| Key ( ] ) | |
|---|---|
      | |
| Item Type | Tool |
| Artifact? | No |
| Weight | 1s |
| Danger Level | 1 |
| Material | Iron |
Keys are a type of tools in ADOM. They can be used to lock and unlock doors.
There are 6 key shapes in the game: small, tiny, hexagonal, triangular, square and round. Each shape can only be used on a door with the corresponding lock (the shape of a door lock can be checked using the 'l'ook command).
Keys will unlock locked doors with 100% chance. However, unlocking a trapped door with a cursed key will trigger the trap. Keys can also break after locking/unlocking doors which renders them useless until they are fixed using Smithing, a scroll of repair or by Dwarftown smith Glod. The B/U/C status of a key influences its durability — cursed keys break often while blessed ones almost never.
Desirability[]
Keys are quite useful throughout the game — they protect the PC and his/her equipment from nastier door traps (explosive and fire runes) and give an additional way to avoid monsters by locking them in a room. While there are a lot of different ways to pass locked doors (wands of knocking, Knock spell, various means of teleportation/digging and simple 'k'icks) a full set of keys (for all possible lock shapes) remains a standard part of an adventurer's kit.
All standard keys can be discarded if the PC happens to find the artifact silver key, which works on any lock shape, never breaks and never sets off any traps. It may also create doors on a desired tile using PP.
A stack of up to 19 keys can be polymorphed using a single potion of exchange to produce random tools including desirable waterproof/fireproof blankets or magical writing sets. Big key stacks for this purpose can be created with the help of Skriek and a lot of gold (see below).
Guaranteed/Common sources[]
They can be generated in the same manner as all generic loot.
Skriek the cloaked ratling (found in Lawenilothehl) will sell the PC a random key for a price and has an infinite supply of them. Female characters can expect a price in the range of 300-400 gold pieces per key (possibly influenced by Appearance), while male PCs will have to pay double.
Greater Identify information[]
------------------------------- blessed <shape> key------------------------------ When used in melee combat it grants a -8 bonus to hit and causes 1d1 points of damage. When used as a missile it grants a -8 bonus to hit and causes 1d1 points of damage.