Aligned Keys

[Janis Papanagnou]

In my current notnotdNethack game I've meanwhile acquired quite some
of the aligned keys; I've got the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Key of Law, and 2nd
and 3rd Key of Chaos. After reading that I can just manufacture the
1st key I now have all the Lawful and Chaotic aligned keys. But what
is their purpose? (Are they maybe necessary to open some magic chest
with nine keyholes and obtain a rotten T-shirt as a prize?) :-}

Janis

[B. R. 'BeAr' Ederson]

Post by Janis Papanagnou
In my current notnotdNethack game I've meanwhile acquired quite some
of the aligned keys; I've got the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Key of Law, and 2nd
and 3rd Key of Chaos. After reading that I can just manufacture the
1st key I now have all the Lawful and Chaotic aligned keys. But what
is their purpose? (Are they maybe necessary to open some magic chest
with nine keyholes and obtain a rotten T-shirt as a prize?) :-}

As long as it is the "T-shirt of ultimate protection", you shouldn't
probably have too much reason to complain... ;-)

BeAr

[Janis Papanagnou]

Post by B. R. 'BeAr' Ederson

Post by Janis Papanagnou
In my current notnotdNethack game I've meanwhile acquired quite some
of the aligned keys; I've got the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Key of Law, and 2nd
and 3rd Key of Chaos. After reading that I can just manufacture the
1st key I now have all the Lawful and Chaotic aligned keys. But what
is their purpose? (Are they maybe necessary to open some magic chest
with nine keyholes and obtain a rotten T-shirt as a prize?) :-}

As long as it is the "T-shirt of ultimate protection", you shouldn't
probably have too much reason to complain... ;-)

Yeah :-) One doesn't believe what powers these shirts may have.
The variant I'm currently playing seems to have a "Tie-Dye Shirt
of Shambhala" which amongst other properties increases carrying
capacity - don't ask me how that works (beyond magic), but very
useful for pack-rats! [*]

Janis

[*] Not any more with the character-species I'm currently playing
which has a carrying capacity of 3000+ before getting burdened.

[Ron Nazarov]

Post by Janis Papanagnou
In my current notnotdNethack game I've meanwhile acquired quite some
of the aligned keys; I've got the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Key of Law, and 2nd
and 3rd Key of Chaos. After reading that I can just manufacture the
1st key I now have all the Lawful and Chaotic aligned keys. But what
is their purpose? (Are they maybe necessary to open some magic chest
with nine keyholes and obtain a rotten T-shirt as a prize?) :-}

3 keys are required* to open the artifact doors in the Valley of the
Dead. Beyond that, they're just for score and junethack trophies. Also
for redundancy, so the game doesn't become unwinnable in case a bug
prevents you from obtaining some of the keys.

* Technically only 2 keys are required because you can phase past the
first door.

[Janis Papanagnou]

Post by Ron Nazarov

Post by Janis Papanagnou
In my current notnotdNethack game I've meanwhile acquired quite some
of the aligned keys; I've got the 1st, 2nd, 3rd Key of Law, and 2nd
and 3rd Key of Chaos. After reading that I can just manufacture the
1st key I now have all the Lawful and Chaotic aligned keys. But what
is their purpose? (Are they maybe necessary to open some magic chest
with nine keyholes and obtain a rotten T-shirt as a prize?) :-}

3 keys are required* to open the artifact doors in the Valley of the
Dead. Beyond that, they're just for score and junethack trophies.

Ah, okay. I suspected some more contexts[*], say, maybe to enter the
Sanctum, or the Planes. So it's fine that there's no necessity to get
the three Neutral keys; since I very much dislike the neutral quest.

[*] As the aligned keys are in some variant necessary to open Vlad's
doors.

Post by Ron Nazarov
Also
for redundancy, so the game doesn't become unwinnable in case a bug
prevents you from obtaining some of the keys.
* Technically only 2 keys are required because you can phase past the
first door.

If I'm not mistaken only the Chaotic keys opened the Valley doors; at
least my try to use the Lawful keys failed, IIRC. That means - unless
it's depending also on additional factors like the players alignment -
that finishing the chaotic quest is mandatory?

(For [*] above there's two _arbitrary_ of the three available aligned
keys necessary by design, so you can choose which two quests you want
to complete.)

Janis