Cynthia
| Cynthia | |||||
 Cynthia, from Ultima VII | |||||
| Species: | human | ||||
| Profession: | teller | ||||
| Appearances | |||||
| |||||
Cynthia is a teller working at the Royal Mint in Britain in Ultima VII.
Description[edit]
Cynthia was a studious and helpful woman who was more than happy to share the details of the Royal Mint's operations with the Avatar, if asked. She could explain in detail how the Britannian Tax Council helped levy funds from the people and used it to fund various projects throughout Britannia. Such public works included the construction of new roads and wells, subsidies for farmers impacted by the seven year drought, backing for research and training in the field of health care, maintenance of the estates of Lord British and elected officials, and training for the nation's guard militia.[1] She also could provide the appropriate forms for the hero to successfully deduct taxes from any income they might earn over the course of their adventures in the land.[2]
Cynthia would also underscore the importance of maintaining a stable currency through oversight of the sale of gold and other precious minerals. To this end, she was prepared buy any gold bars or ingots the Avatar should have on hand, exchanging standard Britannian gold coins for the raw materials.[2]
Should the Avatar have encountered Cynthia's husband, James, the hero could speak to her about him, learning that she had been worried about his distant and troubled moods. The concerned wife would ask that the Avatar relay her affections to the glum innkeeper, saying that she loved him deeply in spite of the time apart which their careers had forced. Should the hero honor this request, James would be greatly cheered and relieved, content to hear of his spouse's loyalty.[3][4]
Services[edit]
Cynthia will make the following exchanges at the mint:[5]
| Profit (gp) | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Gold nugget | 10 |
|
Gold bar | 100 |
Trivia[edit]
- The forms given to the player by Cynthia have no actual impact upon the game, and it is not known if the Avatar ever actually paid the Britannian government any taxes for income made during Ultima VII. The document itself is humorously convoluted, requiring the filer to replicate numerous arcane forms and to multiply expenditures over a number of tables.[6]
- If an unvirtuous Avatar wants to rob the mint, there is no choice but to kill Cynthia, as she has the key on her person and there is no stealing spell. However, she still has to be resurrected in order to cash in the loot.
References[edit]
- ↑ Cynthia. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "health, estates, farms, roads, Royal Mint, water".
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Cynthia. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "money, system".
- ↑ Cynthia. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "James".
- ↑ James (U7). Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "Cynthia said".
- ↑ Morris, Andrew P. Ultima VII Clue Book (Ultima VII). Origin Systems, Inc.: 1992. Pages 38–43.
- ↑ Britannian Tax Council. Britannian Tax Council Tax Declaration (Ultima VII – in-game).