Columns

The eight huge columns of the Guardian are a central plot point in Ultima IX. They were created 20 years prior to the Avatars arrival. Each is rooted in one of the eight major dungeons. The purpose or action of the columns are:
 * corrupting the meaning of the Virtues.
 * ripping the land mass apart through earthquakes.
 * drawing the moons towards the planet.
 * spreading evil.

In the end, the columns are all destroyed with a coordinated effort between the Avatar and his companions.

Trivia

 * The eight columns of the Guardian essentially affects the inhabitants of Britannia in the same way the Shadowlords did when visiting a town in Ultima V. This is most likely NOT a coincidence as the Guardian and the Shadowlords were supposed to be one and the same.
 * The eight columns also had a major role to play in the unused "Bob White" Plot of Ultima IX. In that version the plot the columns still ripped Britannia apart - however they had no relations to Virtue and was instead sucking out the life force of Britannia, which would allow the Guardian the become even stronger as he would be reborn upon Britannia's destruction.