Ultima V Walkthrough

Welcome to the Ultima V quick guide. This is a quick guide detailing what you need to do to beat Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny. Things have not fared well for Britannia since you were made the Avatar. Lord British undertook an expedition to the underworld and has not been heard from for some time. In his place, he left Lord Blackthorn, who has become increasingly tyrannical. He has consolidated his grip on power and has codified the Eight Virtues into law. Some people, notably your former companions, are resisting his rule and have summoned you here to help them. Also, three horrible beasts from the Underworld, known as the Shadowlords, have arisen and are terrifying all of Britannia. You sure have your work cut out for you!

Character Creation
If you have a character from Ultima IV transfer it in now. Otherwise, you will have to create a new character. The process is the same as it was in Ultima IV: the gypsy will ask you several questions, and you must pick the virtue that corresponds with the class you want to play (or you could always answer from the heart and let the chips fall where they may).

Dexterity is the most useful attribute, in my opinion: it rules the accuracy of attacks (hit rate), the speed in battle (number of attacks), the ability of disarm traps, and probably the ability to dodge enemy attacks.

Strength comes second: if (and only if) the enemy is hit, and that depends on the Dexterity, Strength determines how much damage is dealt. Anyway, there are a few weapons which hit rate is based on strength instead of dexterity. Moreover, no matter your choices, Strength will be set to 20 even if your answers would set it to a lower value.

Intelligence is the least important attribute: it rules the number of Magic Points. Even if you are a magic-lover, in Ultima MP don't rule over spellcasting, because this is determied by the Gold you can spend on magic reagents. Since food and weapons come first, magic and intelligence will wait.

Once you have done that, you proceed on with the game.

Game Objectives
You must do several things to beat the game.
 * 1) Collect four items belonging to Lord British that you will need to brave the Underworld:
 * 2) the Crown - found on the rooftop of Blackthorn's castle
 * 3) the Sandalwood Box - found in Lord British's room by playing "Stones"
 * 4) the Scepter - found in Stonegate (watch out for Shadowlords)
 * 5) the Amulet - Underworld (under Destard)
 * 6) Kill the Shadowlords
 * 7) Learn the names of each Shadowlord
 * 8) Falsehood - Faulinei
 * 9) Hatred - Astaroth
 * 10) Cowardice - Nosfentor
 * 11) Find the shards corresponding to each Shadowlord
 * 12) Shard of Falsehood - Underworld (Deceit)
 * 13) Shard of Hate - Underworld (Covetous)
 * 14) Shard of Cowardice - Underworld (Hythloth)
 * 15) Take the shards to the keep opposite each Shadowlord, Yell his name and throw the Shard into the Flame
 * 16) Go to Dungeon Doom in the Underworld, beat it and rescue Lord British

Learning Words of Power
Your character doesn't have to actually learn the Words of Power (or the Mantras). If you already know them, or if you are using this cheat sheet, you can safely skip this step. Otherwise, here is a good list of where to learn each Word of Power. The words of power for the seven surface dungeons are known only by the members of the Great Council, who are either captured or in hiding. The word of power for Dungeon Doom must be learned from the Codex.


 * Oppression password: INFAMA
 * Resistance password: DAWN

Useful Hints

 * When a character levels up, he or she gains one point of either strength, intelligence or dexterity. He/she does not lose this point if he/she loses his/her level, so very high attribute levels can be achieved through multiple leveling up and down attempts.
 * Shenstone hides skull keys in a stump in northwest Minoc. He hides an extra five every day, and they can be acquired multiple times. Great for opening magically locked doors.
 * Pirate ships can be acquired by killing the crew. (P)ass turns all night near water for multiple ships. You can take the skiffs from the conquered ships and put them on your frigate. Then, you can leave the extra skiffs as ferries between the mainland and locations of interest.
 * Travel is expensive: the party eats food, that has to be bought again. To optimize travel budget, it is good to travel by land and fight land enemies for their loot. Sea enemies drop no loot, except for pirates. Use skiffs, frigates, horses and magic carpet only when absolutely necessary.
 * The magic carpet should be acquired as soon as possible, because it makes transportation easy. On the other hand, enemies will not attack, therefore the party will not gain experience, gold and loot, but still consume food.
 * Lord British's Crown makes combat with magic foes easy.
 * Watch your karma with -K. Your experience after death is equal to your karma. A karma of 90 means you are resurrected with 90% of your experience.
 * Moonstones can be dug up and planted throughout Britannia or the Underworld, allowing for easy transportation.
 * The Shrine of Spirituality can be reached by entering a moongate at midnight.
 * Magic Axes are amongst the most powerful weapons in the game.
 * Halberds can attack through walls.
 * See Party Members in Ultima V for possible party members. You can leave members at any inn, and recruit them again at a later time.

