Bollux

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

Bollux 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

Astelleron came to the Isle of Fire while it was still submerged beneath the Great Sea, devising a magical air pocket in which he could live. Whatever his motivations for this journey, the mage eventually grew lonely with his lot beneath the waves, and endeavored to create companions for himself in the form of magical golems. Most of his early attempts at crafting such constructs produced rude automata, incapable of speech or thought. Eventually, however, Asterellon was eventually able to discover the mystic Stone of Castambre, and with its powers he was able to imbue his creations with life and reason.

Bollux was the first such attempt at building a sapient golem, and as Asterellon's methods had not yet been perfected, the golem possessed a simple intellect and halting speech. Later, the magician was able to craft Adjhar via much more refined processes, resulting in a "young" brother for Bollux who had a great grasp of the world around him and the process by which he was made. Despite the difference in intellect between the two golems, Asterellon loved them both, referring to them as his "sons."

Some time before the Isle of Fire at last re-arose from the oceans, the kindly magician died of old age, leaving the two brothers to guard the entrance to the Castle of Fire and the Shrines to the Principles which lay within it. Sadly, when the dragon Dracothraxus forced her way into the castle that she might enter the Test of Courage, Adjhar was shattered as the walls of the castle fell around him, leaving Bollux overcome with grief. Unable to understand the magics that could restore golems to life, the simple creature carried Adjhar's body to the Test of Love where his father had once lived, waiting for somebody to help him to save his broken brother.

During Ultima VII's Forge of Virtue, the Avatar traveled to the Isle of Fire and came upon the slain Adjhar and the grieving Bollux. Moved to help them, the hero did all that was possible to perform the rite needed for Adjhar's resurrection, but lacked enough materials to know how to make a new heart for the dead golem. Wishing his brother to live even at the cost of his own life, Bollux tore his own heart from his chest to complete the ritual, allowing Adjhar to live as he lay dying.

Once the younger golem was revived and saw the body of his brother, he begged the hero to help restore Bollux to life, revealing that a new heart could be cut from the Stone of Castambre. Following Adjhar's instructions, the Avatar was able to revive the fallen golem, allowing the two brothers to be reunited at last.

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)