In Elden Ring Nightreign, power often lies behind locked doors mainly in the case of Evergaols, the game’s rune-rich arenas hidden throughout Limveld. If you’ve explored enough map locations and found mysterious stone circles with imp statues standing guard, you’ve already encountered the gatekeepers of some of the game’s best rewards. But to get inside, you’ll need a Stonesword Key and you first have to obtain it.
This guide covers everything you need to know about how to get Stonesword Keys in Elden Ring Nightreign, where to find them, and how to use them to level up your character and prepare for the fight against the Nightlords.
What are Stonesword Keys?
Stonesword Keys are rare consumable items in Nightreign that serve one very specific purpose: unlocking Evergaols. These gaols are optional combat arenas that spawn a challenging boss fight and by winning it, you receive a lot of good rewards including runes, unique items, or even passive powers called Dormant Abilities.
Unlike in the original Elden Ring, Stonesword Keys in Elden Ring Nightreign are:
- One-time use
- Consumed on use
- Bound to your current expedition (they don’t carry over between runs)
Because of this, deciding when and where to use them becomes a tactical decision. So if you’re holding one, make it count.
Where to Find Stonesword Keys in Elden Ring Nightreign
Buy from Merchants
The most consistent and better way to get your hands on a Stonesword Key is by purchasing it from a merchant, but not every one of these shop owners sells them, and they also aren’t cheap.
- Cost: 6,000 Runes
- Best Time to Find: Starting Day 2, more merchants begin carrying them
- Guaranteed Source: A specific merchant in a small village (appears on Day 2) always sells a Stonesword Key and has no enemies nearby, so a good spot for a safe pickup.
Loot Chests in Forts and Cathedrals
Another best way to get these keys is to explore different structures and loot special chests there. Not all treasure boxes will drop a key, but specific ones have a higher chance:
- Engraved Chests in Forts: Usually available behind bosses at the top of staircases
- Altars in Ruined Cathedrals: Large broken churches often house a chest behind the altar with a solid key drop rate
- Medium Castles: Reachable by entering through the sewers; chests inside may contain a Stonesword Key
The chests most likely to have a key are fancy-looking ones with iron or engraved trim.
Boss Caches, Breakable Objects and Loot Points
Sometimes after a mini-boss or knight enemy, a cache appears which can also drop a Stonesword Key, though it’s a roll of the dice whether you’ll get one or something else like a rare weapon or crafting item. Though not as reliable, breakable containers, loot glows on the ground, and destructible crates rarely drop keys. It’s not very common but throughout a run, you may encounter one while clearing a camp or dungeon.
How to Use a Stonesword Key in Elden Ring Nightreign
Once you have a key in your inventory, it takes up one of your limited consumable slots so don’t just hold onto it forever—put it to use when you’re ready by finding an Evergaol. These areas are marked on the map by a solid gray circular icon. When you approach it, you’ll also see a stone Imp Statue on the outer edge. Interact with the statue while holding a key to consume the item and unlock the Evergaol.
Inside, there will be a random boss in the stone circle. These encounters are usually hard, so to avoid being underprepared for these fights, it’s best to use Stonesword Keys after your team has leveled up to at least Level 3–5. Don’t buy a key unless you’re close to an Evergaol or sure you’ll reach one in time. Dying with a key in your pouch means a waste of 6,000 runes. Further, you can only unlock each Evergaol once per expedition. Don’t waste multiple keys trying the same one again.
Rewards for Defeating Evergaol Bosses
- 20,000+ runes (average; some bosses give up to 100,000 runes)
- Dormant Powers (passive upgrades usable in your expedition)
- Rune acquisition or resistance boosts
- Rare weapons (occasionally)
- Endgame variants: The Oldest Evergaol features high-challenging foes like the Death Rite Bird or Ancient Dragon, and defeating them means possibly collecting 30,000+ runes.
These are especially valuable to prepare for a Nightlord fight. Evergaols are an optional power-ups for mid and late-game players. Stonesword Keys might seem like a niche item, but once you realize what’s behind those Evergaol gates, you’ll never pass one up again. The rune rewards, gear, and power-ups they offer can swing the tide of your expedition in Elden Ring Nightreign.
