Simple Keys function as vital progression tools throughout the interconnected worlds of Hallownest and Pharloom. These items are designed to unlock specific barriers, grant access to essential NPCs, and reveal hidden sub-areas that contain significant lore and upgrades. While they appear to be basic ironmongery, their scarcity makes them some of the most sought-after consumables for completionists and casual players alike. In both titles, a Simple Key is destroyed upon use, meaning players must locate every single one to fully uncover the map's secrets.

The Simple Keys of Hallownest

In the original journey, there are four Simple Keys scattered across the decaying kingdom. Each serves a unique purpose, ranging from summoning lost spirits to accessing the pantheons of gods.

Where to Acquire the Hallownest Keys

1. Sly’s Shop in Dirtmouth The most accessible key is held by the merchant Sly. After finding him in the bottom-right of the Forgotten Crossroads and exhausting his dialogue, he moves to the surface in Dirtmouth. The Simple Key is available for 950 Geo. While this might seem like a steep price early in the game, it is often the first key players obtain. If resources are low, farming the Moss Knights in Greenpath provides a reliable income stream to meet this cost.

2. The City of Tears Storerooms Deep within the rain-drenched City of Tears, specifically in the area just below the City Storerooms Stag Station, a key is hidden within a large, multi-tiered room. This chamber is heavily guarded by Winged Sentries. To find the key, head to the topmost alcove on the right side of the room. It sits on a corpse, guarded by a sentry that often catches players off guard. Ranged spells like Vengeful Spirit are recommended here to deal with the aerial enemies before climbing to the alcove.

3. The Mawlurk’s Maw in Ancient Basin Located in the Ancient Basin, this key requires the Crystal Heart ability to reach safely. Navigate to the looping path west of the bench. As the path descends, players will encounter Mawlurks attached to the ceiling and floor. After passing the active enemies, look for a large, deceased Mawlurk corpse. By entering its open mouth, players will discover a secret room containing the corpse of a Royal Retainer holding the third Simple Key. This location is often missed because it requires a leap of faith into what looks like environmental background art.

4. The Pale Lurker’s Retreat The final key is the most difficult to obtain as it is tied to a combat encounter. Hidden behind a breakable wall to the right of the Colosseum of Fools (located in Kingdom’s Edge), players will find the Pale Lurker’s retreat. The Pale Lurker is a frantic, fast-moving boss that constantly runs away while throwing projectiles and setting traps. Using the Sharp Shadow charm for increased dash distance or the Mark of Pride to extend nail reach is highly effective here. Upon her defeat, she drops the fourth Simple Key.

Where to Use the Hallownest Keys

Confessor Jiji’s Cave Located at the far right end of Dirtmouth, past the graveyard. Opening this stone door grants access to Confessor Jiji (or Steel Soul Jinn in Steel Soul mode). Jiji provides the essential service of summoning the Knight’s Shade in exchange for Rancid Eggs, preventing the permanent loss of Geo in difficult-to-reach areas.

The Royal Waterways In the City of Tears, near the fountain statue of the Hollow Knight, there is a manhole cover on the floor. Using a Simple Key here opens the path to the Royal Waterways. This is a primary progression route leading to the Dung Defender and eventually Isma’s Grove.

The Pleasure House Found in the eastern side of the City of Tears, near the King's Station. This key unlocks a high-rise lift that leads to a hot spring and the NPC Songstress Marissa. This area also serves as the final location for Millibelle the Banker if she has stolen the player’s Geo, allowing for its recovery with interest.

The Godseeker’s Cocoon Located in the Junk Pit (a sub-area of the Royal Waterways, behind a breakable wall near the Flukemarm arena). A Simple Key is required to break the chains on the Godseeker’s golden cocoon. This is a mandatory step for players wishing to access the Godmaster DLC content and the Pantheons.

The Simple Keys of Pharloom (Silksong)

In the sequel, the Simple Key mechanic returns with a similar structure but integrated into the more vertical and vibrant environments of Pharloom. The economy and acquisition methods have shifted to fit Hornet’s faster movement and the Rosary currency system.

Finding the Keys in Pharloom

1. Pebb the Merchant in Bone Bottom Early in the ascent, players will encounter Pebb in the settlement of Bone Bottom. Pebb acts as a primary source of information and basic tools. The first Simple Key can be purchased here for 500 Rosaries. Given that Hornet's combat generates currency quickly through the use of the needle, this key is usually obtainable within the first hour of exploring the Moss Grotto and Bone Bottom.

