Multiple “keys,” multiple “doors”. Any “key” fits any “door” but a “key” can only be used once. How could such mechanic be described lore-wise?

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up vote
1
down vote

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I am working on a souls-like game and i would like to have an item that works like Fragrant Branch of Yore from DS2



I do not want to copy the concept of petrification from DS2 so while the item should work in a similar way i would like it to have different look, feel and lore behind it



In order to describe the mechanic (requirements) i will use the words "door" and "key" for simplicity. The question is which items (enchantments, etc.) can be used to act as "doors" and "keys"



Requirements:



  • Any "door" can be opened with any "key"

  • Once opened the "door" stays open

  • It must be possible to purposefully construct a "door".

  • The "key" can only be used once.

  • Creating a "door" may require the use of magic but opening a "door" with a "key" should not require magic abilities

  • "Doors" are not portals. You can not teleport to a different location by walking through a "door".

Desired but not required:



  • The "doors" can appear randomly (like vines growing over a normal door)

  • the "keys" should be rare but it should not be obvious where to find one (for example if only rich people could possess them, it would make no sense to search for a key in a poor man's house)









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  • "Any door can be opened with any key" - looks more like a token than a key (though it may look like a key).
    – Alexander
    13 mins ago














up vote
1
down vote

favorite












I am working on a souls-like game and i would like to have an item that works like Fragrant Branch of Yore from DS2



I do not want to copy the concept of petrification from DS2 so while the item should work in a similar way i would like it to have different look, feel and lore behind it



In order to describe the mechanic (requirements) i will use the words "door" and "key" for simplicity. The question is which items (enchantments, etc.) can be used to act as "doors" and "keys"



Requirements:



  • Any "door" can be opened with any "key"

  • Once opened the "door" stays open

  • It must be possible to purposefully construct a "door".

  • The "key" can only be used once.

  • Creating a "door" may require the use of magic but opening a "door" with a "key" should not require magic abilities

  • "Doors" are not portals. You can not teleport to a different location by walking through a "door".

Desired but not required:



  • The "doors" can appear randomly (like vines growing over a normal door)

  • the "keys" should be rare but it should not be obvious where to find one (for example if only rich people could possess them, it would make no sense to search for a key in a poor man's house)









share|improve this question









New contributor




MadCake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.



















  • "Any door can be opened with any key" - looks more like a token than a key (though it may look like a key).
    – Alexander
    13 mins ago












up vote
1
down vote

favorite









up vote
1
down vote

favorite











I am working on a souls-like game and i would like to have an item that works like Fragrant Branch of Yore from DS2



I do not want to copy the concept of petrification from DS2 so while the item should work in a similar way i would like it to have different look, feel and lore behind it



In order to describe the mechanic (requirements) i will use the words "door" and "key" for simplicity. The question is which items (enchantments, etc.) can be used to act as "doors" and "keys"



Requirements:



  • Any "door" can be opened with any "key"

  • Once opened the "door" stays open

  • It must be possible to purposefully construct a "door".

  • The "key" can only be used once.

  • Creating a "door" may require the use of magic but opening a "door" with a "key" should not require magic abilities

  • "Doors" are not portals. You can not teleport to a different location by walking through a "door".

Desired but not required:



  • The "doors" can appear randomly (like vines growing over a normal door)

  • the "keys" should be rare but it should not be obvious where to find one (for example if only rich people could possess them, it would make no sense to search for a key in a poor man's house)









share|improve this question









New contributor




MadCake is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











I am working on a souls-like game and i would like to have an item that works like Fragrant Branch of Yore from DS2



I do not want to copy the concept of petrification from DS2 so while the item should work in a similar way i would like it to have different look, feel and lore behind it



In order to describe the mechanic (requirements) i will use the words "door" and "key" for simplicity. The question is which items (enchantments, etc.) can be used to act as "doors" and "keys"



Requirements:



  • Any "door" can be opened with any "key"

  • Once opened the "door" stays open

  • It must be possible to purposefully construct a "door".

  • The "key" can only be used once.

  • Creating a "door" may require the use of magic but opening a "door" with a "key" should not require magic abilities

  • "Doors" are not portals. You can not teleport to a different location by walking through a "door".

Desired but not required:



  • The "doors" can appear randomly (like vines growing over a normal door)

  • the "keys" should be rare but it should not be obvious where to find one (for example if only rich people could possess them, it would make no sense to search for a key in a poor man's house)






magic earth-like






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Check out our Code of Conduct.











