The Pale King | Hollow Knight Wiki

The Pale King is an NPC in Hollow Knight. The Pale King was the king of Hallownest and also the White Palace and is a mate to The White Lady.

The Pale King Information

The Pale King, previously referred to as a Wyrm, reduced his form to the size and appearance of most of the bugs in Hallownest. Some lore tablets indicate that, after he transformed, he granted the bugs in Hallownest sapience, insight and knowledge in order for them to follow him towards the rise of Hallownest. However, artifacts such as Arcane eggs suggest that other sapient civilizations existed long before Hallownest.

The Pale King was rarely seen outside of his palace, but he had innumerable devotees and followers who strongly believed that The Pale King created the world they live in. His worshippers grew in numbers, gaining followers such as the Moth tribe and the Mushrooms living at the Fungal Wastes, who glorified him.

When the Moth tribe joined Hallownest, it angered The Radiance, another higher being, goddess of light and dreams. The Radiance began to appear in the dreams of Hallownest's inhabitants in an effort to be remembered. This manifested as The Infection. The Pale King countered The Infection by sealing it in a Vessel, a hollow being created by him and The White Lady using Void. He also tasked three bugs to become the seal guardians (known as the Dreamers) and contain the Hollow Knight and The Radiance.

The Hollow Knight could not contain The Infection forever. Foreseeing this, The Pale King created dozens upon dozens of new Vessels, all of whom he intended to sacrifice in order to keep Hallownest standing.

Eventually The Infection started to leak and spread out, infecting the minds and bodies of the bugs of Hallownest. The White Palace disappeared along with its ruler. The Godseeker claims that The Pale King's existence has been wiped out of history and that the cause of his death is still unclear.

• Location: The Pale King Can be found as a memory at the White Palace, Path of Pain, and The Abyss.
• Progression: The Pale King's body can be found in his throne room, still seated upon his throne.
• Combat: Players may not kill The Pale King.

Associated Quests

• N/A

Dialogue

No cost too great.

No mind to think.

No will to break.

No voice to cry suffering.

Born of God and Void.

You shall seal the blinding light that plagues their dreams.

You are the Vessel.

You are the Hollow Knight.

Notes & Tips

• The Pale King is responsible for most structures created in Hallownest, including the Stagways and Tram that was built for traveling within the kingdom.
• Upon encountering his corpse in the memory of The White Palace, players can strike him with a nail until he falls to the floor, granting the White Fragment. Before you pick up the item, you may sit on the emptied throne.