Wasteland

The wastes howl wild. Sand beats my shell, clouds my mind.

– Quirrel in Hollow Knight First Chapter: Quirrel

The Wasteland is a barren, desert-like area in the world of Hollow Knight and Hollow Knight: Silksong which exists beyond Hallownest and Pharloom, separating various civilisations. As with the kingdoms within them, the Wasteland is composed of many caverns. According to Quirrel, only the simplest bugs adapt to the Wasteland, the ones without complex thoughts and with only the drive for survival.

In Hallownest, the Wasteland borders Howling Cliffs. Many travellers come to Hallownest through the Wasteland, including Quirrel and the Knight.

In Pharloom, the Wasteland borders the Blasted Steps, the Surface, and Weavenest Cindril in the Far Fields. The haunted Choirbugs of Grand Mother Silk captured descendants of the Weavers in lands beyond the Wasteland, bringing them to Pharloom through this route. When Hornet was captured, she was brought through several areas of the Wasteland. As Hornet explores Pharloom, she can go to Pharloom's borders with the Wasteland, and can access the borders in the Blasted Steps and on the Surface, but refuses to leave.

Locations in or beyond the Wasteland

• Blackbarrens, an area where a Weaver descendant was found mortally wounded.
• The City of Steel, a city where a Weaver descendant was found staked to service.
• Hallownest, a kingdom founded by a pale higher being, the Pale King.
• Land of Storms, a godless land from which the Godseekers originate, as well as the Gods of Thunder and the Gods of Rain.
• "Lands serene", a land from which the Grey Mourner came, as well as the Delicate Flowers.
• Pharloom, a kingdom ruled by a pale higher being, Grand Mother Silk.
• Sandsea Waste, an area where a Weaver descendant was found frail with age.

Dialogue

In Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hornet has unique dialogue if she attempts to move out of Pharloom:

From Blasted Steps When attempting to leave Pharloom for the first time while in Acts 1 or 2 These sands mark the edge of Pharloom's territory. I was brought to this land through the caverns beyond. Something at this kingdom's height still hungers for me. Were I to flee now, I would again be pursued. Until I find the source of that hunger, and slay it, I will not be free. Trying to leave Pharloom again while in Acts 1 or 2 I cannot yet leave this land. Until I slay its source, this kingdom's hunger for me will never abate. When attempting to leave Pharloom for the first time while in Act 3 If I chose to head beyond, I would abandon Pharloom to a collapse of my making. While I live, and still possess the strength to act, I will not allow that end to come to pass. Trying to leave Pharloom again while in Act 3 I will not flee. I cannot abandon the kingdom to a collapse of my making. From the Surface When attempting to leave Pharloom for the first time through the Nameless Town Out there lie the endless wastes... If I cross them now, Pharloom shall fall to a black fate of my making. My choice is made. I will not abandon its bugs to that grim end. I must descend again, and cut them free. Trying to leave Pharloom again through the Nameless Town My choice is made. I cannot leave. I must descend again, and see Pharloom freed.

Gallery

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  Quirrel in the Wasteland

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  The Wasteland bordering the Howling Cliffs

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  Dunes far west of the Howling Cliffs

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  Hornet in a large cavern in the Wasteland

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  Hornet in an open area in the Wasteland

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  The Wasteland bordering the Nameless Town

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  The Wasteland bordering the Blasted Steps

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  The Wasteland bordering Weavenest Cindril

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