Ultima: The Avatar Adventures

Ultima: The Avatar Adventures (ISBN 1-55958-130-1) is a strategy guide published by Prima in 1992, written by Rusel De Maria and Caroline Spector. It covers the three cardinal games in the Age of Enlightenment: Ultima IV, Ultima V, and Ultima VI.

The book consists primarily of a novelized walkthrough for each game, in the form of journal entries purportedly written by the Avatar himself during his adventures in Britannia. These journals are presented in the context of two Britannian historians who, during the time of the Guardian's rise to power (just prior to the opening of Ultima VII), are researching the stories of the Avatar and debating their authenticity. Maps, item and enemy lists, and simplified, "quick and dirty" walkthroughs are also provided.

Ultima: The Avatar Adventures contains much in the way of character details that are not present in the games. For example, in these accounts the Avatar is depicted as having had a crush on Jaana during their adventures, where the possibility of the Avatar romancing any of his companions is not suggested in any Ultima prior to IX. The book also suggests that the Avatar feels physical pain and/or an encroaching darkness over his soul whenever he acts contrary to the Virtues, which can only be relieved by performing Virtuous acts such as giving money to beggars or completing Shrine Quests.

A bonus chapter includes an introductory-style walkthrough for the opening stages of Ultima VII and Ultima Underworld. There is also a lengthy interview included with Richard Garriott, in which he discusses the history and development of the Ultima series over the years and talks about his influences when designing Britannia, its people and its lore.

This book is highly sought after among Ultima fans; used copies, depending on condition, can command high prices on eBay and other auction sites.