Trial of Keys

AKA: Dungeon of Keys

“An ancient lock on the door draws your eye. Perhaps one skilled in the arts of infiltration could see it opened...”

The **Trial of Keys** is one of the seven Trials found within the final chapter, the Dominion of Hate. This trial is specifically tailored to Oboromaru￼ and cannot be fully explored without his presence in the party. It is located within the abandoned village inside the Seat of the Betrayers, formerly the Castle of Lucrece.

Somehow inside these tiny homes is a large fortress stalked by sinister ninja and littered with locked doors, which may only be bypassed by one with great perception. On the other side of these doors is Oboromaru's ultimate weapon, the Murasame blade.

## Appearance

The Trial of Keys is a warmly lit stronghold built of bronze brick. Sleek Doric columns hold up the ceiling, while the precarious walkways are often surrounded on either side with bottomless pits. A system of canals and waterfalls snake throughout the complex, kept flowing by lion fountain heads. The halls are illuminated with orange-flamed candles.

## Overview

The trial may be entered from any one of the four doors found in the village. From the moment the party enters they will find their path barred by one or more locked doors, blocking entry to the large majority of the fortress. These locked doors are the trial's primary obstacle, recurring numerously throughout and blocking the way to larger corridors and treasure rooms.

Also patrolling the trial are enemy ninja known as Shadows, who only show themselves when Oboromaru is in the party. Upon defeat, a Shadow will drop a single Rusted Key, which may be used to permanently open any locked door. Each Rusted Key can only be used once before breaking, but up to five keys can be held at a time, making them a valuable resource to collect. To easily navigate this trial, it would be wise to take into account where the party has yet to explore and where the fortress's entrances may be found, so as not to waste keys.

The Murasame itself is stashed in its own chamber deep in the dungeon, kept secure behind four special large doors. These particular doors cannot be opened with a regular key; each door has its own unique key, contained inside specially colored treasure chests strewn throughout the stronghold. The trial's true objective is to scour it from top to bottom, obtain these four significant keys, and unlock their respective doors. Only then will the Murasame be free to claim.

Upon collecting the Murasame, an exit portal will manifest beside the party. Standing in it will instantly warp them to the center of the village, outside the dungeon.

### Remake

In the 2022 remake, the Trial of Keys received several changes for ease of navigation. The canals were made integral to the dungeon's design; not only do they now flow in the direction of chests containing the four keys, but their waters are tinted their respective chest's color until they are opened. Additionally, the bases and entablatures of the columns before the large doors also glow these four colors, making it simpler to discern which key should be used in which order.

### Treasures

* Parasite Sword x1
* Showa Goldfish Launcher x1
* Castella Cake x1
* Key of Genbu x1
* Key of Byakko 1
* Key of Seiryu x1
* Key of Suzaku x1
* **Murasame** x1

## Gallery

Location of the Genbu chestLocation of the Byakko chestLocation of the Seiryu chestLocation of the Suzaku chestThe pause screen within the Trial
## Trivia

* Each of the four special keys is stylized after one of the Four Symbols in Chinese mythology.