turned black with her destruction, such as Magincia appears now.

Back to the Virtue Stones. As you can see, there are 8 gem stones, each one representing a virtue. But only 6 are to be found in dungeons. One of which is Despise, the Yellow Stone. The Stranger in Despise, Myxkion, is leaving us with gems that are useless to him. The majority of these are yellow colored gemstones, and he is searching for the particular Yellow Stone of Despise, which is the color of Compassion, the virtue that Despise is the anti-virtue dungeon to.

These 6 Virtue Stones (I'll get to the other 2 soon) represent the following dungeons:
Despise
Destard
Wrong
Covetous
Shame
and finally Deceit, linked to Moonglow, which I think is important in this story. Moonglow, from recent events there, shows us in the rift that in the future, the destroyed Moonglow seems to be all that's left of our Sosaria. Perhaps it's the last to be destroyed according to that fate, which we must (and surely will) find a way to change.

So these are the 6, the Virtue Stones we must find before "they" do, and the dungeons where these Strangers will be appearing.

Now, for the real depth of this in our realms, looking back at the past.
One thing I've noticed for years has been a link to Gems. There have been many events centered around gems. Events such as the one in Minoc some years ago. I wasn't at this event, I don't recall much about it, but it was all about gems.
But also there have been seemingly unimportant news stories over the 10.75 (?) years of UO. For example, there once was a story about a jeweler who was killed on the streets of Britain, or was it Trinsic? Nothing more, it happened during an event, but it seemed to lack any ties to the events or anything else. It seemed to stand alone, and the meaning was completely lost.

----------------------------------------

Now let me move on to the other two gems, those of Spirituality and Humility.

Sprituality is White, and Humility is Black.

At this point, let me link to the Wiki for the Virtues for reference.

The symbol for the virtues that's on the cover of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom

To quote from this wiki:

The symbol of the Codex in Ultima IV explains the relationship between Virtues and the Principles. Outside of the game, the symbol is typically shown in single color. The actual symbol is colored according to the following rules.

In the middle of the symbol, there are three circles, shown in blue, yellow and red; these symbolize the Principles of Truth, Love and Courage. The tangential lines are colors that are mixed from the colors that they touch, and each line touches the Principle circle the corresponding Virtue is based.

There are three lines that touch the Principle circles singly; these are Honesty (blue, based on Truth), Compassion (yellow, based on Love) and Valor (red, based on Courage).

There are three lines that touch two Principle circles; these are Justice (green = blue + yellow, Truth and Love), Honor (purple = red + blue; Truth and Courage), and Sacrifice (orange = red + yellow; Courage and Love).

In the middle of the symbol is a small white circle, the mix of all colors; this is the virtue of Spirituality, which is based on all three Principles.

Finally, surrounding everything is a black circle, absent of all colors; this is the virtue of Humility that exists independently of the Principles and is their foundation.

Notice that the 2 Virtues whose stones are not part of "The Six", Spirituality and Humilty, are the two "odd" virtues. The 2 circles, the most inner circle and the most outer circle. Notice also that there is only 1 virtue that doesn't touch the 3 Principles, the Black outer circle of Humility, which is represented by Magincia. I propose that Humility is the weekest link of the Virtues, if one wanted to control all of the Virtues. And I point to the evidence of Magincia's destruction.

Spirituality: if any of you remember, there was once a player report of seeing a ghost in Ilshenar running around named "Spirituality". Nothing more to that story, juist another one of those strange things.
Then we found the Virtue Chamber, accessed by the Ancient Rock in Ilshenar.
In this Virtue Chamber, there are caskets that each represent a virtue, and only one is on the main floor. The others are all floating out in the void around it. Could it be that Spirituality has been captured? Slain? Otherwise defeated? And note also that the access to this chamber is through a "Ancient Rock", and the symbol for the anti-virtue to Spirituality, Baseness, is a Stone.

But Humility is interesting. It's color is Black. It's city is Magincia, and has been destroyed.
And some years ago I wrote a story about my findings on
The Black Necklace.

As I said, the stories on Gems go way back in UO's history.
In this story of the Black Necklace, Keeonean again played a key role. Odric took this necklace from Minax by controlling Keeonean. I've wondered for years about what that necklace meant. Now I wonder if it held the Black Virtue Stone of Humility.

And remember one of Inu's prophesies....
"Six and one... Are they but two pairs three and one yet without two?"

