Fortress of the Guardian

The outside of the Fortress

The Fortress of the Guardian, based on the island of Terfin, is the Guardian's center of power in Britannia during Ultima IX.

Description

The outside of the fortress is cut out of the rock, looking like a huge Guardian-head, with the mouth acting as the entrance. High walls surround it as protection against intruders. Inside is a huge complex, where dozens of Wyrmguards live, protecting the central base of the Guardian. The biggest room is the throne room, where the Guardian is located when on Britannia, together with his Mirror of Darkness. The Avatar first entered the fortress after being summoned (and subsequently cast out) by the Guardian. Later, the Avatar entered it through a secret passage that Raven knew about to reach the throne room and prepare for the final fight with the Guardian.

Trivia

• According to Pentology, the megalithic monument of the Guardian seen at the end of Ultima VIII was originally intended to be located on his homeworld, before this continuity was altered in Ultima IX to have the structure become his fortress on Terfin.
• In early drafts of Ultima IX, the fortress of the Guardian is known as the Tower of Exaltation (alternatively, "Exultation"). While it is also labelled as such in Prima's Official Guide to Ultima IX: Ascension, this name does not appear in the final game.
• The final dungeon inside the fortress can be skipped by using Teleport to pass through the narrow gap in the gate to the yard.
• A predecessor to the Guardian's throne room can be seen in Hythloth in Ultima VII.

Gallery

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  The monument in Ultima VIII which would evolve into the fortress

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  The throne room

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  The fortress in-game

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  Ultima IX concept art of the outside of the fortress

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  The predecessor throne room in Hythloth in Ultima VII