I have, in my campaign, a portal that, as designed, can only be opened with both the Hand of Vecna and the Wand of Orcus. Those items are currently in the hands of two different mutually hostile groups of NPCs (they were originally working together and had a parting of ways) and neither group currently has a practical way of getting the other group's item.
However, I'm ruling that the portal can also be 'picked' by providing items that are sufficiently similar to the designed keys -- the more similar, the easier it will be. In general this means
Each item must be legendary or artifact quality and have strong necromantic associations.
One item should be a hand, glove, or similar.
One item should be rod, wand, or possibly club.
What are some lore items that might fit the job? The PCs have already come across the stash of a necromancer working for the faction with access to the rod, which contained, among other random stuff, the Claw of Kazgaroth and a Hand of Kiaransalee's Glory; it's unresolved whether those items could have been made to work.
I have, in my campaign, a portal that, as designed, can only be opened with both the Hand of Vecna and the Wand of Orcus. Those items are currently in the hands of two different mutually hostile groups of NPCs (they were originally working together and had a parting of ways) and neither group currently has a practical way of getting the other group's item.
However, I'm ruling that the portal can also be 'picked' by providing items that are sufficiently similar to the designed keys -- the more similar, the easier it will be. In general this means
What are some lore items that might fit the job? The PCs have already come across the stash of a necromancer working for the faction with access to the rod, which contained, among other random stuff, the Claw of Kazgaroth and a Hand of Kiaransalee's Glory; it's unresolved whether those items could have been made to work.