Observatory
The Britannian Observatory has long served to assist scholars in their studies of the stars and planets. While the institution has at times been absent from the realm, it nevertheless has a long history of academic and culture importance, and has been rebuilt numerous times in the vicinity of the Lycaeum and Moonglow.
History[edit]
Age of Enlightenment[edit]
The first extant observatory, known simply as "Britannia Observatory" was established some time shortly after the establishment of Britannia within the grounds of the Lycaeum. Tended by the magician, Palamar, this early observatory relayed valuable information regarding the heavens to Lord British's court. Additionally, a telescope was provided to the public to providing a means of surveying the various locations of the realm.[1]
Later, during Blackthorn's regency, the Observatory appeared to have been removed from its place in the Keep of Truth, and no official replacement was extant. Still, the astronomer Zachariah of Moonglow kept watch over the night sky from his tower on the southern half of Verity Isle, and this unofficial continuance of astronomical observation eventually helped the Avatar to combat the incursions of the Shadowlords, giving the hero warning of their presence through the ill omens of comets.
By the time of the Gargoyle War, however, the small island still lacked an Observatory – or any of the equipment necessary for scanning the skies. Despite this, interest in the science still existed and Ephemerides of Moonglow would work during this age with the Minoxian clockmaker, Troy, in the hopes of eventually building a mechanical model of the Britannian planetary system.[2][3]
Age of Armageddon[edit]
Whether through the efforts of Troy and Ephemerides or not, an official Observatory was again established shortly after Lord British and Draxinusom's accord,[4] and a clockwork Orrery was eventually installed to track the course of the Britannian planets and moons.
By the time of the Avatar's eventual return immediately before the time of the astronomical alignment, the Observatory was headed by Brion, the twin brother of the Lycaeum administrator, Nelson. Given the mystical nature of the cosmological event about to occur, the champion of the virtue would have had an interest in consulting the Observatory as to the timing of the alignment – and after speaking with Brion and furnishing him with the correct supplies, the Avatar would be able to procure a miniature orrery viewer to track the impending conjunction of the planets.
After this point in history, it is not known what befell the Observatory – as the institution did not survive the storms of the Imbalance or the upheavals of the Great Cataclysm and was absent from the realm by the time of the Avatar's last journeys in the land.
Lore[edit]
| “ | The Lycaeum's observatory provides Lord British with valuable information about the course of the heavens and provides a vantage point to watch the happenings within his realm. |
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| “ | Be sure to pay your respects to my most favored patron, the Lord Terence, and to visit the Britannia Observatory whilst thou art within this citadel of learning. – from The Way of the Avatar (Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar)
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| “ | Moonglow is the City of Honesty and sits upon the southern tip of Verity Isle. It is where the Lycaeum, the great storehouse of knowledge and wisdom, is located. Nearby, the traveller will also find the Observatory, which contains an orrery. |
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| “ | Phearcy had nothing more useful to say. However, he did offer to give me a free meal if I could tell him why Zelda brightens up when someone mentions Brion, the man in charge of the observatory. In fact, Brion is someone with whom thou shouldst speak, for his orrery is currently tracking the pattern of Britannia's alignment with other celestial bodies. – from Key to the Black Gate (Ultima VII: The Black Gate)
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Trivia[edit]
- A commemorative golden sextant serves as the emblem of the office of Observatory head, and was passed on from one scholar to another for hundred's of years.[4]
Gallery[edit]
The Observatory in Ultima IV
The Observatory in Ultima V
The Observatory art from Mysterious Sosaria
References[edit]
- ↑ Albert, Dave. "Geography". The History of Britannia (Ultima IV). Origin Systems, Inc.: 1985. Page 5.
- ↑ Ephemerides. EtherealSoftware. Ultima VI. "moons, stars".
- ↑ Troy. EtherealSoftware. Ultima VI. "Felucca, moons, Sosaria, Trammel".
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Brion. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "sextant".