Hollow Knight

Lore & Background

In ancient times, the Pale King used a living substance called Void to create Vessels from his children with the White Lady. He chose the most fit Vessel from among those that had already climbed out of the Abyss to trap the Radiance within itself, leaving the other Vessels behind in the Abyss, which was then sealed. The Hollow Knight was placed within the Temple of the Black Egg. However, the Radiance persisted within the Vessel, weakening the temple's seals and allowing the Infection, which was already loose in Hallownest, to continue spreading.

In Their Own Story

The player character arrives in Dirtmouth and learns that Hallownest fell after being overrun by the Infection. The protagonist must defeat three Dreamers to remove the seals on the Temple of the Black Egg. Inside, they encounter and battle the infected Hollow Knight. If defeated, the protagonist takes its place as the Vessel.

Reader's Guide

The Hollow Knight is the final boss guarding the source of the Infection in the Temple of the Black Egg. It was originally intended to contain the Radiance but failed because the infection persisted within it. To progress, players must defeat three Dreamers to access this area. The battle with the Hollow Knight determines the game's ending, though acquiring the Void Heart charm unlocks additional outcomes involving the Absolute Radiance or a Void entity.

Did You Know?

• The concept for Hollow Knight was conceived in 2013 during the Ludum Dare game jam.
• Development was partially funded by a crowdfunding campaign that raised over A$57,000 by the end of 2014.
• Four free downloadable expansions were released between 2017 and 2018.
• The game has sold more than 2.8 million copies.

Mythological Origins

Long before scientific inquiry, ancient cultures wove tales of subterranean realms into their spiritual fabric. Tibetan Buddhist traditions speak of Shamballa, a city concealed within the Earth, while Hindu mythology describes Patala, where heroes like Rama were once taken by demons. Even medieval European folklore featured portals between mountains leading to inner worlds, suggesting a universal human fascination with what lies beneath our feet.

Scientific Speculation

During the 17th and 18th centuries, the hollow Earth concept transitioned from myth to a subject of serious scientific conjecture. Athanasius Kircher's 1665 work proposed an intricate system of internal cavities connected by water channels.

19th Century Pseudoscience

and J. N. Reynolds. These proponents argued for substantial interior spaces despite overwhelming geological evidence to the contrary. The narrative shifted from explaining magnetic anomalies to suggesting vast civilizations or portals hidden beneath the crust. This era marked a distinct separation between established geology and fringe speculation, where the concept became entrenched in adventure fiction rather than academic discourse. While no longer a credible hypothesis among scientists, these 19th-century defenses ensured the idea survived as a cultural artifact, blending with emerging conspiracy theories that would later permeate modern folklore.

Modern Cultural Legacy

Today, the hollow Earth concept persists primarily within subterranean fiction, conspiracy theories, and the cryptoterrestrial hypothesis. It serves as a recurring premise in adventure stories where explorers discover hidden civilizations or mythological figures dwelling inside the planet. Modern interpretations often suggest that political leaders or ancient races inhabit these secret interiors, divorced from any geological reality. The idea remains a staple of folklore, frequently appearing in narratives involving portals to other worlds or explanations for unexplained phenomena. While scientifically debunked since the 18th century, its endurance in literature and conspiracy circles demonstrates a lasting human desire to imagine hidden depths within our own world.