Exploring the expansive ruins of Hallownest requires players to pay close attention to hidden paths and valuable items that block off massive areas of the underground kingdom. Among the most useful utilities scattered throughout the world are the four Simple Keys, each unlocking a unique area filled with secret characters, merchants, or shortcuts. Securing every single one of these items ensures that you can completely optimize your run and uncover everything the atmospheric adventure has to offer.
Purchasing the First Key from Sly
The easiest way to begin your collection is by visiting the fading surface town of Dirtmouth after rescuing a certain shopkeeper. You must first venture into the depths of the Forgotten Crossroads to locate Sly inside a corrupted house where he suffers from a strange daze. Once he recovers and returns to the town above, he will open up a shop that features a variety of highly useful survival tools.
Among his initial stock is the very first key available, which will cost you a total of 950 Geo to purchase. Saving up this amount early on can be tough, but equipping specific items like the Gathering Swarm charm will drastically accelerate your wealth collection. Gathering this resource gives you immediate access to early-game secrets that would otherwise remain inaccessible behind heavy locked gates.
Searching Below the City Storerooms
The second key requires you to delve deep into the beautiful yet rainy corridors of the City of Tears. You should navigate toward the northern section of the metropolis until you locate the City Storerooms stag station. From this specific hub, players must descend into the complex alcoves directly underneath the main platforms to seek out a large room guarded by dangerous sentries.
You will find the item hidden at the far right end of an alcove, tucked away safely within the remains of a deceased bug. Finding this particular resource is vital because it allows players to unlock the royal sewer networks below the city streets. Taking the time to thoroughly explore these vertical corridors ensures you do not accidentally bypass this essential exploration piece.
Venture Into the Corrupted Ancient Basin
To acquire the third item, you must push further down into the subterranean layers of the world until you reach the Ancient Basin region. This isolated zone is filled with perilous platforming segments and hostile environment hazards that demand precise movement controls. You will need to look for a massive vertical cavern situated to the left of the main palace area where a hidden pathway opens up.
Inside this dark zone, you will encounter the corpse of a massive beast known as a Royal Retainer that contains the next key. Collecting this asset is crucial for completionists who wish to unlock the Pleasure House tower back up in the city limits. Navigating these lower domains safely requires utmost patience since the enemies in the area deal substantial damage upon impact.
Conquering the Colosseum of Fools
The final challenge takes you high up into the snowy mountain peaks of the Kingdom’s Edge where an ancient arena operates. To secure the fourth and final key, you must access a secret wall hidden within the eastern structures of the Colosseum of Fools. Locating this breakable barrier opens up a private chamber where a special mechanical container rests.
Beating the minor combat encounter inside allows you to gather the final piece needed to complete your inventory tracker. This ultimate item opens up the mysterious cocoon containing Jiji, a helpful ally who can summon your lost shade in exchange for rancid eggs. Tracking down all these locations ensures your knight is fully prepared to witness the absolute end of the kingdom's dark curse.
