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| + | {{Species |
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| − | {{DisambigLink|description=the Key in its original form|common=being into which the Key was transformed|link=Dawn Summers}} |
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| + | |Image = B5 Dawn 06.jpg |
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| + | |Caption = The embodiment of the Key. |
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| + | |Name = Key |
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| + | |Alternative Names = [[Dawn Summers]] |
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| + | |Type = Energy |
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| + | |Powers = Interdimensional portals |
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| + | |First = "[[Buffy vs. Dracula]]" |
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| + | |Last = ''[[Finale]]'' |
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| + | }} |
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| − | {{ |
+ | {{Quote|The Key is the link. The link must be severed. Such is the will of God.|[[Knights of Byzantium]]|Blood Ties}} |
| − | ''' |
+ | The '''Key''' was a [[magic|mystical]] energy with the power to unlock the gates between [[dimension]]s.<ref name="Spiral"/> Under the threat of [[Glorificus]], the Key assumed the [[human]] form of [[Dawn Summers]].<ref name="NPLH"/> |
| + | ==History== |
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| − | In 2000, fearing that [[Glorificus]] would use the Key, the surviving monks of the Order of Dagon transformed the Key into [[Dawn Summers]] with the hope that [[Buffy Summers]], the [[Slayer]], would keep it safe. Reality was altered and Dawn and everyone around her were given false memories so that they would believe she had always been present as Buffy's younger sister. The monks used Buffy as a template to create Dawn's physical body, making them biological sisters. However, people "beyond reality," such as the mentally ill, were able to perceive Dawn as the Key. |
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| + | ===Origin=== |
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| + | The Key was almost as old as the hell-[[higher being|goddess]] Glory.<ref name="BT"/><ref name="Spiral"/> According to [[Rupert Giles|Giles]]'s research, the Key was not directly described in any known literature, but it was "an energy matrix vibrating at a dimensional frequency beyond normal human perception."<ref name="BT"/> Only those outside reality, such as victims of Glory's [[energy absorption|sanity absorption]], could see the Key's true nature.<ref name="BT"/> |
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| + | [[Unidentified monk of Dagon I|A monk]] claimed that, for centuries, the Key had no form.<ref name="NPLH"/> Glory, having seen the Key very briefly, described it as "a bright green swirly shimmer."<ref name="BT"/> [[Tara Maclay|Tara]], when she was temporarily insane, described the Key as "pure green energy."<ref name="TL">"[[Tough Love]]"</ref> |
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| − | In 2001, Glory's worshipper [[Doc]] succeeded in using Dawn as the Key by spilling her blood, but the resulting tearing of the veils between dimensions was soon sealed back by Buffy's self-sacrifice. |
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| + | The key was also susceptible to necromanced animal detection, particularly those of canine or serpent construct,<ref name="BT"/> such as the [[Spawn of Sobek]].<ref>"[[Shadow]]"</ref> |
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| − | == Appearances == |
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| − | *"[[No Place Like Home]]" {{FBO}} |
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| + | In the 12th century, the [[Order of Dagon]] was founded by [[Tarnis]] in order to protect the Key.<ref name="BT">"[[Blood Ties]]"</ref> Meanwhile, the [[Knights of Byzantium]] sought to destroy the Key so its destructive power would never be unleashed.<ref name="Spiral">"[[Spiral]]"</ref> |
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| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:Key, The}} |
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| + | ===Embodiment=== |
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| + | In 2000, Glory sought the Key to use it to return to [[Glorificus' hell dimension|her home dimension]]. To prevent her from bleeding the dimensions into chaos,<ref name="Spiral"/> the surviving monks of the Order of Dagon performed [[Key embodiment ritual|a ritual]] to turn the Key into human so [[Buffy Summers|Buffy]], the [[Slayer]], would protect it. The ritual [[reality alteration|altered reality]] with the existence of Dawn Summers along with false memories of her always being Buffy's younger sister.<ref name="NPLH">"[[No Place Like Home]]"</ref> The monks made Dawn from Buffy,<ref name="TG">"[[The Gift]]"</ref> making them [[blood]] related.<ref name="BT"/> |