2. Ju Bilana’s Wandering Shop Ju Bilana is a more elusive merchant who requires a short questline to unlock. In the Choral Chambers, players must find a bulletin board that initiates the "Wandering Merchant" wish. After rescuing Ju Bilana from her trapped position in the left-hand tower of the Choral Chambers, she relocates to the Song Clave. She then offers a Simple Key for 650 Rosaries. Her inventory is crucial for players looking to expand their tool slots early.

3. The Roach Keeper in Sinner’s Road A third key is obtained as a guaranteed drop from a unique elite enemy. In the Sinner's Road sub-zone—characterized by its maggot-filled waters and stamina-draining hazards—players must navigate to the top-right section of the map. Here, a Roach Keeper boss will spawn. This enemy utilizes heavy ground slams and a lunging bite. Defeating it allows Hornet to pick up the Simple Key from its remains. It is advisable to have at least one health upgrade (Mask Shard) before engaging this enemy, as its attacks deal significant contact damage.

4. The Sands of Karak Bench The fourth key is found through pure exploration in the Sands of Karak, an area connected to the Blasted Sands. Using the Claw Line grapple, players must ascend to a hidden upper exit near the Pin Stress NPC. The area involves complex platforming using seeds that grow into temporary platforms. At the eastern tip of this zone, there is a lone bench with a corpse sitting on it. The Simple Key is found resting on this corpse. This is a high-altitude area, and the Fay Down Cloak is recommended to manage the long falls between platforms.

Utilizing Keys in Pharloom

The Wormways Connection One of the most tactical uses for a key is the lower entrance to the Wormways from Bone Bottom. This provides a massive shortcut that bypasses several difficult platforming sections and connects the moss-filled lower regions directly to the industrial centers of the map.

The Central Deep Docks Just south of the Forge Daughter’s location in the Deep Docks, an ornate door requires a Simple Key. Unlocking this grants access to the lower docks without needing the Claw Line early. This area is rich in Shell Shards and Craft Metal, which are essential for upgrading Hornet’s tools and crests.

The Green Prince’s Cell In Sinner’s Road, players will see a prominent caged NPC known as the Green Prince. Using a Simple Key to unlock his cage triggers a long-term questline. While he does not offer an immediate reward, the Green Prince appears later in the Citadel and is a requirement for accessing the Lost Verdania secret zone in the late game.

The High Halls Rosary Bank To the west of the Ventrica Station in the High Halls (part of the Citadel), a Simple Key unlocks a secure vault known as the Rosary Bank. This is a highly valuable utility for players who find themselves losing Rosaries frequently. The bank allows players to store their currency safely, protecting it from being lost upon a defeat.

Strategic Considerations for Key Usage

Deciding when and where to spend a Simple Key involves a degree of risk management. In the early stages of Hallownest, prioritizing the Royal Waterways is usually the most effective path, as it opens up the mid-game progression and leads to the essential Isma’s Tear ability. However, if you find yourself struggling with difficult bosses, unlocking Confessor Jiji’s Cave provides a much-needed safety net for your Geo.

In Pharloom, the Rosary Bank in the High Halls is arguably the most impactful unlock for a mid-game player. Because the currency system in Silksong can be more volatile due to the speed of combat and the cost of tool repairs, having a safe place to store 1000+ Rosaries can significantly reduce the stress of exploring new, dangerous sub-zones like the Sinner's Road.

It is also worth noting that both games feature "Steel Soul" or equivalent permadeath modes. In these modes, the value of the keys shifts. For instance, Confessor Jiji is replaced by Steel Soul Jinn, who turns Simple Keys into a source of income by buying Rancid Eggs rather than providing a Shade-retrieval service. Adjusting your exploration route based on your current needs—whether it be lore, utility, or shortcut access—is the mark of a seasoned traveler in these treacherous kingdoms.

Inventory Management and Completion

Because there are exactly enough keys for the number of locks in both games, there is no way to "soft-lock" your progress. If you find a door and do not have a key, it simply means there is a corner of the map you have yet to explore or a merchant you have yet to visit. Tracking your progress through map markers is highly recommended. In Silksong, specifically, the map icons are more detailed, allowing you to mark locked doors with a specific "Simple Lock" pin to remind you to return once you have visited Pebb or Ju Bilana.

The journey through Hallownest and Pharloom is one of constant curiosity. The Simple Key is the embodiment of that curiosity—a small, fragile object that promises that behind every rusted door lies a story, a challenge, or a hidden power. Whether you are descending into the sewers of the City of Tears or climbing the gilded heights of the Citadel, these keys are your ticket to the deepest secrets the world has to offer.