Virtues in Ultima IV

The Virtue system of Ultima IV is fascinating but complex. Following is a listing of all the actions that affect the player's virtues. For being an partial Avatar in one virtue, 90+ points have to be gathered. Also included here are tips on how to quickly raise a particular Virtue, the mantras for each and who or where to learn them, and the locations of the corresponding runes.

Honesty

 * "Take not the gold of others found in towns and castles for yours it is not!"
 * "Cheat not the merchants and peddlers for tis an evil thing to do!"


 * +2 ... being honest to herbs (reagents) woman by paying the correct sum to her (it is also rumored that if you overpay, you will get even more points)


 * -1 ... stealing (open) a chest in a town


 * -10... cheating blind herbs (reagents) woman by paying less than demanded

Not many tips for this virtue, but buying reagents in low quantities (as low as one, it doesn't influence the karma gain) and always overpaying a little will further this virtue fast. There are no virtues conflicting with this one.

Mantra: AHM - learned from Cromwell.

Rune: Found under Mariah's chest (only search, don't open it).



Compassion

 * "Kill not the non-evil beasts of the land, and do not attack the fair people!"
 * "Give of thy purse to those who beg and thy deed shall not be forgotten!"


 * +2 ... giving money to beggar (sum doesn't influence the gain)


 * +2 ... fleeing from Non-evil enemy


 * +1 ... letting Non-evil creatures flee


 * -5 ... attacking non-evil creatures

This one is annoying to raise. Best way is to always give a little gold to beggars and try to avoid non-evil creatures entirely (they can ruin your stats, as it comes into conflict with Valor). However, one way to raise the virtue is to let Nate the Snake in Magincia attack you, and wound him so much, that he flees. This can be repeated again and again, since he regenerates as long as he isn't killed. Note that the non-evil rule ONLY counts in random combat encounters and not dungeon rooms.

Mantra: MU - learned from Cricket.

Rune: Found in dead end in Britain. 

Valor

 * "Victories scored over evil creatures help to build a valorous soul!"
 * "To flee from battle with less than grievous wounds often shows a coward!"


 * +0/1 (random)... killing an enemy (evil)


 * -2 ... fleeing from enemy

Should be clear and will raise itself almost by itself since there is lots of fighting in the game. Note that Valor comes into conflict with Compassion, Justice and Honor when it comes to non-evil creatures, which can be a problem. The solution is to solve these virtues first, before mastering Valor. Note also that the non-evil rule ONLY counts in random combat encounters and not dungeon rooms.

Mantra: RA - learned from Aesop.

Rune: Found in northwestern tower in Jhelom. 

Justice

 * "To take the gold of others is injustice not soon forgotten. Take only thy due!"
 * "Attack not a peaceful citizen for that action deserves strict punishment!"
 * "Kill not a non-evil beast for they deserve not death, even if in hunger they attack thee!"


 * +2 ... being honest to herbs (reagents) woman by paying the correct sum to her (it is also rumored that if you overpay, you will get even more points)


 * +2 ... fleeing from non-evil creature


 * +1 ... letting non-evil creatures flee


 * -1 ... stealing (open) a chest in a town


 * -3 ... attacking non-evil creatures


 * -10... cheating blind herbs (reagents) woman by paying less than demanded

This one is annoying to raise, as it has the same problems as Compassion and its conflict with Valor. Again, the trick with Nate the Snake in Magincia works here, as well as avoiding non-evil creatures. Note again, the non-evil rule ONLY counts in random combat encounters and not dungeon rooms.

Mantra: BEH - learned from Silent.

Rune: Found in jail cell in Yew. 

Sacrifice

 * "To give thy last gold piece unto the needy shows good measure of self-sacrifice!"
 * "For thee to flee and leave thy companions is a self-serving action to be avoided!"
 * "To give of thy life's blood so that others may live is a virtue of great praise!"


 * +5 ... giving blood at the healer


 * +1 ... getting killed in battle


 * -2 ... fleeing from enemy

Easy to raise virtue with a trick. After having 400hp or more, donate blood in Castle Britannia until no longer possible, let Lord British heal you to get back to full health, then repeat. This trick will raise the virtue fast.
 * -5 ... not giving blood at the healer

Mantra: CAH - learned from Singsong.

Rune: Found in the midst of the furnace of the blacksmith of Minoc. 

Honor

 * "Take not the gold of others for this shall bring dishonor upon thee!"
 * "To strike first a non-evil being is by no means an honorable deed!"
 * "Seek ye to solve the many Quests before thee, and honor shall be a reward!"


 * +5 ... solving quests (finding items)


 * +3 ... giving money to a beggar (sum doesn't influence gain)


 * +2 ... being honest to herbs (reagents) woman by paying the correct sum to her. Overpaying is even better


 * -1 ... stealing (open) a chest in a town


 * -3 ... attacking non-evil creatures

VERY easy to build. Beside using the same trick as in Honesty, finding quest items will raise it automatically. To prevent trouble with non-evil creatures, avoid them (again non-evil rule isn't enforced in dungeon rooms).
 * -10... cheating blind herbs (reagents) woman by paying less than demanded

Mantra: SUMM - learned from Kline.

Rune: Found in SW corner of Trinsic beyond the poison fields. 

Spirituality

 * "Seek ye to know thyself. Visit the seer often for he can see into thy inner being!"
 * "Meditation leads to enlightenment Seek ye all Wisdom and Knowledge!"


 * +(3 x cycle) ... meditating at a shrine


 * +3 ... talking to Hawkwind the Seer

Piece of Cake. No tips needed since all the meditation should raise the virtue on its own.
 * -3 ... using a wrong mantra at a shrine

Mantra: OM - learned from Barren.

Rune: Found in SE corner of the treasury of Castle Britannia (don't open the chest, just search). 

Humility

 * "Claim not to be that which thou art not. Humble actions speak well of thee!"
 * "Strive not to wield the Great Force of Evil for its power will overcome thee!"


 * +10... Talking unproud (humble)

The hard thing is to find someone with these talk options. There is a guard in the NW corner of Castle Britannia, who you can tell again and again that you are not a valiant warrior. Will raise the virtue of Humility fast.
 * -5 ... Talking proud

Mantra: LUM - learned by reversing the mantra of Pride, which is learned from Faultless.

Rune: Found in SE corner Paws in the hills. 

All Virtues

 * +10... Throwing the Skull of Mondain into the Abyss
 * -5 ... Using the Skull of Mondain