Serpent jawbone
A serpent jawbone allows the Avatar’s party to teleport across the Serpent Isle. It appears in Ultima VII Part Two.
Description[edit]
One of these jawbones enables the Avatar to use the serpent gates, which lead to the Dark Path in the Void. From there, any other serpent gate can be reached, allowing the party to move about the map quickly. It is also the only way to travel to certain locations (like Monk Isle or the Shrine of Balance).
The Avatar acquired a jawbone from Erstam the mage. Erstam, after admitting to possessing it, wanted the Avatar to retrieve a phoenix egg, so that he could begin his experiments to create life. Having acquired the egg, and having helped Erstam to create Boydon, a Frankenstein-like creature, Erstam gave the Avatar the key to a shed where a jawbone was found. Two serpent jawbones exist on Serpent Isle. Erstam acquired the second jawbone from killing Silverpate and it was later stolen by Vasculio, who in turn passed it on to his own apprentice Ensorcio. This jawbone was stolen by Batlin and later found on Batlin's corpse, allowing the hero to gain the teeth Batlin had stolen.
Serpent Teeth[edit]
A jawbone alone is useless without the serpent teeth. Each tooth corresponds to a gate, and each gate is unlocked when a tooth is added to the jawbone. Erstam once had a full set of teeth, but most of them were stolen by the mages of Moonshade, who thought of it as a test of cunning against the old mage. Erstam gave the Avatar the teeth he still had, leaving the hero to find the remainder.
Lore[edit]
| “ | It is perhaps best to note here what made all this investigation much simpler than I had expected. While investigating one of the ruins, I noticed a large, ivory-toned object in the shape of a half moon. As I picked up the item, requiring both hands, I realized it was made of bone. Though I saw no teeth, I surmised I held in my hands the jawbone of some creature. But what could it be?
I returned to my laboratory for further observation. I was able to match the shape to sketches I had made both here and in Sosaria, pleased that I have always had the foresight to note my surroundings in journals. The jawbone matched that of a serpent in all aspects save its size. Then, remembering the many serpentine references I had seen throughout the land, including the runes, I realized what I had. This must be, I thought, an archaic relic, sacred to the continent’s original inhabitants. I was holding the jawbone of a giant serpent — a creature they must have worshipped! I was determined to learn more. Returning to the ruins I continued my search. Spying more bone-like material, I dug through the debris and pulled out what looked like a large fang. And then I noticed another. And another! Soon I had several such teeth. Back in my study, I set the teeth inside the jawbone. The fit was better than one of Drogeni’s lambskin gloves. Suspecting great powers were now in my possession, I began a series of experiments to learn what secrets I could. It was not long before I had discovered all I needed to know. Each tooth, when set within the jawbone, called forth magical pathways leading to other locations about the land. Sadly, other mages, envious of my new-found power, secreted away most of the teeth, leaving me powerless to explore the entire land. It is for this reason I have departed their petty, thieving company forever. |
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Trivia[edit]
- The availability of the serpent jawbone and the teeth are engineered to control to where the party can travel as the plot progresses.
- For the location of all the serpent teeth see Dark Path.
- There are duplicates of a number of serpent teeth, leading credence to a theory that there was once two full sets (one for each Jawbone).
Gallery[edit]
Serpent teeth
The jawbone just after getting it from Erstam with many gaps
