Lifeblood
- For the content pack, released on 20 April 2018, see Lifeblood (Content Pack).
- For the breakable objects, see Lifeblood Cocoon or Plasmium Cocoon.
Lifeblood, also known as Plasmium or Liquid Lifeseed,[1] is a mysterious substance in Hollow Knight. It also serves as a minor antagonistic force in Hollow Knight: Silksong leading to strange mutations and aberrations in the Wormways.
Mechanics
Lifeblood serves as "bonus health", providing extra masks that don't regenerate. They can't be healed during combat, but they're useful as a buffer to take extra damage. Sitting on a Bench removes all Lifeblood masks. However, any charms that add 
will immediately replenish them. In Hollow Knight, entering a dream or exiting Pantheons will reset all .
In Hollow Knight, when the Hiveblood and Joni's Blessing charms are equipped, the most-recently damaged may regenerate over time. Similarly, in Hollow Knight: Silksong when Hornet is plasmified, 
masks will regenerate over time. While plasmified, Hornet's Bind only heals 1 .
Lifeblood Sources
Hollow Knight
- Lifeblood Cocoons spawn 2–5 Lifeseeds depending on the cocoon, each of which can be killed and absorbed to gain
. - The Lifeblood Heart Charm adds when resting at a Bench.
- The Lifeblood Core Charm adds when resting at a Bench.
- The Joni's Blessing Charm changes all
Masks into Lifeblood Masks and increases the total number of Masks by 40%.
- When paired with the Hiveblood Charm, Lifeblood Masks slowly regenerate after taking damage.
- When paired with the Hiveblood Charm,
Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Plasmium Cocoons spawn 2 Winged Lifeseeds, each of which can be killed and absorbed to gain
- The Plasmium Phial adds per use, up to a maximum of 6 times with maximum tool capacity, or 7 with the
Shell Satchel.
- The Plasmium Gland endlessly refills the Plasmium Phial whenever one is crafted by resting at a Bench.
- After gaining 9x , Hornet becomes plasmified, replacing her normal
Masks with regenerating Masks.
History
In Hallownest, Lifeblood is a bit of a taboo.[2] Blue Child Joni, a bug who could give a blessing that transfigures vital fluids into blue Lifeblood, was seen as a heretic.[3] Lifeblood spread all around her tomb in Joni's Repose. The substance was once allowed to flourish in the caves of Hallownest, leading to mutations.[4]
Lifeblood is known as Plasmium in Pharloom. It was discovered by Zylotol the Alchemist's master, who found it hidden deep in salt-stricken waters at the farthest edge of Pharloom. She directed him to bring it to the Wormways to see how it flourished in a foreign place.[5] Zylotol instructed his assistant, Zango, to seed the area with Plasmium buds.[6] Zango died some time after doing so.
In-Game Events
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Lifeblood (referred to as Plasmium) can be found in the Wormways, accessible with a Simple Key. During the events of Act 3, this section of the Wormways becomes overrun with Plasmium, and the previous enemies become visibly and dangerously mutated, bloating, and dripping with Plasmified blood. Hornet notices a similarity with The Infection, but says that it may be a coincidence.[7]
Zylotol the Alchemist can be found here, studying Plasmium and its effects on the environment. He gives Hornet the Alchemist's Assistant Wish.
After the Plasmium spreads, Zylotol becomes visibly mutated and exhibits mental abnormalities, disregarding his own health.[8] He will now give Hornet the Advanced Alchemy Wish, with his very own Plasmium Gland as a reward. Resting on a bench elsewhere and coming back will reveal he has fallen to the ground, responsive only to the Needolin.
Zylotol's assistant, Zango, can also be found in a secret room at the bottom of the Wormways. He died sometime before the events of the game, and has Plasmium buds growing in and around his body. After Plasmium overtakes the Wormways, it re-animates his body. Hornet calls this a false life[9], and he can be fought in this state, though he has no dialogue and exhibits no clear signs of lucidity.
Manifestation
Unlike the Infection, Lifeblood seems to primarily exist physically, most notably in the form of small, scuttling creatures called Lifeseeds or their winged equivalents, found nesting in Lifeblood Cocoons, which shake and produce a quiet chirping sound every now and then, indicating the presence of said small creatures. These cocoons start out as small Plasmium Buds[10] and eventually mature into Lifeblood Cocoons.[6]
Blue veins and butterfly-like protrusions can always be found leading to large concentrations of Lifeblood, especially in Wormways and the Abyss. These appear similarly to plants, and also to the veins of Infection seen around Ancient Basin or Infected Crossroads. Hornet recalls a time it was allowed to flourish within her home caves, resulting in strange aberrations.[4]
When imbibed, Lifeblood will empower the user, healing and strengthening their shell.[11] Lifeblood can be consumed in liquid form, injected into the body, or even infused via the use of a charm. Though drinking the substance is considered somewhat taboo in Hallownest,[2] with its users like Joni even being considered heretics, it is said to be quite tasty and to improve constitution.[12]
Mutation
Despite its beneficial effects, an excess of Lifeblood can mutate the user's shell, as seen when Hornet or enemies in the Wormways become plasmified. Perhaps on account of being made to contain infection, The Knight is seemingly immune to this effect.
In its later stages, there are many visible signs of mutation:
- Severe bloating of the shell.
- Lifeblood roots growing into and around the body.
- Visible tumor-like growths of Lifeblood, as seen with the Plasmidas.
- Glowing blue liquid visible in the eyes and mouth, and even through the shell.
As seen in the Wormways with Plasmified Zango, Lifeblood can even animate the dead at high enough concentrations. It is unclear if their mind also returns.
Additionally, Lifeblood is described as growing to reshape the world in its own image.[13]
Mental
Lifeblood may overtake the minds of those afflicted by its mutation.[14] Mutated creatures may also have their sense of self-preservation be twisted into the instinct to preserve Lifeblood. They do, however, seem to preserve their sense of self, unlike with the Infection.[8]
Lifeblood has some ability to manifest in dreams, as evidenced by its presence in Godhome and by the room with Lifeblood Core being a dream. It is unclear how strongly Lifeblood is correlated with dreams.
Abyss Creature
The Abyss Creature, a massive, multi-eyed head, can be seen in the Lifeblood Chamber in the Abyss. The inside of the chamber is itself a dream with bright-blue hues and is full of Lifeblood plants. At the end of the chamber are the Lifeblood Core Charm and the Abyss Creature.
The Abyss Creature can also be seen within Godhome, in the room with the blue dreamcatcher.
In both locations, it makes no noise, and cannot be interacted with in any way. It is referred to in the game files as "Abyss Creature", though only the head sprite exists for it. Any specific relations to Lifeblood or the rest of the events in Hallownest are, as of yet, unknown.
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The Lifeblood Core room in the Abyss. The Abyss Creature is visible in the background.
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The Lifeblood room in Godhome, with the Abyss Creature visible underneath.
Gallery
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Spread of Lifeblood in Joni's Repose
-
Blue Child Joni's spirit in Joni's Repose
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Lifeblood in Godhome
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Lifeblood in Galien's arena in Godhome
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Lifeblood Cocoon in the Pantheons in Godhome
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Alchemist Zyolotol's room
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Alchemist Zylotol's room after Plasmium spread
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Lifeblood Cocoon in Wormways
References
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