Gargoyles

First apperance: Ultima V (sort of)

Last apperance: Ultima IX



Description

Gargoyles are an intelligent and sentient race which superficially resemble Daemons. They possess their own language, runic system and architecture. Gargoyles come in two forms. The bigger, winged ones have a high intellect, magic powers and strong build. The wingless ones are not as smart and smaller, but make up for this with more muscles. Gargoyles are socially much like humans, in that you can get the good with the bad. The winged are seen as superior to the unwinged, who are viewed as children in need of guidance. Only one capable of flight was able to visit the Shrine of Singularity.

The Gargoyles originally lived in the Underworld. Now they live on the Isle of Terfin, with smaller populations scattered all over Britannia (notably in Vesper). Gargoyles can also be found on Serpent Isle, where they are ruled by Lord Zhelkas.

The War of the False Prophet

When the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom was stolen from the Gargoyles, and late when Lord British was rescued from Dungeon Doom, the Underworld was wracked with earthquakes and subterranean eruptions. Much of the Gargish land was destroyed and many were killed. They blamed the Avatar for these events, naming him/her An Bal Sil Fer: False Prophet. They believed the only way to save their world was to sacrificially slay the Avatar.

Following the guidance of their Book of Prophecies, they invaded Britannia and captured each of the Shrines of Virtue. The Moonstones were stolen from their resting places and bound to the shrines with magical energies. Although many knights sought to rout the Gargoyles from the shrines, none were victorious.

The Avatar was tricked by the Gargoyles, who sent a Moongate to Earth and lured him/her to the Underworld. The Avatar was rescued by Iolo, Shamino and Dupre before the sacrifice could take place, but returned later. With Beh Lem assisting the party, the Avatar made a deal with Lord Draxinusom: if the Avatar could not find a way to save the Gargoyle world within a certain period of time, return the Codex to the Gargoyles, or the Avatar would willingly be sacrificed. To seal the contract, the Avatar wore the Amulet of Submission.

The war ended when the Avatar, following the instructions of the Codex itself after being sent by the Gargoyles' own Shrine of Singularity, returned the Codex to the Void. Both Lord British and Lord Draxinusom were initially angered by this, but when they both viewed the Codex together it showed them something that has never officially been revealed. The two races made peace.

The Underworld continued to crumble, so the Gargoyles relocated to Britannia. Lord British granted them the island of Terfin to settle on, though they were welcome to live in other cities as free citizens.

The integration of the Gargoyles into Britannian society gave rise to an anti-Gargoyle organisation, known in Ultima VII as The Britannian Purity League.

Evolution in the series

In Ultima V, we only met one gargoyle, Sin Vraal, but back then, everything still pointed out, he was one of the Deamons (even the Daemon sprite was used). In Ultima VI, we were properly introduced to them. After that, they didn't change anymore, and the screw-up in Ultima IX will be ignored.

Notable examples
 * There are many Gargoyles that are interesting, however, the most important one is obviously King Draxinosum. He is very important in Ultima VI, became a good friend in Ultima VII and is mentioned in Ultima Underworld II. His final fate is unclear.


 * Beh Lem joined the Avatar as a companion in Ultima VI. He had been secretly studying the Britannian language from Captain Johne, who was living in Dungeon Hythloth. Beh Lem was young and wingless when he joined the Avatar, but said he would grow wings as he matured. He believed the Gargoyles and Humans should make peace. Beh Lem is not officially seen again after Ultima VI.