Mythic have continued this week’s examination of the Virtue of Spirituality with a look at the town of Skara Brae:

Founded before Ultima 4, it was home to a sentient monument called the Ankh of Spirituality. When conversed with, it could impart spiritual wisdom to the listener. At this time, Shamino was residing in Skara Brae and first joined with the Stranger on his quest to become the Avatar.

In Ultima 5, a dark mage named Flain took control of the city and ordered a moat to be constructed around it. Once Blackthorn’s regime ended, Flain’s dictatorship was dissolved and the moat was filled in.

By the events of Ultima 6, Skara Brae was a peaceful trade city. However, its peace was disrupted by the murder of a fisherman named Quenton. His spirit remained on the isle long after his death, and was eventually bound to the evil liche Horance in Ultima 7.

Horance had slowly been driven mad through his tampering with death magic, and he eventually turned himself into a liche in order to escape death. He began summoning undead and wreaking havoc upon the city. In an effort to stop him, the townspeople accidentally caused a huge fire, destroying the city and killing everyone inside. Now dead, the ghostly residents were placed under Horance’s power until the Avatar’s actions in Ultima 7 freed them.

The city was rebuilt, though sadly in vain. Before the events of Ultima 9, the city was once again destroyed by fire – this time by the Guardian. The Avatar was still able to visit the ruins of the city, and eventually freed Shamino whose soul was trapped in the realm of spirits.

The city really did have a run of bad luck, didn’t it?

If their pattern holds up, the Friday update to the Ultima Forever Facebook page will concern Hythloth. Watch for it!