Underworld
This article is about an underground formation in Britannia last seen in Ultima VI. For other uses, see Ultima Underworld (disambiguation).
| Underworld | |
|---|---|
 The Underworld in Ultima V | |
| Located in: | Britannia |
| Type: | cave system |
 The Underworld as seen on Apple II disk label | |
As the name implies, the Underworld lies deep within Britannia, a system of huge caves and tunnels and the breeding ground for horrible monsters.
History[edit]
The Underworld was discovered in Ultima V by a band of adventurers who found an entrance in the Spiritwood. It was huge, and could be reached from each of the seven dungeons, since their grounds had collapsed after Ultima IV. Lord British was intrigued by the adventurer's tales and mounted an expedition into the Underworld where he was captured by the Shadowlords.
In Ultima VI, the Underworld had mostly collapsed, causing catastrophe in the Realm of the Gargoyles.
For a solution to the problem, see Objectives in the Underworld.
Lore[edit]
| “ | We embark again, following a navigable stream south. After a short distance, a tributary branches off to the east, but we continue south. The cavern walls now tower above us, dimly reflecting our torchlight.
... Finally, we pass into a small, tranquil lake. We land on the south shore and examine the area. Though a large fissure
in the cliff walls provides a land exit to the south, no navigable waterway leaves the cavern. There is no choice: we
shoulder our remaining provisions and continue on foot through the fissure. The rough ride over the falls has eliminated another option: if we ever return to Britannia, it will not be by retracing our steps. The path leaving the cavern is at first swampy and tedious to walk upon, but the way becomes easier as we leave the lake behind. Soon the path curves north again and we come upon a great cavern with an uneven rock ceiling many stories high. We are now walking on yellow grass-like growth. – from Journey to the Underworld (Ultima V)
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Inhabitants[edit]
Places of Interest[edit]
Trivia[edit]
- While the Underworld in Ultima V does have the exact same size as the overworld, it essentially is a massive red herring, as despite its size the objectives to be achieved in it are limited to exactly seven tasks: finding the three shards, Captain Johne, the amulet, the mystic armour and weapons and then entering Dungeon Doom.
Gallery[edit]
Discovery of the Underworld, from the FM Towns Ultima V introduction
The doomed expedition, from the FM Towns Ultima V introduction
The Underworld in the manual of the NES-port of Ultima V
| 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 |