What happened to Hallownest?

What happened to Hallownest is one of gaming's most tragic tales of a kingdom's fall from grace to ruin. This once-mighty underground civilization collapsed due to a catastrophic plague known as the Infection, which consumed the minds of its inhabitants and transformed them into mindless husks.

The Rise and Fall of the Pale King's Kingdom

Hallownest flourished under the rule of the Pale King, a higher being who granted sapience to the bugs dwelling in the kingdom's caverns. The kingdom reached incredible heights of civilization, complete with advanced architecture, a complex society, and thriving districts like the City of Tears and the Royal Waterways.

The Infection's Devastating Impact

The kingdom's downfall began with the return of the Radiance, an ancient moth goddess whose light had been forgotten when bugs began worshipping the Pale King instead. Seeking vengeance, the Radiance spread the Infection throughout Hallownest, a orange plague that invaded the dreams and minds of its citizens.

Infected bugs became aggressive, lost their individual consciousness, and were driven by a singular, destructive purpose. Entire districts fell to the plague, forcing the kingdom's infrastructure to crumble as its population either fled, died, or succumbed to the Infection's influence.

The Hollow Knight's Failed Sacrifice

In a desperate attempt to save his kingdom, the Pale King created the Hollow Knight – a vessel designed to contain the Radiance and end the Infection. However, this plan ultimately failed because the chosen vessel developed emotions and thoughts, creating an imperfect seal that allowed the Infection to continue spreading.

Hallownest's Current State

By the time players explore Hallownest, the kingdom exists as a haunting shadow of its former glory, populated by infected creatures, lingering spirits, and the few survivors who managed to resist the plague's influence.

The complete story of Hallownest's citizens and the intricate details of its collapse reveal even deeper layers of this masterfully crafted dark fantasy world.