Virden

Virden is the apothecary of The Sharper Mage at the Lycaeum in the time of Ultima V, and served as source of reagents.

Ultima V: Lazarus
In Ultima V: Lazarus, Virden was formerly of Buccaneer's Den. He relocated to the Lycaeum some years before the coming of the Shadowlords when he became aware of the large market for reagents on Verity Isle. With his connections at the Den, he was able to organize large shipments of rare reagents that he sold to anyone who could pay for them, and with the number of mages Verity Isle had, the reagents were always in large demand. As the years passed, Virden became impressed by the Lycaeum mages and their pursuit for Truth. He looked more deeply into the subject, and then the Virtues. It was at this time that the Shadowlords arose and Blackthorn came to power, and Virden distrusted Blackthorn's Oppression, feeling they had no business deciding who could be in possession of specific reagents, and felt the liege merely wished to control magical power throughout the land. Although Virden thought the mages of the Lycaeum were foolish for not researching the Dark Arts, he respected their position and sought to aid them how he could.

Faye at The Shield of Truth was especially worried that her dwindling supply of mandrake would prevent her from offering further Resurrection services, and asked the hero to speak with Virden about his supply routes. Virden would offer to compensate the Avatar with 500 gold if the hero could contact his friend Daem in Buccaneer's Den and transport a shipment of mandrake, nightshade and black pearl to the Lycaeum.