Cornifer | Hollow Knight Wiki

Cornifer is an NPC in Hollow Knight. Cornifer is the game's cartographer, an eccentric weevil-like bug who produces and sells maps of all the major areas.

Cornifer Lore

Cornifer is the game's cartographer working on mapping the entirety of Hallownest. When he first hatched, he immediately wandered off leaving his mother and siblings behind. He later moved to Dirtmouth with his wife Iselda shortly after.

Cornifer Hollow Knight Map Information

Cornifer immediately set forth and wandered off when he was first hatched. Throughout his journey, he meets his wife Iselda and decides to move to Dirtmouth. He specializes in studying the entire layout of Hallownest and making maps, then sells it to you if you encounter a new area and find him. Players will be able to know if he is around when there are paper scattered on the ground - which leads to his location. Cornifer can be first encountered at the Forgotten Crossroads where he sells you the map for 30 and advises you to visit his wife, Iselda and her shop in Dirtmouth. Cornifer moves to another area if a player defeats the area's boss and leaves a note mentioning that you can purchase the map at Iselda's shop for an "excellent" price.

• Location: Cornifer Can be first encountered at the Forgotten Crossroads.
• Progression: Cornifer moves to all areas except The Hive, The Abyss, and Resting Grounds for each time an area boss has been defeated. While if all the maps have been purchased, he can be found in Iselda's shop, sleeping.
• Combat: Players may not kill Cornifer.
• Rewards: Acquiring all areas of the map unlocks the Cartographer Trophy/Achievement.

Cornifer Associated Quests

• N/A

Cornifer Hollow Knight Map Guide

Forgotten Crossroads - To obtain this piece of the map, go to the Forgotten Crossroads and go left. Once you reach the cavern with the chained platforms, go down through the chamber until you reach the bottom. Fall through the floor and turn right, you will meet Cornifer there, then you can proceed to purchase the Forgotten Crossroads map for 30.

Greenpath - To obtain this piece of the map, you will need to head over to Greenpath. Once you reach the terminus, you'll see a warrior standing on the ledge, the warrior will proceed to move on to the next screen. Now descend down the shaft and once you reach the bottom, go right and you'll hear Cornifer making a sound. Hop onto the stone platforms that are being suspended by vines and slash these vines to open up the path forward. Continue heading right and you'll find Cornifer there. You can proceed to purchase the Greenpath map for 60.

Fungal Wastes - To obtain this piece of the map, you must first arrive on the Queen's Station bench, from there, head right into the Queen's Station, take the exit on the upper right corner then you'll find yourself in the Fungal Wastes. Upon arrival, you'd have to get past the poison-sptting enemies and take the exit at the bottom, then you'll hear Cornifer's humming. Go down and take the first left, you'll find Cornifer in an alcove. You can then proceed to purchase the Fungal Wastes map for 75.

Crystal Peak - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to head over to Crystal Peak first, then head down to the next area and head left. Continue heading left until you reach a toll gate. You'll need to pay 50 to unlock the pathway to the Forgotten Crossroads. After unlocking the gate, go left and drop down, you'll see two Glimbacks, defeat these two then head right, and destroy the wooden bracing. Afterwards, head back to the preivous screen. Drop down, go right and continue until you reach the next section of solid ground. Head right and into the next area to find a Bench. Go back to the area on the left and wall-jump up to reach the exit. Now continue up the left-side path and hop on the conveyer belt running up the left-side wall and take it all the way up. Jump through the exit to go to the next area. Once you reach this area, you'll need to watch out for the crystal beatles that emit laser beams and carefully dodge these to reach the ledge on the left. Now kill the Husk Miner and destroy the wall behind him, then wall-jump up unto the next area of crystal laser beatles. Just follow the platforms up while carefully dodging the lasers. Once you reach the top, take the exit on the left and you'll find Cornifer there. You can then proceed to purchase the Crystal Peak map for 112.

City of Tears - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to head over to the City of Tears. Go to the lift, climb aboard and hit the lever, then jump off and dash once you see a platform to your right. Take out the flying enemies and continue following the platforms to the top to obtain the Hallownest Seal. Now follow the platforms on your right until you reach the elevated exit. Now hop through and take out the large charging enemy and hop down, hit the lever to unlock the gate to the lower level. Afterwards, go right and you'll meet Relic Seeker Lemm. He's a merchant who seeks rare antiques, and when he buys it off you, he can award you an amount of Geo depending on the rarity of the item you give to him. Now head back up the previous area and take the elevator up one floor. Then follow the path to the left and ascend through the area and move to the next screen. Now wall-jump and dash your way through as you progress until you reach a lever. Use the lever to unlock a gate immediately below it then go through the open gate and go down, dropping to the next area. Once you drop down, you'll land on a platform with another lever, hit it to open another gate, this one is on the other side of the elevator shaft. Proceed to dash through the empty elevator shaft and head down to reach another lever and hit it, you'll open another gate to the elevator shaft and a shortcut back to the bottom screen. Now go back to the top and go through the top exit on the right side and continue to the next area. Upon arrival, you'll see a sign indicating that an area Bench is nearby. Follow the sign and take the elevator up two stops, then go left. You'll then enter an arena where you'll have to take out a Heavy Sentry. Once you take them out, a Winged Sentry and a Lance Sentry will spawn. Take both of them out to open the gates. Now go through the left side of the arena then wall-jump up into the next area, you'll reach Cornifer there. You can then proceed to purchase the City of Tears map for 90.

