The Orb of the Moons is a ancient artifact whose origin is unknown. The power of the Orb lies in its ability to create a red Moongate, which can transport to places on the same world, to other worlds and to other times. The placement of the Orb relative to the caster is the key to determine where the red gate will lead to. Travel to other worlds is only possible with much experience in using the Orb. Therefore, on Britannia the Orb is usually only useful for travels to specific locations.
The Orb of the Moons in Ultima VI
The Orb of the Moons was encountered the first time in Ultima V. Left behind by Lord British in his Sandalwood Box, the Avatar returned it to its rightful owner. The Orb of the Moons was the only way for Lord British, the Avatar and the Companions to escape from Dungeon Doom. As implied in the game, the Orb was in Lord British's possession for a long time by then.
A second and third Orb of the Moons appeared in Ultima VI. The second Orb appeared in the stone circle behind the house of the Avatar on Earth, as part of a trap from the Gargoyles to catch the False Prophet. After explanations from Lord British, the Avatar used it travel around in Britannia much faster. Since the Avatar wasn't skilled at using the Orb, it wasn't possible to leave Britannia. Later, when the Codex had vanished, a red Moongate revealed that Lord Draxinosum also had an Orb, making his the third ever discovered.
The Orb of the Moons in Ultima VII
In Savage Empire, an accident with the Orb sent the Avatar to Eodon.
In Martian Dreams, the Avatar followed specific instructions in order to use the Orb of the Moons to travel backwards in time.
In Ultima VII, the Avatar forgot to take the Orb of the Moons to Britannia, thus Lord British lent the Avatar his Orb. It still worked the same, although the disturbances from the Sphere Generator sometimes made the Moongate repel the Avatar. Sadly, with the destruction of the Sphere Generator, the Orb ceased to function. Lord Draxinusom's Orb even exploded.
This was the supposed end of this great artifact, although it can't be ruled out that the Orb could regain its power in the future.
There is also an Orb of the Moons in Ultima IX, but it doesn't ressemble the original Orb (having this time the shape of sphere) and does not work in the same way. Instead using it to form a Moongate anywhere, it could only be used at a Circle of Stones where it could teleport the Avatar to another Circle of Stone providing he spoke the Mantra of the corresponding city, and that the adjacent Shrine has been cleansed.
Trivia
- A number of players were unhappy with how the Orb of the Moons worked in Ultima VI, claiming that it ruined the travel and exploration aspect. Others were just glad to get rid of too much traveling, and that they could concentrate on the main plot.
- With the appearance of the Orb, the Gate Travel spell lost its usefulness, since the Orb functions the same way -- even better -- without needing mana or reagents. It is useless in Ultima VI, disappearing afterwards, and is only seen once in Ultima Underworld II.
- A "real" Orb of the Moons trinket was shipped with every Ultima VI when it was first sold.
- See Orb of the Moons Locations for how to use the Orb.