GRIM DAWN / QUEST / SIDE QUEST
A Strange Key
Act 1 side quest that starts automatically when you obtain A Strange Key. Travel east of Burrwitch Outskirts to Depraved Sanctuary and unlock its iron entrance door.
Last updated: 2026-07-12
Side QuestHidden QuestEasy to Get Lost
Act
Act 1
NPC
Direni / automatic on key pickup
Area
Burrwitch Outskirts / Depraved Sanctuary
Level
15-25
DLC
Base Game
Missable
No
WHY PLAYERS GET STUCK
There is no quest giver. Sparing Direni in A Cultist in the Midst guarantees the key, but Bloodsworn cultists can also drop it. Head east from the Burrwitch Outskirts Riftgate and break the destructible wall beside the road.
WALKTHROUGH
- 1Obtain A Strange Key to start the quest
- ▸The guaranteed route is to spare Direni in A Cultist in the Midst and take the key as the reward.
- ▸Otherwise, farm eligible cultists in Cultist's Lair and Foggy Bank, Burrwitch Outskirts, or East Marsh.
- ▸Picking up the key automatically adds the quest; there is no NPC turn-in.
- 2Head east from the Burrwitch Outskirts Riftgate
- ▸Travel to the Burrwitch Outskirts Riftgate and follow the road east.
- ▸Destroy the breakable wall beside the road, then continue east.
- ▸Find the locked iron door at the entrance to Depraved Sanctuary.
- 3Unlock the iron door with the key
- ▸Use A Strange Key on the locked iron door.
- ▸The quest completes when the door opens; no NPC report or boss kill is required.
- ▸Reward: XP (Normal 300 / Elite 6,500 / Ultimate 22,000) and access to the sanctuary. Salazar can wait.
STILL LOST?
If you lack the key, farm eligible Bloodsworn cultists and recreate the session if none drops; it can still drop when you out-level the area. If you cannot reach the door, find the breakable wall east of the Burrwitch Outskirts Riftgate.
The guaranteed Direni route depends on a choice in the missable A Cultist in the Midst, but cultist drops provide an alternate route, so this quest is not missable. Opening the door completes it; the final boss is a separate achievement objective.