Britain

 * Greyson will tell you the mantra of Compassion and give a little information about shrine quests.
 * Eb, the busboy, will tell you about glass swords and suggest you speak to his friend Malik in Moonglow.
 * Terrance, in Britain, will tell you about the Resistance and tell you to speak to Chamfort in Yew.
 * Telila, the maid, will tell you about Annon, Greyson, and tell you to speak to Bullwier in Jhelom about the Mystic Arms.
 * Gwenno, Iolo's wife, will join your party.
 * Annon, who appears in the Inn during the evening/night, will tell you the Word of Power for Despise if your Karma is high enough.

Britannys

 * Joshua, if given the Resistance password, reveals that Sutek has information on how to destroy the Shadowlords.
 * Kurt recommends the hero speak to Treanna about Valorian Warhorses.
 * Leof, if given the Resistance password, tells the hero to speak to Sir Sean about Stonegate
 * Squire Jimmy reveals that Master Hawkins grandfather built the HMS Cape, but the plans had been lost.

Castle Britannia

 * Treanna, in the stables, will mention that a mage named Bandaii in Paws claims a talking horse exists. If you can tell her his name (Smith), she will tell you he lives in Iolo's Hut (the start of the game).
 * Desiree will tell you about Lord Stuart the Hungry and his Create Food spell.
 * Saduj is a spy for the Oppression, who will tell you if you have the Oppression password (IMPERA) that he was sent here by Lord Blackthorn to destroy the Sandalwood Box. He can join you, but he will turn on you during combat.

Castle Blackthorn

 * Unless you have the Black Badge, the guards will throw you in jail. The magic carpet can help you avoid them.
 * It helps to have some Skull Keys to open some doors to get out safely.
 * Blackthorn will arrest you if you do not know the Oppression password (IMPERA). Otherwise, he will allow you to freely roam the castle.
 * Warning: If you are caught by the guards, Blackthorn will execute one of your party members (usually Iolo, but not always). If this happens, whoever Blackthorn kills is permanently dead; they are erased from your saved data and can never be resurrected by any means.
 * The crown is on the fourth floor. The gargoyles will attack you after you pick it up. When worn, the crown negates all magic during combat.

Empath Abbey

 * Lord Michael will tell you to seek out a daemon in the eastern deserts to find out more about the Shadowlord of Hatred.
 * Ask Lord Michael about the grappling hook (i.e. grapple), and he will give it to you. You can use it to climb over some mountainous terrain.
 * Cory, the cook, will give you some food if you ask for it.
 * Tim, the bard, will tell you to seek out Lord Kenneth to learn the harpsichord.
 * Julia and Toshi will join your party.

The Lycaeum

 * Lord Shalineth provides the name of the Shadowlord of Falsehood, Faulinei.
 * Lady Janell instructs the hero that the Shrine of Spirituality can be reached by entering a moongate at midnight, and that Leona at the Temple of Virtue knows the location of the Shard of Falsehood.
 * Sir Sean gives the location of Stonegate at the end of Lost Hope Bay.
 * Mariah will join the party.

Minoc

 * Rew, at the sailmaker, will tell you the mantra of Sacrifice (CAH). She will also tell you about his mother Fiona.
 * Fenelon, at the sailmaker, will tell you to enter Minoc at noon to avoid the Sacrifice tax.
 * Delwyn, the beggar, can be given gold for some karma. He will also tell you that Shenstone, the armorer has been sneaking around town at noon.
 * Fiona, in the poorhouse, will give you free food if you ask. She also knows the word of power for Covetous: AVIDUM.
 * Tactus, the armourer at the Darkwatch Armoury, will tell you to speak to Judge Dryden if you tell him you support the Oppression.