  • "Any door can be opened with any key" - looks more like a token than a key (though it may look like a key).
    – Alexander
    13 mins ago
















  • "Any door can be opened with any key" - looks more like a token than a key (though it may look like a key).
    – Alexander
    13 mins ago















"Any door can be opened with any key" - looks more like a token than a key (though it may look like a key).
– Alexander
13 mins ago




"Any door can be opened with any key" - looks more like a token than a key (though it may look like a key).
– Alexander
13 mins ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
5
down vote



accepted










  1. A "door" is a chunk of stuff which occludes passage.


  2. A key is an explosive, like a stick of dynamite. It could be in the shape of a key which would be cute.


Using the key blows a hole in the door. You can use a key once, because after that it is blown up.



Once there is a hole in the door you can walk through. You might need to stoop. The hole will not close by itself.



Any key will work on any door. And on other things too, if you want.



Using a key might involve lighting a fuse, possibly from your lit cigar. Running away is optional but encouraged.



Doors can appear on their own. For example, a big tree might qualify as a "door" if it were in your way. A rockslide could be a door. A large animal, alive or dead, might also be considered a "door". The door to your favorite pub that they have pushed you thru and locked behind you would also qualify as a door, the bastards. Fortunately you have a lit cigar and rare locksmithing talents at the ready.






share|improve this answer
















  • 1




    This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
    – MadCake
    10 mins ago

















up vote
1
down vote













In computing we call such "keys" names like:



  • One Time Password (OTP)

  • Access tokens

  • Secrets (such as those exchanged in HTTPS connections)

  • Keys. Literally. Such as a license key, which activates a license only once.

  • Lots of four letter words, when we need one but have forgot them or have no way to get them.

You could name them tokens, or secrets, or just keys anyway and by the time a player/reader has seen it in action once or twice they will have figured them out. The physical representation of the objects you use is just a detail; Much like portkeys in Harry Potter's world, you can use anything, restrained only by your choices as the world builder.



If you go with "key" and want to qualify it in such a way as to differentiate from a regular, everyday key, call it a "magical key", "mana key", "ether key" or something like that, and be done with it.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Mechanic solution is that key is used up in opening the door. E.g. key is actually a shaft that pushes the latch to open position, and gets permanently wedged in the mechanism. But this does not explain random appearene of doors or keys.



    A magic solution is spirits. Locks are hungry spirits that need "food", and keys are the spirit food, which appears randomly in the world. Lock spirits are lazy, or very slow, so rather than look for their food, they hold the door hostage until somebody brings them the food.






    share|improve this answer



























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      • A sacrifice or votive offering. Burn a pinch of incense, and the portal opens.

      • A rusty door and a can of WD-40. The door is sticky, and requires lubricant. Due to the environmental conditions, the effect won't last.

      • There is a spell on the door, but certain folk remedies like cold iron horseshoes will dispell it for a time. The horseshoe must be nailed to the door, or perhaps buried under it.





      share|improve this answer




















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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes








        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes








        up vote
        5
        down vote



        accepted










        1. A "door" is a chunk of stuff which occludes passage.


        2. A key is an explosive, like a stick of dynamite. It could be in the shape of a key which would be cute.


        Using the key blows a hole in the door. You can use a key once, because after that it is blown up.



        Once there is a hole in the door you can walk through. You might need to stoop. The hole will not close by itself.



        Any key will work on any door. And on other things too, if you want.



        Using a key might involve lighting a fuse, possibly from your lit cigar. Running away is optional but encouraged.



        Doors can appear on their own. For example, a big tree might qualify as a "door" if it were in your way. A rockslide could be a door. A large animal, alive or dead, might also be considered a "door". The door to your favorite pub that they have pushed you thru and locked behind you would also qualify as a door, the bastards. Fortunately you have a lit cigar and rare locksmithing talents at the ready.






        share|improve this answer
















        • 1




          This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
          – MadCake
          10 mins ago














        up vote
        5
        down vote



        accepted










        1. A "door" is a chunk of stuff which occludes passage.


        2. A key is an explosive, like a stick of dynamite. It could be in the shape of a key which would be cute.


        Using the key blows a hole in the door. You can use a key once, because after that it is blown up.



        Once there is a hole in the door you can walk through. You might need to stoop. The hole will not close by itself.



        Any key will work on any door. And on other things too, if you want.



        Using a key might involve lighting a fuse, possibly from your lit cigar. Running away is optional but encouraged.



