Book of Truth
This article is about an item appearing in Ultima IV. For the artifact from Ultima Underworld, see Book of Honesty.
The Book of Truth is an artifact that symbolizes the Principle of Truth. First appearing in Ultima IV, it features in the series as a component of certain ritual magics, serving as a crucial component in the initial unsealing of the Great Stygian Abyss. It has been described as a heavy, leather-bound tome with vellum pages and gold lettering.[1]
History[edit]
Age of Enlightenment[edit]
The Book first appeared during the Stranger's quest toward Avatarhood, where it lay within the libraries of the Lycaeum. Likely after having consulted Father Antos, the hero found the tome between the "R" and "V" shelves, and later made use of it in conjunction with the Candle of Love and the Bell of Courage to open the mouth of the Abyss.[2]
Age of Armageddon[edit]
It is not known precisely what befell the Book after the Stranger's transformation into the Avatar, although it appears to have been recovered and returned to the Lycaeum, where it could be found in later years. Centuries later, the returned hero had need of it again, so as to reestablish the psychic link between the body and soul of Shamino, whose spirit had become trapped in the Ethereal Void, by enacting the ritual of Reunite Body and Soul.[3] Before the Book would be granted to the Avatar, however, the champion of the virtues had to confess responsibility for the evils that had befallen Britannia, unknowingly acknowledging the greater truth of the Guardian's identity.
Trivia[edit]
- The Book, Bell and Candle are traditional symbolic devices used in the ceremony to seal an excommunication in the medieval Roman Catholic Church. After condemning an excommunicant, a bell would be rung as a symbolic death toll; a book would be closed to signify separation from the church; and a candle would be snuffed to represent the extinguishing of the condemned individual's soul.[4]
- In Ultima IV, retrieving the Book grants (only) the player's character 400 experience.
- A modification by Marzo Sette Torres Jr. for the Exult utility for Ultima VII places the Book of Truth in the Lycaeum.
Gallery[edit]
The Book of Truth in Ultima IX
References[edit]
- ↑ DeMaria, Russel et al. Ultima: The Avatar Adventures. Prima Publishing: 1992. Page 76.
- ↑ Father Antos. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima IV transcript. Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar. "book".
- ↑ Shamino’s journal (Ultima IX: Ascension – in-game).
- ↑ “Bell, book, and candle”. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2011-04-15.