Moonglow

 * Lord Stuart the Hungry reveals the reagents for the Create Food spell.
 * Malifora will provide the mantra of Honesty, (AHM), and the Word of Power for Deceit, "FALLAX".
 * Malik told the hero where to find nightshade and mandrake root, as well to speak to Sven about glass swords.
 * If given the Resistance password, Zachariah would tell the hero to speak to Goeth about the moongates.

New Magincia

 * Kaiko will tell you about Councillor Hassad, who was taken away by Blackthorn.
 * Wartow will tell you the mantra of Humility (LUM) if you pass a virtue test.
 * Katrina will join you.

Serpent's Hold

 * Lord Malone provides the name of the Shadowlord of Cowardice, Nosfentor.
 * Gardner describes his dream about how to reach the Shard of Cowardice.
 * Kristi will sell the hero 5 skull keys for 100gp.
 * Maxwell will join the party.

Skara Brae

 * Froed will ask you to send a message to his father Greymarch, who is imprisoned in Yew, that his son is alive and well.
 * Flain, in his tower, will ask who sent you (Judge Dryden). He will let you join the Oppression if you give him the name of one of the Great Councillors. He will then give you the Oppression password (IMPERA) and tell you to speak to Elistaria in Windemere.
 * Saul, a ranger, will tell you to speak to Kindor at the healer's around 6PM to get more information on a shrine.
 * Kindor will tell you the mantra of Spirituality (OM). He will then tell you to speak to Lady Janell in the Lycaeum to find the location of the Shrine of Spirituality.

Trinsic

 * Woolfe, the armourer at The Paladin’s Protectorate, will tell you to speak to his son Jimmy at the healer's about sailing. He also tells you that Sindar walks the walls of the city at midnight.
 * Jimmy, at the healer's, will tell you about the HMS Cape. He will tell you that plans for it are kept by Master Hawkins of The Oaken Oar.
 * Sindar, on the city walls at night, will tell you the word of power for Shame: INFAMA.
 * Gruman will tell you the Mantra of Honor (SUMM) if your Karma is high enough.

Yew

 * Chamfort, owner of the Arms of Justice, will give you the Resistance password (DAWN) if you tell him Terrance sent you, the mantra of Justice Beh and tell you to speak to Landon, who is located behind his fireplace.
 * Landon, the leader of the Resistance, tells you that Lord British's Crown can be found in Blackthorn's castle. He suggests you seek out Sir Simon in Spiritwood for help.
 * Jaana, in the Resistance tunnels, will join you.
 * Greymarch, in the Yew prison, will ask if you have seen his son Froed. If you tell him you have seen him in Skara Brae, he will tell you to seek out Sir Simon on the isle west of Spiritwood to find out the location of Lord British's scepter.
 * Judge Dryden will suggest that you ask Archmage Flain in Skara Brae about the Oppression if you tell him Tactus told you to speak to him.
 * Jeremy, the chef at The Slaughtered Lamb, will give you five [[Skull Keys|skull keys] for 30 or 50 gold.
 * Jerone, Jeremy's imprisoned brother, will tell you about the Lord British apparition that sometimes appears when you rest.
 * Felespar, an imprisoned Great Council member, will give you the Word of Power for Wrong (MALUM) if you know the Resistance password.
 * Mario and his son Aleyn are being unjustly held in the stocks. If you have two lockpicks, you can free both of them for karma.

Paws

 * Bandaii the mage is looking for a famed talking horse, Smith. If the hero tells him Smith is at Iolo's Hut, Bandaii reveals he gave Lord British a magic carpet, which he keeps in his private study.
 * Glinkie recommends the hero use peer gems to discover the Shrine of Spirituality.

Cove

 * Ambrose, who is recovering at Sanctuary, reveals the Mystic Arms are located beneath Hythloth. He awakens briefly at 11:00 pm each night.
 * Ava directs the hero to speak to her sister Leona about the Shard of Falsehood.
 * Leona reveals that the Shard of Falsehood is located beneath Deceit, and gives directions on how to reach it.

Buccaneer's Den

 * Lord Dalgrin tells the hero that one should buy Tierra a drink in order to speak with her.
 * Tierra tells the hero to speak to Bidney about the grapple.
 * Bidney reveals that he gave his grapple to Lord Malone of Empath Abbey.
 * Geoffrey will join the party.
 * Sven reveals that glass swords can be found within the Serpent's Spine mountains.
 * Scally sings about old crotchety David, who created the sextant.

