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Shellwood
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Shellwood is an area in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It is a uniquely lush subterranean forest, doubling as part of the pilgrim's path to the Citadel and as habitat for a variety of dangerous fauna and flora.
Description
Shellwood is a medium-sized area in the mid-western half of Pharloom's midlands, bordering Blasted Steps to the west and Bellhart to the east. The lower portion, known as Shellwood Pond, is a vast but shallow pond that intermittently spans most of the woods' width.[1] While the west side primarily consists of two parallel roads connected by a vertical shaft, the eastern portion is more vertical and contains significantly more platforming, especially compared to preceding areas.
The eastern portion is occupied by, among other threatening flora and fauna, the Splinters; bugs with the appearance of branches, which they mimic in order to ambush enemies.[2] White flowers are commonly found all over Shellwood, which Hornet can needle-bounce off of to navigate the woods' heights; these too are also mimicked, both by creatures and other, more hostile plants. Shellwood is also home to the Wood Wasp, who both subsist on and are the source of purple flowers that contain the Pollip Hearts required for the Rite of the Pollip wish.[3]
The west side's upper area, leading to Blasted Steps, is only accessible with Cling Grip, climbing up a lift shaft with several Winged Pilgrims. This section also has one of the five Bellshrines that need to be rung as part of the objective OPEN: Grand Gate, and to the right of this, the Shellwood Bellway. At the connection between Bone Bottom and Shellwood, a bench and a Rosary stringing machine are found. On the lower western section, a pilgrim burial site can be found, inhabited by a Covetous Pilgrim.
After completing the Rite of Rebirth wish, Hornet is transported to a place below the lower western road. This section contains the connection between The Marrow and Shellwood, and can be connected to the rest of the area by breaking several vines.
During Act 3, the Shellwood entrance to Bellhart is attacked by black-threaded pilgrims; the settlement is saved by the warrior Shakra, who defends against the onslaughts of enemies.[4]
History
Originally, Shellwood was created and ruled by Nyleth, and was a relatively safe, vibrant forest courtesy of Nyleth's protection of bugs passing through her land.[5][6] Nyleth was powerful enough to keep Shellwood safe even during the rise of the Citadel, who begrudgingly agreed to build a shrine near the Grand Gate in reverence to her.[7] After Nyleth's presence waned Sister Splinter and her kin spread throughout Shellwood and claimed it as their own.[8] Sister Splinter ended up as the last of the Sisters,[9] having lived long and grown to a large size from feeding presumably on numerous bugs.[10]
Shellwood neighbours the town of Bellhart, a settlement of pilgrims acting as the last stop before the Citadel. The Pond Skippers of Shellwood Pond were hunted as food for Bellhart by the Pondcatchers, though all but Pondcatcher Reed would end up stricken by the Haunting.[1][11] At some other unknown point in the past, Greyroot appeared in the core of Shellwood. Travellers would sometimes pass through Bellhart, bringing a Twisted Bud as an offering to the figure of root; none of these travellers, nor their offerings, would return from their journey.[12]
Shellwood is the burial site of a Weaver, presumably Keelal, Weaver of the path, who offered protection to bugs, even to those who had sinned or were weak.[13] Her effigy is found within the Wood,[14] and a Lore Tablet below the Burial Spire mentions how the Weaver there should watch over the bugs passing through the area.[15] When bound, she gives the ancient Weaver technique of the Cling Grip, allowing Hornet to cling onto flat walls and rapidly scale the heights of Pharloom.[16]
How to Access
Shellwood is typically accessible by passing through Bellhart's western entrance, which requires accessing Bellhart from Greymoor.
An alternate way to access the area is from the top of Bone Bottom, through a path in Wormways; this will require the Swift Step ability and the use of a Simple Key at the locked door to the west of Mosshome. This path skips the fight with Moorwing, who can be fought later in Act 2, and the first fight with Lace.
Area Features
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Mask Shard x 1
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Flea x 1
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Rosary String x 2
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Shard Bundle x 1
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Pollip Heart x 6
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| Text | Tablet | Location |
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Sister, spider, husk bound to branch, |
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Pilgrim |
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| Arena | Location |
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| Enemy gauntlet in the eastern side of Shellwood, beneath the toll bench. Required to access the western half of Shellwood if entering from the Bellhart entrance; optional if entering from the Wormways entrance. | |
| Reward | Theme |
| Waves | |
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Sub-area: Chapel of the Witch
The Chapel of the Witch is an area below eastern Shellwood that can be accessed by completing the Rite of Rebirth wish. Upon arrival, Hornet will find herself stuck behind roots on the wall of the chapel after being kidnapped by Greyroot. After breaking free, she is revealed to have been Cursed, being infested by the Twisted Bud. The Curse is in the form of a Crest, which cannot be removed, and prevents Hornet from having any Tools or Silk Skills equipped. She is also unable to gain silk by hitting enemies, with her Silk Hearts the only source of any silk, so she can still use Clawline and Silk Soar. A previously inaccessible section of Shellwood, containing the connection to The Marrow, is found when exiting the Chapel.
Gallery
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Bellway Station
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Longpin Location
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Small pond
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Bottom of Weaver spire
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Cling Grip Weaver spire
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Bell Shrine
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Greyroot Hut (Outside)
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Greyroot Hut (Inside, Empty)
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Greyroot Hut (Inside, Petrified)
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Chapel of the Witch (captured)
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Chapel of the Witch (Inside)
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Chapel of the Witch (Outside)
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Lower Bench
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Pre-release screenshot
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Pre-release screenshot
Trivia
- Shellwood was originally planned to be larger, with a bigger northern section featuring direct connections into Nyleth's Shrine and the Underworks.[17]
- The word "shellwood" was first mentioned in Hollow Knight, in Zote's Hunter's Journal entry, as being what his weapon is carved from.[18] It is unknown if this is connected to the Hollow Knight: Silksong area, or if the material "shellwood" is simply the eponym of said area.
