The system of Virtues is one of the things that makes Ultimas so unique. No other series of games has such a well developed culture, and system of ethics as that of Britania.

    My virtues section contains my personal view of the eight virtues, and their meaning. It also has lots of other information relating to the virtues and the principles.

    Though Richard Garriott has always avoided having anything in Ultimas which is an religion or involves worshipping an God, the virtues in Ultima are similar to some religions or systems of spirituality such as Buddhism. In interviews in the Book Ultima The Avatar Adventures, and in other interviews, Richard Garriott has said that religions like Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity are among the things which inspired him when creating Britannias belief system. This section will mention some of the similaritys between Britannian beliefs and ethics and those of this madly spinning planet we call Earth. It also contains much usefull information for the seeker on the path of the avatar.

    The virtues are not a system of morals but a system of ethics, based around the idea that society is better for everyone if you live your life according to a system of ethics based upon Do As You Would Be Done By. Richard Garriott describes it like this. "These are not morals, these are ethics. Morals dont exist for me or for Britannia, Ethics do exist for me and for Britannia. The do unto others as you would have them do unto you is ethics because that makes good sense. Ethics have a logical rationale that I can describe to you how they help society exist. If I beat you up you are going to be angry at me and will be on my back. If I am nice to you, then you are likely to be nice back. That's ethics."

    There are similaritys between Buddhism and the virtues, particularly the virtue of compassion. Compassion is at the very heart of the Buddhist faith. Buddhism is not an religion but more a system of spirituality based around the idea of compassion to all living beings. In Chinese Buddhism there are five virtues, these are gentleness, kindness, respectfullness, thriftiness and humility. Well, I guess respectfullness could be linked to honour, and, humuility, gentleness, and kindness are all pretty obvious. I think Dupre might have a problem with thriftiness though, since he wouldnt be able to drink vast quantitys of mead any more. ;)

    There are many different forms of Buddhism, often buddhism would blend with the pre-existing religions of a country or area. In some forms of Buddhism, there is a believe in Infinity as being the one principle, this is rather similar to Britannia and the one principle of Infinity. In Buddhism Infinity represents Wisdom, Long Life, Eternal Life, and our true nature. Infinity is Wisdom and enlightenment.

    The eight virtues are intrinsically bound to Britania, interwoven with the fabric of the land, the towns, and even the skies above.

    For, each of the eight major towns of Britania is dedicated to one of the virtues, and near that town will be found the shrine of that virtue.

    There are also eight planets, which are named after the virtues, eight moongates, which appear near the shrines, and eight great dungeons, which represent the vice opposing each one of the eight virtues. Eight Runes of virtue also exist, each one is a stone with the symbol of one of the virtues engraved upon it. There are also eight moonstones, each one the colour of the virtue it is linked to.

    Even the mages that study magic and the ether learn eight circles of magic. As the mage progresses through the eight circles of magic so, the power and type of spell he can cast increases. Thus increasing his power for good or evil.

    Compassion is the ability to be sympathetic to the feelings and sufferings of others. To share their pain, and, to do what thou can to ease their misery. Show compassion in all thy dealings, lest thy heart grow hard and cold.

    Thou shalt not steal or lie, but more than this, seek the truth in all things. Strive to be honest in all thy actions. Look deep into thyself for, only by knowing thyself can thou know truth.

    Valour is more than just courage in battle, or in the face of great danger. True valour is the courage to stand by thy convictions and, to act in defence of them. Courage also, to look at thy failings and, bravely, take action to rectify them.

    This song is very popular in the pubs of Jhelom, where everyone in the bar will often join in with it.

True humility is the opposite of pride, without humility the path of the Avatar will be a rocky one. For, if thy spirit is filled with pride then how cans't thou learn? Thus shed thy pride, that thou may humbly follow the virtues of the Avatar.

    Sacrifice is to love thy fellow creatures enough, that thou art bravely able to give of thyself. To give without thought of reward or gain. To sacrifice that which thou dos't need to aid those that are in need. Delve deep into thy heart and soul that thou may find true generosity of spirit.

