Hornet

1. #1The Infection

   Keys: The Infection · Secondary: Plague

   The Infection initially manifests itself through dreams, using desires and planting false hopes in the minds of bugs. Eventually, the Infection grows dominant in their minds, which are broken, and their wills enslaved. This allows the Radiance to exert control over the bugs overtaken by the Infection and make them become part of her union. As a result, they return to primal instincts and are driven mad, becoming much more courageous and aggressive. At advanced stages, they may even lose their sense of self-preservation.

   The Infection manifests itself physically in beings in several ways, generally depending on how far the Infection has progressed. What is true for all beings who are Infected is that they release splatters of orange fluid when struck, while non-Infected bugs release white particles. The eyes of most Infected beings glow orange, although this is not true for all of them.

   In later stages of the Infection, the body of the Infected being starts to deform. Their body becomes distorted, with orange growths covering their body and sometimes their entire body swelling up with Infection. Orange gas may also seep from the growths. While Infected beings may be weak by themselves, the Infection grants them strength and empowers them.

2. #2The Radiance

   Keys: The Radiance

   The Radiance is a higher being of light similar to Essence, and as such, opposed to the Void, her ancient enemy. The Moth Tribe is born from her light and in return revered her. From her prison inside of The Vessel called Hollow Knight, The Radiance, heart of the Infection, plagues the dreams of bugs. After the Pale King arrived in Hallownest and expanded the minds of his new subjects, the Moth Tribe turned their backs on the Radiance and worshipped the Pale King instead. In doing so, the Radiance was almost entirely forgotten, yet traces of her memory remained, such as a statue on Hallownest's Crown. Her memory started spreading throughout the Kingdom, by then in its golden age. Soon, all of Hallownest began to dream of her appearing to them as a blazing light. These dreams could break the minds of bugs and eventually enslave their wills to her. However, the King and his subjects resisted her memory, which then started to manifest as the Infection. With the Infection, the Radiance offered unity to bugs at the cost of a mind incapable of thought.

   Example Dialogue: ...ANCIENT ENEMY... I DO NOT FEAR YOU...

3. #3Pale King

   Keys: Pale King · Secondary: Wyrm

   The Pale King is a higher being who used to be the monarch of Hallownest, mate to the White Lady, and ruler of the White Palace. He is an ancient Wyrm who burrowed through mountains and across the wasteland until finally stopping in Kingdom's Edge. Once there, the Wyrm shed its shell and transformed into the Pale King. The pale, broken egg found within the Cast-Off Shell hints at this rebirth. Consequently, the Pale King is often still referred to as "Wyrm", as this was his former body. He reduced his form in order to match the bugs of Hallownest. After his transformation, the Pale King expanded the minds of several species of bugs in Hallownest, granting them sapience.

   The Pale King wanted these bugs to devote themselves to him, and in return, he promised them that the kingdom of Hallownest would last eternally. Although he was an elusive, reclusive figure who was rarely seen outside his Palace, the Pale King was deified by his citizens. The bugs of Hallownest believed that he created their world and everything in it. Worship was offered through King's Idols. Even the Moth Tribe turned their backs on their creator, the Radiance, and started worshipping the Pale King instead. The Pale King's ability of foresight, the ability to see the future to some extent, caused the mushrooms of Fungal Wastes to accept his rule as well.

   To put a stop to the Infection, the Pale King decided to seal the Radiance away in a Vessel with no mind nor will. This would make the Radiance unable to influence them and thus leave her trapped forever. These Vessels were the children of the Pale King and the White Lady, born in the Abyss with Void filling their shells. The Vessel he chose was the Hollow Knight.

   Three bugs were asked to become Dreamers to form seals on the Temple of the Black Egg which would contain this Vessel. One of them, Herrah, only accepted his proposal if the Pale King had a dalliance with her which would result in a child; this child ended up being Hornet.

   After the reignition of the Infection, the Pale King and his palace dissappeared. Despite that, he is pronounced good as dead.

4. #4White Lady

   Keys: White Lady

   The White Lady is a root higher being who used to be the Queen of Hallownest and the wife of the Pale King. During Hallownest’s prime, the Queen's Gardens were her well-guarded retreat. This area used to belong to the Mosskin, but the White Lady claimed it to create her gardens. The White Lady is the mother of the Vessels.

