Keys don’t have to be dull and boring. Perhaps the characters in your game stumble across a key that has unique features, sentience, or reacts strangely if characters try to use it. Take the ideas and insert them into the next loot pile for your players and see what crazy things develop!
d100 Chart of Strange Keys for RPGs
| d% | Key |
|---|---|
| 1 | a key that oozes molasses when used |
| 2 | a key that shocks you. not with electricity but is shocking to look at |
| 3 | a key that makes a high pitched sound when used |
| 4 | a key that freezes and breaks when used |
| 5 | a red key the smolders and burns when used |
| 6 | a red key that smells vaguely like fish (Red Herring) |
| 7 | a yellow key that sprouts sun flowers when used |
| 8 | a stone key that petrifies your hand when used |
| 9 | a key with wings thats trying to fly away |
| 10 | a key that only works if you ask politely |
| 11 | a serpent Key turns into a snake and bites you when used |
| 12 | a music Key plays “Here I am” very loudly when used |
| 13 | a sentient key that sounds like Danny Devito |
| 14 | a key shaped like a mouth that burps when used |
| 15 | a key shaped like a butt that farts when used |
| 16 | a mimic key that shifts to look like other keys so its always hard to find |
| 17 | a skeleton key that forms into a full skeleton when used |
| 18 | a key that grows or shrinks based on proximity to the lock |
| 19 | a key that replicates itself until you put it down |
| 20 | a singing key (sings off key) |
| 21 | a key that unlocks a memory |
| 22 | a gummy key |
| 23 | a sticky key that is hard to let go of |
| 24 | a key that works only if no one is directly looking at it |
| 25 | a tattoo key that forms to your finger |
| 26 | a shadow shaped key that can’t be touched. |
| 27 | a key that continually flashes lights |
| 28 | a key that bends and refuses to go into a keyhole |
| 29 | a set of colorful wooden baby toy keys that causes the holder to giggle |
| 30 | a key that transforms your finger into a key and vice-versa. |
| 31 | a key in the shape of a music note |
| 32 | a key that transforms into whatever material last touched it. |
| 33 | a key that rusts and crumbles to dust when you pick it up |
| 34 | a mechanical key with a butterfly that flutters its wings. |
| 35 | a key that starts off cold but gets hotter as you approach its matching lock. |
| 36 | an Illusionary key that cannot be picked up |
| 37 | a Key that laughs when held |
| 38 | a Hot key |
| 39 | a crumbling key |
| 40 | a key that constantly dodges the grab. |
| 41 | a key that unlocks your heart for the nearest NPC. |
| 42 | a key that makes the clicking sound as if unlocking a door but doesn’t |
| 43 | a key that looks like a cat’s claw |
| 44 | a key that is made of water |
| 45 | a key that needs a ki point to work |
| 46 | a key that opens any lock, but locks it immediately after unlocking it |
| 47 | a liquid key in a bottle that needs to be poured |
| 48 | a key that is a tiny dagger |
| 49 | a key in the shape of a music note |
| 50 | a wood key that grows a door when you plant it in the ground |
| 51 | a key with the soul of a mischievous imp trapped inside |
| 52 | a crab key that sprouts legs and scurries away |
| 53 | an edible key that opens a door when you eat it |
| 54 | a vampiric key that requires a drop of blood to use it |
| 55 | a key with a wolf on it that howls when you use it |
| 56 | a key that loses a tooth each time it is used, until it is worthless. |
| 57 | a simple key with a PC’s name marked on the side. |
| 58 | a key that breaks apart into jigsaw pieces to form into different keys |
| 59 | a key that is made of ice and is starting to melt |
| 60 | a very small key that unlocks a lock much bigger than it |
| 61 | a chocolate key wrapped in foil |
| 62 | a magnetic key with other metals keys stuck to it |
| 63 | a key that phases through dimensions |
| 64 | a key that is actually a true polymorphed pixie. |
| 65 | a dirty key that won’t work until it is cleaned |
| 66 | a pristine key that won’t work until it is dirty |
| 67 | a key that glows when monsters are nearby |
| 68 | a sentient key with the soul of a cranky old dwarf inside |
| 69 | an echo key that repeats what the older says |
| 70 | a key that does acid damage to the holder when used |
| 71 | a key that changes from gold to lead when touched |
| 72 | a key that turns the user’s hand to gold when used |
| 73 | a lonely key that only works when used with another key |
| 74 | a clock key that chimes on the hour |
| 75 | a clockwork key that reverses time by a few seconds |
| 76 | a key that unlocks a memory when used |
| 77 | a key that steals a memory when used |
| 78 | a key that is shaped like a small flute that works when you play it |
| 79 | a sentient key that talks to other keys |
| 80 | a mysterious key that unlocks a mystery |
| 81 | an ink key that writes like a pen |
| 82 | a compass key that only unlocks doors to the north |
| 83 | an escape key that only unlocks exits |
| 84 | a fragile key that breaks when you try to use it |
| 85 | a second chance key that only works the 2nd time you try it |
| 86 | a key that can create its own keyhole |
| 87 | a mood key that changes color depending on the user’s emotions |
| 88 | a homesick key that misses its locked door back home |
| 89 | a key that cries when not being used |
| 90 | an evil key that mangles other keys |
Thank you to the Wally DM Discord and YouTube channel for contributing fun and interesting ideas:
Colin, Thorn, CartographerSol, Ifandorbut, Dr. Feargood and Nacho Nacho Man.
Dust Imp, Rivers RPG, Robbe Christiaens
