Dungeon keys: every locked door and how to open it

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   Step 1: Gnomeregan: the Workshop Key

   Electrocutioner 6000, the security robot in Gnomeregan, carries the Workshop Key. Make sure someone loots it. The key opens the workshop door at the back entrance, so your next run can skip the long walk in.

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   Step 2: Scarlet Monastery: The Scarlet Key

   The Graveyard and the Library are open to everyone. The Armory and the Cathedral are not: you need The Scarlet Key. Run the Library first: Doan's Strongbox, in the Library wing, holds it. The key is bind on pickup, so decide who takes it before you open the box. See the Scarlet Monastery guide for the wings.

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   Step 3: Stratholme: the Key to the City

   A locked gate stands just inside Stratholme's Service Entrance. Key to the City, the master key to the city, opens it. Magistrate Barthilas drops it every time, and you can reach him through the Main Gate: the streets lead to Elders' Square, where he stands. Loot it once and every later Service Entrance run starts at the back door. More in the Stratholme guide.

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   Step 4: Dire Maul: the Crescent Key

   Pusillin, the imp boss of Dire Maul East, drops Crescent Key. It opens the locked doors in the West and North wings, and it isn't used up. Run East first, or bring someone who already has it.

   The North wing adds two single-use keys of its own: Gordok Inner Door Key from Guard Mol'dar and Gordok Courtyard Key near Guard Fengus. You only need to think about them on a tribute run; the Dire Maul guide explains how.

Two keys matter in Blackrock Depths. The Prison Cell Key drops from High Interrogator Gerstahn and opens the prison cells in the Detention Block, where several quests send you. The Shadowforge Key is the big one: the master key to the depths, which opens the city's locked gates.

Franclorn Forgewright, the dwarf who designed the Dark Iron city, gives both quests from level 48, Alliance or Horde. The first is just a conversation. The second sends you into the dungeon: kill Fineous Darkvire in the Hall of Crafting, past the Ring of Law, and take his hammer, Ironfel. Carry it to the Shrine of Thaurissan and put it in the hands of Franclorn's statue. A compartment in the base opens, and the key is inside.

The door to Scholomance, in Caer Darrow in the Western Plaguelands, stays shut without the Skeleton Key. Building it is a chain that crosses both continents, so plan an evening for it. The chain opens at level 50 and the key steps at 55.

Alliance:

Horde:

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   Step 1: Report to your camp

   A call to arms in your capital sends Alliance players to Commander Ashlam Valorfist at Chillwind Camp and Horde players to High Executor Derrington at the Bulwark. Two quests for them, then they pass you to the alchemist who makes the key: Alchemist Arbington at Chillwind, Apothecary Dithers at the Bulwark.

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   Step 2: Skeletal Fragments

   Collect 15 Skeletal Fragments from the skeletons of the Western Plaguelands: Skeletal Terrors, Acolytes, Warlords and Executioners.

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   Step 3: Gadgetzan and Un'Goro Crater

   Carry the imbued fragments and 15 gold to Krinkle Goodsteel in Gadgetzan, Tanaris. He gives you the Skeleton Key Mold. Take it, with two Thorium Bar, to the top of Fire Plume Ridge in Un'Goro Crater and use it by the lava lake to forge the Unfinished Skeleton Key. Get the bars from a miner or the auction house before you set off.

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   Step 4: Araj the Summoner

   Back in the Western Plaguelands, the alchemist wants Araj's Scarab. Araj the Summoner is a level 61 elite in the Western Plaguelands: bring a group, kill him and take the scarab from his phylactery. Hand it in, and the last quest gives you the key.

Lower and Upper Blackrock Spire share one portal, and a sealed gate near the start leads up into Upper. It opens only for a player carrying the Seal of Ascension. Both quests come from Vaelan in Blackrock Spire, from level 57.

For the first, you need four pieces. The Unadorned Seal of Ascension drops rarely from the Bloodaxe orcs in Lower Blackrock Spire. Three generals there carry a gemstone each, and not on every kill: Highlord Omokk the Gemstone of Spirestone, War Master Voone the Gemstone of Smolderthorn and Overlord Wyrmthalak the Gemstone of Bloodaxe. Expect a few runs.

For the second, Vaelan hands you the Unforged Seal of Ascension and the Orb of Draconic Energy. Ride to the Wyrmbog in Dustwallow Marsh, beat the ancient drake Emberstrife until his will breaks, place the seal in front of him and use the orb to take control of him. Make him breathe fire on the seal, then take the Forged Seal of Ascension back to Vaelan.

Maraudon has no locked door, but it is long. The Scepter of Celebras opens a portal that takes everyone who clicks it to Earth Song Falls in inner Maraudon, close to the last bosses.

Cavindra gives the first quest in Desolace, from level 41. Inside, recover the Celebrian Rod and the Celebrian Diamond, defeat Celebras the Cursed, and speak with Celebras the Redeemed, who takes his place. He makes the scepter while you guard him. More in the Maraudon guide.