Publish 105 for Ultima Online — which bears the title Forgotten Treasures — is coming to the three game shards that traditionally recieve new content first (Origin, Izumo, and Baja) in short order (Izumo, at least, should already have it, as should the other two by now.)

And with this Publish comes a new and rather interesting addition that may speak to where Broadsword Online Games intends to go next, in terms of in-game events. Check out this line item from the change notes:

Visit the Town Cryer to learn about The Fellowship and their new presence in Britannia

And, indeed, in the run-up to the release of Forgotten Treasures, a new piece of lore fiction was released which further mentioned the Fellowship:

King Blackthorn, Governors, and distinguished guests: I, Batlin, stand before you as a humble petitioner for my people. We of the Fellowship wish to be allowed to do our important work out in the world. I hear you ask, ‘Why does Britannia need the Fellowship? What is one more philosophical society or charity?’ I thank you for giving me a chance to answer.

We, Britannians, have struggled in our long history, plagued by wars, invasion, and disaster. With the disappearance of one king and the death of a queen, even the Crown has faced hardship. When people struggle for so long, they focus on the burden they carry, and not the road before them. They also miss the suffering of those around them. The Fellowship wishes to lighten these burdens, to help people walk with their eyes on the horizon.

…

We will also serve the poor and vulnerable of Britannia. Some may balk at our approach to charity, where those in need earn their alms. However, if we are to heal Sosaria, the Fellowship cannot simply treat the symptoms of poverty. We must help those in need regain their self-worth, as worthiness precedes reward.

Could this be a prelude to an event arc that sees the Guardian make a grand, terrifying entrance into Sosaria?