Wikia

Description Edit

Yew is the city dedicated to the Virtue of Justice, and therefore the headquarters of the Druids of Britannia, which corresponds with its closeness to nature.

Situated in the Deep Forest of northern Britannia, Yew isn't a real city in the strict sense. The settlement scatters over quite some span of forest, as the inhabitants had decided to live with nature, rather than bending it to their will. The highlight of Yew is the High Court of Britannia, fitting for the city of Justice. Built nearby is the prison. The Bee Cave with its Giant Bees lies just south of the city.

Thanks to its rural nature, Yew is a very quiet and peaceful place, and the inhabitants are amongst the friendliest in Britannia.

There isn't much economy in Yew because of its structure, but some trainers of the art of fighting can be found.

A Moongate near the city ensures fast transportation.

History of the City Edit

The city of Yew is old. It already existed in the Age of Darkness, appearing at the time of Ultima I. In Ultima III, the Stranger obtained a password by praying in the Circle of Light. This password was needed to bypass the Great Earth Serpent in order to reach the Isle of Fire. After the establishment of the Eight Virtues, Yew became the city of Justice.

In Ultima IV, Yew was same size as all of the cities. Yew also hadn't changed much in Ultima V, with its walls intact. During that time, it was the second largest city, surpassed only by Britain. Yew became the center of the Oppression with the inquisition under Judge Dryden. Like all of the cities, Yew was haunted by the Shadowlords until their destruction.

When the time of Blackthorn's tyranny passed, the city walls were razed, but despite that, Yew didn't grow much, as seen in Ultima VI. 200 years later, by Ultima VII, Yew had dissolved as a city, the settlement having spread over the Deep Forest in an attempt by the inhabitants to get closer to nature.

By the time of Ultima IX, Yew had grown once again as the city of Justice and was still located within the forest, with many of its habitations built in the treetops of the Deep Forest.

LoreEdit

Northwest from the mountains begin the vast woods known as the Deep Forest. Many a traveler has become lost among these tall, majestic trees. If they feet stray from the beaten path, do not despair, for within the woods lies the beautiful city of Yew, home of the mystic Druids. The High Court of Yew judges all the important cases in Britannia and is famed far and wide for the wisdom of the decisions rendered here.

- from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)

Long a gathering place for Druids in their pursuit of Justice, Yew is the site of the Supreme Court of Britannia and nurtures the great legal and judicial minds who practice there. Besides the courts, jail and penal areas, Yew has one of the best restaurants with a fine pub, an armoury and an apothecary. Nestled beneath the trees of the Deep Forest, Yew is second in population only to Britain.

- from Book of Lore (Ultima V)

Second in size only to Britain, the town of Yew is the judicial and legal heart of the Kingdom, being home to the Supreme Court of Britannia. Druids and philosophers have long gathered under the shade trees of the Deep Forest surrounding Yew, exploring the subtle nuances of justice and righteousness. While visiting Yew, one will find a fine pub and a fully equipped armoury and apothecary.

- from Compendium (Ultima VI)

Yew is known as the City of Justice, but it has changed considerably over the years. The buildings that remain where the city once stood have been abandoned for many, many years. The citizenry of Yew have chosen a life independent of normal civilization. They now live scattered throughout the Deep Forest. Their only remaining link with outside civilization is Empath Abbey. The Abbey has assumed responsibility for the Court of Yew as well as its prison. Many travellers to Empath Abbey come to visit the graves of loved ones at the nearby graveyard.

- from The Book of Fellowship (Ultima VII)

Fittingly, the road to Yew has decayed and fallen victim to banditry, and though there are other routes to the city of Justice, they are hard to pass. Founded on the druidic law of the land, the city of Yew blossomed as the need for defining order grew in Britannian civilization. Near the city for many years stood the Empath Abbey, the seat of Love. Its influence over the courts of Yew could not be denied. Yew remained a stronghold for righteous justice, yet recent times have weakened her posture. The decorous and formal courts have been replaced by a single rollicking amphitheater where drunken citizens cheer the heroes and assail the villains of jurisprudence. Trials have become acts of showmanship and conclude with someone, guilty or otherwise, being carried in chains to the Dungeon of Wrong. Wherein law stood on the stout timbers of the Deep Forest, chaos has chopped at its base. Nevertheless, Yew remains a favored destination for the traveler as the thought of a fine wine in her excellent inn can put a hop in one's step on the twisted road leading to it.

