Tamriel Data:Proper Lock Design

Book Information Proper Lock Design
Added by	Tamriel Data
ID	T_Bk_ProperLockDesignPC
See Also	Lore version
	30		2
Locations
Found in the following locations: Ebon Tower, Palace: LibraryTR3 Stirk, Adraria Dolcino's House Stirk, Harbor Gate Pawnbrokers Stirk, Hassell Manor

Proper Lock Design and Construction

Written as a manual for lock designers, unintentionally helpful to thieves

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I have encountered many thieves whose sole interest in locks is how to open them and thereby pilfer the protected contents of the room or chest. I have taken it upon myself to devise a system of locks that can defeat such villianous [sic] intent.

The materials used to create a lock are of utmost importance. Shoddy brass or copper will give way to a well placed kick, thereby rendering the lock itself useless. I recommend steel over iron when choosing a material. More robust materials tend to be prohibitively expensive and necessitate the door being made of similar metals. I have been chagrined to stumble across the shattered shell of a wooden chest, it's [sic] dwarven lock intact and still locked.

Once these basics are settled, pay particular attention to the offset of the tumblers. A seven degree offset to the keyhole will allow a torque style key to work smoothly, while at the same time causing numerous headaches for the thief attempting to insert non-torque lockpicks.

In similar fashion, the springs of the tumblers should be made by different smiths. Each smith will unknowingly create a spring with different tension than his fellow smiths. This variance will also create difficulties for anyone attempting to pick the lock.