Ghosts

From Editable Codex

[edit] Description

Ghosts are the spirits of people, whose body had died, but whose spirit is unable to go on. There are two sorts of ghosts. If the spirit is strong enough, it will regain form and personality, and thus remain peaceful.

However, should the mind be lost, the ghost will start to look much more ethereal, and become aggressive. Ghosts can float through walls, and attack with magic. And only magical weapons can finally bring these wandering spirits to a final rest.

If Ghosts aren't summoned to do a wizards bidding, they can be found in dungeons, graveyards or the place where they died.

[edit] Evolution in the series

• First appearance: Ultima IV

• Last appearance: Ultima IX

Ghosts have basically stayed the same in all Ultimas in Britannia, however in Ultima IX, they attack by draining Mana. In Ultima VI ghosts could turn themselves invisible and attack unseen. In both Ultima VI and VII ghosts had the ability to pass through solid objects. In Pagan, Ghosts could be defeated by using the Grant Peace spell. However, they were still susceptible to melee combat provided the player wielded a magical weapon. Ghosts in Pagan had the ability to summon ghouls to their aid. They would also ambush their enemies by appearing out of thin air. Pagan ghosts could pull their heads off which would in turn seek out the avatar and explode in close proximity. On rare occasions these floating heads could be found independant from their bodies. Ghosts in Pagan are unable to pass through walls. This is most likely due to the limits of the game engine.

In both Ultima Underworlds, we also meet two new Forms of Ghost, which both are much more dangerous. These are the Dire Ghost and the Red Haunt.

[edit] Notable examples

• There are a number of people the Avatar met, who were already dead. Such examples are the people of Skara Brae in Ultima VII, or Beatrix, Shamino's former lover, and the Balance and Chaos Heriophant in Ultima VII/2. Khumash-Gor in Ultima VIII is also a good example.