Deepnest - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to take the Stagway back to Queen's Station then head back down to the Mantis Village. If you haven't already defeated the Mantis Lords, you'd have to defeat them to get past this area. After defeating them, go left into the next area and you'll arrive in Deepnest. Wall-jump up the first shaft you find then continue heading left, you'll find Cornifer there. You can then proceed to purchase the Deepnest map for 38.

Royal Waterways - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to head over to the Royal Waterways. Upon arrival, go left and then drop down, then take the exit on the left. Now drop down the bottom of the shaft and use Desolate Dive to break through the ground and find the first area Bench. Now slash the wooden barrier to the right to unlock a shortcut, then jump back up to the previous area and go left. Continue heading left following the elevated platforms until you reach a ledge on the left. You'll see one of Cornifer's pieces of paper there. Continue following the path to the left, then take the exit into the next area, then drop down and continue left. You will encounter a few gaps in the floor, along with a number of inflating Hwurmps. Proceed carefully and stay on the platforms, continue heading left until you reach the exit on the left side. Now head through the exit and you'll enter a gated arena with a swarm of Hwurmps. Clear the room and the gate on the left will open. Go through it and hit the lever to unlock a shortcut between the Royal Waterwats and the Fungal Wastes. Jump up another level and you'll find Cornifer. You can then proceed to purchase the Royal Waterways map for 75.

Fog Canyon - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to head over to Fog Canyon. Upon arrival, you'll encounter explosive enemies along the way, so be careful and proceed with caution. Jump all the way up the vertical shaft and take the top left exit into the next area. This next area has an acid pool and a number of Ooma enemies, climb the next shaft carefully and take the top right exit. Jump across the platforms and you'll reach a vertical black beam that's blocking the way. Use the Shade Cloak to get through it, then ascend the platforms to reach a small alcove at the top, you should find Cornifer there. You can then proceed to purchase the Fog Canyon map for 150.

Queen's Gardens - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to reach the Queen's Gardens. Upon arrival, head west towards the Mosscreep and Spiny Husk enemies, drop to the bottom, then head east, you'll find yourself trapped inside a mini-arena. You'll have to clear out two waves of Mantis Petra for the gates to reopen. Then continue heading northeast. As soon as you enter, you'll hear Cornifer's voice. To get to him, continue heading west then work your way around to reach him. You can then proceed to purchase the Queen's Gardens map for 150.

Ancient Basin - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to reach the Ancient Basin. From the Tram, go left and jump off the Tramway then dash along the ground until you reach the Tramway gate. You should see a hole in the ground, jump down and follow the path on the left. Dash over the shaft in the middle of the tunnel and continue heading left, then up. Defeat the Mawleks you encounter along the way, then drop down and follow the path until you reach a large black orb at the end of the corridor. inspect to obtain a Pale Ore. Now jump down the shaft on the left side and follow the tunnel on the right. Avoid the dive-bombing Belflies and destroy the wooden bracing to unlock the shortcut back to the Tram. After you head back up the Tram platform, drop down to the hole just left of the Tram. Now drop off the left side of the platform until you reach the second ledge to the right, you should find Cornifer there. You can then proceed to purchase the Ancient Basin map for 112.

Kingdom's Edge - To obtain this piece of the map, you'll need to head over to Kingdom's Edge. Upon arrival, walk to the edge of the platform and drop down and fall to the left and slide down the wall, you'll eventually stop on top of a pipe. You should be able to find Cornifer there, and you can proceed to purchase the Kingdom's Edge map for 112. 

Howling Cliffs - To obtain this piece of the map, you need to head over to Howling Cliffs. Upon arrival, head west until you reach the part of the area that has elevated platforms. Then drop down the bottom of the spiked pit until you reach a corpse of a bug and a Nail, then head east and enter the hut. You'll find a Bench you can use, and also Nailmaster Mato to your right. Now head back outside and jump back up, then continue heading west via the elevated platforms until you reach the tombstone of the mystic creature Gorb. Its spirit will only appear on the tombstone if you've already acquired the Dream Nail. Now head west towards the middle part of the room to find the next section. Drop down to the bottom east side until you find a trail of paper and hear Cornifer's voice which will lead you to him. You can then proceed to purchase the Howling Cliffs map for 75.

Cornifer Dialogue

Hmm? Ah, hello there. Come down to explore these beautiful old ruins?

Don't mind me... I've a fondness for exploring myself. Getting lost and finding your way again is a pleasure like no other.

We're exquisitely lucky, you and I... I'm a cartographer by trade, and I'm working on mapping this area right now.

Would you like to buy a copy of my work so far?

Cornifer Notes & Tips

• It is completely unknown how he discovers new areas and gets to them. For example, there are only two known ways to get to Howling Cliffs. The access from Greenpath is to narrow for him, and the access from King's Pass requires parkour that would be impossible for him. And yet, he's there. In addition, in Fog Canyon, he is literally past a Void Stream, which is impossible to cross without the Shade Cloak.
• If ever you miss Cornifer in the area, you won't be able to find him there the second time around, but he'll leave a note saying that you can purchase the map at a higher price by visiting Iselda's (his wife) shop.