Mister Mushroom

Basic Information

• •Name: Mister Mushroom (also known as the Herald)
• •Gender: Male
• •Location: Seven hidden locations across Pharloom (Act 3 only)
• •Category: Wanderer NPC

Description

Mister Mushroom returns as a central figure in Silksong, maintaining his role as the enigmatic Herald who speaks in philosophical riddles about the nature of existence, time, and personal journeys. This mysterious mushroom being appears throughout Pharloom during Act 3, hidden in seven specific locations that can be discovered through the Riddle Tablet found in the Putrified Ducts. His presence serves as both a callback to the original Hollow Knight and a deeper exploration of the themes surrounding cyclical time, personal growth, and the meaning of adventure itself.

Background

As a returning character from Hollow Knight, Mister Mushroom brings with him the wisdom and perspective gained from witnessing the events of the original game. In Silksong, he appears to have followed Hornet to Pharloom, drawn by her "grand actions" in Hallownest. His observations about the "void claimed state" of Hallownest suggest he may be one of the last witnesses to remember that kingdom in its original form, making him a living repository of history and memory.

Story Arc

The Passing of the Age Quest

Mister Mushroom's appearance in Silksong is tied to the "Passing of the Age" wish, a multi-stage quest that requires finding him in all seven hidden locations throughout Pharloom and completing the game. Success rewards players with a special achievement and a secret cutscene, emphasizing his importance to the game's deeper narrative themes.

Progressive Encounters

Each encounter with Mister Mushroom reveals more about his perspective on Hornet's journey and the broader themes of growth, memory, and purpose. His dialogue becomes increasingly personal and direct, culminating in a significant conversation where he addresses Hornet as "Wyrm child" and discusses the nature of their intertwined destinies.

Musical Interaction

Like many NPCs, Mister Mushroom responds to the Needolin with a poetic verse that encapsulates his philosophical nature, speaking of the temporary nature of all things except his own ability to "readjust" and adapt to changing circumstances.

Discovery Method

Riddle Tablet Location

The quest begins in a secret room in the eastern cave of the Putrified Ducts, accessible only with the Silk Soar skill. The tablet provides cryptic riddles that hint at Mister Mushroom's seven locations throughout Pharloom.

Finding Locations

At each location, Mister Mushroom appears buried in the ground with mushrooms indicating his presence. Playing the Needolin will cause him to emerge and become available for conversation, continuing the pattern established in Hollow Knight.

Seven Locations

Location Details

1. Bone Bottom (Ruined Chapel) - "Under chapel fallen to the monarch's might"

2. Bone Bottom (Above Pilgrimage Camp) - "Over camp collapsed to the black thread plight"

3. Far Fields (Near Weavenest Cindril) - "Scorched field on edge, shells black and burned"

4. Greymoor (Under Wisp Thicket entrance) - "Up towers spinning, near the surgeon spurned"

5. The Slab (Outside First Sinner arena) - "Cage of one who raged against the silken lie"

6. Mount Fay (Faydown Cloak location) - "Fell heart of frost, who soars on high"

7. Nameless Town (Above The Cradle) - "Past cradle's peak, last test of fitness"

Key Dialogue

First Encounter (Bone Bottom)

""...Crossed weapons, sleeping of course, but shaped unlike any you've seen before...""

""...To travel underneath is one thing, but travelling up above may require a different sort of sight...""

Hornet: *"Sir Herald... It seems rare coincidence for us to meet in this distant land. Unless, perhaps, you followed me here?"*

""...A path that meets itself is an ill portent indeed. Those who peer sideways know well enough... ...Oh. Excuse me.""

Second Encounter (Bone Bottom)

""...Great strides move the world, but small steps shouldn't be overlooked...""

""...One mystery leads to another. Scrutinising the belly of the thing will prove useful...""

Hornet: *"The meaning behind your musings is as opaque as ever. Would you converse with me directly, sir?"*

""...Trust yourself. And each other. The solution is always within grasp... ...Oh. Excuse me.""

Third Encounter (Far Fields)

""...The elements do not conspire against you. They have their own desires...""

""...When one spies a great peak, the natural inclination is to begin climbing...""

""...The little left-behind... you've decided, then? A companion for the journey... ...Oh. Excuse me.""

Fourth Encounter (Greymoor

""...Yes, communication is the heart of it. The grandest boasts and the tiniest murmurings all have their meanings...""

""...Your point is well made. Even the flowers have their stories to tell. Light can be cast anywhere...""

