Black Badge

The Black Badge is a very useful item in Ultima V. It is basically a passport that you are with the Oppression. Wearing it, the Avatar and the companions have nothing to fear from the Guards in Castle Blackthorn. Even the dark lord himself will react friendly towards them. However, it isn't called the Black Badge for nothing, as obtaining it costs the Avatar quite some Karma.

Hearing about the Oppression from the weaponmaker Tactus in Minoc and getting additional information from corrupt Judge Dryden in Yew, the Avatar joined the Oppression as a lip-service to infiltrate them, by talking to the dark mage Flain in Skara Brae. He/she decided to give up a Word of Power, as Stones can always be restored, while life can't. Sent to Windmere by Flain with the password of the Oppression, the Avatar recieved the Black Badge from Elistaria there.

Trivia

 * Without the Black Badge, the chance to get caught and one character is permanently destroyed by Blackthorn's pendulum is VERY high. So accepting the temporary Karma loss is going to hurt less. However, you can bypass guards if you have the speed of the Magic Carpet and are prepared for some fancy flying!
 * It is also possible in the Lazarus version of Ultima V to tell Flain the name of a member of the High Council, but this hurts the Karma MUCH more!
 * Karma can be recovered after getting the Black Badge by praying at the shrines and donating money. A destroyed shrine can be restored with the right Word of Power.
 * A Black Badge is seen in the museum in Ultima IX.