Crystal Peak
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Crystal Peak is a huge glittering mountain located east of Dirtmouth.[1][2] Mines were carved into the peak to obtain the area's precious crystals.[3]
Description
Crystal Peak contains extensive tunnels throughout the mountain which were used to mine its crystals. The crystals are present across the entire area, with some tunnels having crystals lining the top and bottom of the cavern. Conveyor belts can be found in many rooms which transport the crystal shards.
In the centre of Crystal Peak is a Bench with the Crystal Guardian boss. Its second form, Enraged Guardian, is located above this room, which can only be accessed once the Monarch Wings are obtained. A Mask Shard can be found after this boss fight.
A lift in the northwest part of Crystal Peak connects the area to Dirtmouth. On the summit of the mountain stands a statue of the Radiance which holds a Pale Ore. In the east part of the area are tunnels filled with old mining golems, one of which contains the Crystal Heart Ability.
Further below this room is a Snail Shaman temple where the Descending Dark Spell can be obtained. A nearby chasm leads to the Resting Grounds.
Lore
In Hallownest's prime, Crystal Peak's mines supplied the kingdom's cities with a constant supply of crystals.[4] The crystal ore contains energy, not as powerful as Soul but less lethal.[5] Besides regular bug miners who mined the crystals with their claw-picks, creatures such as the Shardmites and Glimbacks were used to carry around carts and machines.[6][7][8]
When the Infection took hold, many of the miners died and were subsequently reanimated.[9] Their husks were imprinted with strong purpose, causing them to continue mining even after death.[10]
The crystals themselves have a strange power hidden within them. They glow in the darkness, and there is a bright point of searing heat inside each of them. The crystals can refract light and also emit a very soft singing sound.[11][12][13]
How to access
Crystal Peak can be accessed from two rooms in the very east part of the Forgotten Crossroads. One room has a toll gate leading to Crystal Peak which can be opened for 
50, but it requires the Lumafly Lantern to be able to interact with it. The other access point to Crystal Peak contains a breakable floor which can be destroyed with Desolate Dive/Descending Dark.
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Mask Shard x 1
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Grub x 6
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King's Idol x 1
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Geo Deposit x 16
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Soul Totem x 5
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Rancid Egg x 3
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Sub-area: Hallownest's Crown
The very summit of the mountain, Hallownest's Crown is covered with mysterious glyphs which emit a radiant light.[14] The glyphs are written in an unknown language, with some of them depicting winged creatures.[14]
A statue of the Radiance stands at the precipice, looming over the town of Dirtmouth.[14] It contains a rare Pale Ore.
Hallownest's Crown is accessible by using Monarch Wings. An alternative method uses the Mothwing Cloak and Mantis Claw and Nail-bounces off background objects, Crystal Hunters, and their projectiles.
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Pale Ore x 1
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Sub-area: Crystallised Mound
Crystallised Mound is an ancient abandoned temple found deep within Crystal Peak which is older than the mines surrounding it.[12] It was home of the Snail Shaman's fourth aunt who became encased in crystal after meditating too long within.[15][12] Breaking the crystal she is trapped in grants the Descending Dark Spell.
Entering this area requires Desolate Dive to break the floor. The Lumafly Lantern is recommended for the dark area right before the Mound. The Crystal Heart or the Monarch Wings is also required to cross the chasm leading to it.
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Grub x 1
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Soul Totem x 1
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Gallery
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Upper entrance from Forgotten Crossroads
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Northwest room in Crystal Peak
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Bottom room of the peak
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Room filled with crushers
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Open crystal passage
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Area that connects to Dirtmouth
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Room that overlooks Dirtmouth where Quirrel can be encountered
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First mining golem
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Laser emitting crystals
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Third mining golem where Crystal Heart can be found
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One of the vertical passages
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Large room in the north-eastern end
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The glowing stones at Hallownest's Crown
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The Radiance statue at Hallownest's Crown containing Pale Ore
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Entrance to Crystallised Mound
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Snail Shaman in Crystallised Mound
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Concept sketches
Trivia
- Using the Dream Nail on the statue of the Radiance on Hallownest's Crown yields the line:
- "...Remember... Light..."
- The name card for Crystallised Mound is misspelled, "Crystalised Mound".
- In early development, Crystal Peak was part of the Forgotten Crossroads, where it was known as the "Crystal Mines". Team Cherry added it because they thought it would be interesting to return to the Forgotten Crossroads after some point, but still go to a thematically different part. The Crystal Mines eventually ended up broken off into an entirely new area, after which it was renamed to Crystal Peak.[16]
References
- ↑ Crystal Peak map description: "A map of Crystal Peak, the huge shining mountain that looms behind Dirtmouth."
- ↑ Wanderer's Journal, p. 78.
- ↑ Elderbug: "Up to the old mines they carved into the peak I suppose."
- ↑ Wanderer's Journal, p. 79.
- ↑ Quirrel: "The crystal ore is said to contain a sort of energy, not as powerful as the soul the city dwellers harnessed but far less lethal."
- ↑ Wanderer's Journal, p. 82.
- ↑ Glimback Hunter's Journal entry: "The bugs of Hallownest used to force these creatures to carry around their carts and machines."
- ↑ Husk Miner Hunter's Journal entry: "Remains of a bug drawn to the Crystal Peak for its precious crystal. Its claw-pick now doubles as a fierce weapon."
- ↑ Crystallised Husk Hunter's Journal entry: "Remains of a bug who died amongst the crystals. Animated by a strange force,"
- ↑ Quirrel: "Did it sadden you to see those miners below, still labouring at their endless task? Even overcome, strong purpose has been imprinted upon their husks."
- ↑ Whispering Root in Crystal Peak: "...Light refracted...."
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Wanderer's Journal, p.80.
- ↑ Crystallised Husk Hunter's Journal entry: "They gleam and glow in the darkness, a bright point of searing heat in each one. They sing too, if you listen. Very softly..."
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Wanderer's Journal, p. 81.
- ↑ Snail Shaman: "You didn't perchance visit my fourth aunt? She makes her home beside that Crystal Mount."
- ↑ How to design a great Metroidvania map interview with Team Cherry