        Doors can appear on their own. For example, a big tree might qualify as a "door" if it were in your way. A rockslide could be a door. A large animal, alive or dead, might also be considered a "door". The door to your favorite pub that they have pushed you thru and locked behind you would also qualify as a door, the bastards. Fortunately you have a lit cigar and rare locksmithing talents at the ready.






        share|improve this answer
















        • 1




          This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
          – MadCake
          10 mins ago












        up vote
        5
        down vote



        accepted







        up vote
        5
        down vote



        accepted






        1. A "door" is a chunk of stuff which occludes passage.


        2. A key is an explosive, like a stick of dynamite. It could be in the shape of a key which would be cute.


        Using the key blows a hole in the door. You can use a key once, because after that it is blown up.



        Once there is a hole in the door you can walk through. You might need to stoop. The hole will not close by itself.



        Any key will work on any door. And on other things too, if you want.



        Using a key might involve lighting a fuse, possibly from your lit cigar. Running away is optional but encouraged.



        Doors can appear on their own. For example, a big tree might qualify as a "door" if it were in your way. A rockslide could be a door. A large animal, alive or dead, might also be considered a "door". The door to your favorite pub that they have pushed you thru and locked behind you would also qualify as a door, the bastards. Fortunately you have a lit cigar and rare locksmithing talents at the ready.






        share|improve this answer












        1. A "door" is a chunk of stuff which occludes passage.


        2. A key is an explosive, like a stick of dynamite. It could be in the shape of a key which would be cute.


        Using the key blows a hole in the door. You can use a key once, because after that it is blown up.



        Once there is a hole in the door you can walk through. You might need to stoop. The hole will not close by itself.



        Any key will work on any door. And on other things too, if you want.



        Using a key might involve lighting a fuse, possibly from your lit cigar. Running away is optional but encouraged.



        Doors can appear on their own. For example, a big tree might qualify as a "door" if it were in your way. A rockslide could be a door. A large animal, alive or dead, might also be considered a "door". The door to your favorite pub that they have pushed you thru and locked behind you would also qualify as a door, the bastards. Fortunately you have a lit cigar and rare locksmithing talents at the ready.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered 37 mins ago









        Willk

        94.9k24184404




        94.9k24184404







        • 1




          This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
          – MadCake
          10 mins ago












        • 1




          This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
          – MadCake
          10 mins ago







        1




        1




        This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
        – MadCake
        10 mins ago




        This is is so simple and fits so perfectly i don't understand how it was not obvious to me. Thanks you very much
        – MadCake
        10 mins ago










        up vote
        1
        down vote













        In computing we call such "keys" names like:



        • One Time Password (OTP)

        • Access tokens

        • Secrets (such as those exchanged in HTTPS connections)

        • Keys. Literally. Such as a license key, which activates a license only once.

        • Lots of four letter words, when we need one but have forgot them or have no way to get them.

        You could name them tokens, or secrets, or just keys anyway and by the time a player/reader has seen it in action once or twice they will have figured them out. The physical representation of the objects you use is just a detail; Much like portkeys in Harry Potter's world, you can use anything, restrained only by your choices as the world builder.



        If you go with "key" and want to qualify it in such a way as to differentiate from a regular, everyday key, call it a "magical key", "mana key", "ether key" or something like that, and be done with it.






        share|improve this answer
























          up vote
          1
          down vote













          In computing we call such "keys" names like:



          • One Time Password (OTP)

          • Access tokens

          • Secrets (such as those exchanged in HTTPS connections)

          • Keys. Literally. Such as a license key, which activates a license only once.

          • Lots of four letter words, when we need one but have forgot them or have no way to get them.

          You could name them tokens, or secrets, or just keys anyway and by the time a player/reader has seen it in action once or twice they will have figured them out. The physical representation of the objects you use is just a detail; Much like portkeys in Harry Potter's world, you can use anything, restrained only by your choices as the world builder.



          If you go with "key" and want to qualify it in such a way as to differentiate from a regular, everyday key, call it a "magical key", "mana key", "ether key" or something like that, and be done with it.






          share|improve this answer






















            up vote
            1
            down vote










            up vote
            1
            down vote









            In computing we call such "keys" names like:



            • One Time Password (OTP)

            • Access tokens

            • Secrets (such as those exchanged in HTTPS connections)

            • Keys. Literally. Such as a license key, which activates a license only once.

            • Lots of four letter words, when we need one but have forgot them or have no way to get them.

            You could name them tokens, or secrets, or just keys anyway and by the time a player/reader has seen it in action once or twice they will have figured them out. The physical representation of the objects you use is just a detail; Much like portkeys in Harry Potter's world, you can use anything, restrained only by your choices as the world builder.



