Mortal Shell 2 Holding Cells & Feeding Room Key Guide
This guide explains how to unlock the Holding Cells and find the Feeding Room key in Mortal Shell 2. You need the Brass Cage Key, which is located in the Abandoned Temple, to open the Holding Cells door; the Feeding Room key is a separate Brass Key found in the same area, and both are required to progress the main quest. Below is the full walkthrough, including exact locations, enemy warnings, and what you’ll find inside.
Background: Why These Areas Matter
The Holding Cells and Feeding Room are part of the Abandoned Temple dungeon, the second major area in Mortal Shell 2. This dungeon is a labyrinth of prison blocks and ritual chambers, and the game’s main quest requires you to retrieve two key items: the Brass Cage Key (opens the Holding Cells) and the Brass Key (opens the Feeding Room). Without both, you cannot reach the boss arena at the temple’s core, so understanding their locations is critical for progression.
The area is filled with enemies called the Unclean, who are fast and hit hard. You’ll also encounter environmental hazards like collapsing floors and poison pools, so it’s wise to clear each room methodically before looting.
Holding Cells Location and How to Open
The Holding Cells are a locked wing on the east side of the Abandoned Temple, just past the main hall with the broken statue. To open the door, you need the Brass Cage Key, which is not in the cells themselves—it’s in a side room off the temple’s central corridor.
- From the temple entrance, head straight until you reach the large circular room with a fountain (now dry).
- Take the left corridor (west) and follow it until you see a barred window on your right.
- Break the wooden barricade blocking the window (use a heavy attack or a thrown object).
- Drop through the window into a small guard room. The Brass Cage Key is on a table next to a dead guard.
- Return to the main hall and head east. The Holding Cells door is at the end of the corridor, marked by a large iron ring. Use the key to open it.
Inside the Holding Cells, you’ll find several locked cells with loot (mostly consumables and upgrade materials). The most valuable item is a Gland of Filth, a rare crafting material, hidden in the last cell on the left. Be prepared for two Unclean enemies that ambush you from the ceiling.
Feeding Room Key Location
The Brass Key for the Feeding Room is found in the same dungeon, but in a different wing. It’s not in the Holding Cells—it’s in the Refectory, a dining hall connected to the temple’s kitchen area.
- From the main hall, go to the north corridor (opposite the Holding Cells).
- Enter the Refectory, a large room with long tables and hanging meat hooks.
- Defeat the three Unclean enemies here (they are aggressive, so use the pillars to break their line of sight).
- Look for a small door behind the serving counter. It’s locked, but you can pick it (requires a Lockpick) or find the key elsewhere.
- The Brass Key is on a corpse in the kitchen, which is accessible through a doorway on the left side of the Refectory. The corpse is lying next to a large oven.
Once you have the Brass Key, return to the Refectory’s back door and open it. This leads to a short corridor that ends at the Feeding Room door. Use the key to enter.
What’s Inside the Feeding Room
The Feeding Room is a small, circular chamber with a central pit. It’s a mini-boss arena: you’ll face a Flesh Golem, a slow but powerful creature that can grab you and deal heavy damage. The room contains a Shrine of Ash (a respawn point) and a chest with a Weapon Upgrade Shard. After defeating the Flesh Golem, you can drop into the pit to find a Gland of Purity, which is required to unlock the temple’s final door.
Note: The Feeding Room is optional for the main quest if you already have the Gland of Purity from another source, but it’s the most reliable location to get it.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Many players get stuck because they assume the Holding Cells key is inside the cells themselves. It’s not—it’s in the guard room described above. Another common mistake is trying to open the Feeding Room door with the Brass Cage Key; they are different keys, and the Feeding Room key is in the kitchen, not in the Refectory proper.
If you’re missing the Brass Key, double-check the kitchen area. Sometimes the corpse is hidden behind a stack of crates, so break all breakable objects. Also, if you’ve already defeated the Flesh Golem, the door remains open, so you don’t need the key for subsequent visits—but you still need it to enter the first time.
Tips for Navigating the Abandoned Temple
- Upgrade your weapon at a workbench before tackling this area; the enemies have high poise.
- Use the Harden ability to block attacks and then counter, especially against the Unclean.
- Stock up on Antidotes for the poison pools in the temple’s lower levels.
- Explore thoroughly—there are hidden passages behind breakable walls that contain valuable loot.
- If you’re playing on a higher difficulty, consider using a ranged weapon to pull enemies one at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both keys to finish the game?
Yes, both keys are required to progress the main story. The Brass Cage Key opens the Holding Cells, which contains a quest item (the Gland of Filth) needed to unlock the temple’s inner sanctum. The Brass Key opens the Feeding Room, which contains the Gland of Purity. Without both glands, you cannot access the final boss.
Can I get the Feeding Room key without fighting the enemies?
No, the key is in the kitchen, and the kitchen is accessible only through the Refectory, which is guarded by three Unclean. You can try to sprint past them, but they will chase you into the kitchen, making the fight harder. It’s better to clear the room first.
What happens if I miss the keys and leave the dungeon?
You can return to the Abandoned Temple at any time. The keys are static items and will remain in their locations until you pick them up. If you’ve already cleared the enemies, the area will be safe for a quick loot run.
Is there a shortcut to the Holding Cells?
Yes, after you open the Holding Cells door, you can unlock a shortcut that connects the cells to the temple’s main hall via a spiral staircase. This makes it easier to backtrack without re-fighting enemies.
Are there any other uses for the keys?
No, both keys are single-use and are consumed when you open their respective doors. They have no other purpose.
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