Whirlpool

A whirlpool is a dangerous natural phenomenon of the open sea. These gigantic, swirling vortexes can suck in even the biggest ships and eat them whole. Sometimes, steering the ship into a whirlpool can have unexpected effects.

History[edit]

In Ultima III there was only one whirlpool. However, it travelled quickly and always threatened to engulf ships. Directing the ship into it led to the loss of the ship, but would transport its passengers to the lost island of Ambrosia. By Ultima IV, several whirlpools could be found at sea. Passing through one with the ship would result in the ship reappearing in Lock Lake. Some years later, Captain Johne's ship, the Ararat, was swallowed by a whirlpool, sending it into the Underworld beneath Despise. The Avatar had the option of doing the same in Ultima V.

After this time, the whirlpools vanished. Despite being mentioned as endangering shipping^[1] in Ultima IX, only a small one is seen, in a cutscene.

Runes of Virtue II[edit]

In Runes of Virtue II, whirlpools once again appear in Britannia, and should the hero's ship veer into their maw, it would once again be transported to Cove like in Ultima IV.

Lore[edit]

A huge swirling --WhirlPool-- engulfs you and your ship dragging both to a watery grave!...
As the water enters your lungs you pass into Darkness!
You awaken on the shores of a forgotten Land
Your ship and crew lost to the sea!
– entering the whirlpool in Ultima III

“	Farther out to sea roam many mythical creatures. The unwary voyager will likely encounter Giant Squids, Nixies, poisonous Serpents, and mystical Seahorses. The ever-present danger of whirlpools and waterspouts make seafaring a hazardous experience at best. – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)

“	Cove can be found beyond Lock Lake and thus may be reached only by daring one of the great whirlpools, for 'tis said that all that is dragged under by these terrors shall resurface in Lock Lake and wash ashore there. – from The Way of the Avatar (Ultima IV)

Trivia[edit]

In the Nintendo-port of Ultima IV, the whirlpool location is reset to its starting coordinates after every combat. Therefore, it can be easily found in the sea north of Buccaneer's Den and south of Lock Lake.