   Out of shame for her part in their creation, she bound herself in the Queen's Gardens to stop herself from having more offspring. Over time, the White Lady's vision worsened and she could not see much anymore. She did sense within her roots the weakening of the Hollow Knight. She does not hold a grudge towards the Pale King for forming a dalliance with Herrah as a bargain, in fact, she feels motherly affection towards Hornet. Hornet knows nothing about the White Lady.

   Example Dialogue: Do I seem prisoner here? If so, it's not by any choice but my own. These bindings about me, I've chosen to erect.

5. #5The Hollow Knight

   Keys: Hollow Knight · Secondary: Sealed Vessel, The Vessel, Pure Vessel, Sibling.

   The Hollow Knight is the Vessel chosen by the Pale King to seal away the Radiance and save Hallownest from the Infection. Like their siblings, they are the child of the King and Queen of Hallownest, birthed in the Abyss to be infused with the power of the Void. As such, they are genderless. This birth condition was also supposed to leave them without a mind, will, and voice, to prevent the Radiance from influencing them.

   However, their purity was misjudged, tarnished by an idea instilled, a bond with the Pale King who raised them. Regardless of their impurity, the Hollow Knight was trained and raised, eventually becoming a fully grown Vessel. The Radiance was sealed within them, and they were chained within the Temple of the Black Egg where they were expected to contain the Infection for eternity.

   However, because of the aforementioned impurities, the Radiance could still exert influence. It ultimately resulted in the resurgence of the Infection and the Kingdom falling into ruin. After some time, the Radiance's power broke out of the Hollow Knight, cracking their shell and fully Infecting them.

6. #6The Vessels

   Keys: The Vessels · Secondary: Siblings

   Vessels are genderless beings of the Void who were created by the Pale King as a means of stopping the Infection. They are described as the progeny of the Pale King and the spawn of the White Lady, containing the "soul" of the two beings. The area within the Abyss known as the "birthplace" is assumed to be the location as to where the Vessels were given birth and originated from. This area is where most of them were discarded following the Pale King’s search for a Pure Vessel, which was the Hollow Knight. After the Hollow Knight was lead out of the Abyss, the Pale King sealed the Abyss with a seal that could only be broken by somebody with the King's Brand, locking most of the other Vessels inside. Other Vessels can be found scattered across the world, somehow having found a way out of the Abyss, but ultimately dying nonetheless. The Vessels found at the bottom of the Abyss are implied to be the Shades that originate from the shells of deceased Vessels. A large portion of the ground of the Abyss is covered in the shells of dead Vessels - particularly the whole of the birthplace area seems to be composed entirely of Vessel shells.

7. #7Herrah The Beast

   Keys: Herrah

   Herrah was the queen of the Spider Tribe of Deepnest and is the mother of Hornet. Her partner was part of the honored castle, while Herrah herself is only a common beast. At a certain point, her partner died, leaving Herrah without an heir.

   The Spider Tribe and Herrah herself never accepted the Pale King and his rule. When the Infection first appeared, the Pale King asked Herrah to become a Dreamer to seal the entrance to the Black Egg in the Temple of the Black Egg. She only agreed if the Pale King would have a child with her, which ended up being Hornet. After Hornet was born, Herrah and Hornet were permitted little time together as Herrah went into an eternal sleep to become a seal.

   Herrah is inside of Beast's Den, her body being found laying on her bed, and her mind can be entered by using the Dream Nail.

   Example Dialogue: ...Bound...For brood...For child... ...Fair bargain made... ...Give all... ...For her...

8. #8Monomon The Teacher

   Keys: Monomon

   Monomon used to be a chief researcher and teacher of Hallownest. Her archives in Fog Canyon contain strange, jumbled Lore Tablets that contain certain phrases such as:

   "KINGLIGHT" and "OLDLIGHT", which are probably the Pale King and the Radiance. "VESSEL" and "VOID", which are the Vessels and the Void. "SEAL", "EGG", and "DREAMER", which seem to explain how the Radiance is sealed.

