Old Penitent

Old Penitent Basic Information

• •Name: Old Penitent
• •Gender: Unknown
• •Location: The Slab (in a prison cell)
• •Category: Prisoner & Penitent

Old Penitent Description

The Old Penitent is a mysterious figure who willingly resides in a cell within The Slab, seeking penance for an unspecified but grave transgression from their past. Unlike other prisoners who may be held against their will, this character has chosen to remain imprisoned as a form of self-punishment. They can be heard humming from within their cell and will emerge to speak with Hornet when she plays the Needolin, suggesting a deep connection to music and perhaps memories of better times.

Background

The Old Penitent represents someone who has committed what they describe as "a grave transgression, the cause of much pain for many." Their willingness to remain imprisoned and their refusal to discuss the specifics of their crime suggest both deep remorse and a fear that speaking of their sin might somehow "invite its return." This indicates either a supernatural element to their transgression or a profound psychological burden that continues to affect them.

Location and Discovery

The Old Penitent can be found within The Slab, hidden in a prison cell where they can initially only be heard humming. Players must use the Needolin to draw them out and engage in conversation, suggesting that music serves as a bridge between their current state of penance and their willingness to communicate with the outside world.

Key Dialogue

Response to the Needolin

""Ahh… you have brought song again, though perhaps it is wasted on one as unworthy as I.""

Inquiry About Their Crime

Hornet: *"You needn't satisfy my curiosity if it pains you sir, but I must ask, for what crime or sin did Citadel imprison you?"*

""My sin? A grave transgression, the cause of much pain for many. But speak of a sin… is to invite its return. I will say no more.""

Invitation to Penance

""If the weight of your sins bear down on you, you may remain here with me in penance, sister.""

Character Themes

Guilt and Remorse

The Old Penitent embodies the theme of overwhelming guilt for past actions. Their self-imposed imprisonment suggests that their remorse is so profound that they believe only continuous penance can address their transgression.

The Power of Music

Their response to the Needolin indicates that music serves as both a comfort and a painful reminder of what they have lost or what they once were. The fact that they can be heard humming suggests music is one of the few connections they maintain to their humanity.

Fear of Repetition

Their statement that "speak of a sin… is to invite its return" suggests either a supernatural curse or a deep psychological fear that discussing their crime might lead to repeating it or causing further harm.

Voluntary Imprisonment

Unlike other prisoners, the Old Penitent has chosen their confinement, representing the concept of self-imposed justice and the belief that some crimes require lifelong penance.

Relationship to The Slab

The Old Penitent's presence in The Slab adds depth to the area's prison theme, showing that not all inhabitants are there unwillingly. Their voluntary confinement suggests that The Slab serves not just as a place of punishment, but as a refuge for those seeking to atone for their past actions.

Interaction Mechanics

• •Discovery Method: Can be heard humming from within their cell
• •Activation Requirement: Needolin must be played to draw them out
• •Communication Level: Limited dialogue focused on their guilt and penance
• •Repeat Visits: Likely maintains the same melancholic and remorseful demeanor

Thematic Significance

Justice and Self-Punishment

The character explores themes of self-imposed justice and whether individuals can truly atone for grave wrongdoings through voluntary suffering.

The Weight of Memory

Their refusal to discuss their crime while clearly being consumed by it demonstrates how traumatic memories can become both punishment and protection.

Redemption Through Suffering

The Old Penitent represents the belief that redemption might be possible through continuous penance and acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

Connection to Larger Narrative

The Old Penitent serves as a counterpoint to other characters who may blame others for their circumstances. Their acceptance of responsibility and commitment to penance provides a different perspective on guilt, justice, and redemption within the world of Pharloom.

Symbolic Role

As a character who has chosen imprisonment over freedom, they represent the ultimate expression of guilt and the belief that some actions cannot be forgiven or forgotten, only continually atoned for through suffering.

Official Sources

• •Hollow Knight Wiki
• •Team Cherry official materials

Notes

The Old Penitent represents one of Silksong's more tragic and mysterious characters, embodying themes of guilt, redemption, and self-imposed justice. Their minimal dialogue and refusal to elaborate on their crimes creates an air of mystery while their voluntary imprisonment demonstrates the depth of their remorse. The requirement to use the Needolin to interact with them suggests that music serves as both a comfort and a painful reminder of their past, making them a poignant addition to The Slab's roster of tragic figures.