Tarna
This article is about a world. For the Ultima VIII character, see Tarna (NPC).
Tarna is one of the worlds which is shown to be under the influence of the Guardian during the events of Ultima Underworld II.
Description[edit]
For much of its history, Tarna had been home to sizable populations of both goblins and humans, who largely coexisted in an uneasy peace but occasionally marred by armed conflict. Thirty years prior to the Avatar's arrival there, however, the Guardian had managed to contact the goblin people through their shamanic priesthood, and had engineered a war which had left humanity largely subdued under the rule of a goblin regent, with human settlements having been left desolate through magically borne plagues and famines.[1] Although their numbers are not known, the troll Garg related that his people were also drawn into the conflict, and also found themselves subjugated.[2]
Following the goblin victory, pockets of human resistance began to appear under the control of a freedom fighter known as Bishop, who used his extensive mystic knowledge to contact other opponents of the Red Titan across the multiverse. At the time of the Avatar's contact with Tarna, Bishop had been captured and imprisoned in a goblin-held outpost, potentially hamstringing the rebel efforts should he have remained a prisoner.
Known Locations[edit]
The Prison Tower[edit]
The only location which the Avatar visited on Tarna was a small unnamed prison tower held by the goblin commander Borne, which housed the imprisoned Bishop. This area was the first of the eight worlds of the gem which the hero encountered in the quest to destroy the blackrock dome. Here, the hero was able to free Bishop from his captivity and slay the goblin forces within.
Crogus Mountains[edit]
Located in the barren reaches of Tarna, the Crogus mountains at one point served as a base of operations for Bishop's forces, and it was here that he penned the Gems of Enlightenment.[3]
Fyrna[edit]
One of the human kingdoms of Tarna was Fyrna, which appears to have been located in the northlands of the main continent. Little is known about Fyrna, save that it suffered grievously under the Guardian's magic and appears to have fallen to the goblin armies. Felix, the prince of Fyrna, could be found amongst the slaves of the prison tower.[4]
Inhabitants[edit]
- Bishop: resistance leader
- Borne: commander of the tower
- Felix: Prince of Fyrna
- Freemis: goblin warrior
- Garg: troll
- Goblin blacksmith: blacksmith
- Janar: jailer
- Marcus: knight of Fyrna
- Milenus: imprisoned goblin
Lore[edit]
| “ | It falls to me, Bishop, to describe the history of my own world, Tarna, a place which has but recently felt the presence of the Guardian. On Tarna, the goblin and human races have lived for millennia in an uneasy peace, broken every few hundred years by periods of fighting. Neither side ever achieved any lasting victory, and for a long while it seemed that each species would be obliged to endure the other's existence.
About thirty years ago, the stand-off came to an end. Goblin shamans discovered the extraplanar entity known as the Guardian, and made a pact with him — he would help them conquer the world and subjugate the human species, and in return they would rule their world in his name, with their king serving as the Guardian's regent. As the goblins massed their armies, the Guardian sent plagues against the human cities, and blighted our livestock. For twenty-five years now, the goblins have been slowly pressing the human race southwards across our continent. Today, only three cities remain, huddled on the frigid southern coast, plague-stricken and choked with refugees. Ten years ago, I emerged from my solitary life as a disciple of the mystic arts, and assumed command of the remaining human forces. I have had some success — I allow into my force only strong young men and women, smart, brave and free of plague. I have driven the goblins back wherever I have chosen to engage them, but I am obliged to avoid confrontation with larger detachments of troops. I have also had some success in countering the Guardian's magical sendings — fortunately, he spares for this war only the tiniest part of his energies, and thus I may soon be able to stand against him on this front. |
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Trivia[edit]
- A note in the prison tower's storerooms indicates that "poori bread" (possibly a name taken from a Terran dish originating in India) and "sourweed" number amongst the foodstuffs of Tarna. Sourweed is a direct translation of the German word "Sauerkraut".
Gallery[edit]
Goblins attack
The entrance doors of the tower
References[edit]
- ↑ Grossman, Austin. "Prison Tower". Gems of Enlightenment (Ultima Underworld II). Origin Systems, Inc.: 1992. Page 10-13.
- ↑ Garg. Ethereal Software’s Ultima Underworld II transcript. Ultima Underworld II.
- ↑ Grossman, Austin. "Realms". Gems of Enlightenment (Ultima Underworld II). Origin Systems, Inc.: 1992. Page 4.
- ↑ Felix. Ethereal Software’s Ultima Underworld II transcript. Ultima Underworld II.
| Worlds in the Ultima Series | |
|---|---|
| Main Worlds | Britannia ☥ Sosaria ☥ Serpent Isle ☥ Pagan ☥ Earth ☥ Eodon ☥ Mars |
| Worlds of the Blackrock Jewel |
Tarna ☥ Killorn Keep ☥ Anodunos ☥ Talorus ☥ Scintillus Academy ☥ Pits of Carnage ☥ Rhiannon ☥ Ethereal Void |
| Ahistorical Solar System |
Sun ☥ Mercury ☥ Venus ☥ Earth ☥ Mars ☥ Jupiter ☥ Saturn ☥ Uranus ☥ Neptune ☥ Pluto ☥ Planet X |
| Other Worlds | Nexus of the Worlds ☥ Caledonia ☥ Balema ☥ Ashtalarea ☥ Alucinor |