| Iolo's Bows
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Iolo's Bows (or Iolo’s South) is a well-known bowyers shop in Britain. Founded by Iolo Fitzowen, legendary companion of the Avatar, the shop operated for several centuries under the long-lived Terran's care, and was a presence in the City of Compassion from Ultima V through Ultima VII.
History[edit]
Age of Enlightenment[edit]
Iolo's Bows was opened some time before the height of Lord Blackthorn's reign – unfortunately close to the time at which its owner was declared an outlaw by the regime. In spite of this rather debilitating set back, the shop continued to operate under the management of Iolo's wife, Gwenno, and his apprentice Gwenneth – who both secretly persisted in importing weapons from the Yew-dwelling fugitive.[1]
Eventually, following the return of Lord British and the dismantling of the Oppression, Iolo retired from bowyery, willing the shop to the young Gwenneth while he pursued a life of adventuring and song-writing. With the advent of the Gargoyle War of Ultima VI, the military need for armaments pressed heavily on the shop's stock and as a result it no longer supplied arrows and bolts to consumers – with Gwenneth directing those interested in ammunition to the local fletcher, Lynn. During this time, the former apprentice was also in the midst of developing the new triple crossbow, a heavy arbalest capable of firing three bolts at once, and would be willing to lease one to the Avatar.[2]
Age of Armageddon[edit]
Over the next two centuries, the shop eventually fell again into Iolo's hands – possibly after Gwenneth, a native Britannian lived out her natural span of years. Once more under the famed companion's management, the shop flourished, expanding to open another store in Serpent's Hold known as "Iolo's South" with Sir Jordan as its proprietor. The old bowyer also took on another apprentice, Coop, who ran the daily operations of the shop in Britain by the time of Ultima VII.
Eventually, however, following Iolo's long absence on the Serpent Isle and the storms of the Imbalance, Iolo's Bows appears to have gone out of business, leaving the a younger bowyer known as Leon to supply armaments in Britain in Ultima IX.
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The towne is an important center of commerce for all of Britannia and has a number of interesting places to visit, including Iolo the Bard’s arbalest shoppe and a highly recommended pub.
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Many are the fletchers and bowyers of Britannia, but none are held in higher esteem than those of the town of Britain. the ingenious engineering and high quality of their arrows, bolts, bows, and crossbows is known throughout the land. This is due mainly to the great skill of the master bowyer, Iolo FitzOwen, proprietor of Iolo’s Bows. Iolo and his apprentice, Gwenneth, can be of great assistance to archers.
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Without question, the bowyer that is held in highest regard throughout all of Britannia is Iolo Fitzowen, the proprietor of the establishment that has come to be called "Iolo’s Bows." So popular is this bowyer’s shop that a similar establishment was set up in Serpent’s Hold.
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Ultima V[edit]
Prices in Ultima V are as follows:[3]
Ultima VI[edit]
Prices in Ultima VI are as follows:[4]
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Triple crossbow must be specifically requested
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and Gwenneth will only have one in stock.
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With exception of the triple crossbow, each weapon can be sold to the shop for 50% of the buying price.
Ultima VII[edit]
Prices in Ultima VII are as follows:[5]
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Ammunition
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Cost
(gp)
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Serpent's Hold
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Arrows (dozen) |
25 |
20
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Bolts (dozen) |
30 |
20
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- Double-clicking on a crossbow bolt in Ultima VII will resulting in Iolo proudly explaining that it was fletched at his shop. This code is also present in Ultima VII Part Two, creating a humorous inconsistency, since Iolo does not have a shop on Serpent Isle.
References[edit]
External Links[edit]
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