Last week, a story was posted to the Ultima Online website, a new piece of lore that will presumably serve as backstory for future in-game events (or so I assume) written by EM Drosselmeyer.

It’s a fairly good read, but the really significant portion of it comes at the end. Consider this a spoiler alert, but I’m sure that those of you who don’t pay much attention to Ultima Online won’t mind. (And if you do mind, stop reading now and avail yourself of the link above.)

Softly and with a chuckle a rich voice echoed inside as Blackthorn’s words faltered, staring at the seeming apparition before him. “Before a friend could return to take their move on the board that was still waiting for your own when you appeared?”

Blackthorn stood motionless for a long time, staring at the broad smile along the other man’s face, before they both stepped towards each other and embraced tightly, pulling apart a moment later with identically broad grins. “I suppose it was only fair that when I returned after you had thought me lost that I should be under the impression you would never return to these lands…Cantabrigian.”

Lord British’s grin burst into a chuckle. “You should know it best yourself…in Sosaria, an infinite number of things are possible.”

Cue the Veggies:

Now, whether this presages any sort of return, to Ultima Online, by Richard Garriott in the persona of Lord British, I have no idea. It’s certainly a fun thought to entertain, though my own preference would be that it is the first hint of several that lead, eventually and inevitably, to the revelation that the Portalarium team have been granted the right to use the Ultima license and will be developing Shroud of the Avatar as an official Ultima sequel.

No, that isn’t happening. At least, not that I know. It’s pure speculative fantasy…so don’t go spreading any rumours.

The First Age of Update: Browncoat Jayson reminds me that I need to read the Shroud of the Avatar Updates of the Avatar more closely. For, had I read the most recent one, I would have noticed something:

@UltimaCodex I would think this relates to the 17th Anniversary event noted in the Update. https://t.co/7BA1g0zCVW #LBSotA #UO

— Browncoat Jayson (@browncoatjayson) September 24, 2014

And, indeed, it would seem that both Richard Garriott and Starr Long will be appearing in Ultima Online, in the personas of Lord British and King Blackthorn respectively, later this week to celebrate the 17th anniversary of Ultima Online.

Well then.