Hoods
| Hoods | |
|---|---|
 Hood, from Ultima I manual | |
| First appearance: | Ultima I |
| Last appearance: | Ultima IX |
Hood (possibly of the same etymology as the Terran "hoodlum") or bandit is a term used to describe a peasant or serf who has fallen under the sway of evil and taken to attacking wayfarers in the lands outside of major settlements.
Description[edit]
In early Sosaria, (Ultima I) Mondain's sway was strong enough to drive many once good folk to wickedness, and hoods, along with ravening thieves and the occasional dark knight were not uncommon sights in the wildernesses of the realm. Being men of practical trades before their lives as brigands, hoods had little by the way of martial training and hence proved an easy opponent for the well-equipped adventurer. Nevertheless, these vagabonds could prove quite the harrying force if met in sufficient numbers.
In later ages, the peasantry of Sosaria and later Britannia were, as all men, free to choose lives of virtue or sin by their own will, and it cannot be said that no further commoners turned to banditry after the Mondain's demise. However, after this first Age of Darkness, the term "hood" fell into disuse, and such rogues were seldom seem in numbers similar to those encountered during the wizard's days.
In Ultima Underworld, the Avatar encountered a group of bandits in the Abyss, who were not easily placated, but their leader was willing to aid the hero, once trust was gained.
Bandits made yet another appearance in Ultima IX, among the various other dangerous creatures the Avatar was to face.
Lore[edit]
| “ | When the corrupt influence of the unspeakable Mondain spread throughout the Realm, even some of our stalwart peasants fell under the sway of the evil wizard. These warped individuals now roam the countryside attacking travelers. While unskilled in the use of arms, they nonetheless pose quite a nuisance to adventurers. – from The First Age of Darkness (Ultima I)
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Trivia[edit]
- The illustration for hoods in Ultima I is reused in Ultima IX's Journal for the bandit.