   When the Infection appeared, Monomon took part in the Pale King's plan to seal the Radiance away in the Hollow Knight. Monomon became a Dreamer to seal the entrance to the Black Egg in the Temple of the Black Egg, which put her into an eternal sleep.

   Quirrel was Monomon's apprentice or assistant. She entrusted him with her mask which serves as additional protection for her once she became a Dreamer. Monomon called Quirrel back to Hallownest to undo this protection after the Hollow Knight weakened. Monomon is inside of Teacher's archives, her archives more specifically and her body is seen floating inside a tube, her tube being full of water. Her mind can be entered by using the Dream Nail.

   Example Dialogue: ...For diversity, a Seal... ...A world forever unchanging... ...the Seals, must break... ...Forever... ...Forever... ...Better, an end...

9. #9Lurien The Watcher

   Keys: Lurien

   Lurien used to watch over the City of Tears from the Watcher's Spire. The Watcher Knights were his guards, and he had various servants such as his butler. At the top of his Spire, Lurien had a large telescope that looks down over the City of Tears, contributing to his title of "The Watcher".

   After the Infection appeared, Lurien became part of the Pale King's plan to seal the Radiance away in the Hollow Knight. He volunteered to be a Dreamer out of loyalty to the Pale King and to protect the City of Tears and the kingdom of Hallownest. Lurien and the other Dreamers sealed the entrance to the Black Egg in the Temple of the Black Egg, which put them into an eternal sleep. He can be found in his tower, laying on his bed. His mind can be entered by using the Dream Nail.

   Example Dialogue: ...For King beloved... ...To sleep. To serve... ...Bonds must remain... ...Remain...

10. #10King's Pass

    Keys: King's Pass

    King's Pass is a set of desolate tunnels going through the cliffs west of Dirtmouth. It used to be the main entryway into Hallownest, but fell into disrepair, forcing the occasional traveler to circle around the cliffs. The caverns' walls are covered with giant fossilized shells and contain glowing Lore Tablets throughout the ruined road. At the far east is a large sealed door that must be broken open to access Dirtmouth and the rest of Hallownest.

11. #11Dirtmouth The Fading Town

    Keys: Dirtmouth

    Dirtmouth is located right above the ruins of the kingdom of Hallownest, in a barren valley with rare tufts of grass, safe from the winds of the wasteland. Many lumafly lampposts are erected in and around town. Travelers used to come through the King's Pass, west of the valley, during the kingdom's heyday. However, a large door now bars access to the pass and the bridge leading down from it collapsed, forcing the occasional wanderers through hard detours around the cliffs. Dirtmouth itself is almost abandoned, with many of the houses boarded up and empty. Elderbug is the oldest remaining bug in town, along with Iselda and Cornifer, with Cornifer being a map maker and Iselda being a retired women who has learned the art of the Nail, and is now just simply living her life and selling maps with her husband, Cornifer. Besides a shop, Dirtmouth also has a Stag Station locked from the inside but reachable from any other Station. Iselda has a map shop next to the station.

    Once the Infection spread across Hallownest, all entry points into the kingdom were sealed to prevent the spread of the Infection, including the Stag Station. Dirtmouth's old well remained as the only way to enter Hallownest. Over the years, this well was used by many wanderers and adventurers to get into the ruins of the kingdom, with few of them ever returning. When the bridge up to King's Pass crumbled away, the few travelers coming to Dirtmouth had to take circuitous routes around the cliffs.

    Over time, nearly everyone living in Dirtmouth went down the well, drawn in one by one by the promise of wealth, glory, or enlightenment. The town fell quiet, with none of the residents ever returning from the ruins of Hallownest.

12. #12Forgotten Crossroads

    Keys: Forgotten Crossroads

    The Forgotten Crossroads is an area below Dirtmouth. Its highways and caverns connect to many others areas in Hallownest. Located right below the surface, the Forgotten Crossroads consists of many caverns and roads. Fossilized remains of bugs cover the surfaces of the caverns, with pale ferns growing through cracks in the ground. The Temple of the Black Egg is located near the entrance to the well in Dirtmouth in the northeast of the area. The highways and crossroads of the Forgotten Crossroads used to be bustling with life. Many travelers and traders passed through the area as it had many connections to the rest of Hallownest. Due to the Infection and the passage of time, all travel through the Crossroads ceased. It is now an empty place, overrun with wild beasts and reanimated Hallownest citizens.

