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.

Gather information

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

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

 *  See also: Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar/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)

The lighter-than-air device

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

Near the exit of Dungeon Hythloth lies the lighter-than-air device. Get on it, and it will move according to the direction of the wind. It is therefore necessary to cast "Wind Change" spells to go in the direction you want. Actually, the exit of Dungeon Hythloth is quite faraway from the mainland in any direction, therefore you should just keep flying in the same direction.

Once you manage to get near the Serpent's Spine mountains (between Britain and Yew), locate the position of the White Stone shrine, align the balloon with it, then land on the hills near the mountains. Why? Because the wind is quite tricky; you should make sure you are aligned with the Stone, then cast the "Wind" spell in the required direction, then jump onto the balloon.

When you are above the plateau, land and enter the nearby cave. In there, four humans and an Ankh give useful information about the Quest. More important, the Sranger can open two chests and get the White Stone and Exodus' Scale.

You saw how hard it is to fly with the balloon. Better leave it and rely on your feet from now on. Travel to Minoc and give Exodus' Scale to Zircon the smith. Come back later (e.g. after another dungeon exploration), and he will have turned it into a legendary axe for Geoffrey the fighter.