diff --git a/code/datums/components/crafting/recipes.dm b/code/datums/components/crafting/recipes.dm
index 8b104de0144..bfd953e2684 100644
--- a/code/datums/components/crafting/recipes.dm
+++ b/code/datums/components/crafting/recipes.dm
@@ -823,6 +823,14 @@
 	result = /obj/structure/bonfire
 	category = CAT_PRIMAL
 
+/datum/crafting_recipe/skeleton_key
+	name = "Skeleton Key"
+	time = 30
+	reqs = list(/obj/item/stack/sheet/bone = 5)
+	result = /obj/item/skeleton_key
+	always_available = FALSE
+	category = CAT_PRIMAL
+
 /datum/crafting_recipe/rake //Category resorting incoming
 	name = "Rake"
 	time = 30
diff --git a/code/game/objects/items/storage/belt.dm b/code/game/objects/items/storage/belt.dm
index ce3c6ae650e..0d25f071c4f 100644
--- a/code/game/objects/items/storage/belt.dm
+++ b/code/game/objects/items/storage/belt.dm
@@ -308,7 +308,8 @@
 		/obj/item/organ/regenerative_core,
 		/obj/item/wormhole_jaunter,
 		/obj/item/stack/marker_beacon,
-		/obj/item/key/lasso
+		/obj/item/key/lasso,
+		/obj/item/skeleton_key
 		))
 
 
diff --git a/code/modules/antagonists/ashwalker/ashwalker.dm b/code/modules/antagonists/ashwalker/ashwalker.dm
index 871cb9c82d6..9b195abc232 100644
--- a/code/modules/antagonists/ashwalker/ashwalker.dm
+++ b/code/modules/antagonists/ashwalker/ashwalker.dm
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 /datum/antagonist/ashwalker/on_gain()
 	. = ..()
 	RegisterSignal(owner.current, COMSIG_MOB_EXAMINATE, .proc/on_examinate)
+	owner.teach_crafting_recipe(/datum/crafting_recipe/skeleton_key)
 
 /datum/antagonist/ashwalker/on_removal()
 	. = ..()
diff --git a/code/modules/mining/lavaland/necropolis_chests.dm b/code/modules/mining/lavaland/necropolis_chests.dm
index e4b4cd444ed..889afb3cf50 100644
--- a/code/modules/mining/lavaland/necropolis_chests.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mining/lavaland/necropolis_chests.dm
@@ -10,9 +10,21 @@
 	resistance_flags = LAVA_PROOF | FIRE_PROOF | ACID_PROOF
 
 /obj/structure/closet/crate/necropolis/tendril
-	desc = "It's watching you suspiciously."
+	desc = "It's watching you suspiciously. You need a skeleton key to open it."
+	///prevents bust_open to fire
+	integrity_failure = 0
+	/// var to check if it got opened by a key
+	var/spawned_loot = FALSE
 
-/obj/structure/closet/crate/necropolis/tendril/PopulateContents()
+/obj/structure/closet/crate/necropolis/tendril/Initialize()
+	. = ..()
+	RegisterSignal(src, COMSIG_PARENT_ATTACKBY, .proc/try_spawn_loot)
+
+/obj/structure/closet/crate/necropolis/tendril/proc/try_spawn_loot(datum/source, obj/item/item, mob/user, params) ///proc that handles key checking and generating loot
+	SIGNAL_HANDLER
+
+	if(!istype(item, /obj/item/skeleton_key) || spawned_loot)
+		return FALSE
 	var/loot = rand(1,21)
 	switch(loot)
 		if(1)
@@ -67,6 +79,15 @@
 			new /obj/item/bedsheet/cult(src)
 		if(21)
 			new /obj/item/clothing/neck/necklace/memento_mori(src)
+	spawned_loot = TRUE
+	qdel(item)
+	to_chat(user, "<span class='notice'>You disable the magic lock, revealing the loot.</span>")
+	return TRUE
+
+/obj/structure/closet/crate/necropolis/tendril/can_open(mob/living/user, force = FALSE)
+	if(!spawned_loot)
+		return FALSE
+	return ..()
 
 //KA modkit design discs
 /obj/item/disk/design_disk/modkit_disc
@@ -1325,5 +1346,12 @@
 		if(3)
 			new /obj/item/prisoncube(src)
 
+/obj/item/skeleton_key
+	name = "skeleton key"
+	desc = "An artifact usually found in the hands of the natives of lavaland, which NT now holds a monopoly on."
+	icon = 'icons/obj/lavaland/artefacts.dmi'
+	icon_state = "skeleton_key"
+	w_class = WEIGHT_CLASS_SMALL
+
 #undef HIEROPHANT_BLINK_RANGE
 #undef HIEROPHANT_BLINK_COOLDOWN
diff --git a/code/modules/mining/machine_vending.dm b/code/modules/mining/machine_vending.dm
index 44213aa1412..9c589541592 100644
--- a/code/modules/mining/machine_vending.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mining/machine_vending.dm
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("1 Marker Beacon",				/obj/item/stack/marker_beacon,										10),
 		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("10 Marker Beacons",			/obj/item/stack/marker_beacon/ten,									100),
 		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("30 Marker Beacons",			/obj/item/stack/marker_beacon/thirty,								300),
+		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("Skeleton Key",				/obj/item/skeleton_key,												777),
 		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("Whiskey",						/obj/item/reagent_containers/food/drinks/bottle/whiskey,			100),
 		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("Absinthe",					/obj/item/reagent_containers/food/drinks/bottle/absinthe/premium,	100),
 		new /datum/data/mining_equipment("Bubblegum Gum Packet",		/obj/item/storage/box/gum/bubblegum,								100),
diff --git a/icons/obj/lavaland/artefacts.dmi b/icons/obj/lavaland/artefacts.dmi
index 35b29bfff56..ae273d71c37 100644
Binary files a/icons/obj/lavaland/artefacts.dmi and b/icons/obj/lavaland/artefacts.dmi differ