Meditation Retreat
The Meditation Retreat is a Fellowship-run facility which lies on Deadman's Island, a little to the east of the Isle of Deeds. Active in Ultima VII, this secure location was marketed to members as a place of learning, where they could better themselves through exercises designed to arouse their "inner voice".[1]
Description[edit]
The Retreat consisted of a single building featuring a typical Fellowship meeting hall, in addition to sleeping space for students. Here, led by director Ian, Fellowship novices would study the organization's philosophy. This was also a place where members could hear their "inner voice", which the society claimed to be a guide to Fellowship-based enlightenment.[1][2][3]
Unbeknownst to most who went there, this voice was that of the Guardian, whom they heard due to the Retreat's proximity to the red titan's Cube Generator, a large blackrock construct that lay hidden in the nearby network of caves. To ensure none learned of this grim secret, the area in which the Generator was secreted was declared strictly off limits to students, and the monolith was guarded by the fighter, Iriale Silvermist.[4]
Questing during this period to prevent the Guardian's entry into Britannia, the Avatar, having joined the Fellowship, was able to gain access to the Retreat and disable the Cube Generator. While the Fellowship was disbanded by royal decree following the Guardian's defeat, it is not known what immediately became of the Meditation Retreat itself; by the time of the Avatar's final return to the realm in Ultima IX, however, no trace of the facility could be found, and the island upon which it was established had largely submerged beneath the Great Sea.
Lore[edit]
| “ | The Meditation Retreat of The Fellowship is located on an island east of Serpent’s Hold. – from The Book of Fellowship (Ultima VII)
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| “ | On this island is, not surprisingly, the Meditation Retreat of The Fellowship. I can tell thee nothing of this place, save for the name of the man who is in charge, for Ian will permit on Fellowship members within its gates. However, outside of this restriction, he is friendly, and will answer any questions he deems appropriate. – from Key to the Black Gate (Ultima VII)
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Inhabitants[edit]
- Ian: Retreat Director
- Iriale Silvermist: Guard
- Gorn: Confused fighter
In Ultima VII (SNES Port)[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- Numerous cults use isolation and "special seminars" in remote locations in the course of indoctrinating new recruits. The Church of Scientology, (on which the Fellowship is based) in particular, features a series of "courses" in which students engage in hypnotic drills which many ex-members claim to have a disorienting effect which leaves them open to suggestion.[5][6][7]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Millie. Paul Carr’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "job, Fellowship, talk, Meditation Retreat".
- ↑ Ian. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "activities, barrier, director, exercises, in touch, Meditation Retreat".
- ↑ Batlin. Paul Carr’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "voice".
- ↑ Iriale Silvermist. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "job, Meditation Retreat, rule".
- ↑ Wakefield, Margaret et al. Understanding Scientology. Coalition of Concerned Citizens: 1991.
- ↑ DeMaria, Rusel et al. "A Conversation with Richard Garriott". Ultima: The Avatar Adventures. Prima Publishing: 1992. Page 381.
- ↑ Lankinen, Urpo. “The Fellowship and the Church of Scientology Compared”. 2005‒09‒27. Retrieved 2012‒01‒04.