    There is also an version of this song where the Raven says Caw, crazy indecisive birds. ;)

    When thou givest thy word thou art bound by it. Whatever the perils thy word is thy bond. But, true honour is more than this, thus the Paladin, who values honesty and valour, for from them cometh true honour. A pure heart is an honourable heart.

    Do not be hasty in thy judgements, but take time to learn the truth. Search thy heart also, and find love where thou cans't. Thus thy judgements will be tempered with mercy.

    Spirituality is the ability to be at peace with thyself and the world. Thus the Ranger, who finds joy and calmness in closeness to nature. To seek also, the true nature of thy inner self. To strive to follow the three principles of truth, love and courage in all thy dealings, both with thyself and, with all things that live. To find true spirituality is to be blessed indeed, for tis but the first step on a path that will lead to great wisdom and true peace.

    The eight virtues are derived from the three principles of Truth, Love, and Courage. All that is good, or done with good intent, derives from the three principles.

    Truth is the truth that is inherent in all things. It is the truth that we discover when we are able to see clearly, free from other distractions.

    Love is the love that we find in our hearts for all things. Love is what drives us to do acts of kindness. To love is to see beauty and joy all around.

    Courage is strength of spirit and determination to act for the greater good. Courage to never give up, and to face overwhelming odds bravely.

    These three principles, either separately, or in combination, form the virtues:

    From Truth comes Honesty

    From Love comes Compassion

    From Courage comes Valour

    Truth and Love combined create Justice

    Love and Courage combined create Sacrifice

    Courage and Truth combined create Honour

    From Truth, Love, and Courage comes Spirituality

    Pride is caused by the absence of the Three Principles, the opposite of Pride is Humility.

    Infinity is the One Principle from which the Three principles derive. Truth, Love, and Courage are eternal forces, therefore they derive from Infinity, from which the Three Principles, and Eight Virtues flow.

The Avatar

    The Avatar is the Champion of the Virtues, and on numerous occasions the saviour of Brittania. He, or she must strive to follow the Virtues in everything that they do. Often faced with difficult choices along the path of Virtue, the Avatar must use all his expeirience and wisdom to guide him in his decisions.

    The avatar comes from earth, and is normally summoned by Lord British in times of great peril or trouble. Originally the avatar was a stranger from another land who fought to save the land from great evil, in Ultima IV, he becomes the avatar, the living embodiement of the virtues and an shining example to all that follow the path of goodness. Normally he enters Britannia by a red moongate which appears in the centre of the circle of stones near his home on Earth.

    The symbol of the Avatar is the Ankh, a sign to all living creatures that he follows the path of the Virtues. The Ankh is the symbol of all who would follow the Virtues, and the path of the Avatar. The Ankh is often seen in places dedicated to one or more of the Virtues.

    Legends claim that the Avatar has many different faces, appearing in different forms , perhaps this explains why the people of Britannia dont always recognise the avatar at once though his companions always seem to recognise him.

    The ankh in real life is an ancient Egyptian symbol meaning Eternal Life, Life After Death, and Eternity or Immortality. It also has links with fertility and with Water, representing either the waters of the River Nile, which gave life to Egypts Crops, or the Spring of Immortality from which the Elixir of Eternal life comes. The ankh is also sometimes known as the Key of the Nile and is derived from an Egyptian Hieroglyph. Some people think that the ankh may have originally come from an ancient Glyph, SA, meaning magical protection.

    In the 1960s the ankh became very popular with those long haired tree hugging kaftan wearing flower power maniacs known as hippies. ;) Who wore it as a symbol of eternal life and general good luck. And probably as protection against all those powerfull flowers rampaging around. ;) Remember when attacked by an flower bash it with yer ankh. :D Note, may not work against trees which attempt to hug you all research on this to me Silva Dragon. ;)

    According to some sources Richard Garriot decided to use the Ankh in Ultimas after seeing it used in the film Logans run. Logans run is an extremely excellent film from 1976, and among my favourite films. LogansRun