13. #13Temple of the Black Egg

    Keys: Temple of the Black Egg · Secondary: The Temple

    The Temple of the Black Egg is a temple located near the entrance to Dirtmouth. The outside of the temple was made from the shell of an ancient bug. In the center of the temple lies a black, stone egg, adorned with the three masks of the Dreamers.

    To stop the Infection, the Hollow Knight was sealed in this egg after sealing away the Radiance. In the past, some bugs went to the temple to pray, but they stopped going there after some time.

    Initially, access to the Black Egg is blocked by three seals on the entrance, and can only be opened when you kill the three Dreamers, which are Herrah The Beast, Monomon The Teacher and Lurien The Watcher.

14. #14Greenpath

    Keys: Greenpath

    Greenpath is an area west of the Forgotten Crossroads with lush vegetation, guarded by a species of leafy bugs. Pools of burning acid and thick overgrowth make navigation difficult. Greenpath is an exuberant green cavern, composed of diverse vegetation, mossy valleys, and broad lakes of acid. These features are deeply reflected in its inhabitants, who developed a natural mossy camouflage, allowing them to perfectly blend in with their surroundings. Throughout all of Greenpath, pillars and egg-shaped stones with swirling carvings, sometimes reaching enormous sizes, can frequently be spotted. Greenpath is inhabited by the Mosskin Tribe, a group of plant-like bugs. They allowed the Pale King to build roads throughout their lush caves, but anyone straying from the paths would face the law of Unn. Unn is said to have created all of the area's flora and the Mosskin themselves from her dreams.

15. #15Unn

    Keys: Unn

    Unn is a higher being who is responsible for all life in Greenpath. She is a very large slug creature overall. The temple-like structure at the edge of the Lake of Unn was a place where she was worshipped. She once existed with land and dream and devotion, though over time her strength faded.

    The Mosskin were made from the dream of Unn. Unn is calling to the Mosskin, who are waiting for the call to return.

16. #16Fungal Wastes

    Keys: Fungal Wastes

    The noxious caverns of the Fungal Wastes are covered in mushrooms of all kinds. Besides this, caustic pools of acid are abundant throughout the area.

    The Fungal Wastes are populated by the Mushroom Clan, a territorial group who pose a threat to anyone who wanders nearby. The Mantis Tribe make their home further into the area and are equally unwelcoming to outsiders. One of the main features of the area is the large Stag Station in the west part, Queen's Station. The native population of the Fungal Wastes mainly consists of the Mushroom Clan and the Mantis Tribe. The Mushroom Clan is a group of fungal creatures who have a shared mind. They share a border with Deepnest, whose inhabitants they were in conflict with. When the Pale King arrived in Hallownest, they accepted his rule due to their strong belief that his foresight could protect them.

17. #17The Mantis Tribe

    Keys: The Mantis Tribe

    The Mantis Tribe is a tribe of proud and ferocious bugs whose traditions date back to ancient times before the kingdom of Hallownest was founded. These naturally-born fighters built the Mantis Village deep within the Fungal Wastes. Led by the Mantis Lords, they defend their territories from intruders with their lives. Their flying youths are compelled to prove their strength before becoming warriors. However, they all come to respect any who would defeat their leaders in honorable combat, and give them the freedom to enter their territory:

    Being opposed to the Kingdom of Hallownest, the Mantises negotiated a truce with them to retain sovereignty in their domain. In exchange, they agreed to keep the beasts of Deepnest, which borders the Mantis Village, at bay.

18. #18The Mantis Lords

    Keys: The Mantis Lords

    The Mantis Lords are three sisters who lead the Mantis Tribe deep within the Fungal Wastes. They managed to resist the Infection throughout Hallownest despite the exile of their brother and his followers, who chose to accept the Infection willingly.

    The Mantis Lords have kept the beasts of Deepnest confined to their territory, killing those who would intrude upon the village. This duty was part of a truce with the Kingdom, maintained even as it fell to ruins. Yet the Mantis Lords, like the rest of their Tribe, remain proud warriors. They grant passage into Deepnest to any who would defeat them in a fair challenge, in an improvised arena in their throne room.