The virtues, 6 and 1, and what's happened to the last one?

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

You are a very smart person.

We'll see how right you are. Right or not, it is a well-done, well-researched analysis.

-Galen's player

 

[envinyatar]

Well done!

 

[RavenWinterHawk]

Brilliant

 

[Juicy Fruit]

Bravo, that was a good read. Impressive researching and memory. Thank you

 

[Prince Caspian]

*Bows*

Well done. Well done indeed!

 

[Nine Dark Moons]

wonderfully written - and very interesting to someone like me who never played anything prior to AoS and is not familiar with the background story of Ultima. it will be great fun to watch this all play out... and it gives me hope that perhaps all the loose ends over the years really have been connected and soon we will all see how.

 

[RaDian FlGith]

Heya, Trebr...

I know we've talked about this at length before... I think the current DevTeam is making some runs at what they believe to be good fiction, and certainly are reaching into Ultima Prime for some inspiration...

But I still think that the Ultima DevTeam has been far too dense to keep any sort of Writers Bible up to date for any length of time -- which explains why we got two versions of Ilshenar's origin. I think some stuff appears to connect, but I think it's coincidental because maybe there was some intent way back when.

But I also think you'd find that most of the DevTeam doesn't even remember the black necklace, much less Keeonean or Juo'Nar (heck, I wonder if they remember Minax... heh).

Interesting from a roleplay perspective, but... from a "The DevTeam's really on the ball with this..." It would be immensly amazing if they were, given that they've dropped the fictional ball at almost every other possible angle.

 

[Corwin]

Nice.
But haven't we already played with virtue stones? I think I used to have one somewhere. Colored and the big plate shape?

And how can we fight the six, when we only have five virtues that we can use? (Or is the Devs going to finish off the missing three virtues during this storyline?)

More questions...

 

[christy1221]

Awesome

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

Well done indeed ... Strong enough for some minor quibbles ?

Re: crystals, naturally there IS much power to be found in them whether for magiks or beauty or greed ... and as always when dealing with mankind, the extent of the "power" depends on availability (common-rare) and Knowlege (common-arcane) ... that said, lets NOT overlook BlackRock just because its common suffix is Rock and not Crystal ...

Re: "Six" ... along with you, I too have pondered Inu's riddles/visions/hints, and this one:
"Six and one... Are they but two pairs three and one yet without two?" immediatly reminded me of Langford's problem ... which naturally was not THE "solution" ... The thing is, WHEN Inu said that is as important as what it MIGHT mean ... more so actually ... iirc it was said during the "time of puzzles" the anagramed runes and clues and hints, and was the key to unscrambling (by letter/word sorting) another password to one of the "password protected" puzzles in the story arc ... which when and where were LOST when stratics archives chrashed ... IF we're lucky (as researchers) Gildar/Sarahswift, has a backed up copy of his/her most excellent records ... of what Inu was saying when AND which riddle matched to which clue which led to what result.
IF we're lucky. IF not *frowns* gonna be naught but pure speculation whether tis "items" or "Characters" or "virtues" that Mean "Six".

Re: Myxkion search. Could be the stones as you surmised, granted. It may well be an "unknown at this time" named item also, pure quessing down that path, So ...
there are two "named items" that I recall, were named but never actually seen. First would be the sword sought by the "Shackeled Daemon" who was "freed" and now resides in Hyloth ? ... and ... theres also "the Artificed Scion" which was replicated/replaced/returned to quell the ophidian assault.
And a third "seen" named item, which was unknown as to origins(where'd that come from) and where it IS at the moment (closed moonglow rift?)
The Vortex Cube ... ah! I recall there was some DIRECT association with it and your Stones of virtue (again stone/crystal ... meh! which?)

Whatever it IS that Myxkion searchs for, its clear to me, it is FOR the ""We don’t need the unnecessary attention. But if they’re distracting you, then by all means, do it. Our ally grows impatient." << growing impatient ALLY.

as noted, hopefully you're Strong enough for some minor quibbles.

Recall also: cleverly designed mazes and puzzles are FULL of dead ends, trap doors, smoke mirrors and confusion ... and that the Hitch Hikers Guide, gave the best advice:

Don't panic

 

[Landicine]

A really neat theory. Made me go back and reread the BNN for this week. It mentions the Serpent Spine mountains and according to this page:

http://ultima.wikia.com/wiki/Serpent's_Spine

It was where the white stone was found was found in a previous Ultima, as well as containing the entrance to Despise.

