The Avatar is one of the most classic heroes in all of computer gaming: He's the virtuous hero of Origin's highly acclaimed Ultima series, which has been around since the late 1970s. The Avatar himself first appeared in Ultima IV, and that was when he first journeyed onward with Iolo Fitzowen, the bard and master fletcher who would become the Avatar's most trusted ally through the remainder of the series. Though the Avatar would meet many friends over the course of his quests, it was Iolo who proved to be the most consistently reliable and faithful. During their years of travel together, he would support the Avatar with his sage consul, or with his true aim, whichever was appropriate.
The Avatar's other close companions, including the ranger Shamino and the knight Dupre, did not have as much to lose when they chose to side with the Avatar. Iolo was always prepared to assist the Avatar, in spite of his advanced age, his marriage to his loyal wife Gwenno, and his successful fletching business in the city of Britain. Thus, even though any of the Avatar's allies would have been prepared to give their lives for their country and for the Avatar's cause, it was Iolo who seemed as if he was giving up the most to support the Avatar's noble endeavors.
Iolo's an unusual character: He's an old man, but he is as deadly as ever with a bow or crossbow, and he's always been willing to journey with the Avatar to the farthest reaches of Britannia. He's compassionate and intelligent, and he would provide the voice of reason for the Avatar whereas Shamino was more of a free spirit and Dupre was a little headstrong. Iolo was endlessly patient; he'd even remind the Avatar how to correctly pronounce his name: "Yo-low." In Ultima VII: The Serpent Isle, he kept his cool the entire time, even as he quietly feared the worst for his wife, who went missing on an expedition into uncharted territory.
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Iolo was always a sight for sore eyes, even though he looked different in every Ultima - and he's been in most every single one since the very first. He grew older and frailer in Ultima VII onward, but never lost his keen wit and insight.
He's a maniac, maniac on the floor
