Lemm moved into his shop in the City of Tears at some point after the place was already empty and everyone in the tower was dead.[3] He explores his current location and covets antiques, gleaning any information on the land's history.[4]
While Lemm happily discusses his discoveries and hypotheses, he guards his collection and is not willing to sell any of it.[5] He does not seek company unless they bring him more material for his collection.[6]
In-game events
Lemm can be found at his shop overlooking the Fountain Square. He eagerly offers Geo in exchange for rare antiques from about the Kingdom: Wanderer's Journals, Hallownest Seals, King's Idols and Arcane Eggs. Unlike Geo, Relics are not lost upon death, which makes them a method of securing large amounts of Geo.
Lemm in his shop
Upon delivery of a Relic, Lemm shares his collected knowledge of the kingdom's history: the Pale King and his Five Great Knights, the wanderers lost in the caverns, and even the ancient civilisation buried underneath.
After the Knight has defeated any one of the three Dreamers, Lemm closes his shop for a break.[7] He can be found gazing at the Memorial to the Hollow Knight in the middle of the Fountain Square. Lemm ponders the meaning of the statue, as he never found the Hollow Knight mentioned anywhere else except for the fountain's plaque.[8] After having listened to him, he returns to his shop.
These journals give us an interesting glimpse into the minds and hearts of those who lived before us. They're a common find, so I can't offer you too much for them.
These ornate seals were the official symbols of the King and his Knights, and were treasured by those who carried them. The King and his Knights are long gone, but the seals still hold value as curiosities. I'll pay a modest price for them.
An icon of Hallownest's King, who was revered as both a god and a ruler. Made out of a mysterious white material, these are rare and very valuable. If you'll sell it to me, I'll pay a good price.
Ah! This seems like a simple egg, but it's actually a precious relic from before the birth of Hallownest! I'll pay you a small fortune for it. Please sell it to me!
Aye Aye. Come searching for rare items have you? Well hands off! This collection is mine and I won't be selling to grubby little wanderers.
Still, I imagine you come across many interesting items in your travels. Maybe you'd care to part with some? I'll offer a fair trade for each.
Listening while standing on his right side
No touching the antiques! My stock is not for sale.
Still, if you've managed to come upon any interesting trinkets during your travels, I may be willing to trade. Step over to the counter here and I'll see what you've got.
Listening again
There's a forgotten history hidden in this kingdom's antiques, though few seem willing to look. Others come just to claw away at the cracks and ruins.
Pah! Scavengers and thieves. It's contemptible.
Exhausted dialogue
We've talked enough I think. Relics need cleaning. Texts need deciphering. Out with you! This isn't a museum.
This place was dead empty when I moved in and there's no one left alive who'd lay claim to the tower.
If you fancy yourself a domicile in the city, go find somewhere else, preferably in another building.
I'm well content with just my relics. I'm not after neighbours.
That nail you bear looks mighty blunt. There're cracks all through it. It's as much a relic as the objects in my shop!
I've little interest in weapons myself, but it may be an idea to hunt down that old Nailsmith.
His hut's on the outskirts of the city. Not that far from here. He might help add some sting to your weapon, provided he's feeling generous.
Nothing to buy
Hm. Looks like you don't have any relics on you. If you manage to find any in good condition, bring them to me and I'll give you a fair amount of Geo for them.
Urgh! What do you think you're doing, coming into my nice little shop stinking like that?!
These relics have been through enough. They don't need you spreading your stench all over them! Crawl back to the Waterways or wherever you came from!
Dream Nailed
...This short one's got an odd look about it... though vaguely familiar?..
Inspecting sign at shop door when he is at the fountain
Gone out to clear my head. Will be back soon. If you have something you absolutely must sell, come find me in Fountain Square.
Listening at Fountain Square
Oh? What are you doing out in this miserable downpour?
Impressive fountain isn't it? I'm sure we'd be able to appreciate it more if we weren't both getting drenched.
That knight up there was an important one. The plaque here mentions its 'sacrifice,' which carries something of an ominous tone.
Probably met some sort of horrible end, though it sounds like the knight's goal may have been achieved in the process
In all the relics I've collected, I've yet to find a clue as to what that was.
Listening again at Fountain Square
I'll be getting back to the shop soon. If I stay out here too long I'll get washed into the Waterways.
