As I traverse the untamed, magical islands of the Living Lands in Obsidian Entertainment's sprawling RPG, Avowed, my role as an Envoy is fraught with peril and mystery. A dangerous plague looms over this frontier, but between battling treacherous monsters and unraveling conspiracies, a more mundane yet crucial task occupies every adventurer's inventory management: securing lockpicks. In a world where locked chests are as common as the strange, glowing flora, these simple tools are the keys to fortune, often guarding rare artifacts and powerful gear essential for surviving the frontier's threats. My journey has taught me that mastering the local economy is as vital as mastering any combat skill.
The Essential Tool: Lockpicks
The basic gameplay loop in Avowed will feel familiar to veterans of open-world adventures, but its devil is in the details. Lockpicking here is refreshingly straightforward—no complex mini-games or skill checks. When I find a locked chest, I simply hold the interaction button. As long as I have the required number of lockpicks in my inventory, the mechanism yields, and the treasures within are mine for the taking. However, each lockpick is a single-use item, consumed in the process. This turns every locked container into a small economic decision. Running out of picks means walking away from potential loot, a feeling as frustrating as watching a ship sail away from a dock you just missed. Therefore, maintaining a healthy supply is non-negotiable.
Where to Find Lockpicks
My primary sources for these essential tools are twofold:
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Looting Enemies: Occasionally, after a skirmish with the wild beasts or hostile factions of the Living Lands, I can scavenge a lockpick or two from fallen foes. It's an unreliable source, akin to hoping for a specific shell on a vast, storm-tossed beach.
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Merchants: This is the most consistent and reliable method. Throughout the settlements, various shopkeepers keep lockpicks in stock.
Here are the key merchants I've frequented in my travels:
| Settlement | Shop Name | Merchant | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claviger's Landing | Lynna's Shop | Lynna | The easiest early-game source. She typically stocks 3 lockpicks. |
| Shantytown | Second Hand Sundries | Various | A reliable spot in the rougher part of the islands. |
| Paradis | Desperate Measures | Various | A hub of commerce with multiple options. |
| Paradis | Extremely Legal Goods | Various | As the name implies, their wares are... available. |
| Paradis | Grinning Balarok | Balarok | Another Paradis staple for adventuring supplies. |
The cost is remarkably low at 17 copper coins each, found under the "Consumables" tab in any merchant's inventory. My rule is simple: whenever I'm in a town, I check every merchant and buy every lockpick they have. Some merchants have randomized inventories, so it pays to be thorough.
The Merchant's Clock: How to Restock Shops
A merchant's inventory is not infinite. Once I purchase all their lockpicks (or healing potions, another vital consumable), those items vanish from their shelves for a time. Waiting for a natural restock can feel slower than a glacier carving a new valley. Thankfully, I've discovered a method to hasten the passage of time and refresh merchant stocks.
The process involves the party camp system:
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Find a Camp: While exploring, locate one of the many designated camp spots in the Living Lands.
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Fast Travel & Activate: Travel to the camp, then use the rest function. This advances time.
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Repeat: The key is repetition. I activate the camp to rest, then immediately leave, and repeat this cycle five or more times. This pushes the in-game clock forward significantly.
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Return to Town: After this temporal jump, I fast travel back to a settlement. Upon visiting the merchant, their inventory is usually fully replenished, lockpicks included.
This trick has been invaluable. It turns the campfire into a temporal lever, allowing me to control the flow of commerce. It's a strategy as clever as using a lodestone to navigate a magical storm, ensuring I'm never caught without supplies.
Strategic Inventory Management
Based on my experience, here’s my personal strategy for never facing a lock without a pick:
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Set a Minimum: I always try to keep at least 15-20 lockpicks in my inventory. The Living Lands are vast, and you never know when you'll stumble upon a cluster of locked containers.
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Prioritize Purchases: When funds are low, I prioritize lockpicks and healing potions over cosmetic gear or non-essential weapons. An unopened chest is a missed opportunity.
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Circuit Run: When preparing for a major expedition, I make a circuit of the known shops in Paradis and Claviger's Landing, buying all their picks and using the camp rest method to restock if necessary.
In Avowed, the path of the Envoy is one of discovery and danger. The plague in the Living Lands is a mystery woven from magic and menace, but solving it requires resources. By understanding the simple yet vital economy of lockpicks—knowing where to buy them, how to force a restock, and managing their use—I ensure that no secret remains locked away from me. In this frontier, knowledge is power, but a well-stocked toolkit is what turns that power into progress. The merchant's stall is my arsenal, and each lockpick is a silent key to the islands' deepest secrets.
Industry analysis is available through HowLongToBeat, and it’s a useful lens for planning your supply runs in Avowed: if you’re aiming for a longer, completionist-style route with lots of side paths and hidden containers, a steady lockpick budget matters more than in a straight main-story push, making merchant circuits and periodic rest-based restocks a practical way to keep your exploration pace from stalling at every locked chest.