The Interregnum of Elden Ring and its mythology, while having some similarities with other works of From Software, has introduced many mechanics that are completely new compared to those present in the other Souls developed by the Japanese team.
Among these there is also the mechanics related to the so-called Keys of the Stone Sword: these particular objects, as the name implies, are nothing more than strange keys, which can be used in correspondence with some statues scattered throughout the game world, and of which you can find an example in the image at the bottom of the guide. These statues, which depict one or more small gargoyle-like creatures, are always found in mists that block access to dungeons or other hidden locations.
Elden Ring: how to use the Keys of the Stone Sword
To remove the mists in question you will really need the keys of the Sword of Stone. In particular, you will have to interact with the statue placed to protect the passage you want to unlock: as long as you have a number of keys with you at least equal to the number of creatures depicted by the statue you will be able to remove the fog. After using the required items, they will be removed from your inventory, as the keys of the Sword of Stone are single-use tools and are consumed during the act.
Where to find the Keys to the Stone Sword
These special items can be found throughout the Interregnum, in chests or on some corpses. Below you can find a shortlist of where to find some Stone Sword Keys:
- A key can be chosen as a starting gift during character creation
- A key can be found on a corpse reachable from the ledge of the room with the elevators at Castle Grantempesta
- A key is found in the moat swamp at Castle Grantempesta
- The merchant on the Wailing Peninsula sells a key for 2,000 runes
- The Siofra River merchant sells three keys
- Three more keys can be purchased from the Forbidden Lands merchant
These are just a few examples, but within the game world, you can find many other keys of the Sword of Stone and as many statues with which to use them.
What is obtained by using the Keys of the Stone Sword
One of the biggest mysteries related to this particular mechanic concerns what is kept hidden by the mists and stone statues. Also in this case the list is long and extremely varied: it is possible to find talismans, weapons, consumable items and even new shortcuts, which will allow you to speed up and simplify your travel considerably.
In case you have not been able to find all the Keys of the Sword of Stone to unlock the mists present in the game, you can use the mechanics of the Elden Ring New Game Plus to remedy this.