Skeleton Key (Skyrim)

The Skeleton Key is an unbreakable lockpick found in. This artifact is one of the Daedric Prince Nocturnal's most revered artifacts, the other being her cowl.

Acquisition
It can be obtained from Mercer Frey at the end of the Thieves Guild quest Blindsighted. In order to complete the remaining quests for the Guild, the Skeleton Key must be returned in the Twilight Sepulcher.

Usage
The Skeleton Key can be used like a regular lockpick and can be kept indefinitely, provided it's never returned to the Twilight Sepulcher. In addition, the Lockpicking skill will still increase when a lock is opened (removed in patch 1.4, back by 1.9). Keeping the key effectively renders the Lockpicking perk Unbreakable entirely obsolete, as well as most of that skill tree.

Quests

 * Blindsighted
 * Darkness Returns

Trivia

 * If the Dragonborn serves time in jail, the single lockpick taken with them to jail will be the Skeleton Key.
 * This artifact is how Mercer Frey is able to break into many places with ease, such as Snow Veil Sanctum or Irkngthand.
 * In real life, a skeleton key (or passing key) refers to a key which can open any door, as shown by what  Mercer Frey does with the key.
 * Although the Skeleton Key is a Daedric artifact, possession of it does not count towards the Oblivion Walker achievement since it does not have its own quest.

Appearances


La Clé Squelette Скелетный ключ Skelettschlüssel (Skyrim) Kościany klucz (Skyrim)