Black Badge

The Black Badge is a very useful item in Ultima V. It is basically proof that someone is with the Oppression. Wearing it, the Avatar and the companions have nothing to fear from the guards in Castle Blackthorn. Even the dark lord himself will react friendly towards them. However, it isn't called the Black Badge for nothing, as obtaining it costs the Avatar a lot of Karma.

Hearing about the Oppression from the weaponmaker Tactus in Minoc and getting additional information from corrupt Judge Dryden in Yew, the Avatar decided to join the Oppression as a lip-service to infiltrate it by talking to the dark mage Flain in Skara Brae. After the Avatar proved worthy by providing some information, the Avatar was directed to Windemere by Flain with the password of the Oppression. The Avatar received the Black Badge from Elistaria after speaking the password.

Trivia

 * Without the Black Badge, the chance of getting caught and one character being permanently destroyed by Blackthorn's pendulum is VERY high. So accepting the temporary Karma loss is going to hurt less. However, you can bypass guards if you have the speed of the magic carpet and are prepared for some fancy flying!
 * It is also possible in Ultima V: Lazarus to tell Flain the name of a member of the Great Council, but this hurts the Karma MUCH more!
 * Karma can be recovered after getting the Black Badge by praying at the shrines and donating money. A destroyed shrine can be restored with the right Word of Power.
 * A Black Badge is seen in the Royal Museum in Ultima IX.
 * The Black Badge is not needed to complete Ultima V. In the original game it is, at most, a convenience in certain areas. In the Lazarus version of the game, wearing the badge opens up many dialogue options and changes how various NPCs react to the Avatar.