Scrollreader

Did they ever truly understand those inscrutable scrolls? Or is it all merely pretence, an endless act to maintain their order's station within the Citadel?

Scrollreaders are enemies in Hollow Knight: Silksong. They are gilded servants of the Whispering Vaults who were born to read and recall scrolls of prayer.[1] The Vaultborn are their juvenile form.[2]
Behaviour and Tactics
Scrollreaders are often found sitting in place reading, but grab their weapon and begin battle once Hornet comes near. Scrollreaders have 4 different moves they can perform, and walk towards Hornet to pursue her if she gets out of attack range:
- Thrust: Holds its weapon horizontally behind itself for a moment before thrusting it forwards.
- Double Swing: Holds its weapon vertically behind itself for a moment, then slashes outwards twice.
- Crashing Leap: Jumps up, hovering for a moment, before launching itself at Hornet, taking a brief moment to recover once it lands.
- Retreat: Scuttles backwards to avoid strikes, often used after missing a move – especially Crashing Leap – and if Hornet is close to it.
Scrollreaders deal ![]()
for all attacks as well as contact damage.
Needolin Dialogue
- Ours to guard...
- Ours to keep...
- Hidden dark and deep...
- Holy secrets, sacred whispers...
- Words that only we may speak...
- Songs that only we may sing!
Location
[Missing information] Scrollreaders can be found in the Whispering Vaults.
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Location in the Whispering Vaults
Gallery
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Reading with a Lampbearer
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Dormant and corpse
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Reanimating
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Idle
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Thrust attack
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Double Swing attack
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Crashing Leap attack
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Retreat
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Responding to the Needolin
Trivia
- Scrollreaders, alongside Lampbearers and Vaultkeepers, were first revealed in a blog post, where their sprite was shown, and they were described as being in a "tough later game trio who, when in battle, work closely together, covering for each other’s weaknesses."[3] In the final build, these three enemies do not specifically work together, and thus do not cover for each other's weaknesses.
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First reveal
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Leitor de Pergaminhos | Scroll Reader | |
| Tisseur de Savoir | Weaver of Knowledge | |
| Schriftrollenleser | Scrollreader | |
| Rotolettore | Portmanteau of rotolo (scroll) and lettore (reader). | |
| マキモノヨミ Makimonoyomi |
Combination of 巻物 makimono (scroll) and 読み yomi (reading). | |
| 두루마리를 읽는 자 Durumarireul ingneun ja |
Scroll Reader | |
| Свиткочтец Svitkočtec |
Combination of свиток svitok (scroll) and чтец čtec (reader). | |
| 诵经使 Sòng jīng shǐ? |
Scripture Reciter | |
| Lector de pergaminos | Scroll Reader | |
SCROLLKEEPER
|
||
References
- ↑ Scrollreader Hunter's Journal entry: "Gilded servant of the Whispering Vaults, born to read and recall the near endless scrolls of prayer."
- ↑ Vaultborn Hunter's Journal entry: "Young acolyte raised in the darkest vaults, destined to ascend to the rank of Scrollreader."
- ↑ Team Cherry blog post of December 13th, 2019