Dupre

Dupre [doo-pray] is a recurring character who first appeared in Ultima II. He's one of The Companions of the Avatar, and comes originally from Earth.

Appearances
First appearing in Ultima II in a strange village on the planet Jupiter, Dupre was found asking if the Stranger wanted to buy a duck.

Dupre next appears in Ultima III, in a pub in the town of Britain. The character dialogue was still not as sophisticated as later installments, his only message for The Stranger is to "Drink up!" While the handbook suggests that characters can be added to the player's party, this is not the case in the game itself - therefore it is possible the developers originally intended for his character to join the Stranger in this game.

In Ultima IV, Dupre was a Paladin and the mayor of the town of Trinsic. He joined the Stranger on his quest to become The Avatar. He was a regular companion for the following games. He was knighted between Ultima VI and VII (though he was already referred to as Sir Dupre in Ultima VI for some reason).

Being quite fond of wine and women, he could usually be found in the Britannian taverns when not traveling with the Avatar. In the beginning of Ultima VII, he was doing a study of all Britannian pubs and taverns for the Brommer's Britannia series of travel guides, and can be found in Jhelom. As a result he runs himself up a tab in various pubs. The situation in the pub in New Magincia was especially bad for him, giving the player the option to bail him out.

Dupre was also with the people trapped in the Castle British during the Guardian's second assault in Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds. He was the only person in the castle, other than the Avatar, to travel through the Blackrock Gem to other world, Anodunos, to get fresh water in the form of snow and ice.

Death
In Ultima VII Part Two, Sir Dupre sacrificed himself to save the Avatar and to redeem himself for the atrocities he committed while under the possession of one of the Banes of Chaos. Interestingly, he was the only companion of the Avatar's to be given an actual voice during the game (and only after his death), as voices were done only for cutscenes, as well as messages from the Serpents and the Guardian. Since he fused with the Chaos Serpent, his voice was mixed in with that of the Serpent.

Resurrection
He was later resurrected in Ultima IX to help defeat the Avatar's arch enemy, the Guardian. However, Ultima IX does not explain how this is even possible without catastrophic consequences; in Serpent Isle, Dupre's corporeal death and merging with the Chaos Serpent was necessary to save the universe. Most fans thus consider this one of the low points of Ultima IX plot, as it does not really make sense.

The Tale of Dupre and the Gargoyles: A Parable of Honor
''I'm sure you know that the Gargoyle folk joined Britannian society after the restoration of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom. I'm also sure it will not surprise you to hear that the treaty between Lord British and Draxinusom, King of the Gargoyles, did not instantly bring accord to the two races. Certain ignorant humans continued to hate and fear Gargoyles, and certain intractable Gargoyles continued to regard humanity with enraged contempt. The most notorious Gargoyle fighter against mankind in those days was named Gratagmalem. He was equally renowned among his people for his keen intellect as for his fierce disposition, and when peace was achieved between the races, he turned outlaw with a small band of likeminded Gargoyle bravos. This fierce troop devoted themselves to burning and pillaging the remote crofts and farms of the land, stopping short only at outright murder of unresisting enemies. Nonetheless, they were the cause of much suffering, loss and deprivation to their victims.''

''Now there was a certain inn, located midway between Britain and Yew, and famous for its excellent autumn ale. So good was the brew that many fine folk were given to retire to that place for a fortnight's holiday when the new casks were breached. Tents had to be pitched on the grounds to hold all the guests, and for two weeks each fall the place took on the air of a fair or festival.''

See the complete tale at: The Tale of Dupre and the Garyogles: a Parable of Honor

Trivia

 * The character is based on Greg Dykes, a personal friend of Ultima creator Richard Garriott. Dykes himself appears in Dupre's portraits for Ultima Underworld II and Ultima VII Part Two.


 * Dupre was voiced by Denis Loubet in Ultima VII Part Two.


 * In Ultima VI, after a long scavenger hunt by Chuckles leads the Avatar to Smith the Horse's outdated clue, Iolo tells Dupre he owes him a drink, explaining to the Avatar that Dupre bet him there was no such thing as a talking horse. Dupre's reply to this was "Now I've seen everything! I suppose we'll be inviting some ducks over for tea next!" This may be a subtle reference to Dupre's sole line from Ultima II.