Ancient Key

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“There is power emanating from it.”

–Wilson

“The horns make it really easy to turn.”

–Willow

“Little key is for make door.”

–Wolfgang

“I think I know where it goes...”

–Wendy

“FOR ACTIVATING, NOT UNLOCKING”

–WX-78

“The key to that old gateway.”

–Wickerbottom

“Got it from that big bony hoser.”

–Woodie

“It's strange to see it.”

–Maxwell

“Heimdallr's key tö the Bifröst.”

–Wigfrid

“This key is REALLY old.”

–Webber

“This seems very precious.”

–Warly

“Goes where?”

–Wormwood

“Some sort of old power source.”

–Winona

“An imp could do mischievous things with this.”

–Wortox

“This look important!”

–Wurt

“It's the key to this whole mystery!”

–Walter

“Am I sure I want to take this?”

–Wanda

The Ancient Key is an item exclusive to Don't Starve Together, introduced in A New Reign. The Ancient Key can be obtained from a Large Ornate Chest after killing the Ancient Guardian.

Its sole purpose is to activate the Ancient Gateway in the Atrium by being inserted in its socket. The Ancient Key is required to fight the Ancient Fuelweaver.

The key cannot be transferred between Caves and Surface, and attempting to do so will leave it by the Stairs.

The position of the Ancient Key is revealed to players with a Thulecite Medallion in their inventory.

The Gorge

Only during the Event: The Gorge

“This looks science-y.”

–Wilson, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Fancy key.”

–Willow, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Is heavy key but Wolfgang strong!”

–Wolfgang, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Perhaps I'll be happier in the next world.”

–Wendy, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“PASSKEY FOR GATEWAY LINK”

–WX-78, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Quite an elaborate key.”

–Wickerbottom, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Looks important.”

–Woodie, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Good. I can get out of here.”

–Maxwell, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“'Tis the key tö anöther wörld.”

–Wigfrid, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“I wonder where this takes us.”

–Webber, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Where's it go?”

–Wormwood, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Looks like it unlocks somethin' big.”

–Winona, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Hyuyu! Let us hop away!”

–Wortox, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

“Ooooh, look important!”

–Wurt, when examining the Ancient Key in the Gorge

In The Gorge event, the Ancient Key can be bought from Mumsy for 3 Gnaw's Favors. After it's obtained, the players can put it into the Altar of Gnaw, which reactivates the Mossy Gateway and allows players to win the game.

Trivia

• The Ancient Key was added in the Hearts of the Ruins update.
• Part of the Mossy Gateway's Ancient Key looks similar to bloodstone.
• In the lore, it's used to open the Ancient Gateway and allow access to Gate Realms, which are the settings for limited-time Events such as The Forge and The Gorge.
• According to the canon, the ancient key from The Gorge is charged from the energy of the Gnaw's favors.

Gallery

• 

  Wickerbottom with the Ancient Key as seen in the Forge cinematic.
• 

  Untapped Forge event version Ancient Key.

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