19. #19Deepnest

    Keys: Deepnest

    What most identifies Deepnest is its gloomy surroundings. Thick layers of web covering sometimes large portions of the background and twisted maze-like tunnels and passages, several having the dim glow of a bioluminescent fungus as the only source of light. Most parts of Deepnest are dark or pitch black and can be illuminated with the Lumafly Lantern.

    Deepnest generally finds itself in a very primal stage of development, lacking the general level of architecture seen in the rest of Hallownest. The more developed parts of Deepnest are located in its western portion.

    Deepnest was occupied by two intelligent arachnid groups, the Spider Tribe, which used to be one of the most intelligent species in the land of Hallownest, and the Weavers, an outsider tribe that established their own history and culture in Deepnest. Both groups lived under the rule of their queen, Herrah the Beast, and an unknown sire, who was of honored caste. They ruled from Distant Village where Herrah's Den was located. Deepnest was often in conflict with the Mantis Tribe and Mushroom Clan of the Fungal Wastes.

    When the Pale King started establishing his kingdom, Distant Village and the creatures of Deepnest completely refused his rule.[9][10] His efforts of expansion were met with furious resistance. A Tramway could not be established in Deepnest due to the beasts attacking the workers.

    Deepnest's sire died at a certain point, leaving Herrah as the sole ruler of Deepnest. The Deepnest is basically Hornet's previous home.

20. #20Distant Village

    Keys: Distant Village

    Distant village is large web-filled cavern containing several structures suspended over a pool of water. The village itself is nearly abandoned. The largest building holds Beast's Den within. The Distant Village is located in Deepnest.

21. #21Beast's Den

    Keys: Beast's Den

    The Beast's den is the resting place of Herrah The Beast, and it is located in the middle of the Distant Village. The area itself is protected by arachnids which fell and died to the Infection, yet still holding on into their instincts to protect their queen, Herrah.

22. #22Queen's Station

    Keys: Queen's Station

    Queen's Station is a run-down Stag Station which serves as a connection between the Fungal Wastes and Fog Canyon. In Hallownest's prime, Queen's Station was a bustling hub of travel, said to have been one of the busiest stations in the kingdom. Even though the station is decayed, it is still possible to hear the ringing of the bells and the voices of bugs.

23. #23City of Tears

    Keys: City of Tears

    The City of Tears is the capital city of Hallownest which is located in the center of the kingdom. It is covered in perpetual rainfall that originates from the ceiling above. Its original name was lost to history. The City of Tears is built in an enormous cavern below the Blue Lake. It has numerous large towers with expansive windows which offer views of the city. Going up and down these towers is possible via small lifts.

    The city has a notable divide between the rich and poor part. The eastern side of the city is where Hallownest's high society lived. The interiors in this part of the City of Tears are more posh and luxurious and contain a red and purple color pattern, while the west part's interiors appear to be more common and plain with more blue color tones.

    In the very center of the city is Fountain Square, where the memorial fountain to the Hollow Knight is located.

    In the past, the City of Tears was known as "the city at this kingdom's heart", "Hallownest's heart", and "Hallownest's capital city". One way of entering was a road starting in the Forgotten Crossroads and going through Greenpath, Fog Canyon, and the Fungal Wastes, ending at the great gate in the western part of the city. Travelers were promised that if they reached the capital, all their wishes would be granted and they could share in the city's glory. Goods from all across Hallownest were transported to the capital, though not many were sent back.

    When the Infection spread across Hallownest, the capital's gates were sealed to stop anyone from entering or leaving the city in an attempt to prevent the Infection from reaching the city. However, this proved to be in vain as the entire city became Infected. Water now leaks from the Blue Lake through the cavern's ceiling, causing the rain and giving the capital its current name.

24. #24Watcher's Spire

    Keys: Watcher's Spire

    Home of Lurien the Watcher, one of the Dreamers sealing the Black Egg and the Hollow Knight inside. At his side, his infected butler can be found. Reaching him is no simple task as the way is barred by his elite guards, the Watcher Knights, which are fully infected.

