Virtues
The term Virtue refers to the moral system of Ultima Online and to a game mechanic that grants bonuses for performing certain actions.
There are eight components of the virtue paradigm: Compassion, Honesty, Honor, Humility, Justice, Sacrifice, Spirituality, and Valor. The game mechanic is accessed via the Virtue Gump. The philosophy behind the Virtues is opposed by the philosophy of Chaos; the individual virtues are opposed by a sin that is its opposite. Additionally, each virtue has a mantra that is usually of use at the respective Shrine.
Virtue System
Most often, Virtue refers to the in-game system wherein players can perform certain actions based on or related to the Virtues, and achieve certain in-game powers.
In the 2D client, the system is accessed by double-clicking the symbol at the very top of a character's paperdoll.
For detailed information on each virtue, prerequisite, and benefit, see the following main articles:
Virtues
- Compassion: A Heart (NPC escort quests / resurrect others with up to 80% full health)
- Honesty: An Open-Palmed Hand ("Lost" items / NPC merchant discount)
- Honor: A Chalice (Honoring then killing monsters / walk amidst monsters without being attacked)
- Justice: A Set of Scales (Killing reds / increased power scrolls amounts)
- Sacrifice: A Teardrop (Sacrificing fame / self resurrection)
- Valor: A Sword (Kill champion spawn monsters / ability to activate and advance champion spawns)
- Humility: A Shepherd’s Crook (Kill evil-alighed monsters during Humility Hunt)
- Spirituality: An Ankh (Use targeted heals and resurrections on other players)
Ultima Virtues
Here is a popularly-used chart that states the mantra of each virtue, its associated sin, and the principles from which it is derived, along with other information.
| Virtue | Principles | Towns associated | Mantra | Dungeon/Sin | Color | Symbol | Word of Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honesty | Pure Truth | Moonglow | Ahm | Deceit | Blue | Open hand | Fallax |
| Compassion | Pure Love | Britain | Mu | Despise | Yellow | Heart | Vilis |
| Valor | Pure Courage | Jhelom | Ra | Destard | Red | Sword | Inopia |
| Justice | Truth, Love | Yew | Beh | Wrong | Green | Scales | Malum |
| Sacrifice | Love, Courage | Minoc | Cah | Covetous | Orange | Tear | Avidus |
| Honor | Truth, Courage | Trinsic | Summ | Shame | Purple | Chalice | Infama |
| Spirituality | Truth, Love, and Courage | Skara Brae | Om | Hythloth | White | Ankh | Ignavus |
| Humility | Truth, Love, and Courage independently | Magincia | Lum | Doom or Hythloth | Black | Shepherd staff | Veramocor |
Blackthorn's Code is a good illustration of the fact that the Virtues always come from one's own self rather than the norms of society; codifying ethics into law doesn't automatically make evil people good. Further, unethical lawmakers can take the Virtues and turn them into something that is quite contrary to what Virtues actually stand for.
