Tenebrae



Tenebrae is a major city appearing in Ultima VIII.

Description and History
Tenebrae, the city of eternal twilight, is the only known city remaining in Pagan after the great war, situated on the island of Morgaelin. To the west lies the Fishermen's Reef where people of said occupation live, to the east the Cemetery and the centre of the Necromancers and to the north the Herdsman's Valley with its Torax farms.

The city was built by the Zealans long before the war, and was the only city to survive it, becoming the center of life for many. Since then, the Tempest rules from there. In the early times after the war, Lithos once tried to destroy the city with his army of dead, but the Bonecrusher stopped his assault. Thick walls surround the city and divide it in three parts, silent witness of its war time past.

The central district is dominated by the City Palace, where the ruling Tempest lives. It is also the only building in the district, apart from the guard posts. However, access is not restricted and it would be difficult to do so anyway, since it connects the other two parts of the city.

In the poverty-stricken western district live the poor and craftsmen of Tenebrae. The river also flows through it. There, the Shattered Skull Tavern, blacksmith and arena for troll battles are found among the houses of the common folk of the city. The district looks run-down and several ruins - culuminating in a recently burnt-down house - show the government cares little for these people.

In the grand eastern district live the wealthy and important people of Tenebrae such as the the Tempest's majordomo, the city sorcerer and the captain of the guard. In the eastern districts are also found the gem shop, the library, the training hall and numerous fountains.

At the time of the Avatar's arrival in Pagan, Mordea ruled with an iron fist, turning Tenebrae essentially into a huge prison for all its inhabitants. Her terror regime - fueled by her paranoia that it could be revealed that she was not the rightful Tempest - executed anyone who dared to speak against her and the people lived in fear, becoming defensive. With her death, normality returned.

Inhabitants

 * Aramina: chambermaid
 * Bentic: scholar
 * Beren: city sorcerer and law enforcer
 * Darion: captain of the guard
 * Devon: fisherman and an aspiring scholar
 * Jenna: barmaid
 * Korick: blacksmith
 * Mordea: ruling Tempest
 * Orlok: tavern owner
 * Rhian: clothier
 * Salkind: Mordea's seneschal
 * Shaana: executioner
 * Tarna: guard
 * Toran: jeweler

Things to see

 * City Palace

Business

 * Shattered Skull Tavern
 * Rhian - clothing and jewels
 * Darion - leather armour
 * Korick - metal armour and weapons