Talk:Petra

She looked very much like Petra

Aside from the fact that they are both smiling in their portraits, how can you justify this? Because they don't actually look anything alike at all, and I doubt the portraits are based on the same real-life person. --75.63.48.18 20:26, 25 January 2008 (UTC)

Greatings from Petra's Model
Hi, Wiki-heads!

My name is Melissa and I am the model that the Ultima designers used to create the avatar for Petra.

Just by way of background, I was very young when this avatar was created. Some original players might remember that the game designers held a contest during which Ultima players could send in their photographs and write a brief essay in the hopes of being one of the star characters. I didn't get picked for the player avatars, but the gamers called and asked if I would be interested in being used to design the NPC Petra.

Being so young, I was pretty disappointed. I remember the gentleman asking if I had any concerns because the character was, essentially, a naked cyborg. I remember needing him to explain to me what a cyborg was. I might have even told him that he'd have to check with my mom first.

I can't speak to the game designer's intentions about Petra's past; 0r whether Petra is supposed to be a reincarnation of the NPC Elissa. I can say that the Elissa avatar in the game is not me. I'd be curious to know who this woman is, however.

Thanks for listening! I can be reached at mcielock -a-t- hotmail -d-o-t- com with any questions.

Yours,

74.79.47.123 23:32, 27 February 2008 (UTC)Melissa

Speculated Petra-Elissa connection
I'd like to re-open the discussion on this issue, as I believe it's completely inappropriate to be in the article. Writing "some fans believed" doesn't justify its inclusion. I could write, "some fans believe the Guardian is actually Santa Claus," and it would be a no less credible assertion.

Other than that, I think it's awesome that Melissa actually chimed in here! --Terilem 04:17, August 20, 2010 (UTC)

I put this back in the articles, for two reasons:

1. Elissa and other characters in the Silver Seed discuss the possibility of her transferring her soul into an automaton to achieve immortality several times.

2. Petra, as the article states, ponders her existence, and whether or not she has a soul. As the only female automaton ever acknowledged by the game, I think this is significant.

I have no idea if Elissa and Petra are supposed to be the same person, but there's definitely more evidence for this than, say, a Guardian-Santa Claus connection, so I feel it's at least worth mentioning.

24.250.13.43 21:24, 11 January 2017 (MST)

Portrait Based on Who?
According to the original documents it is based on Melissa Cielock or is that the real name of Yosannah Dragon?http://home.insightbb.com/~chilliedog/Htm/Moonshade18.htm. --Arthgon (talk) 15:59, 22 January 2016 (UTC)
 * Yes, that's Yosannah. --Terilem (talk) 16:07, 22 January 2016 (UTC)
 * Okay, thanks. --Arthgon (talk) 19:29, 22 January 2016 (UTC)