Elderbug

Elderbug is an NPC in Hollow Knight. He is the oldest resident of Dirtmouth and a friendly face for new travellers seeking the Kingdom. He gives advice to anyone who passes by him.

Elderbug
Gender	Male
Voice Actor	Ari Gibson

I'm afraid there's only me left to offer welcome. Our town's fallen quiet you see. The other residents, they've all disappeared. – Elderbug

Lore

While Elderbug is the oldest bug in Dirtmouth, he was not around before the fall of Hallownest, the Stag Station of Dirtmouth being closed even before his time.

Since all of Dirtmouth's residents have disappeared down the well into the Forgotten Crossroads, Elderbug is the only remaining resident in town. These bugs followed their dreams and then never returned, making him believe that dreams are not so great after all. He has become pessimistic, seeing the world as faded, with dark thoughts creeping into his mind.

Elderbug had an old friend who is buried in the graveyard of Dirtmouth. He visits her grave occasionally.

In-game events

When Elderbug is first met, he warns the Knight to be careful if they decide to head down the well, as creatures who go there turn mad and travellers are robbed of their memories.

Throughout the Knight's journey, Elderbug gives hints on which area they should go to next. He also comments on other residents returning to Dirtmouth and buildings reopening.

When he is given a Delicate Flower, he happily accepts it and notes that he had not expected any gratitude for the advice that he gave to travellers. The flower makes him see the world as a little less faded and causes him to consider that dreams might not be so bad after all.

The Grimm Troupe Content

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After the Grimm Troupe arrives in Dirtmouth, Elderbug moves from his usual spot near the Bench to a spot west of this. He comments on how the Grimm Troupe's arrival fills him with dread, and that he would best ignore it. He moves back to the Bench after this.

Once the Grimm Troupe leaves or is banished, Elderbug expresses how relieved he is that the town is quiet once more. If the Troupe was banished, he finds Nymm outside of town and invites him in. The musician's arrival delights him, as Nymm's accordion music gently breaks Dirtmouth's windy sounds.

