Vollems and other confusions

[The Doctor]

Greetings

So much has changed and whilst there's lots to discover, there are some things I have failed to find. I hope you will be able to help!

1) Vollems. I have one of these in a crystal and have found that they are pets of some sort that bond if let out. But what are they? I can't find a reference in the Hunter's Guide or a picture. Can they do anything worthwhile?

2) In the Carpentry menu, there is an option for a filled bookcase, named as an academic bookcase. This requires an ingredient called "academic books". I can't find any information on these. Where are they found?

3) I recall that one needs a certain level of skill to have a powerful pet transferred to one, but what about a less dangerous creature like a snow leopard?

4) Is there any way to get a beard on an elf? I see that the character creation screen doesn't give the option, but what about coupons for a hairstyling (I appear to have a lot of these!) or those options in the alchemist shops?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Cailleach]

Hiya

It's a lot to take in, isn't it!

1) Vollems are little winged creatures with spell casting ability. They're a bit like nightmares in terms of stats. Handy wee beasties for folks like fishers and crafters. I also know a coupla guys who use them in pvp. If you'd like to have a look at a couple in game, give me a shout and I'll dig mine out for you.

2) Academic books are a stealable. If you look in the Thief forum, you'll find where they are and how often they spawn.

3) AFAIK, you don't need any taming at all for low level creatures like snow leopards.

4) This one I have no idea about; all of my chars are female!

 

[Schuyler Bain]

I'll address #4

4) Is there any way to get a beard on an elf? I see that the character creation screen doesn't give the option, but what about coupons for a hairstyling (I appear to have a lot of these!) or those options in the alchemist shops?

Elves do not have the ability to have facial hair. Not at creation or through any other means. In most lore, Ultima included, elves are not capable of growing facial hair. There are half-elves that can (i.e. Tanis from the Dragonlance novels). In UO only human males have this option.

Free Hairstyle Coupons were once new player rewards and are worth about 50k (the same price to change your hair from the alchemist). You may find a collector, but there were plenty of them back in the day and the market for them is almost nonexistent. Better to save yourself the 50k and use them if you want to change your hairstyle. On that note you will get the same choices you had upon character creation so nothing new or special.

Welcome back and Best of luck!

 

[Basara]

Specifically, Vollem are winged big cats.

The concept for them originated in threads on U.Hall with former art dev CatHat. Somehow, a joke bit about saving kittens (as in one of those old every time x happens a kitten dies) morphed into "kitty-goyles". Someone then made kitty-goyle art as a joke, and things snowballed from there.

They are quite literally (right down to resists, and loot when they first die) reskinned Nightmares, but without the taming skill restriction for ownership, or the ability to be ridden. I use mine on low-level T-maps, where they can eat any of the spawn, other than ogre lords.

 

[The Doctor]

Thank you all for your very helpful answers.

Specifically, Vollem are winged big cats.

Is there a picture of them anywhere?