First Age | Manual | 10.11 Use of keys.

10.11 Use of keys.

Keys are an important facet of Avalon since they are so regularly used. Keeping track of your keys is very important.

KEYLIST        - Lists those keys held by you with their code numbers.
UNLOCK <item>  - Attempts to unlock an item with a key.   
LOCK <item>    - Attempts to lock up an item with a key.

UNLOCK DOOR <direction> - Attempts to unlock a door in a specific direction.   
LOCK DOOR <direction>   - Attempts to lock a door in a specific direction.

There are locksmiths in most major cities of the land and inside these specialist stores you will be able to take advantage of key copying and key reinforcement services:

COPY <key+code> - In the locksmith you may copy your keys for safety.   
REINFORCE <key+code> - Reinforces the lock on a key to make it harder to pick or blast away.

In general, however, the more complex aspects of working up new keys, interacting with lock mechanisms and the like; this is the province of the specialist. Those of the Thief and Loremaster professions have a variety of abilities relating to lockworking and you should familiarise yourself with HELP LOCKS, HELP KEYS and HELP DOORS for more detailed information.

In addition the ministers of your city (See HELP BARONS) will be able to help you with your keys. As a last resort the Gods will look kindly upon mortals in distress with their keys. Once your character has progressed sufficiently, you will find that your responsibilities result in you owning many different keys. You may well have three or four keys with which to juggle - a key for your guild house and a key to your personal quarters, for example.

Avalon gives each key a unique number by which it can be known, and typing KEYLIST will reveal exactly which keys you possess, alongside which will be given its separate key numbers. Keys can be copied for you at one of the locksmiths in the major cities using the COPY <key> command. Mercinae's locksmith is near Traders Way, Thakria's is off the main square while Parrius' can be found in Vergers Parade. Silverfalls (or Springdale, the city from whose ashes it rose) once had a locksmith but gave it up to allow the shop to be used for standard stock and sale of goods. Cutting new keys is a costly business, though, and is usually left to Guildmasters or city leaders to afford.