Dialogue

General First encounter Ho there, traveller. I'm afraid there's only me left to offer welcome. Our town's fallen quiet you see. The other residents, they've all disappeared. Headed down that well, one by one, into the caverns below. Used to be there was a great kingdom beneath our town. It's long fell to ruin, yet it still draws folks into its depths. Wealth, glory, enlightenment, that darkness seems to promise all things. I'm sure you too seek your dreams down there. Well watch out. It's a sickly air that fills the place. Creatures turn mad and travellers are robbed of their memories. Perhaps dreams aren't such great things after all... First encounter (if walked by him the first time) Oh! You came back! You walked straight past me, I thought maybe I'd faded away along with this town. First encounter (if visited Forgotten Crossroads before listening to him) Oh! You're back! You walked straight past me and descended down into the ruins without even saying hello! I thought maybe I'd seen a ghost. The mind sometimes plays tricks on you when you spend a lot of time alone. Listening again Many used to come, hoping the kingdom would fulfill their desires. Hallownest, it was once called. Supposedly the greatest kingdom there ever was, full of treasures and secrets. Hm. Now it's nothing more than a poisonous tomb full of monsters and madness. Everything fades eventually, I suppose. Listening after reaching the City of Tears I hope you aren't too disappointed by our little town, traveller. Though it's now a solemn place, once we were much more welcoming. Entry to the kingdom was forbidden long ago, supposedly after some great calamity. Many gates were closed, but our old well remains as a way to creep back in. Over the years, all kinds used the well to wriggle into the ruins, wanderers, thieves, adventurers. Funny how few ever come back up. Perhaps they find what they're looking for?.. Bah, I'm not so naive. No doubt, they've all been gobbled up! There are countless dangers in those depths. Listening after Iselda's shop opened A young couple's just recently taken up residence in the house beside the station. Seems they're running a map shop, which may excite adventurous types like yourself. She's a tall bug, the wife. I told them to take a larger house, especially given they're all empty, but they liked the look of that one. The way she has to bend just to get through the door...I wouldn't put up with it myself. Listening after Sly was rescued in the Forgotten Crossroads Oh, what a turn! Our shopkeep's come home. Just wandered back in. I'd hoped for grand tales of his time below, but he seems to remember almost nothing! Maybe it was all too much for him? If you're interested in his wares, watch out! He drives a hard bargain, that one. No competition. That's the problem. It's bad for the market. Not that he's complaining. Listening after opening the Stag Station in Dirtmouth I never thought I'd see such a thing. The Stag Station has opened! That building lay silent since before even my time. Oh, I've heard the tales of the glorious lines. A web of tunnels running all through the kingdom. Not that I'll be travelling them, mind you! I'm quite content where I am. Listening after opening the door to Confessor Jiji Faring well in your adventures below? Well I had an adventure of my own while you were gone. I don't usually visit the town's graveyard, but I thought I'd go and visit the grave of an old friend. As I was walking amongst the tombstones, I noticed a strange kind of chanting coming from somewhere nearby. Extremely sinister chanting! I looked around to find the source, and I saw two bright, horrible, huge eyes staring at me from the door of a dark cave! I pretended I hadn't heard the voice or seen the eyes and scurried back to town. My friend will have to wait a little longer for her visit... Listening after rescuing Bretta in Fungal Wastes That lovely young lass returned to us! I must admit, I'd placed thin odds on her survival. Seems to think very highly of her rescuer, some sort of dashing, warrior type. Barely stopped gushing since she got back. The warrior must have passed down below whilst I was taking my nap. Such a shame. I'd have loved to meet so impressive a bug. Listening while wearing Defender's Crest Can you... smell something? There's suddenly a horrid stench in the air. I swear, the town usually smells much nicer than this. Please accept my humble apology! Listening after opening the lift leading from Crystal Peak to Dirtmouth That noisy old lift, where does it go? Up to the old mines they carved into the peak, I suppose. Have you been up there? Is it true that crystals grow everywhere you step? A villager brought some of those crystals back to the village once. I don't quite understand the allure myself. You can't eat them, and they don't make very good pillows. They hardly seem worth all the trouble to me. Listening after having reached the Howling Cliffs To reach Dirtmouth, most travellers take circuitous routes around the cliffs beside us. It's a hard trek now but in the kingdom's prime things were far simpler. There's an old pass in the cliffs that once allowed easy access. The bridge up to it has long since crumbled away, and even without it, a huge door bars entry. I can't complain mind you. It's meant we've only ever had to accommodate a trickle of travellers, even during our busiest times. I wouldn't want hordes of bugs to descend on Dirtmouth. I like the quiet. Listening after visiting the Infected Crossroads Ehhh...A sharp sickly smell has started to drift from the well beside town. I'd thought those depths ominous before, now they seem just dreadful. Whatever horrid curse afflicts this ruin, I'd wager it's grown stronger than ever. Listening after visiting the Temple of the Black Egg Did you visit that temple? A strange building I've heard, though I'd never dare the journey myself. The braver among us once went there to pray, said they felt at peace within the walls. After a while, they stopped going. I wonder what changed? Listening after opening the Temple of the Black Egg I heard a piercing cry from the well. It echoed about my mind and left me all a daze. I'd say it was a foul beast's death, but this cry sounded different...divine? Has something happened little traveller? No. Don't tell me. If foul events are brewing, it's probably better I don't know. Exhausted dialogue (if not given a Delicate Flower) Feeling tired? That bench may be iron, but I assure you it's quite comfortable. There's no better place to collect your thoughts before heading below. Plus I enjoy the company. Not that you seem the talkative sort. Dream Nailed (if not given a Delicate Flower) To descend into that ruin...Why? Things are so much simpler up here. Hints After acquiring Vengeful Spirit (Hinting at Greenpath) I used to think the kingdom below was all dead cold rock, but I've since been told different. Travellers speak of startling variety in Hallownest's caverns. Even just besides those Crossroads there's meant to be an area filled with leafy greenery. I told those same travellers about the wonderful grasses that grow around the town. They didn't seem impressed. After acquiring Mothwing Cloak (Hinting