Windemere

 * Elistaria provides the Black Badge in exchange for the Oppression password IMPERA.
 * Thrud provides the Jeweled Shield and Jeweled Sword.

Farthing

 * Seggallion will offer the hero his spyglass.
 * Temme provides the An Ylem spell, which negates matter.
 * Quintin tells the hero to speak to Telila for gossip.

Bordermarch

 * Sir Simon tells of the properties of Lord British's artifacts.
 * Lady Tessa tells the hero how to find the Amulet of Lord British in the Underworld.
 * Dupre will join the party.
 * Sentri will join the party.

Spektran

 * The mage Sutek is alone in a hut on the island Spektran. He will tell you how to defeat the Shadowlords.

Sin'Vraal's Hut

 * The gargoyle Sin'Vraal can be found hiding in the Drylands. He knows the name of the Shadowlord of Hatred, Astaroth.

Grendel's Hut

 * On a small swampy peninsula southeast of Cove, the mage Grendel has turned himself into a rat. He will teach the hero the spell Rel Xen Bet.

Iolo's Hut

 * You begin the game at Iolo's Hut, which is located in the woods near Yew.
 * Talk to the horse here for fun. His name is Smith, and he will give you an important clue. Important, that is, to Ultima IV.

Waveguide

 * Gregory and his demented wife Jacqueline can be found here.

Stormcrow

 * The old sea captain Windmire complains bitterly about Captain Blythe.

Greyhaven

 * Kenneth will teach you how to play Stones on the harpsichord.
 * David will give you the sextant if asked.
 * Sir Arbuthnot reveals that he made the Codex Coin.

Fogsbane

 * Jotham and his granddaughter Jennifer live here.

Useful Items
The Sextant The sextant can be acquired from David of Greyhaven. Merely ask him about it. This allows the player to discern their location on the overworld or within the Underworld. Extremely useful, since many hints are given by sextant location.

The Grapple Ask Lord Malone about the grapple. This item allows the player to climb lower mountains, but some are still impassable.

The Spyglass Talk to Seggallion in Farthing about his spyglass. This allows a player to view the night planets, and determine which towns are currently infested by the Shadowlords. Not terribly useful, since you can always just leave town if the Shadowlod is present, and come back the next day.

Magic Carpet The magic carpet is located on the floor of Lord British's study. For detailed instructions, see below. This allows the player to fly over swamps, traps, and shallow bodies of water unharmed. The high seas are still too dangerous to travel across with anything but a frigate. Recommended to get this item as soon as possible.

Glass Swords Glass sword's can be found int he Serpent's Spine mountains, in the same place as the White Stone in Ultima IV. Peer gems can help with locating these. Reachable via the grapple. They will slay any enemy in one hit, but are immediately destroyed afterwards.

Jeweled Arms Thrud in Windemere will give the hero the Jeweled Sword and Jeweled Shield in exchange for the Resistance password. They are useless in combat, and have an attach and defense of 0.

Chaos Sword The Chaos Sword can be found in the basement of the palace of Lord Blackthorn. This sword fill force the wearer to mercilessly slaughter their own companions. Not recommended.

Mystic Arms These are the most powerful sword and armour in the game, and can be located deep under Hythloth, at the site where the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom once sat. See Objectives in the Underworld for mote information.

The Shrine Quests
In order to receive the Word of Power for Doom, the player must first travel to all eight shrines and meditate for three cycles using the correct mantra. The player will then be told to journey to the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom for enlightenment in that virtue. After doing this for all eight shrines, the player will receive the Word of Power for Doom, Veramocor.

"Beyond shames egress in the center of the underworld there is a place of darkness. Beyond this darkness lies the gate to the core of the world. When thou art ready thou must call forth VERAMOCOR to unlock the gate and venture past ethereal wards and stealers of souls. That which the world hath lost, dost awaits thy coming!."

After receiving enlightenment in that virtue, the player can return to the respective shrine for a stat boost after meditating three cycles.

Lord British's Articles
Sandalwood Box The Sandalwood Box can be found atop Castle Britannia in a magically locked room in the centre of the map. This is best approached at night, or the guard Stillwelt will be there to stop you. One can either use a skull key to open the door or use the cannon to blow open the door. After entering Lord British's study, don't forget to (g)et the magic carpet. Then, use the harpsichord and play Stones (678-987-8767653). The magic door opens, and you can get the Sandalwood Box. This is required ultimately to save Lord British from the Underworld.

