What is Lord Blackthorn up to?
Jasper McCarrin

UP: Britannia

After my meeting with Lord Blackthorn, I went of in search of whatever other information I could find. I had, through various sources, been told the possible locations of two FOA hideouts - one in the area of Buccaneer's Den; the other east of Vesper. I decided to head to Buccaneer's Den and then head to Vesper.

I did indeed find what had to have been a hideout of the Followers of Armageddon. It was being watched by many brave warriors who wished to catch one or all of the FOA members and turn them in at the Court of Truth in Yew. They had seen no activity for some time at this hideout, but were not giving up their posts. It was obvious that the FOA had abandoned this hideout.

After an uneventful trip to Vesper, I headed off into the woods to the east - following the directions I had been given. I approached the house from the south. It looked deserted. I peered into one of the windows, but saw no one within. Circling the house to the north, I then saw what might have been the reason for this hideout being also deserted. GThunk, the fierce troll chieftain, was standing in a clearing only a few yards away. I quickly slunk back into the shadows of the house. Even though he was watching me, he made no move toward me and even seemed to be paying me no more attention. I rapidly made my exit and returned to Vesper.

While having a drink at the Marsh Hall, I remembered Thraal Veese. Perhaps he would know more about the FOA. Maybe at least where they might be hiding. I hurried to Skara Brae. After arriving in Skara Brae, I rushed into the tavern, but there was no sign of Thraal. Disappointed, I began to wander the town, hoping to maybe find him somewhere else. And the virtues smiled on me, because he was sitting at
the docks, dangling his feet in the water.

It only took a few questions to discover that Thraal would not be forthcoming with and more FOA information. He mumbled something about an attempt on his life a few weeks ago by one of them, but gave no details. Naturally, I was a bit frustrated. Just when I was about to demand he reveal what he knew, Thraal stopped me with just a word. "Blackthorn," he said.
"Lord Blackthorn, what dost thou know of him?" I asked
"I know that he is seeking to meet with an element that is more akin to me than to someone like thee," was his reply. "I ' ave heard that Lord Blackthorn has set up a meeting with those who are skilled at making people disappear.. permanently."
I pondered this for a moment and then asked, "Who is he meeting exactly? When? Where?"
"I know little more than what I've already told ye. And I'll not be talkin' any more. Leave me unless ye have somethin' of use to tell me... or gold to hand over..."

His eyes glittered at the thought of gold, and I noticed he was actually quite drunk. Interesting that I had missed that, but I had been intent on dragging some information from him. Perhaps he'll be more cooperative if I came back later... when he'd had time to sleep and sober. Yes, I'll go look for him again later. It's unlikely he will leave Skara Brae. With that thought in mind, I headed to the tavern to find a meal and perhaps an ale or two myself...

After reading the dialogue about Blackthorns return on your web page...I was disturbed to note that Blackthorn supported the virtues.

According to the book by Sherry the Mouse, Blackthorn opposed the virtues because they would lead to the unification of all shards thus wiping many worlds from existence. The conversation he had with Defiler and Quinsey speaks of 'rigidly enforcing' the virtues. This seems to contradict his earlier stance.

HOWEVER, in Ultima V, Warrior of Destiny (?) Lord British disappeared and Britannia was ruled by Blackthorn in his stead who 'rigidly enforced' the virtues with the help of the shadowlords.

From Marthos Dunesworth (GL):

In Ultima 5, Lord Blackthorne was chosen as ruler of Brittania while Lord British was away. Soon after he got in to the throne, the shadowlords turned Blackthorne into a dictator and he forced everyone to obey the virtues. Pretty much, if you didn't follow all 8 of the virtues, you were either killed or had a body part removed (tongue if you lie, etc.).

How does this relate to UO?

Well, I'm not sure on this part, but in the past, Blackthorne disagreed with the virtues and the setting up of shrines and the Virtue guards. Now, Blackthorne is all gung-ho on strictly enforcing the virtues (from the text of the conversation). What could cause this seemingly 180 degree turn? Perhaps a darker force corrupted BT as the Shadowlord did to him on the "real shard".

BT also said something along the lines of starting a violent revolution because LB doens't do anything to enforce the laws. Again, in U5, Blackthrone became a dictator, and it looks like that is what he plans on doing now.Text

Text of Thraal's Conversation as submitted to my by Akatriel Sebaoth

You see: Thraal Veese (invulnerable)
Akatriel Sebaoth: How art thou this fine day, Thraal?
Thraal Veese: Hello there. What might I do fer ya?
Akatriel Sebaoth: I'm in for a little game.
Akatriel Sebaoth: Mind if I deal? hehe
Akatriel Sebaoth: *After a few drinks, and a few winning Hands I might add, we get to talking*
Akatriel Sebaoth: So, what dost thou think of the return of Lord Blackthorn?
Thraal Veese: Aye, I heard o' him. Why ya askin' me about someone like him?
Akatriel Sebaoth: hmmmm
Akatriel Sebaoth: *squints intensly*
Akatriel Sebaoth: *wonders why Thraal would be so defensive*
Akatriel Sebaoth: *Then again, I'm beating the pants off of him, hehe*
Akatriel Sebaoth: Well, word can really get around about someone like him, ya know?
Thraal Veese: Well, I mighta heard something...
Akatriel Sebaoth: hmmmm
Akatriel Sebaoth: *smiles*
Akatriel Sebaoth: Well, what have ya heard? Cummon, ye can tell Ol' Akatriel.
Thraal Veese: Supposedly, Lord Blackthorn is seeking to meet with some assassins.
Akatriel Sebaoth: *Shocked*
Akatriel Sebaoth: Assassins!!??
Thraal Veese: Aye. I suppose he wants someone killed.
Akatriel Sebaoth: *Leans in close, and Whispers*
Akatriel Sebaoth: Who do ya suppose he wants ta kill?
Thraal Veese: I don't know who or why. He hasn't been sayin' much.
Akatriel Sebaoth: *Tries to take a peek at Thraal's hand*
Akatriel Sebaoth: *Thraal notices, so I lean back and Smile*
Akatriel Sebaoth: Where are they gonna meet? Do ya know?
Thraal Veese: I've heard they'll be meetin' in a tavern somewhere. Not many nights from now.
Akatriel Sebaoth: Which Tavern? There are many thruout Britannia. I should know *smirks*
Thraal Veese: I don't know which, but I know the assassins will be drinking orcish ale.
Akatriel Sebaoth: Orcish ale?
Thraal Veese: That's how Blackthorn will know who to approach.
Akatriel Sebaoth: When is this meeting supposed to take place?
Thraal Veese: I don't know exactly when.
Akatriel Sebaoth: Hmmmm, I gotta get going.
Akatriel Sebaoth: Twas nice gabbin' with ya.
Akatriel Sebaoth: Oh, by the way.
Akatriel Sebaoth: *Lays Cards On The Table*
Akatriel Sebaoth: Full House!!
Akatriel Sebaoth: *takes winnings and leaves*

And, I was sent this incredible screenshot of this supposed meeting taking place. This was sent to me by Moon Pudding, and I'm sorry, but I have no idea what shard it was taken on. In fact, I have very little direct evidence supporting that this "event" ever took place... HOWEVER, even if it was taken on a FUSE or UOX server, it seems to tie in exactly with what has been said already about Lord Blackthorns activities. Note the green bottle on the table, which could easily be the Orcish Ale spoken of above. Here it is: