Gwenno

Gwenllian "Gwenno" Gwalch'gaeaf is the wife of Iolo and a woman of diverse talent. In her capacity as an entertainer, she wrote the lyrics for the famous song "Stones," composed by her husband. She is also a scholar and explorer.

History
In Ultima I, a jester called "Gwino" could be found in Lord British's Castle, singing "I've got the key!". Gwino had to be killed in order to get a key to free a princess in the castle. (In fact, Gwino was present in every castle in Sosaria at that time). In Ultima II, Gwenno could be seen along with Iolo in the town of New San Antonio, enclosed within walls reading "Iolo" and "Gwen." Later, in Ultima III, "Gwino" made another appearance, again in Lord British's Castle, this time near Iolo. While Iolo was singing Ho eyo he hum, she was singing the same song backwards. Though it is not explicitly stated, it is very likely that both Gwino characters are meant to be Gwenno.

During Ultima IV, Gwenno lived in Britain (her name is spelled "Gweno" in the game), singing and entertaining children along with Iolo. When she met the Stranger, Gwenno said that dance is good to the soul, and that to give to a beggar was a way to show one's Compassion.

Gwenno was again found in Britain in Ultima V, where she cared for her husband's bow shop after his outlawing. As such, she gladly joined the party to help topple the dictatorship of Lord Blackthorn.

During the war with the gargoyles in Ultima VI, Gwenno was in Minoc when the Avatar arrived in the town. Upon seeing Iolo among the party, she offered to join. She also taught the Avatar to play "Stones" on panpipes, a vital step in acquiring the Rune of Sacrifice.

Gwenno was not encountered as a character in Ultima VII. Instead, she had left a letter for Iolo telling of her departure to explore the Serpent Isle, whereupon it is later discovered in Ultima VII Part Two that she travelled the land as a scholar and eventually fell prey to possession by the Wantonness Bane. In this state, she ambushed a group of Hazard's trappers, slaughtering most of them before being slain herself by the few remaining survivors. The Gwani, with whom she had made close acquaintance prior to her corruption, entombed her at their Death Temple as per their sacred burial practice. The Avatar was eventually able to recover Gwenno from her tomb of ice and brought her to Monk Isle to be resurrected, after which it became necessary to restore her mind left broken by her ordeal with the Bane. Later, she joined the party after Dupre's sacrifice to aid in restoring balance to the lands.

Gwenno had returned to Britannia in Ultima IX, living near Britain with Iolo.

Trivia

 * Gwenno's character is based on the late Kathleen Jones, David R. Watson's wife.
 * The first time her portrait is seen, in Ultima VI, she has dark auburn hair. It is ginger red in Ultima VII Part Two, while in that game's official clue book, she is described as being blonde and is further depicted as such in Ultima IX.