Come and visit if you like. If you have relics, I mean. I'm not much for chatter.
Dream Nailed at Fountain Square
...Who were you mystery knight?... Why no mention beyond your fountain?..
Selling Items
Wanderer's Journal First dialogue
A Wanderer's Journal, eh?
Though they're common finds about the kingdom, I much enjoy the deciphering of their text.
Read together they paint a morbid tale. It seems fate was unkind to most who travel within Hallownest's ruin.
Wanderer's Journal Second dialogue
Another Wanderer's Journal?
I might not offer a lot for each but they're plentiful about the caverns and I doubt you'll find another willing to make trade for Geo.
Wanderer's Journal Third dialogue
A Wanderer's Journal? Yes. Yes. I'll add it to the pile with the others.
I don't know when I'll get to decipher this one. It's long hard work translating the many languages of the bugs that explore these caverns.
Wanderer's Journal Fourth dialogue
A Wanderer's Journal?
You've a knack for finding these. Corpses must be frequent on your journey. No doubt your nail's created many more.
Wanderer's Journal Fifth dialogue
Another Wanderer's Journal, eh?
This journal is of traditional stone type. Text endures well upon it.
In its declining age, this city switched from stone to parchment woven of spider's silk.
It's a small tragedy, but the moisture in these towers has rendered most of those texts illegible.
Wanderer's Journal Sixth dialogue
A Wanderer's Journal?
Have you heard that saying about stone journals?
If danger lurks close by and your nail has dulled with wear,
Just swing your journal at your foes with blunt and deadly flair.
S'a good one isn't it! And accurate. They sure have a heft to them.
Wanderer's Journal Seventh dialogue
What's that? A Wanderer's Journal?
I've so many of these now. Once I get around to deciphering them all, I'll be the preeminent scholar on Hallownest's dead.
Wanderer's Journal Eight dialogue and onward
A Wanderer's Journal?
It's quite incredible how many of these you've collected. You must have travelled the breadth of the kingdom to accrue such a haul.
Hallownest Seal First dialogue
A Hallownest Seal, eh? Very interesting this.
Do you know of the Kingdom's five great knights? They're revered figures of Hallownest, often mentioned in the annals of the Kingdom, but only as a group.
Both their names and appearance seem to have been expunged from history.
So long has passed since their time. It'd be a grand achievement to discover their identities.
Hallownest Seal Second dialogue
Another Hallownest Seal? Pass it over.
Ah. I enjoy collecting their like, but there's little information to be gleaned of each.
Mind you, they do keep a nice shine about them and there's nothing wrong with appreciating something purely on aesthetic merits.
Hallownest Seal Third dialogue
A Hallownest Seal, eh? Give it here.
Do you have anything else for me? If not, get your damp little self out of my home.
Hallownest Seal Fourth dialogue
Another Hallownest Seal?
Others have told me there's a statue out by the city's entrance depicting a large knightly figure. Could be one of the Kingdom's great five.
I'd have looked it over myself, but the gate's long been shut tight and it's too much hassle taking the long way round with all those blasted husks about.
Hallownest Seal Fifth dialogue
Yep, that's another Hallownest Seal alright.
The shop'll be overflowing with these things soon. Gah! I'd never guessed so many would still be lying around.
If they're as common as you make them seem, maybe I've been offering too much for them?
Hallownest Seal Sixth dialogue
Another Hallownest Seal? Pass it over then.
Hallownest Seal Seventh dialogue and onward
A Hallownest Seal?
You're a talented collector, alright. The best I've met. If you keep at it, I worry I'll run out of space in the shop!
King's Idol First dialogue
A King's Idol, eh?
Hallownest's king was an elusive figure, deified by the citizens. With the king rarely seen, worship was offered through these idols.
There's an expert craft to them. Few alive could match this skill.
King's Idol Second dialogue
A King's Idol?
If you look closely, each of these idols is subtly different. There are fine engravings about them that take some time to decipher.
I suspect each was tailored to the owner. A personalised symbol of the king's omnipotence.
King's Idol Third dialogue
Another King's Idol?
Have you visited the remnants of his palace? It's down below this city, in the bedrock of the kingdom.
