Shrine of Compassion
| Shrine of Compassion | |
|---|---|
 Location of the Shrine of Comapssion | |
| Located in: | Britannia |
| Type: | shrine |
 The Shrine of Compassion | |
The Shrine of Compassion is one of the eight holy sites established by the Council of Wizards during the days of Lord British's philosophical renaissance of the early Age of Enlightenment.
Description[edit]
This shrine in Britannia is dedicated to the virtue of Compassion. Being situated near the shores of Lock Lake, east of Britain, this sacred place was initially mired in a hazardous swampland, but in later years came to be incorporated into the nearby village of Cove. During Ultima VII, a single unadorned ring lay on its altar. Those who meditate at the shrine gain insight into the virtue of Compassion, which derives from unending Love. Entrance to the shrine at various points in history has required the use of an appropriate rune, and in order for a pilgrim to achieve wisdom from ministrations there as well as intone the mantra mu.
History[edit]
Age of Enlightenment[edit]
The Shrine of Compassion came into being at the dawn of the Age of Enlightenment and would prove crucial – alongside the other shrines to the virtues – in shaping the soul of the Stranger who would become the Avatar. After successfully demonstrating charitable empathy toward others, the hero would attain partial enlightenment in Compassion here after sitting for three cycles in contemplation.
Years later, after the disappearance of Lord British and the rise of the Shadowlords, the Avatar would return to this shrine, and would receive a mysterious injunction from it to seek out the wisdom of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom regarding its signature virtue. During this dark era, the hero would also have to guard it and the other Britannian shrines from the machinations of the corrupt Lord Blackthorn, who would attempt to defile the shrine should he gain access to its mantra. Should the Shrine of Compassion fall to such treachery, however, the Avatar could restore it, using the mystic word of power, vilis.
During the Gargoyle War, this shrine would fall alongside the other seven to the forces of Draxinusom and many brave men under the command of Captain Geoffrey would be slain in a failed expedition to reclaim it. Eventually, however, the Avatar and companions would liberate this sacred site and would be again able to seek council at its altar. The forces of the shrine would once more compel the hero to seek the knowledge contained in the Codex. The party would be granted a boon of dexterity should they prove themselves worthy of it.
Age of Armageddon[edit]
In the centuries leading to the rise of the Guardian, the Shrine of Compassion was one of the only Britannian shrines not to face defilement or abandonment. A woman known as Ariana, after having met the Avatar as a child, vowed that she and her descendants would forever watch over the shrine and tend to its upkeep. Her son Mikhail, granddaughter Magda and great-granddaughter Nadia all performed this duty as custodians, and by the time of the Avatar's eventual return, the shrine was under the care-taking of the troubled Nastassia – who may well have enjoyed the affections of the famous champion of the virtues.[1]
Whatever the truth of their relationship, the hero would return years later to find Nastassia absent, with a young woman known as Sarah watching over the sad remains of the corrupted shrine in her stead. After learning of the Guardian's schemes to pollute the virtue of the land through use of his columns and the perverse corruptions of the runes known as glyphs, the Avatar would eventually restore the Shrine of Compassion to its former glory, using the Heart of Compassion to cleanse both the shrine and its rune.
Lore[edit]
| “ | A good meditation — focusing on a proper Mantra — will sometimes yield valuable visions to those whose patience and powers of concentration are strong. The experience is well worth sampling. ... Many philosophers hold the opinion that the Path is in reality but a series of separate small paths. Each minor path leads to the fulfillment of an aspect of ourselves. Treading one of these minor paths may be construed as a life’s goal, and many people have debated which is the most advantageous to follow. Yet is not the whole much greater than the sum of its parts? Take up the challenge and tread not one but all of the minor paths in thy search for enlightenment and perfection. Perhaps only then will though find the beginnings of the great Path. – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)
|
|---|
| “ | Each of Britannia’s eight leading townes celebrates one of the virtues of Avatarhood, and each has raised a shrine to that virtue. The shrines are located in retreats to ensure tranquillity in natural settings, so traveling to some shrines requires a considerable journey from their townes. The only requirement for using a shrine is knowing the mantra for that virtue. A mantra is a sound repeated continuously during meditation, helping to clear the mind and focus the spirit. Each virtue has a specific mantra that works best for it, and sincere meditation can bring great wisdom. Someone in towne will usually divulge the mantra for the towne’s shrine. – from Book of Lore (Ultima V)
|
|---|
| “ | You can only gain a true appreciation of such increases by returning to one of the Shrines of Virtue and engaging in reflection and meditation. To meditate, learn the mantra of the shrine of your choice. Then talk to the shrine and follow its instructions. ... In compiling information about the daemonic Gargoyles invading our land they have begun to detect a pattern. It appears that our foes are trying to capture the Shrines of Virtue found near the major towns. The moonstones are now in their possession, and, as each new shrine falls, a stone is placed on the altar there. To prevent anyone from removing the stones, the gargoyles have erected impenetrable force fields around the altars. – from Compendium (Ultima VI)
|
|---|
Other Appearances[edit]
- In Lord of Ultima, a Shrine of Spirituality can randomly be located in Caledonia.
- In the cancelled Ultima Online 2 and the Technocrat War trilogy, the Shrine of Compassion was to be included on the northern continent of New Britannia.
Trivia[edit]
- The Keyring Mod for the Ultima VII utility, Exult, gives the Avatar the option to meditate at the Shrine of Compassion using its corresponding rune. It will issue a quest for the hero to seek knowledge of Compassion from the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, as it had in previous games.
- In Ultima VI, the Shrine of Compassion adds three bonus points to Dexterity when advancing a character's level.
Gallery[edit]
Shrine of Compassion art from Mysterious Sosaria
A Shrine of Compassion in LoU
The shrine in Ultima IX
References[edit]
- ↑ De Maria. Underworld Dragon’s Ultima VII transcript. Ultima VII. "Nastassia, tale".
External Links[edit]
| Geography |
|---|
| Pagan | |
|---|---|
| Settlements | Argentrock Isle ☥ Daemon's Crag ☥ Tenebrae |
| Other | Carthax Lake ☥ Catacombs ☥ Cemetery ☥ Fishermen's Reef ☥ Hall of the Mountain King Herdsman's Valley ☥ Plateau ☥ Shrine of the Ancient Ones ☥ Stone Cove ☥ Treasure Cove Vengeance Bay |