Again, the backstory may get changed slightly for our game world, but the general hints seem to indicate Virtue Stones as your post pointed out.

Where the Virtue Stones corrupted in a previous Ultima or am I misrembering?

 

[Basara]

Note the 3 types of "thread" directions (for the threads of life & threads of fate) correspond to the 6 lines in the circle.

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

Note the 3 types of "thread" directions (for the threads of life & threads of fate) correspond to the 6 lines in the circle.

Technical question ... as I remember (lost'em can't check) .... is the "horizontal thread" close enough to actually recreate the pictured diagram ?
(Lines wise)

 

[dielock]

Well written, now we have a better understanding of what is or could be going on.

 

[Sunrise]

Well done. Thank you for the info.

 

[Trebr Drab]

RaDian, it's good to hear from you. Yes, we've talked many times about this, you, me, and others. There's either a blueprint that was dropped for a while or it's all just fiction that sticks to the wall, so to speak. You're right, in either case it serves the game to one degree or another. But the "coincidences" keep piling up, and the story keeps filling in, oh so slowly.

Fayled, yes, lets quibble. The more the better. It helps to correct anything that's on the wrong path.

Re: crystals, naturally there IS much power to be found in them whether for magiks or beauty or greed ... and as always when dealing with mankind, the extent of the "power" depends on availability (common-rare) and Knowlege (common-arcane) ... that said, lets NOT overlook BlackRock just because its common suffix is Rock and not Crystal ...

Agreed. In fact, the black Virtue Stone may in fact be Blackrock. The pieces of Blackrock found in recent events sure look like gems, do they not? Is it possible that there's one particularly dense piece that makes this Virtue Stone? Note that the Virtue Stones had powers of teleportation, acting like our rune stones being marked. Blackrock also has teleportation powers. "Blackrock might work as a teleportation device if magic, electrical energy, magnetic energy, and the correct alignment of heavenly bodies act together upon the substance." link to wiki

But there was also a Blackrock Jewel.

The Blackrock Jewel was a by-product of the Guardian's magic in Ultima Underworld II, which created the Blackrock Dome. Like in the generators, the big jewel is the central focus point of the whole construct. However, it is also the dome's biggest weakness.

The jewel also acts as a gateway to other worlds. There are eight facets of the jewel that lead to eight different worlds:

* Tarna
* Atarka
* Anodunos
* Talorus
* Scintillus Academy
* Pits of Carnage
* Rhiannon
* Ethereal Void

But only if a facet is alit, passage is possible.

The Avatar found the Jewel in the sewers under Castle Britannia and used it to travel to other worlds. Using the small Blackrock Gems on it opened the passages to more worlds while at the same time making it unstable. When the Blackrock Dome was shattered, the Blackrock Jewel was destroyed as well, closing the gateway.

wiki

And this not only shows that there can indeed be Blackrock Gems, but also opens up all kinds of possibilities with our Britain's Sewers events. What was that all about? What about the remains of a moongate found there?

I agree on your comments on Inu's quotes. I've checked my files, and searched the net, and have not found them. I hope someone has them saved for us, or it's a tremendous loss.

Agree also on your other comments. There are many questions left out there, and items and artifacts whose mystery is yet to be solved.

Whatever it IS that Myxkion searchs for, its clear to me, it is FOR the ""We don’t need the unnecessary attention. But if they’re distracting you, then by all means, do it. Our ally grows impatient." << growing impatient ALLY.

Yes. We know that there are several powers at work. The FOA, Minax, Odric and the Shadowlords (who may serve Minax), Exodus (who also may be in league with Minax), the mysterious Necro like wrathe Revlo who Nystul confronted, and who else? Some of these may be gone, or not. None of them had ever been fully accounted for. For example, the FOA had their 3 leaders captured and scheduled for trial. But then we heard no more. It would have been very simple to write up some fiction to the effect that they were found guilty and banished, or whatever. But we didn't get that at all, nothing. And this is a continual thing. Always, always, things end with no complete conclusion. How can this be? Among all the different people who've been in charge, none of them could run an event and give it a conclusion? No, something is up with that.

