Adjhar

Adjhar
Adjhar, from Ultima VII
Species:	golem
Appearances
Ultima VII Location: Isle of Fire

Adjhar is a golem created by the magician Astelleron. He may be found upon the Isle of Fire in Ultima VII's expansion pack, Forge of Virtue.

Description

It is unknown how or why Astelleron came to the lonely underwater isle which once housed Exodus, but after dwelling there for a time in a magical air pocket, the mage grew lonely, experimenting with the manufacture of golems that he might have some semblance of companionship. While most of his early models were simple automata, devoid of thought and incapable of speech, he eventually came to discover the Stone of Castambre, and with its blood red sap, he was able to construct sapient beings with which to share his isolated life.

Adjhar was the second of these new golems, created after his "brother" Bollux. Whereas the elder golem was of limited intelligence due to Astelleron's inexperience in working with the Stone's powers, Adjar was created using a more refined process, and was better able to understand the world around him and the process by which he was made. Astrellon cared deeply for both of his creations regardless of this gap in intellect, and both golems referred to him as their father.

Long before the Isle of Fire was lifted from its watery home by the mage Erethian, Astelleron fell to old age, and the two brothers spent their days guarding the entrance to the Castle of Fire as was his wish. Tragically, when the great dragon Dracothraxus forced her way into the keep, the walls of the castle fell on Adjhar and his body was shattered. Grieving, Bollux took his dead brother into the Test of Love, where his father had dwelt before his end, but the simple-minded golem was unable to work the magics needed to restore Adjhar to life.

During Ultima VII's Forge of Virtue, the Avatar traveled to the Isle of Fire and came upon the bereft Bollux and the slain Adjhar. Endeavoring to help Bollux, the hero did all that was possible to perform the rituals needed to resurrect the younger golem, but lacking a full copy of the rite did not know how to make a new "heart" for the broken construct. Desperate that his brother should live, Bollux tore his own heart out of his body and gave it to Adjhar.

When Adjhar revived and realized what his brother had done, he pleaded with the Avatar to save Bollux, revealing that it was possible to make a new heart from the Stone of Castambre. The hero was able to do this and to restore Bollux to life, whereupon Adjhar, grateful to be reunited with his sibling, bequeathed to the hero the Talisman of Love, congratulating the hero for understanding the Principle which it represented.

Lore

“

By far the most intriguing creatures I have come across are the stone golems. I had heard nothing more than mere rumors prior to my arrival here, but seeing the mobile masses of rock have convinced me of their existence. Astelleron was quite a master, indeed, for his workmanship is beautiful. I know nothing of their sentience, for they have never spoken to me. To be honest, I am not even sure they are aware of my intrusion, for I have yet to venture near one of the Shrines. I hope soon to journey back to what I have assumed is Astelleron's hovel and learn more about their creation, but that will come after my other research. Regardless of how the golems were constructed, I am confident more than an ordinary sword would be necessary to stop them. – from A Guide to the Isle of Fire (Ultima VII)