Tools

Spoiler Warning: This page contains spoilers which may affect your IVAN experience negatively

A tool is an item used on another item or on the environment for some utilitarian purpose. Strangely, tools are often very light or very heavy.

Keys

There are three kinds of keys and locks that you'll come across: round, square, and triangular. Each key will only work on the matching lock - round key to round lock and so on. Keys weigh next to nothing (124 g apiece) and are incredibly useful; unlocking chests and doors is far better than trying to kick or blow them open. Try to 'collect them all' if you can.

Hexagonal and octagonal keys/locks are much rarer, as well as being black in color. These are found on the hidden chests in Chest Rooms and on doors in buildings such as the Cathedral in Attnam. If you happen to find one in a dungeon or in a shop, make every effort to get your hands on it. They can also be wished for if you possess a Scroll of Wishing.

Stethoscopes

While they seem a bit out of place in a world of swords and magic, stethoscopes are quite useful for seeing the stats of literally anything that moves. They are mostly good for checking yourself or allies for leprosy, parasites, and perma-stats you can't normally see in your character window such as Confusion or Teleporting. Even hostile units can be examined; apparently even Sherarax will pull up her shirt and take a deep breath for you. \;-} (woo woo!)

Using a stethoscope does not take up a turn; feel free to examine your enemies midcombat without fear of reprisal.

Horns

The Horn of Fear is used to scare away some enemies, and the Horn of Bravery is used to calm down yourself and allies.

(see also the horn section)

Pickaxes

One of the most useful tools in the game; pickaxes are mostly used for digging shortcuts through dungeon walls and mining for precious metals. A Scroll of Detect Material will help keep you from having to mine every single square of wall.

♫Dig a tunnel, dig-dig-a-tunnel...♫

Harder walls and dirt obviously require a harder pickaxe; an Octiron pickaxe will be plenty good enough for the majority of the game. By the time you need something harder than that, you'll have much more pressing issues than looking for pretty rocks.

Lyre of Charm

This handy-dandy musical instrument will charm everything in a one-square radius when applied, but needs time to 'recharge'.

Success message: "You produce a mesmerizing sound."

Failure message: "You produce a highly alluring sound."

Also of interest: [1]

Lanterns

These tools are the most common way of lighting dark places and will usually be found mounted on walls. Unfortunately they shatter rather easily, being especially vulnerable to explosions. Ditch them as soon as possible for a glowing crystal stone, crystal skull, or flaming weapon.