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. In a strange kind of irony, 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.

Ischaldirh the dark archmage has an octagonal key, but good luck getting it.

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!)