A field guide for the resistance
Britannia is under threat from the forces of the Shadowlords. Only you can save them.
Resistance briefing
Britannia is occupied, Lord British is missing, and Blackthorn has turned the Eight Virtues into instruments of fear. This guide keeps the whole liberation campaign within reach.
The situation
Lord British is trapped below the world. Above, the three Shadowlords bend cities toward Falsehood, Hatred, and Cowardice while Blackthorn's regime punishes virtue without choice.
“True virtue must be chosen—not imposed.”
Newly charted
The surface and Underworld are decoded from your original Ultima V data, with 73 searchable campaign locations.
The road ahead
Your campaign progress will appear here.
Recommended setup
Ultimapper 5 overlays a HUD and follows your position in DOSBox-based releases. Pair it with this guide's atlas for route planning.
Private counsel
Ask for a gentle hint, an efficient route, or a precise reminder when Britannia has you at an impasse.
Lost in the Underworld, stumped by a puzzle, or unsure which quest to tackle next? Ask the seer for practical guidance grounded in Ultima V’s mechanics and quest flow.
Resistance roster
Balance front-line strength, ranged pressure, and enough Intelligence to survive the Underworld. Select any recruit for a tactical assessment.
Potential companions
A successful resistance needs a balanced team. While the tables below provide detailed stats, this chart offers a quick visual comparison to help you identify the strongest, smartest, or most agile companions for your party. Use the buttons to switch between attributes.
Britannia is home to many who would join your cause, but choose wisely. A smaller, well-equipped party can be more efficient. Mages are invaluable, but some potential recruits may have ulterior motives. Use the search bar to find a specific companion or click the table headers to sort.
| Name | Class | Lvl | STR | INT | DEX | Location |
|---|
Field readiness
Mark equipment as you secure it. Your kit is saved in this browser, so the guide remains useful between expeditions.
The most lucrative way to fund the resistance is by repeatedly looting Lord British's castle treasury. Use Skull Keys to enter the basement, take everything, exit the castle, and re-enter. The treasury will be restocked. Be aware this will lower your Karma.
Horses provide faster overland travel. A frigate, won from pirates, is needed for sea voyages. Moongates offer magical transport at night, with destinations determined by the two moons.
Drawn from the original game data
Explore both worlds, then enter every city, castle, keep, dwelling, and dungeon. All 128 floor maps are decoded from the original Ultima V game data.
Campaign journal
Follow the liberation campaign in order, then pursue optional resistance work whenever you need allies, equipment, or faster travel.
Next required quest
Begin in Moonglow: learn AHM, meditate three cycles, and seek the Codex.
Main quest checklist
Restoring the Shrines of the Eight Virtues is the primary way to increase your party's attributes and is required to learn the final Word of Power. Every shrine uses the same simple loop:
AHM.MU.RA.DAWN) → BEH.CAH.SUMM.OM.LUM.Tip: Ask NPCs about MANTRA unless noted; some steps require the Resistance password DAWN.
Completing all eight shrine quests grants the Word of Power for Doom: VERAMOCOR.
The three Shadowlords cannot be beaten in normal combat. You must recover their shards from the Underworld and perform a banishment ritual at the castles of Truth, Love, and Courage.
FALLAX.DAWN) → ask Felespar (Yew) → MALUM.AVIDUS.IGNAVUS.INOPIA.VILIS.INFAMA.VERAMOCOR at the entrance.For the Shadowlord quests you need Deceit, one of Wrong/Covetous, and Hythloth. Others are helpful for the Amulet and the finale.
You will shout these names at the appropriate sacred flames during the banishment ritual (see Step 3).
Enter the dungeons using the Words of Power. Descend to the Underworld and reach each shard as noted:
FALLAX). Underworld route trends west to a central isle across water; bring the Grappling Hook and Magic Carpet. (You can VAS REL POR out.)MALUM/AVIDUS). Use the Sceptre to dispel fields, and the Crown in heavy-magic rooms. The Underworld access from either dungeon leads to a winding southwest labyrinth.IGNAVUS). Blink across mountain "rooms" with IN POR and use the Magic Carpet over swamps; the shard lies in a northeast clearing.Stand one tile south of the sacred flame, shout the Shadowlord's name, wait one turn, then use the corresponding shard as it stands on the flame:
With the Shadowlords gone, recover Lord British's artifacts. These make the Underworld and Doom manageable.
Location: Stonegate (north of the east edge of Lock Lake / south of Minoc).
How: Requires Grappling Hook, Skull Keys, and the Magic Carpet. Use a skull key on the center door, answer the demon's riddle (WELL), then outrun the Shadowlords on the carpet to grab the Sceptre and exit. Beware the fire pits.
Function: Dispels magical fields.
Location: Rooftop of Blackthorn's Castle.
How: From the entrance, ride the Magic Carpet and outrun the guards. Go up to L2 → L3 → rooftop, then skull key the center room, take the Crown, and fly off the roof to escape. Save frequently: being captured here can permanently erase a companion.
Function: Negates enemy magic.
Location: Underworld burial ground of Lord British's fallen knights.
Quick route: Drop through the waterfall east of Skara Brae on the Magic Carpet, follow the river junctions (Down → Left → Down), circle the lake, go southeast through the swamp and mountain pass to the burial ground, and take the Amulet. Exit: cast VAS REL POR or intentionally die to return to the castle.
Function: Reveals the hidden entrance to Doom.
Location: Lord British's private study.
How: Play "Stones" on the harpsichord (6-7-8-9-8-7-8-7-6-7-6-5-3) to reveal the secret room and claim the Box.
Function: Proves your identity to the king.
The final challenge. This is a one-way trip, so make a permanent save before you enter. Ensure you have all four royal artifacts and the Sandalwood Box, and that the Shadowlords are defeated.
The entrance to Doom is in the central Underworld, hidden in darkness (use the Amulet). Speak the Word of Power VERAMOCOR to enter.
Resistance opportunities
These jobs are optional and can be completed in any order. They make the ordered campaign safer, faster, and better supplied.
Field reference
Search the grimoire, decode mantras and Words of Power, time the moongates, or skim hard-won campaign advice.
Magic is cast from prepared reagents and consumes Magic Points. A character's level determines the highest circle of spells they can cast. Use the search to quickly find a spell.
| Spell Name | Circle | Effect | Reagents |
|---|
These "passwords" are essential for progressing through the game. Mantras are used at the Shrines of Virtue, while Words of Power unlock the dungeons.
| Virtue | Mantra | Dungeon | Word of Power |
|---|
Casting VAS REL POR opens a gate to any moongate based on the current moon phase. Use a pocket watch to time your arrival.
| Phase | Destination |
|---|
Notes: Based on Ultima V moongate order seen in-game and the walkthrough’s examples (e.g., Phase 1 → Moonglow, Phase 2 → Britain, Phase 4 → Yew, Phase 5 → Minoc, Phase 6 → Trinsic, Phase 8 → New Magincia).