Judge Dryden

Judge Dryden is a corrupt judge and head inquisitor in Yew in Ultima V.

One of the leaders of the Oppression, Judge Dryden served to dish out Blackthorn's cruel justice. When the Avatar met the Judge, Dryden offered to allow the hero to plead for the life of any of the prisoners in Yew, but would offer no pity. He also questioned the Avatar if the hero was guilty of heresy towards the new regime, and if so, would cruelly call the guards on the Avatar to have him imprisoned.

The Avatar, after getting a hint from weapon maker Tactus in Minoc, met Judge Dryden to learn more about the Oppression. Mentioning his meeting with Tactus, Dryden was pleased, and sent the Avatar to Flain in Skara Brae, to join the Oppression.

Ultima V: Lazarus
In Ultima V: Lazarus, Dryden had been a clerk and friend of Blackthorn's father during the time he was the high judge. Dryden remained friends and supported Blackthorn after his father's death, and eventually helped him create the Oppression. Dryden was the one that wrote the Ethics of Blackthorn from the guidelines Blackthorn defined.

At Blackthorn's request, Dryden offered the Avatar a deal: if the hero helped the Oppression, they would allow him and his companions to travel freely through Britannia. If the Avatar agreed, Dryden sent the hero to Lady Guinere, who would give the Avatar different quests to help the Oppression. The Avatar could then also pay Dryden the required fines to free Greymarch and Jerone.