- The very small room in which the Longpin is located has the colouration of Bellhart on the map, despite being considered by the Quick Map as being in Shellwood. Conversely, the Shellwood Shrine, accessible only in Act 3, has the colouration of Shellwood, despite being part of Grand Gate. These inconsistencies are present throughout the game, though they are likely intentional.
- The room of graves where the Covetous Pilgrim and Pinmaster Plinney are found has an unused Sub-Area title-card which would have given it the name Shellgrave.
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
 Brazilian Portuguese
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Cascomadeira | Shellwood |
 French
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Coquibois | Shellwoods |
 German
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Muschelwald | Shellforest |
 Italian
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Carapiano | Portmanteau of carapace (shell) and piano (plain). |
 Japanese
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殻木の森 Karaki no mori |
Shell Wood Forest |
 Korean
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갑목의 숲 Gammogui sup |
Shell Wood Forest |
 Russian
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Панцирный лес Pancirnyj les |
Armoured Forest |
 Simplified Chinese
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壳木林 Kémù lín? |
Shell Wood forest |
 Spanish
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Bosque Coraza | Shell Forest |
 Internal name
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SHELLWOOD_THICKET
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Shellwood was originally known as Shellwood Thicket.[19] |
Chapel of the Witch
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Brazilian Portuguese
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Capela da Bruxa | Chapel of the Witch |
| French
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Chapelle De La Sorcière | Chapel of the Witch |
| German
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Kapelle der Hexe | Chapel of the Witch |
| Italian
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Cappella della Strega | Chapel of the Witch |
| Japanese
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魔導者のチャペル Madōsha no chaperu? |
Sorcerer's Chapel |
| Korean
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마녀의 예배당 Manyeoui yebaedang |
Witch's Chapel |
| Russian
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Капелла Ведьмы Kapella Ved'my |
Chapel of the Witch |
| Simplified Chinese
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女巫教堂 Nǚwū jiàotáng? |
Witch Chapel |
| Spanish
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Capilla de la Bruja | Chapel of the Witch |
| Internal name
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CHAPEL_WITCH
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pond Skipper Hunter's Journal entry: "Hard-shelled insect common upon the surface of Shellwood Pond. Once a staple food for passing pilgrims."
- ↑ Splinter Hunter's Journal entry: "Insect formed to imitate a branch, capable of remaining perfectly still for long periods, but unexpectedly Swift when roused."
- ↑ Description of the Pollip Heart: "Core of a flower formed around the body of a consumed Wood Wasp. Secretes a sticky sap that the wasps subsist on."
- ↑ Shakra: "The dark-spun bugs, they besiege the town, relentless. I have defended against each wave anew, but they are empowered in foul ways, and I am much fatigued."
- ↑ Nyleth Hunter's Journal entry: "Her presence would once have maintained the wood's fragile order, allowing the safe passage of bugs across its branches."
- ↑ Chapel Maid: "In the heights of the great wood, nestled deep in its roots, vines and branches, find the one who sowed the first seed."
- ↑ Chapel Maid: "We'd heard the Citadel once made grudging accord with that creature, sent their servants in reverence, even built a shrine up there somewhere. Maybe it's worth you searching for it?"
- ↑ Sister Splinter Needolin dialogue: "Children, children, hide and strike! This land is ours, now!"
- ↑ Sister Splinter Needolin dialogue: "Sisters, sisters, so long gone!"
- ↑ Sister Splinter Hunter's Journal entry: "This one lived long and fed much. The wood will be much safer for their slaying."
- ↑ Hornet: "You seem hard at work, good bug. Are you a hunter, of a sort?"
Pondcatcher Reed: "Of a simple sort, aye. I'm a pondcatcher around these parts. The last remaining, in fact! Us few Bellharters are badly needing for fresh food, so my lone shell's carrying quite the responsibility. At least Shellwood Pond's still full of good meat, 'specially if your aim with a longpin's as good as mine." - ↑ Pavo: "Aye, yes! Not your own specimen, surely, but way back, other travellers did sometimes carry similar. Odd types they all were. Offerings they'd call the crying things, and towards the core of Shellwood they would trek. Never I did see one again, not the buds nor the bugs that brought the gift..."
- ↑ Weaver Effigy: "Carving of Keelal, Weaver of the path. A prayer is etched upon it. 'Blessed Weaver, lady of grace, you who see our sin, our frail shells, our voices weak, and still offer your protection. How great your mind to care so much for ones so lowly.'"
- ↑ Weaver Effigy (Found in Shellwood):"Carving of Keelal, Weaver of the path. A prayer is etched upon it."
- ↑ Shellwood Lore Tablet: "Sister, spider, husk bound to branch, Watch over these bugs, passing safe, Warded by fear, No longer your meal."
- ↑ Cling Grip Inventory Description: Ancient Weaver technique. Cling to sheer surfaces and leap off to rapidly scale heights.
- ↑ Hollow Knight: Silksong April 2021 map
- ↑ Zote Hunter's Journal entry: "A self-proclaimed Knight, of no renown. Wields a nail he carved from shellwood, named 'Life Ender.'"
- ↑ Hollow Knight: Silksong November 2017 map
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