Recall also: cleverly designed mazes and puzzles are FULL of dead ends, trap doors, smoke mirrors and confusion ... and that the Hitch Hikers Guide, gave the best advice:

Don't panic

Only one of my characters is showing any signs of panic. rolleyes:

Basara, that's really interesting about the threads directions. But unless we get some way to apply that, I don't know. Worth keeping in mind though.

 

[Gildar]

Yes. We know that there are several powers at work. The FOA, Minax, Odric and the Shadowlords (who may serve Minax), Exodus (who also may be in league with Minax), the mysterious Necro like wrathe Revlo who Nystul confronted, and who else?

The Shadowlords definitely don't serve Minax. They are at odds with each other similar to the way the Council of Mages is at odds with the Royal Council... only in a more evil sort of way. Minax and the Shadowlords both desire power over everything, including each other. The Council of Mages and the Royal Council both desire power over Britannia, but for "the good of the people" not for the good of themselves. (The Council of Mages actually wants a new ruler for Britannia that does a better job at protecting everybody than LB did, and the Royal Council wants to continue running Britannia as they imagine LB would).

One situation that shows the Shadowlords do not like Minax is the time when Odric, aka Ramuz the 'Shadowlord', took Mondain's Embrace (Minax's necklace). He aided the royal guard against Minax to further the Shadowlords' goals.


If the necklace does contain the Humility stone, the Shadowlords have it.
Since the Shadowlords are free, they might be behind the Scarlet Haired Woman... but something tells me they aren't.
Myxkion and the Scarlet Haired Woman feel like they're a new side to this conflict.



Other sides not mentioned (there are likely alliances between some of these groups and the others mentioned that haven't yet been made clear):
The Ophidians. The Time Lord. The Blue/Light Wisps. The Dark Wisps. Tokuno. The Ratmen under Lorgash (probably no longer organized, due to Lorgash's death). The Seekers of Truth. The Ophidian Rogues (slain on most shards). "The Voice" (heard by the Blackrock Infected). Whoever Yrigor was working for.

 

[TullyMars]

Trebr,
What do you make of (if anything) the similiarity of the glass daggers and the glass sword?
To quote the ultima.wikia "Glass Swords first appeared in Ultima V, in the spot in Serpent's Spine, where in Ultima IV the White Stone was found."

 

[Leana Sidhe]

Great read Trebr... interesting..
On the UO Forums, Tabbita made a post "Who are the Shadowlords?" she linked a story The Tale of Captain Johne http://www.biggles2k.com/johne/ttocj_toc.html
This story talks about the Ethernal Void, Sutek the mage found a passage out of the "underworld" through the dungeon Despise. The story is a great read, although no real names are given to the 3 Shadowlords, it does talk about them tormenting Britian, Jhelom and Moonglow. Very good story...

 

[Trebr Drab]

Gildar....

One situation that shows the Shadowlords do not like Minax is the time when Odric, aka Ramuz the 'Shadowlord', took Mondain's Embrace (Minax's necklace). He aided the royal guard against Minax to further the Shadowlords' goals.

Yes, you're right. So this clearly places the Shadow Lords at odds with Minax. One thing about that id the name of the necklace, "Mondain's Embrace". If the black gem in that necklace is the Virtue Stone for Humility, this leaves some very big questions. I think I have the answer to that, but I have no backing to support the theory except some vague memories. So I'm not going there until I get something.

Thanks too for the link to your site. For anyone who wants Inu's quotes, here's the link.
Inu's Quotes: Gildar's site sub-section

TullyMars, the glass daggers, I don't know.
&^%#Iday$eepkay!oursay%ifay#iya*ereway#ouyay^%$%, I just don't know.

Leana Sidhe, yes, thanks for the link to Captain Johne's story. The Shadow Lords names were their names in their mortal life before they were corrupted. A thing of high importance is that somewhere, it is said that Sutek isn't even human. I don't recall if that's in this tale or somewhere else. I wonder if he's Ophidian, myself, since they had access to planar travel, and in our realms, they also had left their own long ago.

Ophidians, by the way, I think were the peoples who escaped from Ilshanar in the distant past, and some of whom settled in the Lost Lands. That fits not only the all the stories, but also answers the question of the floor decor in Ilsh dungeons that looks so much like Ophidian script. They must have undergone some transformation though, I think anyways.

 

[Basara]

There's a new BNN - It gives a lot more to consider....

 

[Gildar]

So... with the new information...


Six follow one.