at Fungal Wastes) My understanding of Hallownest can be a little vague, but below those leafy caverns is a fungal grove, once home to peaceful creatures not quite bug and not quite plant. Sounds almost worth a visit no? Well there's a downside, the dreadful stench! A noxious odour fills the place. After acquiring the Mantis Claw (Hinting at the City of Tears) Hallownest's great capital is what most of you brave types come to see. Thinking to loot its treasures I suppose? It must be brimming with them. The city's right at the centre of the kingdom, though I've heard the gates are sealed, so gaining entry can be difficult. It'd be a rich bug that could return with even a fraction of the wealth inside. Despite my age, I've only seen few who've managed it. Must say something of the dangers about its streets. After defeating Soul Master (Hinting at Crystal Peak) Did you see that tall cliff beyond the town's graveyard? That's only the base of a much larger peak. There's mines and machinery and all sorts of valuable rock forms inside. Many a traveller through Dirtmouth headed straight for it. After acquiring Crystal Heart (Hinting at Ancient Basin) Did you know the caverns continue even below the capital? Few have ventured that deep so the details are scant. Those who made it back told of impossibly old structures and roads formed as though the rock itself possessed a will. After acquiring Monarch Wings without having the Dream Nail (Hinting at the Resting Grounds) Apparently, the many graves of Hallownest are enough to fill an entire network of caverns. Somewhere above the city it's told. Sounds a gloomy sight. Bah, I'm content with our own humble plot. In our boom times, we even had a gravedigger! Not a bad sort he was, though dead now. He, didn't die to the dangers of Hallownest mind you. That one fell into an open grave and couldn't climb out. I found the corpse myself. Dreadful nuisance. I've since had to tend the graves myself. Delicate Flower Listening while carrying a Delicate Flower Hm? What's that you have there? Ah! What a beautiful flower! I'd never have guessed by looking, but you have surprisingly good taste in flora. Why are you carrying around such an exquisite bloom? Wait... you didn't...? Ahh! This flower is... is it a gift? For me? Are you really giving me something so precious? After refusing Oh. My mistake. Yes. Very foolish of me. I don't know why I thought you'd go to so much effort for a simple old bug. Appreciating others and being considerate... these aren't skills that everyone is born with. Listening again after refusing and returning You're still holding onto that exquisite bloom... have you changed your mind? Are you really giving me something so precious? After giving a Delicate Flower Ah! I can really have it? My, my... I barely know what to say except... thank you! I'd resigned myself to selflessly giving out advice to passers by, without receiving any gratitude in return. Little did I know, one young bug was taking my words to heart and would repay my kindness. And with such a beautiful gift! Ahh. Suddenly, the world seems a little less faded. Thank you, my friend. I will take care of this flower while you're gone, so we can enjoy it together when you return. Exhausted dialogue after giving a Delicate Flower This flower you gave me... when dark thoughts creep into my head I gaze at it and think of you. Why not rest at the bench here for a while? We can enjoy the flower together before you head off again. Dream Nailed after giving a Delicate Flower These petals... so white. Can you see them too... watching me from wherever you are? Perhaps dreams aren't such bad things after all... Grimm Troupe Listening when the Grimm Troupe first appears in Dirtmouth Ahh! Look there! Something strange and sinister has suddenly appeared! Ugh, it fills me with dread. I think it best I try to ignore it. Dream Nailed when the Grimm Troupe first appears in Dirtmouth Why must these grotesque strangers intrude on our peaceful little home? Sometimes it feels like the whole world is conspiring to make me uncomfortable. Listening after defeating Nightmare King Grimm Ah ha! Good riddance! That creepy carnival has vanished and the town's returned to its former self, nice and quiet as I like it. It's quite enough to deal with just the occasional traveller. Whole structures appearing out of nowhere, dreadful music, horrific masks, all far more than one old bug should have to face. Listening after the Grimm Troupe is banished from Hallownest Ah ha! Good riddance! That creepy carnival has vanished and town's returned to its former self, nice and quiet as I like it. And we've gained a new addition to the square! I found the fellow just outside of town. Seemed a little confused at first. Claims to be from far away, though he's hazy on the details. Whatever his past, he's a rather good musician, and this town's spent far too long listening only to the wind. Thanks to him, we've gained a new tune and some new company! Listening when Bretta leaves Dirtmouth after defeating Grey Prince Zote four times That young lass! Why, she's up and departed over the cliffs, with only the briefest word of farewell. It's a perilous journey she's set herself upon. I can't understand where she gained such fortitude. I'd thought her a timid sort, one after my own mind... How wrong I was. The call of adventure lures all but me!

Location

Elderbug is located in Dirtmouth, next to the Bench.

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  Location in Dirtmouth

Gallery

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  Elderbug in Dirtmouth Square

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  Elderbug frightened by the Grimm Troupe

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  Elderbug with the Delicate Flower

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  Promotional art

Trivia

• Although he is a valid recipient of the Delicate Flower, giving him the Flower does not have any effect and only counts as it being destroyed. Another Flower can still be acquired from the Grey Mourner to be delivered to the grave in the Queen's Gardens, or from the grave itself if the Grey Mourner's quest has already been completed.
• If Elderbug is ignored when first entering Dirtmouth, he calls after the Knight in surprise and, if listened to later, comments on this.
• Elderbug was used as an example of a cut ability of the Dream Nail known as "Dream Diving". With this ability it was possible to enter the "Dream Well" of characters, which contained their hopes, fears and secrets. A video was released showing the Knight use the Dream Nail on Elderbug, which popped the top of his head off and opened a portal that the Knight could enter. Inside Elderbug's Dream Well was a young version of him that could be listened to. This ability was later cut from the game, but Elderbug's separate head sprite could still be found in the game's files prior to the Lifeblood update.

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  The Knight entering Elderbug's Dream Well

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  Young version of Elderbug inside his Dream Well

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