Blackthorn

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From Lord Blackthorn's Revenge

Blackthorn is a great, tragic villain of Ultima Online.

Originally, he was a friend and ally of Lord British. The two maintained their friendship even after Blackthorn founded the philosophy of Chaos to counter the dominance of Lord British's Virtues. While their followers sometimes slaughtered one another in the streets (through the Chaos and Order system, now defunct), British and Blackthorn continued to play chess and debate philosophy.

However, when he did not immediately ascent to the throne upon British's first absence, Blackthorn became bitter and resentful. Despite the tolerance and egalitarian sentiments of Chaos, at heart Blackthorn was an aristocrat, and thought, simply by right of noble birth, that he should have the throne until British returned. He succumbed to the temptations of the villain Exodus, and became true evil. He also became a half-human, half-machine monstrosity (with an obvious influence from the Borg from Star Trek), and the subject of a toy designed by Todd McFarlaine, the noted comic book artist, that was included with the box for the Lord Blackthorn's Revenge expansion. (See the pages on the Gargoyle's Redemption, Blackthorn's Damnation, and Plague of Despair scenarios.)

He took up residence in Ilshenar. After growing impatient, and following Exodus's apparent death, Blackthorn launched an all-out attack on the City of Yew. During the fight, he was slain by Dawn.

His grave is found near his old castle in Britain, but only on the Felucca facet. On both facets, his castle is still accessible, gathering dust, used occasionally for roleplayed villainy, and standing as a monument to how easily Chaos can become Pride. He also has a castle in Central Ilshenar (from when he turned evil).

His name is very often misspelled to "Blackthorne."