25. #25Soul Sanctum

    Keys: Soul Sanctum

    Soul Sanctum was a research institution lead by the Soul Master where scholars worked on expanding the mind and attaining a pure focus. When the Infection spread, they sought to combat it by harnessing the power of Soul, the lifeforce which animates bugs' bodies. They obtained this Soul by gathering Soul Totems and by killing countless bugs, whose bodies were left at the bottom of the Sanctum. Unfortunately, their efforts were for nothing as all scholars ended up becoming Infected.

    The Soul Sanctum contains powerful enemies such as Soul Twisters which teleport around and cast spells. It is also littered with Follies and Mistakes, scholars whose bodies were twisted by their experiments with Soul. There are two Soul Warriors in the Sanctum.

26. #26King's Station

    Keys: King's Station

    A Stag Station that lies partially in ruins, named after the King of Hallownest. A flooded Stagway beneath the working station infested with Belflies provides access to Kingdom's Edge.

27. #27Fog Canyon

    Keys: Fog Canyon

    Fog Canyon is a small, foggy area situated between Greenpath and the Fungal Wastes. The misty caverns of Fog Canyon are filled with bubbles and acid lakes, with some areas covered in thorns. The ground and walls usually consist of rocks or short, green flora. The bubbles in the region have trapped swirling gases inside them, and the ones with an orange glow can explode when they are popped. Fog Canyon shares many natural geological features with those of Greenpath, suggesting that the areas were not separate in the past. A guard outpost was occupied by Hallownest Crossguards. The Pilgrim's Way, a road starting in the Forgotten Crossroads and ending near the City of Tears, passes through Fog Canyon. In an attempt to stop the Infection, Monomon became a Dreamer, sleeping for eternity in her archives, protected by the intelligent being Uumuu. At some unknown point, the Archives became a nest for the gelatinous creatures of the canyon.

28. #28Teacher's Archives

    Keys: Teacher's Archives

    The archives of Monomon the Teacher, built in the middle of an acid lake. It contains all of Monomon's research and is where she sought to store Hallownest's knowledge. The archives are filled with record tablets and preservation chambers, one of which contains the Journal entry for the Charged Lumafly. These structures fill the archives with a green glow which is visible from outside.

29. #29Quirrel

    Keys: Quirrel

    Quirrel is an inquisitive, up-beat explorer, fascinated by the myths of Hallownest for reasons he cannot explain. While he remains a simple observer, he is wise of the land's dangers and has some skill with a nail. Before the fall of Hallownest, Quirrel used to be Monomon’s apprentice. When Monomon became a Dreamer, she entrusted Quirrel with her mask, which was part of an additional protection enacted upon herself. Quirrel can be seen wearing this mask on top of his head.

    Quirrel lost much of his memory eventually. He was called back to Hallownest by Monomon in order to reverse the protection placed on her. He had dreams of Hallownest; the City of Tears, Fog Canyon, the Forgotten Crossroads, the Temple of the Black Egg, and the Hollow Knight. After entering the Howling Cliffs, Quirrel meets Hornet, whom he briefly fights. Hornet allows Quirrel to enter Hallownest when she recognizes Monomon’s mask.

30. #30Void

    Keys: Void

    Void inherently opposes light and is often referred to as darkness and shadow. It also opposes Higher Beings like the Radiance and the Pale King who are both described as a light. Void has a certain potential when it is unified. When not unified, the Void attacks anything indiscriminately. Yet in this state, the Void can still be suppressed by light sources such as a lighthouse filled with lumaflies.

    Once the Void is united under one will, it no longer attacks aimlessly and can instead challenge and defeat the source of the Infection.

    As a substance given form, Void mainly exists in specific life forms. These can be beings that consist entirely out of Void. Void can also take a form within the shell or armor of life forms, which is the case for the Vessels, who have an interior filled with Void.

31. #31Nail

    Keys: Nail

    Nail is the term used to describe the bladed weapons wielded by several bugs and enemies, which even some infected bugs can use. It is a traditional weapon of Hallownest used by many bugs all around.

32. #32Geo

    Keys: Geo

    Geo is the currency of Hallownest in which most bugs use, made from fossilised shells of various forms. Can be traded for goods or used as toll in various old mechanisms.

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