            If you go with "key" and want to qualify it in such a way as to differentiate from a regular, everyday key, call it a "magical key", "mana key", "ether key" or something like that, and be done with it.






            share|improve this answer












            In computing we call such "keys" names like:



            • One Time Password (OTP)

            • Access tokens

            • Secrets (such as those exchanged in HTTPS connections)

            • Keys. Literally. Such as a license key, which activates a license only once.

            • Lots of four letter words, when we need one but have forgot them or have no way to get them.

            You could name them tokens, or secrets, or just keys anyway and by the time a player/reader has seen it in action once or twice they will have figured them out. The physical representation of the objects you use is just a detail; Much like portkeys in Harry Potter's world, you can use anything, restrained only by your choices as the world builder.



            If you go with "key" and want to qualify it in such a way as to differentiate from a regular, everyday key, call it a "magical key", "mana key", "ether key" or something like that, and be done with it.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 34 mins ago









            Renan

            38.4k1187194




            38.4k1187194




















                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Mechanic solution is that key is used up in opening the door. E.g. key is actually a shaft that pushes the latch to open position, and gets permanently wedged in the mechanism. But this does not explain random appearene of doors or keys.



                A magic solution is spirits. Locks are hungry spirits that need "food", and keys are the spirit food, which appears randomly in the world. Lock spirits are lazy, or very slow, so rather than look for their food, they hold the door hostage until somebody brings them the food.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote













                  Mechanic solution is that key is used up in opening the door. E.g. key is actually a shaft that pushes the latch to open position, and gets permanently wedged in the mechanism. But this does not explain random appearene of doors or keys.



                  A magic solution is spirits. Locks are hungry spirits that need "food", and keys are the spirit food, which appears randomly in the world. Lock spirits are lazy, or very slow, so rather than look for their food, they hold the door hostage until somebody brings them the food.






                  share|improve this answer






















                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    Mechanic solution is that key is used up in opening the door. E.g. key is actually a shaft that pushes the latch to open position, and gets permanently wedged in the mechanism. But this does not explain random appearene of doors or keys.



                    A magic solution is spirits. Locks are hungry spirits that need "food", and keys are the spirit food, which appears randomly in the world. Lock spirits are lazy, or very slow, so rather than look for their food, they hold the door hostage until somebody brings them the food.






                    share|improve this answer












                    Mechanic solution is that key is used up in opening the door. E.g. key is actually a shaft that pushes the latch to open position, and gets permanently wedged in the mechanism. But this does not explain random appearene of doors or keys.



                    A magic solution is spirits. Locks are hungry spirits that need "food", and keys are the spirit food, which appears randomly in the world. Lock spirits are lazy, or very slow, so rather than look for their food, they hold the door hostage until somebody brings them the food.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 37 mins ago









                    Bald Bear

                    6,061823




                    6,061823




















                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        • A sacrifice or votive offering. Burn a pinch of incense, and the portal opens.

                        • A rusty door and a can of WD-40. The door is sticky, and requires lubricant. Due to the environmental conditions, the effect won't last.

                        • There is a spell on the door, but certain folk remedies like cold iron horseshoes will dispell it for a time. The horseshoe must be nailed to the door, or perhaps buried under it.





                        share|improve this answer
























                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          • A sacrifice or votive offering. Burn a pinch of incense, and the portal opens.

                          • A rusty door and a can of WD-40. The door is sticky, and requires lubricant. Due to the environmental conditions, the effect won't last.

                          • There is a spell on the door, but certain folk remedies like cold iron horseshoes will dispell it for a time. The horseshoe must be nailed to the door, or perhaps buried under it.





                          share|improve this answer






















                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote










                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote









                            • A sacrifice or votive offering. Burn a pinch of incense, and the portal opens.

                            • A rusty door and a can of WD-40. The door is sticky, and requires lubricant. Due to the environmental conditions, the effect won't last.

                            • There is a spell on the door, but certain folk remedies like cold iron horseshoes will dispell it for a time. The horseshoe must be nailed to the door, or perhaps buried under it.





                            share|improve this answer












                            • A sacrifice or votive offering. Burn a pinch of incense, and the portal opens.

                            • A rusty door and a can of WD-40. The door is sticky, and requires lubricant. Due to the environmental conditions, the effect won't last.

                            • There is a spell on the door, but certain folk remedies like cold iron horseshoes will dispell it for a time. The horseshoe must be nailed to the door, or perhaps buried under it.






                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 25 mins ago









                            o.m.

                            56k680187




                            56k680187




















                                MadCake is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.









                                 

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