Myxkion (Obeys Kealdia, youngest, scarlet magical aura) - seen in Despise
Valvakka
Kealdia (Scarlet Haired Woman) - Seen in Luna
Rivatach ("Whisper of a shadow" voice)
Vaector
Krysan

They are seeking to go home (presumably Sosaria).
The leader's "hands" aren't really hands in the traditional sense. Deep blue and purple eyes. Can manipulate the void. "Nameless shadowed one". Enemy of the Shadowlords.
Braxyion witnessed the 6 taking the portal to Sosaria (and followed?).

 

[Farsight]

Well well well.

From reading that, I presume that those who said "yes" to Andrew (who I'm guessing is "that human") are going to have ... trouble.

And there will be more fun for all concerned in a little bit.

And I don't think that Myxkion's absence in the last two days was an error, but rather part of the grand plan. (or worked in after making an error, but who's counting?)

I anxiously await the next segment. And if I didn't get a piece of loot, I'd still be interested in this plot.

 

[Basara]

And, from the dialogue, it's apparent that Braxyion is a Wisp....

 

[Gildar]

And, from the dialogue, it's apparent that Braxyion is a Wisp....

Not necessarily.
Braxyion could be a wisp, which would mean all wisps know immediately.
Or Braxyion could be a scout, which would mean that whoever he is a scout for will be informed shortly.

I initially read it to suggest the latter. The silver flash without magic suggests either Wisp or Ninja to me.

 

[Gildar]

*pulls some more information in*

Ok... now that I've actually been able to participate in a few fights, and pay attention to the Strangers, I've noticed that their spells are being cast using Gargish words.

The fire burst: "Ul Flam" (I sooooo want this spell...)
Ul - Last/Final
Flam - Fire/Flame/Heat

The black hole: "Rel-Por Skis"
Rel-Por - Moongate/Moongate Travel
Skis - Sever/Cut/Tear Apart/Break/Separate

Something else (there was always too much going on to tell for sure what was being done): "Vas Kal Korp"
Vas - Long/Big/Great/Ultimate
Kal - Summon/Call/Usher In/Greet/Hello
Korp - Death

 

[Jhym]

If you recall, the Blackrock discovered in the wild was within large crystalline structures, similar to quartz. That would tend to imply blackrock could be BlackGem if a particularly perfect crystal were found (or has been found.)

As for things not ending --

Well, from the real world perspective it's because the designers behind each story arc keep moving on and then they never complete the stories properly.

From a fiction perspective, it is most likely a side-effect of Lord British and how he ran his "kingdom". People were on a need-to-know basis, and much information wasn't released until they had no choice. For all of their "virtues" at the government level, they really never showed us that they meant what they said and actually FOLLOWED them.

I always looked at the British/Blackthorn differences as a comparison of blind faith versus rationalism. If you followed British without examining the path, you ended up not understanding anything going on. If you followed Blackthorn, you knew fairly evidently where you were going. Chaos was not the antithesis of virtues, but the reduction of them to secondary level within your life. You, HUMANITY -- or more particularly, INTELLECT, were more important than blind FAITH.

Thus British's (and his cohorts,followers) quiet restriction on truth and transparency. After all, who knew that the Book of Truth was held where it was? Not us, thus we couldn't protect it -- and thus we had to FIX the problem after it began, rather than stopping it from ever happening.

A large part of the events that have happened to us over the years are because we end up having to REACT to events, rather than SHAPE them.

I, for one, still keep my statue of Blackthorn, not for what he became (which one could argue wasn't in character) but for what he began and as inspiration for who I wish to be.

 

[Corwin]

Let's keep in mind that past fiction may not be current fiction. What happened in U1-U9 may be a lot different that what happens in UO. And past developer fiction may not lead to current plot since the team has changed so much.

It mind to better to look to the old for clues, but focus on the fiction of the past year.

I love this thread, btw.

 

[Trebr Drab]

Let's keep in mind that past fiction may not be current fiction. What happened in U1-U9 may be a lot different that what happens in UO. And past developer fiction may not lead to current plot since the team has changed so much.

It mind to better to look to the old for clues, but focus on the fiction of the past year.

I love this thread, btw.

That's exactly right, and it's been pointed out repeatedly by the Devs over the years.
I think there was a definite change when Ilshenar came out, as the guy (Gromm?) who ran the fiction left. I think the old died there and then, and the new is trying to pick it up again without the benefit of knowing exactly what was in the old plan.