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| + | Glory eventually learned that the Key's identity<ref name="TL"/> and captured Dawn.<ref>"[[The Weight of the World]]"</ref> On the "[[Big Day]]," [[Doc]] succeeded in spilling Dawn's blood and activating the Key. However, the resulting tearing of the veils between dimensions was soon sealed back when Buffy stopped her own blood from flowing and sacrificed herself.<ref name="TG"/> |
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| − | ==See Also== |
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| − | [http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Dawn_Summers Dawn Summers] |
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| + | ===Following Glory's defeat=== |
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| − | [http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Buffy_Summers Buffy Summers] |
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| + | Following these events, Dawn believed that she was no longer the Key and, even if she was, she no longer opened anything.<ref name="B1">"[[Bargaining, Part One]]"</ref> [[Andrew Wells|Andrew]] also stated that she used to be the Key.<ref>"[[Storyteller]]"</ref> However, when Willow was corrupted with dark magic, she threatened Dawn to turn her back into an energy ball.<ref>"[[Two to Go]]"</ref> |
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| + | After the destruction of the [[Seed of Wonder]] and the subsequent [[end of magic]], Dawn fell ill and began to fade from reality.<ref>''[[The Watcher]]''</ref> She became physically weak<ref>''[[The Core, Part One]]''</ref> and occasionally turned [[intangibility|intangible]],<ref>''[[The Core, Part Three]]''</ref> while her memories began to disappear.<ref>''[[The Core, Part Two]]''</ref> Dawn was brought back when Willow performed the Key embodiment ritual under the new magic.<ref>''[[The Core, Part Five]]''</ref> |
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| − | [http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/Glorificus Glorificus] |
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| + | While in an entirely magic-based reality of the hell dimension of [[Anharra]], Dawn used her Key powers to destroy the demon god-king [[Kerberon]]. Giles describes her "god-like" powers,<ref>''[[In Pieces on the Ground, Part Five]]''</ref> and Dawn become feared an worshiped by [[Anharran demon]]s as well.<ref name="OW1">''[[Own It, Part One]]''</ref> |
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| − | [http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/The_Gift The Gift] |
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| + | |||
| + | Using the ''Vampyr'' book, [[Spike]] wrote a magic rule about the Key retaining her power to open portals even on Earth.<ref name="OI5">''[[Own It, Part Five]]''</ref> This allowed Dawn to open a portal through time along with [[Willow Rosenberg|Willow]] and [[Illyria]],<ref name="OYL">''[[One Year Later]]''</ref> as well as find a place for [[Harth Fray|Harth]]'s demon army to be expelled into during the [[Reckoning]].<ref name="Finale">''[[Finale]]''</ref> |
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| + | |||
| + | ==Powers and abilities== |
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| + | |||
| + | *'''Portal creation:''' The Key primary ability was to open gateways between dimensions. In the Big Day, dimensions bled into each other until her shared blood with Buffy stopped flowing.<ref name="TG"/> Dawn used this power to traverse the many dimensions between Anharra and Earth<ref>''[[Own It, Part Three]]''</ref> then visit [[Arashmaharr]].<ref name="OI5"/> In combination with the [[witch]] Willow and the [[Old One]] Illyria, she could also open portals through time<ref name="OYL"/> and banish an army of demons into a hell dimension.<ref name="Finale"/> |
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| + | |||
| + | *'''[[Force field]]:''' Dawn built a magic shield to protect herself, Xander, and a group of demons while running away from the acid rain of Anharra.<ref name="OW1"/> |
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| + | |||
| + | *'''Senses:''' Dawn became able to see natural gateways she could open and know what food was safe to eat.<ref name="OW1"/> |
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| + | |||
| + | ==References== |
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| + | {{References|scroll=1}} |
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| + | |||
| + | [[fr:La Clef]] |
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| − | [http://buffy.wikia.com/wiki/The_Gift Scooby Gang] |
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[[Category:Terminology]] |
[[Category:Terminology]] |
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| − | [[Category:Dawn Summers]] |
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| − | [[Category:Glorificus]] |
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Latest revision as of 12:21, 10 August 2023
- “The Key is the link. The link must be severed. Such is the will of God.”
