Virtues of Ultima

The "Ultima" series of computer role-playing games featured a Virtue system that the player was required to follow in the game as the Avatar. These Virtues were inspired in part by Richard Garriott's own philosophical angst and the 16 ways of purification which lead to Avatarhood in Hinduism.cite book |last = Addams | first = Shay | title = The Official Book of Ultima | publisher = COMPUTE Books | location = Greensboro, NC | date = 1990 | pages = 254 | isbn = 0-87455-228-1] cite book |last = McCubbin | first = Chris and David Ladyman | title = Prima’s Official Guide to Ultima Ascension | publisher = Prima Publishing | location = Rocklin, CA | date = 1999 | pages = 258 | isbn = 0-7615-1585-2] While the virtues and their antitheses are real words and concepts, they were first brought together in a logically-constructed ethical system specifically for Ultima IV.

"The Wizard of Oz" also played a part in the creation of the virtues, with designer Richard Garriott stating at one time that the three companions of Dorothy Gale could be linked to the three principles — Scarecrow (Truth), Tin Woodsman (Love) and Cowardly Lion (Courage).citation | date = March 1986 | periodical = Computer Gaming World | title = Inside Ultima IV | year = 1986 | pages = 18-21] This is also alluded to in "Ultima VI" and "Ultima VII", where one can find a copy of the book - the description blurb the game gives alludes to this relationship as well. Lord British claims it is his favourite book.

In the April 2008 issue of "Pelit", columnist Tuomas Honkala described the implementation of the Virtues in "" (1985) as a gaming experience of unsurpassed depth; he went on to contrast and decry the current state of video games, comparing it to the first silent movies in that the bulk of the works are consumable entertainment when the medium is proven to have the potential for cultural value and tools of personal growth.

The Avatar Ethics

The canonical system of Ethics in Ultima is based on The Three Principles and the Eight Virtues. First introduced in Ultima IV, it marked a reinvention of the game focus from a traditional role-playing model into an ethically framed one.cite book |last = McCubbin | first = Chris and David Ladyman | title = Prima’s Official Guide to Ultima Ascension | publisher = Prima Publishing | location = Rocklin, CA | date = 1999 | pages = 254-256 | isbn = 0-7615-1585-2] In an in-game book in Ultima VI named "The Quest of the Avatar" (the same name as the game, Ultima IV, in which the Virtues were introduced) the virtues are described as"|In days not long past, the Council of Wizards erected shrines to the eight virtues, that people throughout the land might meditate upon them. It was through studying the eight virtues and the three underlying principles that the great hero, who had defeated the Triad of Evil, started down the path that led to Avatarhood.

For verily it is known that the three principles are Truth, Love and Courage;And that from Truth arises Honesty;And from Love arises Compassion;And from Courage arises Valour;And that Truth comingled with Love gives rise to Justice;And Love comingled with Courage gives rise to Sacrifice;And Courage comingled with Truth gives rise to Honor;And Truth, Love and Courage all united create Spirituality;And the absence of all three principles leads to the vice of pride, which leads us to think of the virtue that is its opposite, that of Humility.

And on the quest to become the embodiment of the eight virtues, the Avatar recovered the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, and discovered that the one underlying concept that leads to the three principles which lead to the eight virtues is Infinity. Ponder this well, oh seeker!

The Three Principles

As told throughout Ultima IV, The Eight Virtues explored in "Ultima" are based on Three Principles:

Blackthorn's Code is a good illustration of the fact that the Virtues always come from one's own self rather than the norms of society; codifying ethics into law does not automatically make evil people good. Further, unethical lawmakers can take the Virtues and turn them into something that is quite contrary to what Virtues actually stand for. Under the influence of the Shadowlords, the rigid system of Blackthorn in fact invites the polar opposites of the Virtues, f.i. the shame of losing ones honour necessitates taking ones life.cite book |last = McCubbin | first = Chris and David Ladyman | title = Prima’s Official Guide to Ultima Ascension | publisher = Prima Publishing | location = Rocklin, CA | date = 1999 | pages = 259-264 | isbn = 0-7615-1585-2]

Anti-Principles and Anti-Virtues

In "Ultima V" the antitheses to the three Principles were introduced. Each of the Shadowlords opposed one of the three Principles, thus the anti-Principles are sometimes referred to as the Principles of the Shadowlords.

Eight of the virtues are derived from these three principles:

The Ophidian Virtues

The Virtue system of the Ophidians, in "", is formed around the following three Principles:

There also exists Anti-Forces associated to the Forces of Order and Balance. These Anti-Forces arise from Imbalance between the Forces, and are essentially perversions of their corresponding Forces. The Anti-Forces also manifest themselves as a kind of malevolent spiritual being, collectively called the Banes of Order and the Banes of Chaos.

The Anti-Forces (and Banes) are:

Triad of Inner Strength

The Fellowship, in "Ultima VII", followed the Triad of Inner Strength, consisting of three rules:cite book |last = McCubbin | first = Chris and David Ladyman | title = Prima’s Official Guide to Ultima Ascension | publisher = Prima Publishing | location = Rocklin, CA | date = 1999 | pages = 273 | isbn = 0-7615-1585-2]

# Strive For Unity
# Trust Thy Brother
# Worthiness Precedes Reward

Killorn Keep

In "Ultima Underworld II", the inhabitants of Killorn Keep -- a parallel universe to Britannia -- observe the Guardian's eight virtues:
*Sobriety
*Punctuality
*Obedience
*Vigilance
*Conformity
*Efficiency
*Silence
*Diligence

References