Ophidians

Ophidians were, what the people of the Serpent Isle called themselves after the arrival of the three serpents, Chaos Serpent, the Order Serpent and the Great Earth Serpent. After being separated from the rest of Sosaria, they developed their own religion of Chaos, Order and Balance. In that time, also the the huge underground cities of Spinebreaker, Skullcrusher and Furnance were erected. The culture of the Ophidians was destroyed when they killed each other in the War of Imbalance. In the end the followers of Chaos and Balance were slaughtered, and the left over followers of Order left the Serpent Isle to another world.

And so the Ophidians became a memory of history, with their ruins and writings strewn all over the Serpent Isle.

Also look at:


 * War of Imbalance
 * Ophidian Alphabet
 * Serpent Gate
 * Wall of Lights

Trivia

 * When connecting the subtle hint of the man with Blackrock Serpent from Pagan, mentioned in Ultima Underworld II by a goblin, one can assume the followers of Order ended into the land of Pagan. But since the plot of Ultima VIII was heavily cut, it is no wonder there isn't any sign or mention of them in the released game. Otherwise this would have connected U8 more closely with past games.