Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (NES)/Dungeon Hythloth

Gathering information

 *  See also: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar/Dungeon Hythloth

The Codex
The final goal in the quest of the Avatar is told by an old woman in Moonglow (Inoo): the Stranger should find the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, that lies in the Great Stygian Abyss. A woman in Skara Brae (Dickens) confirms the part about the Abyss.

We know already (see The Strongholds of the Principles) that three items are necessary to enter said dungeon. Apart from that, a nixie in Serpent's Hold (Noxum) informs you that the Key of Three Parts (rendered as "three keys" in this remake) is also necessary to enter the Codex chamber, deep within the dungeon.

The Key of Three Parts
There was a dialogue thread in the original that involved three characters, and revealed where and how to obtain the Key of Three Parts. Apparently, time passed, and the shepherd in Vesper (Zajac from the Lycaeum) learned the secret of the woman in Empath Abbey (Water from Castle Britannia). A ranger in the Lycaeum (Tymus) confirms the information.

The "Three Parts of a Key" are found in three altar rooms at the bottom of the dungeons, and eight coloured stones are needed to obtain them.

The Ankh of Cove says that the stones open the way to the Codex. In fact, each altar (holding a key) corresponds to a principle, each stone corresponds to a virtue.

Altar rooms and eight stones
A woman in the oak grove in Empath Abbey (Diane, past the locked door) specifies which four stones should be used on the Altar Room of Love. Four characters in the same garden elaborate on the relationship between the principle of Love and four virtues that derive from it.

In each of the major towns there are one or more inhabitants that relate the city's virtue to its colored stone and the dungeon where it is hidden. More detail about this later (see Six Dungeons).

An injured man in Serpent's Hold (Lassorn) specifies which four stones should be used on the Altar Room of Truth.

The information about the Altar Room of Courage is more scattered. A fighter in Jhelom (Bengrod) says which dungeons are connected to this altar room. Extrapolating from the information learned in Empath Abbey, the stones found in the connecting dungeons should be used on this altar.

Notice that the White Stone of Spirituality is the only one that should be used in all three Altar Rooms, therefore it is natural to look for this stone first.

Quest for the white stone

 *  See also: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar/Dungeon Hythloth

Gather information
In order to learn about the White Stone of Spirituality, the best starting point is the city of spirituality, Skara Brae. A ranger (Mitre) says that it was supposed to be in Dungeon Hythloth, but it is actually missing. If you visit the inn a few times (just climb the stairs up and down), eventually a ghost (Isaac) will appear; he reveals the location of teh stone, atop a mountain.

In order to reach such place, the information comes from a woman in Castle Britannia (Sniflet of Buccaneer's Den): a "lighter-than-air device" can be found near an exit of Dungeon Hythloth. Where is that dungeon located? The answer comes from a woman in Paws (Damsel): there is a secret entrance in Castle Britannia. It is located beyond a locked door near a beardless mage (Landri).

Dungeon Hythloth



 * Goals: get the lighter-than-air device and the White stone.

Before entering the Dungeon Hythloth, make sure you have plenty of the following spells:
 * Light (cheaper than torches)
 * Dispell (to get past various energy fields)
 * Resurrect (to recover companions that touch the four Magic Orbs)
 * Wind (to drive the Lighter-Than-Air device)

Check the Magic page for details on the reagents.

Also purchase ten/twenty magic gems (you can use the "View" spell, but it's better to save nightshade and mandrake for other spells).

Suggested party: Leave Katrina and Geoffrey at the hostel: the Magic Orbs in Dungeon Hythloth raise all three attributes, but these characters only use two (Strength/STR and Dexterity/INT).
 * 1) Obviously, the Stranger (equipped with the Sword of Paradise and a plain bow);
 * 2) Either Mariah or Jaana (Magic Wand wielders);
 * 3) Either Shamino or Iolo (to optimize armors: either Mariah & Shamino, or Jaana & Iolo)
 * 4) Either Julius or Dupre (Magic Axe wielders; actually, you might choose Julius until you purchase Dupre's Plate +1 armor)

Access the Dungeon from Castle Britannia. You will be unable to exit from there, and a vertical shaft will lead you down to the 8th level


 * Level 8

Right now, having no Stones yet, it would be useless to visit the Altar Rooms. Explore the other rooms, instead, to earn gold and experience, then head to the stairs that connect to the larger section of Floor 7.


 * Level 7

Again, visit the rooms to earn gold and experience, then climb the stairs up.


 * Level 6

A long and winding passage, with a few mandatory rooms in the middle.


 * Level 5

This level is further subdivided in two parts. Climb the second upwards stairs for a short passage that leads back on floor 5, but the section where two Magic Orbs can be found. Be careful: these orbs raise all three attributes, but they deal 800 HP of damage. You will have to cast some "Resurrection" spells.


 * Level 4

This floor loops on itself, but there is just one ladder that leads upwards.


 * Level 3

On this floor, you can find the third Magic Orb and a Healing Fountain a bit further on. Finally, both upwards ladders lead to the same area.


 * Level 2

Nothing special to be done here: fight your way through the only room and climb the stairs.


 * Level 1

Here you can find the fourth Magic Orb. Also, through a secret passage you can find the altar of the White Stone, that is unfortunately empty. Anyway, you are near the exit of the dungeon.