Even though Diablo 4 has just launched in beta, there’s already plenty of new content for fans to check out. There’s a new open world to explore, skill trees to unlock and test, and hordes of enemies to slay. While this is all technically new to all players, Diablo veterans will no doubt understand most of what’s going on around them. However, there are some new mechanics and features in Diablo 4 that every player will have to learn. One of these new features is an item called murmuring obols.
Players may realize they’ve earned some of this mystery currency, but may not understand exactly how they got it or what to spend it on. We’re clearing up the mystery surrounding the Whispering Obols so players have one less thing to worry about in Sanctuary.
The purpose of Murmur Obols
Currently, in the beta version of Diablo 4, there is only one use for Murmuring Obols. Players can visit a Curiosity Purveyor shop, which is marked by the bank icon on their map, and spend their Whispering Obols on some mysterious items. Items are divided by category, and the categories are as follows:
- All weapons in your class (e.g. Sorcerers only see Focus, Wand, Staff)
- Cap
- Tunica
- Gloves
- Boots
- Pants
- Whispering Key
In addition to the Whispering Key, players can spend a varying amount of Whispering Obols for a chance to win a rare item in each of the specific categories. For example, if you need a new Staff for your Sorcerer character, you can spend 75 Murmuring Obols at the Purveyor of Curiosities shop. Then, you will have a chance to be rewarded with a rare Staff. Observation, just because you spend Obols doesn’t mean you’ll get a rare item. You only have a chance to be rewarded with an item of this rarity. If you’re a little unlucky, you’ll just get an ordinary item that’s probably no better than what you currently have equipped. It’s essentially a game of chance, Diablo 4 style.
All categories have varying prices, with armor costing less than weapons. The shop will only have weapons based on your current class, so you won’t be able to buy a Staff or Wand like a Barbarian, for example. However, if you’re feeling lucky and in the market for a new tunic or melee weapon, you might want to take a chance on the Curiosity Purveyor.
About the Whispering Key, this item is only used to open Silent Chests, which are few and far between on the map. Although, as far as we know, the Purveyor of Curiosities store is the only place that sells these keys. They cost 20 Obols each, and you’re guaranteed to get one if you decide to buy it.

You can see exactly how many Murmuring Obols you have in your inventory by opening the Character menu (C on keyboard) and looking at the bottom of the window. To the right of where your gold is displayed, there will be a pair of purple circles and a number to the right of them. This number is your current amount of Obols.
How to get Whispering Obols
If you’re in the mood to play but don’t have enough Murmuring Obols for the weapon you want, you can go out and try to get some in Diablo 4. So far in beta, the only way to get the currency is through in-game events.

These are marked by big red circles on your minimap and usually involve you killing enemies for a set amount of time. We encountered several events during our time with the beta, with one requiring us to detain enemies to save a woman who is hiding under a wagon, and another slaying demons to stop a demonic ritual. After completing the event, a treasure chest will appear in the middle of the event area. Open the chest and a solid number of Murmuring Obols will appear as loot.
The usual reward is around 20 Murmuring Obols along with gold and other pieces of equipment and weapons. The events themselves don’t take more than a few minutes, so they’re certainly worth completing if you can find them. To learn more about the new action RPG, be sure to check out our Diablo 4 class guide.
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