Unlocking the Secrets: A Guide to Locating the Apostate Key in Hollow Knight: Silksong

09/11/2025
Embark on an exciting journey through the captivating realm of Hollow Knight: Silksong as we delve into the quest for the fabled Apostate Key. This essential artifact is crucial for unlocking mysterious new areas and uncovering hidden secrets within the game's challenging landscape.

Unlock the Depths: Your Guide to the Apostate Key's Location!

Navigating the Initial Challenge: Locating the Forbidden Door

Many adventurers in Hollow Knight: Silksong find themselves puzzled by the inaccessibility of certain regions. Specifically, an imposing barrier often halts progress shortly after escaping The Slab's clutches, particularly when venturing west from the Choral Chambers in Act 2. This formidable gate demands a specific item for passage: the Apostate Key. Its retrieval is paramount for any player eager to explore the shadowy and perilous confines that lie beyond.

The Path to the Key: Unveiling the Putrified Ducts

The sought-after Apostate Key is secreted away within the Putrified Ducts, a location requiring precise navigation and certain prerequisites to access. Your journey to this area begins by first acquiring the Faydown Cloak, an ability that grants the power of a double jump. This crucial skill is earned by ascending Mount Fay. Once equipped with the cloak, you can then proceed to the Memorium sector, found on the upper levels of the Choral Chambers.

The Expedition Unfolds: A Step-by-Step Approach to Retrieval

To successfully reach the Apostate Key, follow a precise sequence of actions. Initiate your expedition from the Songclave's primary shrine, progressing along the established route towards the Cogwork Dancers' encounter. During this path, a distinct opening will become apparent, leading directly into Memorium. From this vantage point, direct your steps towards the extreme eastern side of the area. Here, you will discover an outdoor passage that traverses the zenith of a bridge, a site notorious for a swarm of aerial adversaries and a meeting point for the merchant Jubilana, as part of The Lost Merchant quest. Ascend at the farthest point to uncover the gateway to the Putrified Ducts. Alternatively, an entirely different route is available through triumphing over Groal the Great atop Bilewater, which subsequently opens a convenient shortcut positioned directly above the defeated boss.

Reclaiming the Artifact: Securing the Apostate Key

Upon successfully entering the Putrified Ducts, your objective is to pinpoint the main vertical shaft. Descend its entire length to the very bottom, then proceed towards the left. Look for a dark, ascending tunnel that leads further left—be cautious of a formidable enemy that guards this passage. At the culmination of this dark corridor, you will discover the Apostate Key, encased within a destructible cage. Once obtained, return to The Slab to use your newly acquired key and unlock the previously inaccessible areas, furthering your adventure within the game.