Hornet: *"I've no desire to interrupt your meditations, Herald, but I am eager to speak with you, if you would listen..."*

""...Take note of it all, render it in line, you'll be glad that you did. You can take the journey home with you... ...Oh. Excuse me.""

Fifth Encounter (The Slab)

""...At the bottom of a well, you can only look up. The past is hidden from those who look forward...""

""...Those echoes may guide you still. Yes, that's true. For the kind-hearted, a weapon can also be a friend...""

""...You're so eager to follow in her footsteps. But what are you leaving for those who come next? ...Oh. Excuse me.""

Sixth Encounter (Mount Fay)

""...One can visit the past, but then memories become contradictory...""

""...When the call rings out again, will you let your previous actions cloud your vision?""

""...By claw, by voice... History always rises to meet us... ...Oh. Excuse me.""

Seventh Encounter (Nameless Town)

""...Do they realise it would only be the beginning? If they cleave themselves free, they would need to find their way anew...""

""...Oh. Wyrm child. No surprise it's you who meets me here.""

""Following me are you? Or calling me? It is true I would not have sought the lands below if not for your grand actions within them.""

""But now, having journeyed their breadth, what singular sights I beheld... Flaming lakes, tangled woods, caves consumed by sand and frost...""

""Remarkable things all, though given their void claimed state it seems you and I may be the last to hold those memories.""

Hornet: *"I cannot allow that outcome, Herald. I act now to save that place, both for myself and for those bugs still alive within."*

Hornet: *"As one who has seen so much, tell me simply, do you believe my efforts in vain?"*

""Me? Certainly you can ask, but I cannot provide good answer. I've no mind for outcomes. Always my vision is too clouded by the present.""

""Only the journey... the now. For myself, that is the purpose, and as far as my sight can see.""

""If any other could come to understand that state, Wyrm child, I suspect it may be you...""

""Though maybe not yet, not this present, hmmm? Maybe in a future far, when your actions might hail me so again?""

""Alas, from these quaking caves it is past time I made my swift exit. Ours each may be long and winding roads, but I hope you too come to know the many joys upon the path...""

[Needolin](/abilities/needolin) Response

""Lies and truths must be discussed... Stone will break and steel shall rust... Caps and shells may fall to dust... But Mister mushroom readjusts...""

Philosophical Themes

Mister Mushroom's dialogue explores several deep philosophical concepts:

• •Journey vs. Destination: His focus on the present moment and the path itself rather than outcomes
• •Cyclical Time: References to paths meeting themselves and history repeating
• •Memory and Legacy: The importance of preserving experiences and memories
• •Personal Growth: The value of self-reflection and understanding one's place in larger patterns
• •Interconnectedness: How individual actions affect broader cosmic cycles

Gameplay Mechanics

Discovery Requirements

• •Act 3 Access: Only appears during the final act of the game
• •Needolin Required: Must use the Needolin to make him emerge from the ground
• •Silk Soar Skill: Needed to access the Riddle Tablet that begins the quest
• •Exploration Skills: Various abilities required to reach his seven hidden locations

Achievement Connection

• •Passing of the Age: Requires finding all seven locations and completing the game
• •Secret Cutscene: Special ending content for dedicated players
• •Lore Significance: Provides deeper understanding of the connection between Hollow Knight and Silksong

Connection to Hollow Knight

Mister Mushroom's presence in Silksong serves multiple narrative functions:

• •Continuity Bridge: Links the events and themes of both games
• •Witness Character: Provides perspective on the consequences of Hornet's actions in Hallownest
• •Memory Keeper: Preserves the history of a world claimed by void
• •Philosophical Guide: Offers wisdom about the nature of heroic journeys

Thematic Significance

• •The Herald Archetype: Represents the messenger who announces the end of one age and beginning of another
• •Wisdom Through Experience: Embodies the knowledge gained through witnessing multiple cycles of rise and fall
• •Present-Moment Awareness: Advocates for mindfulness and appreciation of the current journey
• •Cyclical Nature of Existence: Reflects on how patterns repeat across different times and places

Official Sources

• •Hollow Knight Wiki
• •Team Cherry official materials

Notes

Mister Mushroom's role in Silksong represents a sophisticated evolution of his character from Hollow Knight, transforming from an optional side quest into a central philosophical figure who provides commentary on the themes of both games. His presence adds layers of meaning to Hornet's journey while rewarding dedicated players with deeper lore and understanding. The "Passing of the Age" questline serves as both a gameplay challenge and a meditation on the nature of endings, beginnings, and the continuous cycle of adventure and growth.