| When attempting to leave Pharloom for the first time while in Acts 1 or 2 |  These sands mark the edge of Pharloom's territory. I was brought to this land through the caverns beyond.
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| Trying to leave Pharloom again while in Acts 1 or 2 | I cannot yet leave this land. Until I slay its source, this kingdom's hunger for me will never abate.
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| When attempting to leave Pharloom for the first time while in Act 3 | If I chose to head beyond, I would abandon Pharloom to a collapse of my making.
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| Trying to leave Pharloom again while in Act 3 | I will not flee. I cannot abandon the kingdom to a collapse of my making.
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Blasted Steps
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The Blasted Steps are a stormy, ruined desert structure area in Hollow Knight: Silksong. Located on the western edge of Pharloom, the Blasted Steps is the final path up into the Grand Gate and entrance into the Citadel.
Description
The Blasted Steps connect the midlands of Pharloom to the The Citadel. The area is made up of natural caves through which a road to the Citadel has been built. The area is darker, inhabited by few enemies besides the Judges. Compared to the surrounding areas, the Blasted Steps poses a bigger challenge in terms of platforming. Hanging bells require needle bouncing to pass, and Cling Grip is required. The western edge of the area features strong wind that makes using the Drifter's Cloak more difficult and jumps unpredictable. The wind gets stronger periodically, blowing strong from for a few seconds before calming down.
Strong winds and sand continually batter the Blasted Steps, eroding much of the old construction. At the peak of the steps is the Last Judge, who can be fought after completing the OPEN: Grand Gate objective. Defeating the Last Judge grants Hornet access to the Citadel and starts Act 2.
A vertical room next to the Bellway station connects up to the Sands of Karak and Grindle's shop in Act 2. The floating home of the Pinstress can be found on the area's far western edge. It is accessible after a challenge that requires the Clawline.
If the Grand Gate is open in Act 2, the Flea Caravan will move to the Last Judge arena after saving 12 Fleas.
The Steps are located at the edge of Pharloom, bordering the Wasteland. If Hornet attempts to leave Pharloom this way, she has unique dialogue with herself:
History
Once part of the Sands of Karak, the land was vibrant and flowing with rivers of water.[1] Corals scaled the wall and floor during the land's prime,[2] supplied by the water falling from the Coral Tower.[3][4]
At some point in Pharloom's history, a tribe emerged from the Sands of Karak that would quickly expand to take over the land. Lead by the tyrannical king, Crust King Khann and his armies would rule the area. He kept his legion strong, fierce, and loyal through his stern stewardship and by claw and blade.[5][6] In the order's prime, they held half of Pharloom under their control.[7]
Over the span of many the generations, the Citadel is built during the reign of the Weavers and Grand Mother Silk. Crust King Khann and his armies are pushed back to the Coral Tower. For some unknown reason, the water dries up, starting a long desertification process that turns the area into a wasteland.
Simple bugs are compelled to take on a pilgrimage to reach the Citadel at Pharloom's summit, as they feel that it calls them.[8][9][10] The path is severely punishing, but pilgrims see it as a test.[11] The final hurdle to reach the gate is the ascension through the Blasted Steps, where pilgrims judged to be sinful are killed by the Judges.[12][13]
How to Access
The area can be first accessed from the west of Shellwood, going west from the Bench near the Bellway Station. Cling Grip is required.
Area Features
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Magnetite Dice
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Mask Shard x 1
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Memory Locket x 1
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Craftmetal x 1
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Flea x 1
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Silkeater x 1
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Beast Shard x 1
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Gallery
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Bellway Station
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Lower Toll Bench
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Upper Toll Bench
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Great Conchflies Arena
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Last Judge Arena
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Carriage
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Grindle Hideout
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Pinstress Hut Outside
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Pinstress Hut Inside
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Entry to Pharloom
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Entry to Pharloom (Act III)
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Squirrm Room Entrance
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Squirrms singing along Hornet
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Squirrm Room Shardbeast
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Garmond and Zaza (Act III)
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Pre-release screenshot
[This section is missing one or more images]
References
- ↑ Sands of Karak Lore Tablet: "Coral sways, clear water flows, upon our river free of time."
- ↑ Coral bits can be found around the Blasted Steps, along with Driznits.
- ↑ Water can be seen falling in the background of the Coral Tower during the Elegy of the Deep memory scequence.
- ↑ Sands of Karak Lore Tablet: "At water's source, and coral's heart, our lord born last to rule."
- ↑ Needolin dialogue: "Let the weak crumble away!"
- ↑ Hunter's Journal entry: "For his stern stewardship his legions seemed utterly loyal. For less combative bugs his would have been a hard rule."
- ↑ Snail Shamans: "Up top of those caves lost to wind and sand rests a crusted old ruler, a once great warrior king. In their prime, they and their order held half of Pharloom under hardened claw."
- ↑ Hornet and Caretaker dialogue: Hornet: "These poor bugs, all are victims of the Citadel and its insidious attraction. This place draws them up, into its maw, only to consume them, utterly." Caretaker: "Aye, inside and out, s'nothing but a grand, gilded lie."
- ↑ Aged Pilgrim dialogue: "Might have taken me a beat to build the courage, but I can feel it, closer now... the Citadel calling me up."
- ↑ Hornet dialogue with Pilby: "Your life is your own, and need not be squandered at the ghostly call of the Citadel."
- ↑ Mort: "The lands in every direction punish us, but such is our test. Above it all, the Citadel shines, our destination and our reward... I'll make it there, you'll see. I've easily earned my place in such a paradise."
- ↑ Judge Hunter's Journal entry: "They remorselessly eliminate any pilgrim or passerby deemed impure to their sight."
- ↑ Last Judge Needolin dialogue: "Only the pure may pass! Smite the sinners!"