Kenneth

Kenneth (known variously with the titles Lord and Sir) is a renowned Britannian musician. He appears in Ultima V and Ultima VI.

Warriors of Destiny
First achieving recognition as court composer to Lord British, Kenneth departed his placing at Castle Britannia upon the monarch's disappearance in the newly formed Underworld, and Lord Blackthorn's rule subsequently taking hold of the realm. The accomplished bard sought refuge from the increasingly oppressive political and legislative climate by providing musical tuition as he travelled the land, and at the time of the Avatar's return to subvert Blackthorn's regime and restore Lord British to the throne, Kenneth could be found lodging at the lighthouse Greyhaven, south of Trinsic. When encountered by the hero, he was able to instruct them in performing a short passage of Iolo FitzOwen's ballad "Stones" on the harpsichord. This recital would come to prove imperative in rescuing Lord British, for the king's Sandalwood Box, which contained the Orb of the Moons required to escape his imprisonment in the deep recesses of Dungeon Doom, was safely ensconced in an alcove concealed behind the walls of his castle chambers, and could be accessed only by playing on a nearby harpsichord the section of "Stones" taught by Kenneth.

The False Prophet
In the two decades following the deposition and exile of Lord Blackthorn, Kenneth eventually settled in Britain with his wife, Lady Nan, where he took to mentoring promising young bards at the capital's new Conservatory and, at times, performed concerts.

As the endangered, hostile gargoyle race began to spill forth into Britannia from their rapidly sundering realm, the charming and scholarly musician would again cross paths with the Avatar in the midst of this incursion, as the hero sought to liberate the realm's eight captive Shrines of Virtue by recovering each associated rune. In searching for the whereabouts of the stone carving representing Compassion, the Champion of Virtue was led to the most talented of Kenneth's current students, young Ariana, whose rare ability the tutor professed great satisfaction in nurturing. Along with confirming the girl's possession of the rune, the stately bard spoke of his desire to incorporate its corresponding mantra, Mu, into one of his compositions, though admitting his attempts had thus far been undermined by his lacking an understanding of its meaning.

If asked about his wife, Kenneth would warn the Avatar against mentioning spiders to her. Though Nan was convinced of an infestation, her husband dismissed the notion as the product of an overactive imagination.

Ultima V: Lazarus
In Ultima V: Lazarus, Kenneth introduced himself as the former court composer, saying he used to be welcome when Lord British resided within Castle Britannia, but the new liege Blackthorn had little interest in music, so he'd retired to Greyhaven to work on his compositions. If the Avatar asked about Kenneth's musical teachings, Kenneth gladly gave the hero a short lesson on the harpsichord and a free copy of his favorite composition, "Stones".

Kenneth spoke highly of his student Anthony, saying the young boy was bright, eager and helpful. His biggest regret was his mother Charlotte, saying the impressionable young boy was likely going to be greatly influenced by his mother's strict adherence to Blackthorn's Ethics, for he hung on her every word. Kenneth merely hoped he could teach the young boy to think for himself, unlike his mother who tolerated no conflicting opinions.

When asked about his broken leg or his recent accident at the Cape of Heroes at night, Kenneth tries to play off the accident as minor, hiding his true reason for being at the rocks. Kenneth was secretly involved with Sir Arbuthnot in providing supplies for Serpent's Hold during the naval blockade of the island, but the boat had capsized in adverse weather, and the musician's leg was smashed against the rocks.

If Iolo and Gwenno were in the Avatar's party, Kenneth would recognize the two bards, complimenting them on their recent performance at Castle Britannia.

If Tim of the Lycaeum had requested a copy of "Stones" from Kenneth, the musician would gladly provide a signed copy.

The Ultima 6 Project
In The Ultima 6 Project, Kenneth mentioned that songs of heroism and life were favorites amongst the bards. The Avatar's heroic struggle against Lord Blackthorn being the most popular amongst the former, while Sir Dupre and the Innkeeper's Daughter the latter. Kenneth urged the hero to get his fortune told by the gypsies, believing even the most crooked amongst them had a grain of truth in their tales.

Trivia

 * Kenneth's real world counterpart is veteran Ultima composer and programmer, Kenneth W. Arnold.
 * In Ultima V: Lazarus, Kenneth's character portrait is modeled on the game's localization lead, Christian "Hacki" Hackl.