 

[Crysta]

"Six and one... Are they but two pairs three and one yet without two?"

Isn't that just a hint at there not being an 8th Anti-Virtue dungeon? That is, a reference to the Abyss arriving?

8 Virtues, 6 interconnected, one without, and one within. Just look at the symbol.

 

[Trebr Drab]

"Six and one... Are they but two pairs three and one yet without two?"

Isn't that just a hint at there not being an 8th Anti-Virtue dungeon? That is, a reference to the Abyss arriving?

8 Virtues, 6 interconnected, one without, and one within. Just look at the symbol.

That could be. Also note that Humility, the one virtue without an anti-virtue dungeon, is associated with "New Magincia", and we now have Magincia in ruins.
A sign?

Was that the clue that Magincia was about to be destroyed?

 

[Alpha_Omega]

Wow homie, you have a lot of time on your hands.

 

[Trebr Drab]

Wow homie, you have a lot of time on your hands.

Yeah, that street wise geek thing doesn't really work for you.

 

[Gildar]

"Six and one... Are they but two pairs three and one yet without two?"

Isn't that just a hint at there not being an 8th Anti-Virtue dungeon? That is, a reference to the Abyss arriving?

8 Virtues, 6 interconnected, one without, and one within. Just look at the symbol.

That could be. Also note that Humility, the one virtue without an anti-virtue dungeon, is associated with "New Magincia", and we now have Magincia in ruins.
A sign?

Was that the clue that Magincia was about to be destroyed?

It could be a reference to any number of things. It's one of the hints we've gotten along the way that is too vague to even be sure what it was referring to after we see it.

 

[Trebr Drab]

"Six and one... Are they but two pairs three and one yet without two?"

Isn't that just a hint at there not being an 8th Anti-Virtue dungeon? That is, a reference to the Abyss arriving?

8 Virtues, 6 interconnected, one without, and one within. Just look at the symbol.

That could be. Also note that Humility, the one virtue without an anti-virtue dungeon, is associated with "New Magincia", and we now have Magincia in ruins.
A sign?

Was that the clue that Magincia was about to be destroyed?

It could be a reference to any number of things. It's one of the hints we've gotten along the way that is too vague to even be sure what it was referring to after we see it.

Yes, I agree. It would be better if there were loads of vague hints to the same thing so you could point to them all. Better yet is more defined hints so that we don't have this problem.

Best scenario is that hints are provable, and this is what I keep waiting for from UO. In game play that allows us to prove out what things mean.
Why doesn't blood on walls ever spell out something when you click on it?
Why don't runic symbols ever mean anything?
Why can't we capture NPC ghosts and get info from them?
Where's the hidden compartments in things that hold books or scrolls with info?

Come on UO. The biggest asset you have is your lore, you need to put it in the game in playable ways as much as possible.

 

[Tina Small]

Questions About Magincia

I know this is an old thread, but I was trying to refresh my memory a bit today regarding some of the story line leading up to Magincia and then on to later events and couldn't come up with much. Every once in a while, I pull out an old project I started a long time ago of cutting and pasting BNN articles into a Word document to read and reread until I get a better feeling for old Ultima lore. I'd kind of like to get going with that old project again but am kind of dreading it because it's hard to find a lot of those old stories.

While delaying the inevitable (i.e., searching the UO Herald site), I stumbled across this thread that Trebr started and wondered if there's any other good source out there that really explains what happened. I went to Magincia just a couple of times while it was being destroyed and then kind of backed off after I saw that it looked like there was no way to save Magincia.

Also, I was trying to remember which facets on which shards "lost" the final battle. As far as I can remember, these are the shards that "lost": Balhae, Catskills, Formosa, GL, Lake Austin, Legends, and Siege Perilous. However, I'm not sure whether the battle was lost in both Trammel and Fel on these shards or just in one facet. (Yeah, I know Siege doesn't have a Trammel. ) Anyone remember anything different? Also, what were we told would happen to the facets/shards where the final battle was lost? I seem to remember something along the lines of Magincia not being rebuilt at all, but my memory's pretty fuzzy.

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

On Great Lakes: Trammel won and felucca lost.

According to Draconi this would mean that the Trammel side would be rebuilt as a true city of humility (no huge mansions, etc.), and that Felucca would basicly become an overland dungeon of undead.