The Sceptre of Lord British The Sceptre of Lord British is found within Stonegate, which is located at the base of Lost Hope Bay. This area can only be reached by boat, and then the player needs the grapple to reach the keep. The demon Balinor guards the entrance to the keep, and he will ask the hero a riddle, but regardless of the answer, will attack. Inside the Stonegate, the three Shadowlords will be there to stop the hero from obtaining the sceptre, unless they've been previously destroyed using the appropriate shard of Mondain's Gem of Immortality. It is essential to be using the magic carpet or the hero will succumb to the traps which surround the sceptre. Lord British's Sceptre acts like the spell Dispel Field, except doe not use MP or reagents. It is also essential to pass several force fields present in Dungeon Doom.

Note: if the Avatar enters conflict with a Shadowlord while in possession of the sceptre, the Shadowlord will steal the sceptre and return it to Stonegate. The player will ahve to retrieve the sceptre once again.

The Amulet of Lord British The Amulet of Lord British is found deep within the Underworld beneath the waterfall in Spiritwood or dungeon Destard. For complete instructions, see: Objectives in the Underworld.

The Crown of Lord British The Crown of Lord British is found atop Blackthorn's Palace on Terfin, where the Skull of Mondain was located in Ultima IV. Having the Black Badge and knowing the Oppression password Impera makes navigating the castle much easier, since without it the guards will lock you in jail, and you will lose a party member. Using the magic carpet can enable you to outmaneuver the guards, without needing the Black Badge. On top of the castle behind a magically locked door is the crown. Watch out for the stone gargoyles which guard the crown, they're a tough fight. After defeating the gargoyles, retrieve the crown and leave immediately. Try to avoid talking to anyone during your time in the castle.

The crown is extremely useful, since it negates all spell casting during combat. This makes battles against dragons and demons much easier, and makes reapers defenseless.

The Underworld
There are several important quest items and artifacts to be found in the Underworld, including the 3 shards of Mondain's Gem of Immortality, Lord British's Amulet, and the the Mystic Weapons. As well, your final goal, Dungeon Doom, can only be accessed from deep within the Underworld.
 * The Ararat and Captain Johne can be found by entering a whirlpool or Despise.
 * The Mystic Weapons can be found beneath Hythloth.
 * The Shard of Cowardice can also be found beneath Hythloth.
 * The Shard of Hatred can be found beneath Wrong or Covetous.
 * The Shard of Falsehood cab be found beneath Deceit.
 * Lord British's Amulet is accessible via the waterfall in the Spiritwood or Destard.
 * Dungeon Doom can only be reached via Shame.

For a complete guide to navigating the Underworld, see Objectives in the Underworld. For a complete guide to all the dungeons, see Dungeon Solution for Ultima V.

Destroying the Shadowlords
After you have obtained a shard from the Underworld, it can be used to permanently destroy the corresponding Shadowlord. Go to the keep that represents the antithesis of the Shadowlord, Serpent's Hold and cowardice, the Lycaeum and falsehood, or Empath Abbey and hatred. There, stand before the sacred flame and (y)ell the name of the opposing Shadowlord (Falsehood: Faulinei, Hatred: Astaroth, Cowardice: Nosfentor). Wait until the Shadowlord stands atop the flame, and (u)se the shard on the fire. Doom has been wrought!

Dungeon Doom
After all three Shadowlords have been destroyed, all shrine quests have been completed, and all of Lord British's artifacts have been obtained, it is time for the hero's final challenge. To reach Dungeon Doom, first descend to the bottom of Shame. There, head east as far as one can travel, and Blink across the mountain range. From there, Lord British's Amulet is required to travel through the darkness. After reaching the dungeon (80,80 in the Underworld), shout Veramocor to gain entrance.

For a detailed guide to dungeon Doom, see Dungeon Doom Solution.

You will in the end come to a room with a mirror in the centre showing Lord British's reflection. Move all party members in front of the mirror, and they will be transported through to their liege. Lord British will ask for his Sandalwood Box, within which he has hidden his Orb of the Moons. Using the power of the orb, Lord British and your party will be transported to safety.

Now you just have to watch the final cutscene showing Blackthorn's banishment from Britannia, and the Avatar's return to Earth.