when the ancient ones awaken are locked dice no longer locked or do they remain locked. forgive me if this has been discussed elsewhere.

Dice locked:

- if the dice are locked by a Mythos card, the Mythos card is discarded and the dice are returned to the common pool

- if the dice are locked by Adventure cards (any, so, Museum, Other Worlds, whatever) OR by Monsters, these dice are returned to the box (i.e. you cannot use them in final battle)

If you need a rules reference, it's on pag. 18 of the Revised Rules, first paragraph of "Awakening the Ancient One"