- ―Knights of Byzantium[src]
The Key was a mystical energy with the power to unlock the gates between dimensions.[1] Under the threat of Glorificus, the Key assumed the human form of Dawn Summers.[2]
History
Origin
The Key was almost as old as the hell-goddess Glory.[3][1] According to Giles's research, the Key was not directly described in any known literature, but it was "an energy matrix vibrating at a dimensional frequency beyond normal human perception."[3] Only those outside reality, such as victims of Glory's sanity absorption, could see the Key's true nature.[3]
A monk claimed that, for centuries, the Key had no form.[2] Glory, having seen the Key very briefly, described it as "a bright green swirly shimmer."[3] Tara, when she was temporarily insane, described the Key as "pure green energy."[4]
The key was also susceptible to necromanced animal detection, particularly those of canine or serpent construct,[3] such as the Spawn of Sobek.[5]
In the 12th century, the Order of Dagon was founded by Tarnis in order to protect the Key.[3] Meanwhile, the Knights of Byzantium sought to destroy the Key so its destructive power would never be unleashed.[1]
Embodiment
In 2000, Glory sought the Key to use it to return to her home dimension. To prevent her from bleeding the dimensions into chaos,[1] the surviving monks of the Order of Dagon performed a ritual to turn the Key into human so Buffy, the Slayer, would protect it. The ritual altered reality with the existence of Dawn Summers along with false memories of her always being Buffy's younger sister.[2] The monks made Dawn from Buffy,[6] making them blood related.[3]
Glory eventually learned that the Key's identity[4] and captured Dawn.[7] On the "Big Day," Doc succeeded in spilling Dawn's blood and activating the Key. However, the resulting tearing of the veils between dimensions was soon sealed back when Buffy stopped her own blood from flowing and sacrificed herself.[6]
Following Glory's defeat
Following these events, Dawn believed that she was no longer the Key and, even if she was, she no longer opened anything.[8] Andrew also stated that she used to be the Key.[9] However, when Willow was corrupted with dark magic, she threatened Dawn to turn her back into an energy ball.[10]
After the destruction of the Seed of Wonder and the subsequent end of magic, Dawn fell ill and began to fade from reality.[11] She became physically weak[12] and occasionally turned intangible,[13] while her memories began to disappear.[14] Dawn was brought back when Willow performed the Key embodiment ritual under the new magic.[15]
While in an entirely magic-based reality of the hell dimension of Anharra, Dawn used her Key powers to destroy the demon god-king Kerberon. Giles describes her "god-like" powers,[16] and Dawn become feared an worshiped by Anharran demons as well.[17]
Using the Vampyr book, Spike wrote a magic rule about the Key retaining her power to open portals even on Earth.[18] This allowed Dawn to open a portal through time along with Willow and Illyria,[19] as well as find a place for Harth's demon army to be expelled into during the Reckoning.[20]
Powers and abilities
- Portal creation: The Key primary ability was to open gateways between dimensions. In the Big Day, dimensions bled into each other until her shared blood with Buffy stopped flowing.[6] Dawn used this power to traverse the many dimensions between Anharra and Earth[21] then visit Arashmaharr.[18] In combination with the witch Willow and the Old One Illyria, she could also open portals through time[19] and banish an army of demons into a hell dimension.[20]
- Force field: Dawn built a magic shield to protect herself, Xander, and a group of demons while running away from the acid rain of Anharra.[17]
- Senses: Dawn became able to see natural gateways she could open and know what food was safe to eat.[17]