Must've been an impressive sight in its time. Now there's nothing left.
It's a strange thing though. There are no signs of conflict around the area. It's as though the whole place just vanished.
King's Idol Fourth dialogue
A King's Idol?
I've often wondered the true visage of the king. Depictions are of an imposing, gleaming figure and a fiercely horned crown.
I suspect there's much embellishment in the imagery though. A ruler seeking worship tends to hide their blemishes. It'd do no good to appear a common bug.
King's Idol Fifth dialogue and onward
A King's Idol?
With as many of these as you've delivered, the other Relic Seekers are like to think I've gone mad for the King!
Pah! Who am I kidding. They'll only be jealous of my collection. Find me more!
Arcane Egg First dialogue
An Arcane Egg, eh? Now this, this is an ancient thing. These relics are the prize of my profession. There's knowledge hidden within, though it's very difficult, painstaking work to extract.
One large understanding can be gleaned though. This civilisation may claim itself the first, but something else did exist within this place before Hallownest.
Each egg offers a narrow glimpse into that forgotten age.
Arcane Egg Second dialogue
Another Arcane Egg?
It's a rare chance to own two of these. I'll be the envy of all my colleagues, though my purse is feeling much lighter for it.
These eggs are the most desired find from time before Hallownest, but they're not the only remnant of that age.
You may have come upon them, those old statues that seem a store for soul? They too prove its existence, though in a larger, cruder form.
Arcane Egg Third dialogue
A third Arcane Egg? You're an exceptional explorer to have found so many.
An egg is a perfect protective form. In Hallownest we use stone journals or tablets, our text engraved atop. These eggs are far more secure. Their records are stored within.
In fear of damaging the eggs, I'm only able to access the outer layer, but it's clear those in the distant past could somehow access information stored even deeper within.
If only I could find a way to do so. Just think of the discoveries to be made!
Arcane Egg Fourth dialogue
A fourth Arcane Egg! I wouldn't have believed it possible. I've never met a bug with your knack for uncovering this Kingdom's treasures.
You must have some sort of sense about you? Or maybe these eggs are somehow drawn to you.
My fellows have claimed there's a will of sorts within each egg, that each seeks its own bearer, or reject them.
That'd be a subtle power indeed, and I remain sceptical. Relic Seekers are prone to confusing facts with fable.
Location
Relic Seeker Lemm is located west of the statue of the Hollow Knight in the City of Tears. His shop initially has to be accessed from above.
Location in City of Tears
Gallery
Lemm's shop closed
Lemm appreciating the Hollow Knight's fountain
Concept sketches of Lemm's shop and the relics
Trivia
Press Kit screenshot of Lemm
While Lemm mentions other Relic Seekers,[9] no other such NPC is ever found in Hallownest.
According to screenshots from the Hollow Knight Press Kit, Lemm was originally going to be called Relic Seeker Marm.[10]
The Nailsmith's voicelines were originally recorded for Lemm. Matthew 'Leth' Griffin, the voice actor for both of them, had to re-record the lines for Lemm because Team Cherry told him that Lemm is supposed to be annoyed with the Knight. Lemm's old lines were subsequently reused for the Nailsmith.[11]
Lemm is the author behind the description for the Void Idol.
The combined sell price of all Relics in the entire game is 21650.
↑Lemm: "Admiring my shop are you? Well I'm no squatter. This place was dead empty when I moved in and there's no one left alive who'd lay claim to the tower."
↑Lemm: "There's a forgotten history hidden in this kingdom's antiques, though few seem willing to look. Others come just to claw away at the cracks and ruins."
↑Lemm: "Come searching for rare items have you? Well hands off! This collection is mine and I won't be selling to grubby little wanderers."
↑Lemm: "If you fancy yourself a domicile in the city, go find somewhere else, preferably in another building. I'm well content with just my relics. I'm not after neighbours."
↑Lemm shop sign: "Gone out to clear my head. Will be back soon. If you have something you absolutely must sell, come find me in Fountain Square."
↑Lemm Dream Nail dialogue: "...Who were you mystery knight?... Why no mention beyond your fountain?.."
↑Lemm: "A King's Idol? With as many of these as you've delivered, the other Relic Seekers are like to think I've gone mad for the King!"
200
Void Idol.
21650.
