Drylands

Description
In the northeastern corner of the continent of Britannia lies the Drylands, an expansive, desolate desert. Situated in the middle of it, surrounded by trackless dunes, lies the Shrine of Sacrifice and the Ant Mound, while at its south end, the mining town of Vesper exists in this dry region. The bordering western mountains house the Vesper Mines.

History
In Ultima IV this area was a mix of grasslands, forests and swamps, surrounding Lake Generosity and the Shrine of Sacrifice. The town of Vesper existed to the south of the area. The Drylands were formed between Ultima IV and Ultima V, when a sustained drought struck the area, drying up the area around Lake Generosity completely. The town of Vesper disappeared along with the lake, and by Ultima V the Drylands were already a desolate desert.

In Ultima V and VI, the Drylands featured the house of Sin'Vraal, and in the latter installment the Ant Mound. Part of Lake Generosity re-appeared in Ultima VII, as well as a new Vesper, turned into a mining town.

Things to see

 * Ant Mound
 * Big X
 * Desert Dungeon
 * Shrine of Sacrifice
 * Sin'Vraal's Hut
 * Vesper
 * Vesper Mines

Trivia

 * The humorous fan-game Ultima IV Part 2 offers an interesting alternative explanation for the formation of the Drylands.


 * In Ultima Online, the Drylands didn't come into being. Instead, the Desert of Compassion takes its place.