Skull keys
Skull keys are a more advanced form of lockpicks, in that they have the advantage of being able to break magical locks. Skull keys appear in Ultima II and Ultima V.
Description[edit]
While the common lockpick can only open normal locks, skull keys can also open magically locked crates and doors. They are therefore useful when such a lock has to be opened and the spell Unlock Magic is unavailable. Unfortunately, a skull key is only good for a single use. Nonetheless, it is a must-have for every adventurer, because with it even non-magic users can open magic locks.
History[edit]
The forebears of the Britannian skull keys started to appear on Earth, as the intrusions of time wrecked the planet of the Stranger. Although they bear the same name as the Britannian invention, these were instead used solely to unlock bi-planes, allowing entry to aviators.
It was until during the tyrannical regime of the once noble regent Lord Blackthorn, these particular items came upon Britannia. A brilliant smith called Shenstone invented the more advanced skull keys, an important tool which can open doors who are magically locked. Strangely enough, they disappeared in years afterwards. Skull keys were very important for entering Stonegate, and for retrieving Lord British's Crown from the Palace of Blackthorn, since in these areas, magic could not be used.
Locations[edit]
- Sub article: Locations
Lore[edit]
| “ | These peculiar keys were recently invented by Shenstone, a skilled smith of Minoc. By a little-known principle of magical absorption, a skull key can reliably open any magically locked door, although it will become a useless piece of steel after one use. |
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