Nailsmiths

Lore & Background

The Nailsmith operates alone in his forge in the City of Tears, offering his services to any bug who can pay. His craft involves refining Nails—common weapons used across Hallownest, not exclusively by the Pale King's military. Upgrading a Nail requires Geo, and for the final upgrades (from Coiled Nail to Pure Nail), Pale Ore is also needed. There is no evidence of a lineage of Nailsmiths or of the Nailsmith being a survivor of a larger group. He is simply a skilled individual who continues his work in isolation, unaffected by the Infection like many other non-infected NPCs.

In Their Own Story

The forge in Dirtmouth glowed with a soft, dying heat, casting long shadows against the damp earth walls. The old Nailsmith sat hunched over his anvil, his movements slow but precise as he struck the metal once more. Outside, the wind howled through the rotting ruins of the kingdom, carrying whispers of the plague that had consumed everything else. He paused, listening to the heavy footsteps approaching from the village entrance. A silent Knight stood before him, offering a worn blade that had seen too much blood and not enough rest. With a nod, the craftsman took the weapon, his eyes reflecting the fire's glow as he began the ritual of sharpening once again, preparing the tool for a war that might already be lost.

Reader's Guide

The Nailsmiths function as the primary support faction for the warrior class within Hallownest. Their sole goal is to maintain and enhance the Nails used by Knights, ensuring they remain effective against the kingdom's enemies. While once likely a larger guild or family order, only one member remains active in the known timeline: the Nailsmith residing in Dirtmouth. He serves as a critical resource for any Knight seeking to improve their combat capabilities through various upgrades and sharpening services. In the broader conflict against the Infection, their role is passive yet vital. They do not fight on the front lines but enable those who do by providing superior weaponry. Without their craft, the Knights would be ill-equipped to face the horrors of the Radiance or the corrupted masses.

Did You Know?

• The Nailsmith is found in the City of Tears, not Dirtmouth.
• Upgrading a Nail requires Geo, and Pale Ore is needed for the final upgrades from Coiled Nail to Pure Nail.
• The game only depicts one Nailsmith; there is no established canon of a broader lineage or multiple Nailsmiths.
• Nails are common weapons used by various bugs, not sacred weapons tied exclusively to the Pale King's Knights.
• The Nailsmith's status regarding the Infection is not a highlighted lore point; he is simply a non-infected NPC like many others.