Tapestry of Ages
The Tapestry of Ages appears in Ultima IX in the museum. It is a piece of art about the history of Britannia, specifically focused on the actions of the Avatar and his companions.
Lore[edit]
| “ | From a high wall in the Museum of Britannia hangs an immense painting on which is told the tale of the Avatar. Since the birth of Britannia, the Order of the Silver Serpent has defended the Tapestry of Ages day and night, from penury to prosperity, across winter and summer. Yet, the Tapestry changes. On the eve of each return of the Avatar to Britannia, a new image magically appears on the canvas in arresting colour and bold stroke, foretelling the challenges that stand between the Avatar and his departure from us. No one has witnessed the artist, the paint applied by forces unknown to all. Close examination by our finest artists has failed to reveal the print of a single brush stroke from a mortal hand. Lord British himself professes ignorance, for he claims that the story of the Tapestry draws its colour and stroke from the tides of Virtue flowing from the land itself.
Like our fair land and her noble Champion, the story lain on the fabric has blossomed over the centuries, from the Age of Darkness through the Age of Virtue and into the present, the Age of Enlightenment. From the upper reaches high on the wall, the tale of the Avatar has spread, story by story, across this imposing canvas to the furthest corner that hangs no higher than a man's reach. For even the plainest among us can see: there is no more room in the tale of the Avatar. This, then, is his story. By connection to this land that draws him back time after time, it is the story of Britannia. |
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Trivia[edit]
- The Tapestry of Ages proved to be controversial for many players, citing depictions inconsistent with the historical events they illustrate, as well as calling into question the revelation of the piece's existence prior to Ultima IX. The most siginificant points are listed below.
- The appearances of most of the characters depicted in the Tapestry is significantly different from their appearance in the depicted time frames: hair, age, dress.
- Often there were significant inaccuracies in the depicted of events:
- Ultima I The Gem of Immortality hadn't been created when the Stranger attacked Mondain, and Mondain did not create the original Sun Ruby.
- Ultima II The Stranger killed Minax with the quick sword, not a normal sword. The description implies Minax was a child and lover when Mondain was alive.
- Ultima III Defeating Exodus with cards, not a lance.
- Ultima V Blackthorn is exiled in chains.
- Ultima VI Iolo uses a bow rather than a crossbow. The Gargoyle priest doesn't have the book of prophecies in his hand. The portal into the chamber is either a moongate (wrong shape) or cave entrance (events happened in the open air).
- Ultima VII The Fellowship had followers in all walks of life. The Black Gate is destroyed with a sword rather than a wand.
- Ultima VIII Execution was carried out by a woman under a dark red or purple sky with no sun at the docks with a large volcano in the background and the Avatar did nothing to intervene. The description of the events on Pagan display the Avatar is more positive.
- Ultima IX The appearance of the column and Terfin differ from what is shown in-game or in the videos.
- See the link below for a more complete and detailed list of inaccuracies.