Shrine of Sacrifice

Shrine of Sacrifice
Location of the Shrine of Sacrifice
Located in:	Britannia
Type:	shrine
The Shrine of Sacrifice

The Shrine of Sacrifice is one of the eight holy sites established by the Council of Wizards during the days of Lord British's philosophical renaissance of the early Age of Enlightenment.

Description

This shrine in Britannia is dedicated to the virtue of Sacrifice. It lies on a small isle in the midst of Lake Generosity, situated in the Drylands on the eastern half of Britannia's main continent, though it was re-located late in its history. Dedicated to the ideals of renunciation and self-abasement for the sake of others, the shrine has long been a pilgrimage site for those seeking better understanding of its virtue. The mantra, cah is used by aspirants wishing to receive visions at its altars, and frequently a corresponding rune must be used to gain entry to the shrine's hallowed grounds.

History

Age of Enlightenment

The Shrine of Sacrifice was erected at the opening of the Age of Enlightenment. While journeying toward the Abyss and ultimately, the wisdom of the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, the Stranger had need of meditating here, requiring elevation as a partial Avatar of Sacrifice after demonstrating the traits of the Virtue's principles – the love and courage to give oneself for others – before completing the trials.

In the years that followed, the formation of the Drylands destroyed the lake surrounding the shrine, leaving it in a lonely waste somewhat conducive to the mood its cardinal virtue evoked. During the Avatar's return and the struggle against the regent Blackthorn, the hero had to take care to guard its mantra from the Dark Lord, lest he use its magic against the holy site to defile it. In case of destruction, the Word of Power avidus had to be used to restore the shrine. Meditating again before the sanctuary, the Avatar was sent on a quest to read the Codex, gaining further insights as to the nature of sacrifice. The hero could also give tribute to the shrine at such a time, which served to furnish boons to spiritual well-being

During the Gargoyle War, the shrine came under siege and was captured by Lord Draxinusom's troops, making it necessary for the Avatar to slay its captors that it might be liberated. Again the hero meditated and the champion of virtue was, with enough experience, able to receive miraculous gifts of swiftness and strength from the shrine.

Age of Armageddon

Two-hundred years later, the passage of time had replenished the waters of Lake Generosity, although the shrine, like many throughout the land had fallen into disuse as the Britannian people had slowly abandoned the "old ways." During the Avatar's travels in the days of near the time of the astronomical alignment, a lich had taken residence at the shrine, perverting its sanctity as it used it for unspeakable rituals.

While the hero could slay such an evil being, the shrine remained polluted, and seemingly continued in its corruption for years to come, eventually falling to the sway of the Guardian's columns in later decades. Seemingly, the impending destruction of the Drylands caused the shrine being re-located. The people of the nearby settlement of the second Minoc, seduced by the evil power of the column themselves, gave over to the mad plans of Raxos seeking to restore the defiled shrine through oblations of human blood. Eventually, the again-returned Avatar cleansed the shrine of its evil influence, loosening the grip of the Guardian on the nearby people's souls and restoring them to virtue.

Lore

“

A good meditation — focusing on a proper Mantra — will sometimes yield valuable visions to those whose patience and powers of concentration are strong. The experience is well worth sampling. ... Many philosophers hold the opinion that the Path is in reality but a series of separate small paths. Each minor path leads to the fulfillment of an aspect of ourselves. Treading one of these minor paths may be construed as a life’s goal, and many people have debated which is the most advantageous to follow. Yet is not the whole much greater than the sum of its parts? Take up the challenge and tread not one but all of the minor paths in thy search for enlightenment and perfection. Perhaps only then will though find the beginnings of the great Path. – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)

“

Each of Britannia’s eight leading townes celebrates one of the virtues of Avatarhood, and each has raised a shrine to that virtue. The shrines are located in retreats to ensure tranquillity in natural settings, so traveling to some shrines requires a considerable journey from their townes. The only requirement for using a shrine is knowing the mantra for that virtue. A mantra is a sound repeated continuously during meditation, helping to clear the mind and focus the spirit. Each virtue has a specific mantra that works best for it, and sincere meditation can bring great wisdom. Someone in towne will usually divulge the mantra for the towne’s shrine. – from Book of Lore (Ultima V)

“

You can only gain a true appreciation of such increases by returning to one of the Shrines of Virtue and engaging in reflection and meditation. To meditate, learn the mantra of the shrine of your choice. Then talk to the shrine and follow its instructions. ... In compiling information about the daemonic Gargoyles invading our land they have begun to detect a pattern. It appears that our foes are trying to capture the Shrines of Virtue found near the major towns. The moonstones are now in their possession, and, as each new shrine falls, a stone is placed on the altar there. To prevent anyone from removing the stones, the gargoyles have erected impenetrable force fields around the altars. – from Compendium (Ultima VI)

Alternate Appearance

• In Lord of Ultima, a Shrine of Sacrifice can randomly be located in Caledonia.
• In the cancelled Ultima Online 2 and the Technocrat War trilogy, the Shrine of Sacrifice was to be included on the northern continent of New Britannia.

Trivia

• The Keyring Mod for the Ultima VII utility, Exult, gives the Avatar the option to restore the Shrine of Sacrifice to its former state through the use of the a Word of Power and then to meditate at the Shrine of Sacrifice using its corresponding rune. It will issue a quest for the hero to seek knowledge of Sacrifice from the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom, as it had in previous games
• In Ultima VI, the Shrine of Sacrifice adds one bonus point each to Strength and Dexterity when advancing a character's level.

Gallery

• 

  Shrine of Sacrifice art from Mysterious Sosaria

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  A Shrine of Sacrifice in LoU

• 

  The shrine in Ultima IX

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Geography