- from Journal (Ultima IX)

Inhabitants Edit

Ultima IV Edit

Calumny: inventor of Quickness
Donnar: proprietor of The Dry Goods
Druid: wandering druid
Flamis: burning fire
Frida: withered beggar
Jaana: Companion
Justin: proprietor of Just Healing
Pinrod: thin man
Ranger: sleek ranger
Silent: chanting druid
Talfourd: wise judge
Vorpal: mean, nasty, ugly villain

Ultima V Edit

Aleyn: imprisoned child
Chamfort: blacksmith
Felespar: prisoner and member of the Great Council
Greymarch: fighter
Jaana: Companion
Jeremy: cook
Jerone: prisoner
Judge Dryden: Head Inquisitor
Landon: Resistance leader
Madam Pendra: proprietor of Healers Herbs
Mario: prisoner

Ultima VI Edit

Andrea: tavernkeeper
Ben: woodcutter
Boskin: prisoner
Jaana: healer and Companion of the Avatar
Lenard: tailor
Lenora: mayor of Yew and judge of the High Court
Nicodemus: mage
Pridgarm: prison keeper
Sinjen: criminal
Utomo: blacksmith

Ultima VII Edit

Ben: woodcutter
Bradman: trainer
D'Rel: prisoner
Gharl: prisoner
Goth: prison guard
Gwenno: away
Iolo: Companion of the Avatar
Penni: trainer
Sir Jeff: High Court judge
Smith the Horse: a horse
Thad: masked man
Tseramed: ranger (can join)

Ultima IXEdit

Bakura: trainer
Desbet: Vasagralem's aide
Elaina: gossip
Grey: judge
Jaana: Companion of the Avatar
James: provisioner
Jean-Paul: tavern owner
Luc: ranger
Lucy: bartender
Raliegh: bowyer
Sven: bar patron
Teresa: gossip
Vasagralem: gargoyle king

Services Edit

Ultima IIIEdit

Aliment: grocery
Sanescere: healer

Ultima IVEdit

Things to see Edit

Geography

Britannia
Cities	Yew ☥ Minoc ☥ Skara Brae ☥ Britain ☥ New Magincia ☥ Moonglow ☥ Jhelom ☥ Trinsic
Castles	Castle Britannia ☥ Empath Abbey ☥ Lycaeum ☥ Serpent's Hold ☥ Castle of Fire
Towns	Buccaneer's Den ☥ Cove ☥ Paws ☥ Terfin ☥ Vesper
Shrines	Compassion ☥ Honesty ☥ Honor ☥ Humility ☥ Justice ☥ Sacrifice ☥ Valor ☥ Spirituality ☥ Shrine of the Codex
Dungeons	The Abyss ☥ Covetous ☥ Deceit ☥ Despise ☥ Destard ☥ Doom ☥ Hythloth ☥ Shame ☥ Wrong

Serpent Isle
Cities	Fawn ☥ Furnace ☥ Monitor ☥ Moonshade
Settlements	Inn of the Sleeping Bull ☥ Isles of the Mad Mage ☥ Monk Isle
Dungeons	Skullcrusher ☥ Spinebreaker ☥ Furnace ☥ Knight's Test ☥ Mountains of Freedom
Ruins	Shamino's Castle ☥ Castle of the White Dragon ☥ Shrine of Balance ☥ Temple of Discipline ☥ Temple of Emotion ☥ Temple of Enthusiasm ☥ Temple of Ethicality ☥ Temple of Logic ☥ Temple of Tolerance

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

Trivia Edit

In Ultima I, the cities of Yew (in the Lands of Lord British), Gerry (in the Lands of the Feudal Lords), Ponder (in the Lands of the Dark Unknown) and The Brother (in the Lands of Danger and Despair) were exactly the same. They had the same layout, stores, and people in it. Their only difference was their name and location in the map.