 

[Tina Small]

And, from the dialogue, it's apparent that Braxyion is a Wisp....

Not necessarily.
Braxyion could be a wisp, which would mean all wisps know immediately.
Or Braxyion could be a scout, which would mean that whoever he is a scout for will be informed shortly.

I initially read it to suggest the latter. The silver flash without magic suggests either Wisp or Ninja to me.

The mention of Braxyion always intrigued me. Did we ever find out if he/it is a wisp or something else? And does anyone have any theories on how wisps fit into anything in UO? For example, is there any significance to the places where you find them today and also places where you no longer find them (e.g., around the Magincia moongate)?

 

[GarthGrey]

You're going to have a conversation now with an old quote?

 

[Tina Small]

You're going to have a conversation now with an old quote?

Why not? Might beat some of the other topics that have been bashed to death here in U.Hall in the last month. I've always enjoyed reading what more knowledgeable people think about the stories and events in UO. Seems like that hasn't happened much lately. Like I said in another post just a minute ago, did all the loose ends people wondered about a year or two or three years ago all get pulled together and tied up in a nice neat bow and somehow I just missed it all?

 

[Trebr Drab]

And, from the dialogue, it's apparent that Braxyion is a Wisp....

Not necessarily.
Braxyion could be a wisp, which would mean all wisps know immediately.
Or Braxyion could be a scout, which would mean that whoever he is a scout for will be informed shortly.

I initially read it to suggest the latter. The silver flash without magic suggests either Wisp or Ninja to me.

The mention of Braxyion always intrigued me. Did we ever find out if he/it is a wisp or something else? And does anyone have any theories on how wisps fit into anything in UO? For example, is there any significance to the places where you find them today and also places where you no longer find them (e.g., around the Magincia moongate)?

I'll fill you in with what I've concluded. This may be wrong, but after I'm done you'll see that it makes sense and is quite possible.

Braxyion was a spy, and maybe one of, the Bane Chosen, who we evidently are about to have the opportunity to face in battle.


Links to all three articles:
The Six
A Short Time Ago
Valvakka


The Bane are the 3 Banes of Chaos, and their "Chosen" are their current followers. I believe all of the Ophidians who followed the Serpent of Chaos were killed by the Order Ophidians. The 3 Banes of Chaos were created when the Order Ophidians ripped from the Void and slew the Serpent of Chaos. These 3 Banes of Chaos represent the Virtues of Chaos.

Those others, the gem collectors from those events, they come from the void.
They are the followers of the Order Serpent, who went mad due to the lack of balance created at the death of the Chaos serpent. The Order Serpent resides in the Void. The followers are an ancient species of Dragons, who evidently took up the following of the Serpent of Order.

From "A Short Time Ago
"Because, my lady Kealdia," his smile widened to display gleaming teeth, "My task has the highest of all honors: to destroy the weak ones that succumbed to... that human."​

And I'll refer you to the Book, "Taming Dragons" by "that human", Wyrd Beastmaster...and it's very strange telling...

Taming dragons


by Wyrd Beastmaster

I have not much to tell about dragons. The sole time I approached one with an eye towards taming it, my initial attempts at calming it met with failure. It fixed a massive beady eye upon me, and began its slithering approach, intending no doubt to insert me into its maw and bear down with its teeth.

However, as I was engaged in what remains to this day the most terrifying combat of my life, the dragon suddenly whirled as if in a panic, ran a short distance, took off into the air, then transformed into a whirlwind. Lastly, it exploded, showering gouts of black blood and heaving, stinking flesh upon miles of countryside. The fireball was massive enough to light a city I should surmise.

I never did discover the exact cause of this strange behavior except to assume that it was not typical for this reptilian species. My best guesses revolve around a magical fracture in the nature of reality, which is far too esoteric a territory for one of my limited scholarship.

Hence my basic advice to those who seek to tame a dragon-be sure that thou hast mastered the twin skills of taming animals, and running away very fast.​

The Serpent of Order may be a Dragon himself. Dragons are also referred to as "serpents".

The Banes of Chaos
Serpent Isle

Our Ophidians from the Lost Lands are probably those who followed the Serpent of Balance.

The Ophidians that came later, in the events, might be the survivors of those who followed the Serpent of Order, who went through the Wall of Lights to unknown places after the Serpent of Order went mad.

