Nelson

Nelson
Nelson, from Ultima Underworld II
Species:	human
Appearances
Ultima Underworld II Location: Castle Britannia Ultima VII Nelson, from Ultima VII Location: Moonglow

Nelson is the head librarian of the Lycaeum in Ultima VII. He later appears at the banquet in Ultima Underworld II as a guest of Lord British.

Description

An enthusiastic academic like his twin brother, Brion, Nelson was in his day considered the foremost scholarly authority in Britannia – challenged only by the gargoyle Inforlem. Also like his sibling at the Observatory, Nelson was both idealistic and eccentric, as well as being exceptionally proud of his collection of knick-knacks. His treasures included a gold leaf bookmark; a souvenir snake-shaped quill holder and letter opener from Serpent's Hold; a first edition copy of Stranger in a Strange Land given to him by Lord British; and a special book stand with a built in candle which he had invented to facilitate night time reading. He also had passing knowledge of the theoretical location of the fabled island of Ambrosia and could direct the Avatar to the scholar Jillian for more information about it.

He would admit, if asked, that he was infatuated with his assistant, Zelda – a cold woman who had, in fact, long harbored a secret attraction to Brion. The local tavern keeper and gossip, Phearcy, was keenly interested in the relationships between the three, and would encourage the Avatar to investigate them. Should the hero carry news of Zelda's feelings, it would become apparent that the busy astronomer did not requite them, and could thereafter encourage Zelda to court Nelson in his stead. In the end, should the hero choose to intervene, the scholarly couple appeared to be cautiously moving toward a blossoming relationship.

A year later, Nelson was among those invited to attend a banquet in Castle Britannia in celebration of the Reconstruction. When the Guardian imprisoned the revelers within his blackrock dome, the scholar worked in close conjunction with the royal magician, Nystul in the hopes of finding a way to counter the magic which wrought the prison. Eventually, Nelson found a text of particular relevance by Batal Thaam – an early magician who had first discovered the metaphysical reality of ether and who had written extensively regarding the creation of blackrock and its mutability through magic.

After uncovering a runic spell which might succeed in breaking the blackrock gem, Nelson excitedly called upon the Avatar, eager to tell the hero of his findings. Tragically, before he could reveal the particulars of the incantation he had placed so much hope in, Nelson was stabbed in the neck by the Guardian's catspaw, Patterson, and died of his wounds shortly thereafter.

Lore

“	I suspect thou dost know already of the Lycaeum, and of Nelson and Zelda who are its chief administrators. – from Key to the Black Gate (Ultima VII)

“

Moonglow regrets the temporary loss of one of its famous twin scholars — Nelson is in Britain for a year, to study the extensive archives of Castle British. However, Moonglow, home of both the Lycaeum and Brion's observatory, continues to be a center of scholarly activity. I would encourage aspiring scholars and sorcerers alike to study there. ... Nelson, although temporarily in Britain, heads the Lycaeum at Moonglow, and is widely considered to be the most accomplished scholar in Britannia, with the possible exception of the Gargoyle Inforlem. – from A Safe Passage Through Britannia (Ultima Underworld II)

Trivia

• The portraits of both Nelson and Brion are based upon Ultima VII programmer Paul Meyer.
• Nelson, like Brion, will lament the fact that his twin is considerably more attractive and intelligent than he is – despite the fact that both of them are identical.
• Should the player choose to steal items from Nelson's collection, he will react to their loss when asked about them.
• In Ultima Underworld II, Nelson teaches Lore and Searching. After his death, Ogri is the sole remaining Lore trainer and no one else can train Searching.