Lockpick

“Whenever you meet someone with such a tool, ask what he intends to do with it. In most cases, he is up to no good.”
-Cassia of Baltrea, Blessed One of Praios, 1034 FB

When a key is not available, a lockpick is the next best thing. Cat burglars, cutpurses, and other scoundrels always carry these easily-concealed tools, which at first glance resemble small, bent pieces of scrap metal. Lockpicks are sturdy and vary in design according to the type of lock they open. They are popular with criminals, and most people are surprised to learn that city guards carry them as well.

Using a lockpick takes training, as many locks are complex and not every tool is suitable for every job. Skilled thieves usually carry a full set, which offers different thicknesses, forms, and sizes of lockpicks. When possible, skilled thieves try to study target locks beforehand, to avoid having to carry an entire bag of tools on a job.

Lockpicking takes training and finesse, and is not a job for amateurs. Bit locks normally open only when the grooves and notches of a key push aside special pins within the body of the lock. These complicated locks usually require the use of more than one lockpick. All thieves dread facing dwarven combination locks, which so far have proven undefeatable.

Smiths that make custom lockpicks also often charge an additional fee for their silence. Experienced adventurers know that common daggers can open most older locks. Handmaidens who choose to spy on their mistresses never need lockpicks. Simply put, not all hairpins are worn for decoration…

However, picking a lock is far more time consuming when using an improvised lockpick. If time is short, use the key, or else keep a set of lockpicks on hand. Since many worshippers of Phex are suspected of being skillful crooks in imitation of their god, lockpicks are often referred to as Phex’s favorite toys.

“Can you purchase lockpicks at the market?”

— Brother Hilbert of Auen, Blessed One of Peraine

“No, because merchants know that anyone looking for a lockpick is most likely a burglar.”

— Carolan Calavanti, Vinsaltan vagabond