Last week, the Ultima Online team dropped a brief news update that announced two things: the worldwide release of Publish 120 (the latest content update for the game), and the launch of an official Ultima Online Discord server.

Publish 120 — which requires a mandatory client patch, apparently — adds a few rewards to celebrate the 28th anniversary of UO, and has also kicked off a new five-part in-game event arc:

Rifted Crown Event

A dark shadow now hangs over Britannia, as King Blackthorn has mysteriously vanished, leaving the Royal Court in disarray. With no word from the King and no sign of his whereabouts, the Royal Guard remain on high alert as they attempt to dissuade citizens from starting to panic. However, a strange and deadly sickness has begun to spread across the land, affecting towns and villages where it was least expected. The origins of this sickness remain unknown, and whispers of a darker force behind it stir fear in every corner of the kingdom.

Could this sickness be linked to the King’s disappearance? What is the true cause behind these mysterious events? Brave adventurers are urgently needed to uncover the truth. Speak to Guard Captain Thorne at Castle Blackthorn to begin your investigation into the kingdom’s crisis.

You can find details about all five stages of the event in the release notes for the Publish.