Spinebreaker

Spinebreaker
Location of Spinebreaker
Located in:	Serpent Isle
Type:	Ophidian city
In Spinebreaker

In the far, ice-covered northeast of Serpent Isle, deep inside the mountains of the same name lies the ancient Ophidian city of Spinebreaker. It appears in Ultima VII Part Two.

Description

Spinebreaker is the ancient Ophidian city dedicated to Order. Unlike the surface cities, the three cities dedicated to Order, Chaos and Balance had been - for whatever reasons - built within natural cave systems. In the case of Spinebreaker, it is build into a cavern that is quite isolated from the rest of the land, though that also makes it very easy to defend, as Thoxa noticed during her investigations. Spinebreaker is a layered city with multiple levels to it.

History

In the time of Ultima I, the dungeon was known as "Spine Breaker", and just was the usual collection of corridors filled with the deadliest monsters. After the three serpents appeared, the city of Order was built within the dungeon, housing at its most northeastern point the Shrine of Order. After the War of Imbalance was over, the land was devastated and the followers of Order used the Wall of Lights in Spinebreaker to leave the Serpent Isle for a place unknown. Afterwards, the city became forgotten in the icy wastelands.

It wasn't until many years later, when the treacherous Batlin tried to use the Wall of Lights in order to enter the Void and gain power and immortality. The Avatar followed him, but in the end the Banes of Chaos were set free and caused untold destruction over the world. Leaving the otherwise empty city, the Avatar left it to again fall into the mists of history.

Lore

“	I know nothing for certain about these mountains save their name and location. However, rumors abound that they are riddled with underground lairs and caves. – from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

“

Being, frankly, shaken from my successive encounters with Erstam, the ghostly lord of White Dragon, and then Vasculio, I decided to investigate a site long since abandoned, with no one to threaten or bully me for a few days. Spmebreaker Mountains seemed an ideal choice. The quote above is the only mention of the location of the Hierophant of Order - I made my way north to see if I could locate his conclave. What I found truly amazed me. The city was hidden deep within the mountains. It was systematically laid out and easily defensible. I have to admire the thought and cunning of the Hierophant of Order in choosing such a location to build a city. – from Balancing the Scales (Ultima VII Part Two)

Inhabitants

(note that they are intruders)

• Batlin: the Guardian's minion
• Brunt: enforcer
• Deadeye: enforcer
• Palos: gargoyle enforcer
• Selina: mage

Places of Interest

• Shrine of Order

Trivia

• Since Order won the war, Spinebreaker is, unlike Skullcrusher, fully intact and has no bodies, apart from the morgue, making it fully inhabitable.
• An elevator can be found within the city - an interesting addtion to such an environment.

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Geography