Skull Gem

"I'm just LENDING it, though! Do not dare run off with it! Do not make me dock pay!"

- Flavio

The Skull Gem is an important item in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door. It is a red crystal which resembles a skull. Flavio's ancestors stole this gem from Cortez long before before the events of the game. The Skull Gem is needed to activate Cortez's ship, the Black Skull. It is also needed to access the Pirate's Grotto. Before Mario travels to Keelhaul Key, the gem can be found on the table next to Flavio in Podley's Place. Flavio uses the jewel to make a deal with Cortez, convincing him to join Mario and Flavio in their battle against the X-Nauts.