Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar/The Strongholds of the Principles

Open quests
Romasco of Skara Brae started a thread about the Great Stygian Abyss. He sent the companions to Zair the Wise in Paws who, in turn, directed them to his brother Zair in "a village beyond Lock Lake".

Jingles of Paws spoke about the "Gate Travel" spell and directed the Companions to his master Mentorian in "a village beyond Lock Lake".

Zorin of Castle Britannia told the Companions to visit the three castles and speak to all named Antos. Then, if you go to the nearby Castle of Love (Empath Abbey), the people there direct you to "the village beyond Lock Lake", too.

In the NES port, the mage in castle Britannia (Zorin) is the only character who was kept the same. In Skara Brae, we learn from his sister (Dickens) that Ramsel (Romasco) decided to brave the Abyss by himself; we can meet him in Buccaneer's Den, and see how he failed the Quest of the Avatar and became a pirate instead. Thus, it is a ranger in Castle Britannia (Zair from Paws) who hints at the village of Cove, but the "Word of Passage" was omitted from this port. A mage in Paws (Jingles) teaches a new spell, but Mentallion (Mentorian) anyway waits for you in Cove.

The whirlpool
Well then, how can we cross Lock Lake?

In the NES port only, two inhabitants of Buccaneer's Den reveal the secret to reach Cove: the barkeeper (The Captain) and a pirate in the pub (J. J. Scirlock). Leave a 100 GP tip at the pub, and learn about the link between the whirlpool and Lock Lake.

The whirlpool moves randomly around the seas, but because of this randomness it generally remains in the same area. Apparently, it can be often found in the sea between Jhelom and the Shrine of Honor (e.g. Amiga and Master System ports), but it can also get past Cape of Heroes, south of Trinsic. In the NES port, it is more frequent to find the whirlpool north of Buccaneer's Den, south of Lock Lake river mouth.

Cove
As mentione above, in Cove you can ask Brother Zair about the Word of Passage. He will reveal that you have to talk to all the lords of the strongholds of Love, Truth and Courage. Also, Mentorian teaches the recipe for the "Gate Travel" spell.

Two characters in Castle Britannia, Joshua and Juliet, spoke about an "Axiom Riddle". More on this can be learned in Cove; four mages stand around a fire in the south-west woods: Spellbind, Shaman, Circe, Charm; they all give clues about the solution of the riddle.

More threads start in Cove: Allen talks about the entrance to the Abyss and a magical ship wheel. The companions are relayed to the seahorse Blissful and to the shrine Ankh to learn more.

In the NES port the "Word of Passage" and the "Axiom Riddle" were omitted, therefore the corresponding characters in the castle (Joshua and Juliet) and in Cove (Spellbind and the Ankh) speak about other subjects.

Leave Cove, sail across the lake and leave the ship on the shore.

Empath Abbey, stronghold of Love
The nearest castle is Empath Abbey.

In the throne room, ask Lord Robert about the Word, and he will reveal one of the three syllables.

Find Brother Antos and ask him about the Candle of Love. The Stranger will be redirected to the Ankh of Life (in the shrine) and then to Derek the bard, who is beyond a double secret passage in the west wall of the throne room. He will direct the Companions back to Cove: there is a secret passage in the west wall of the shrine; search the floor to find the candle.

In the NES port, Brother Antos can be met in the secret passage; the ankh (Life) a druid (Derek) talk about different subjects. In Cove, a bard (Paul McCartney) in the woods and a man (Rabindranath Tagore) behind the healer shop give the necessary clues to gather the Candle of Love. It is important to talk to the bard before getting the candle, or the Stranger will be considered a thief and lose virtue.

The Lycaeum, stronghold of Truth
The Lycaeum can be reached from the moon gate south of Trinsic. The moongate appears at the gibbous waning left-hand moon; its second destination (right-hand new moon) sends to Verity Isle. Travel north to the Lycaeum.

In the throne room, ask Lord Robert Frasier about the Word, and he will reveal one of the three syllables.

Find Father Antos and ask him about the Book of Truth. The Stranger will be redirected to the library. Jimmy the locked door, and ask the librarian Lord Terence about the book you search. Search between R and V for the Book of Truth.

In the NES port the quest is very similar: Father Antos also gives the information previously from Lord Terence, whereas a mage in the library (Lord Terence) reveals the recipe for the "Negate" spell.

Serpent's Hold, stronghold of Courage

 * Michelle >>> Lord Sentri
 * Sister Antos >>> Lori & Samuel >>> Garam

The magical ship wheel
This item is not included in the NES version, because the ship in that port has no HP (Hit Points or Hull Points).