Terranthans might well be "Bane-Chosen". From "The Banes of Chaos":

The Bane of Insanity represents an inability to overcome emotional impulses with rational thoughts and was imprisoned in the Temple of Logic. ​

And the Temple of Logic (linked there):

The Temple of Logic is one of the six temples sacred to the forces that form Order, Chaos and Balance. This once belongs to Order. Situated deep inside a mountain, the Temple of Logic demands a cunning intellect before granting access to the Water of Logic.​

So the Terranthan Keep might be the Temple of Logic, and it explains the constant battle there between the Ophidians who are attacking the Terranthans residing there. And it fits the description as well.
Also note, Temple of Logic-spider people, spider webs, etc. It just seems to fit together so well.

 

[Basara]

Actually, Braxyion / Bryxion was one of the Platinum Dragons, with one of the fiction sections mis-spelling the dragon's name.

See the Fiction "Platinum Dragons" from March 2009, and later posts (and the discussion on U.Hall that resulted).

That was resolved last year.

 

[Trebr Drab]

Actually, Braxyion / Bryxion was one of the Platinum Dragons, with one of the fiction sections mis-spelling the dragon's name.

See the Fiction "Platinum Dragons" from March 2009, and later posts (and the discussion on U.Hall that resulted).

That was resolved last year.

I'm not finding anything in searches at the official site, or here in the news, using those names except for the one article I linked. I'll search the Stratics forums next, expecting that to take some time.

I wasn't around for that time period. What's this about the Platinum Dragons? I read a few news articles about a battle with Crimson Dragons, involving Platinums, but nothing about where they come from or were about.

 

[Coppelia]

Magincia was the city of Pride.
/discuss

 

[Trebr Drab]

Magincia was the city of Pride.
/discuss

Don't you have some phat lootz to get?

 

[Trebr Drab]

Actually, Braxyion / Bryxion was one of the Platinum Dragons, with one of the fiction sections mis-spelling the dragon's name.

See the Fiction "Platinum Dragons" from March 2009, and later posts (and the discussion on U.Hall that resulted).

That was resolved last year.

I'm not finding anything in searches at the official site, or here in the news, using those names except for the one article I linked. I'll search the Stratics forums next, expecting that to take some time.

I wasn't around for that time period. What's this about the Platinum Dragons? I read a few news articles about a battle with Crimson Dragons, involving Platinums, but nothing about where they come from or were about.

Ok, I found it, thanks to your time frame. Just general story though. One question, are the Platinums from the Void too?

 

[Coppelia]

Don't you have some phat lootz to get?

The destruction of Magincia the city of Pride I wasn't there, but the destruction of New Magincia, I got phat lootz! I helped demons to blow up the city. Do you know Boom the Shepherd?

 

[Trebr Drab]

Magincia was the city of Pride.
/discuss

Don't you have some phat lootz to get?

But you know, you're right. It's embarrassing that I put so much time into this stuff, and make these kinds of posts, and so many have mocked me over the years. And they're all right. There's no meaning besides just picking lore items for stories. No real depth. Nothing to show for it.

I'm a fool, proving so all the time to all of you. Looking at that original post, there's nothing to show anything in that depth.

Yes, I'm embarrassed for being such a fool. It's time I go, leave this, and leave my legacy of foolish gaming looking for ghosts that don't exist.

 

[Cogniac]

And I'll refer you to the Book, "Taming Dragons" by "that human", Wyrd Beastmaster...and it's very strange telling...

Taming dragons


by Wyrd Beastmaster

I have not much to tell about dragons. The sole time I approached one with an eye towards taming it, my initial attempts at calming it met with failure. It fixed a massive beady eye upon me, and began its slithering approach, intending no doubt to insert me into its maw and bear down with its teeth.

However, as I was engaged in what remains to this day the most terrifying combat of my life, the dragon suddenly whirled as if in a panic, ran a short distance, took off into the air, then transformed into a whirlwind. Lastly, it exploded, showering gouts of black blood and heaving, stinking flesh upon miles of countryside. The fireball was massive enough to light a city I should surmise.

I never did discover the exact cause of this strange behavior except to assume that it was not typical for this reptilian species. My best guesses revolve around a magical fracture in the nature of reality, which is far too esoteric a territory for one of my limited scholarship.

Hence my basic advice to those who seek to tame a dragon-be sure that thou hast mastered the twin skills of taming animals, and running away very fast.
​

This actually happened in-game for a few days. It was the oddest bug ever.