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Hollow Knight: Side Quests, Path of Pain & Grimm Troupe Guide

Gamer IT KBTactical Quick Answer

To complete the Delicate Flower quest without damage, clear all enemies along the route backward from Queen's Gardens to Resting Grounds without resting at a bench, then set a Dreamgate at Grey Mourner's hut. For the Grimm Troupe DLC, complete the Ritual to earn Level 4 Grimmchild or Banish the Troupe for Carefree Melody.

Hallownest hides extensive optional quests, platforming gauntlets, and DLC content. Completing these challenges rewards Mask Shards, unique charms, and ending alterations.

How do you complete the Delicate Flower quest?​

The Grey Mourner in eastern Resting Grounds tasks you with delivering a fragile flower to the Traitor's Child grave in Queen's Gardens without taking damage, taking stag stations, or using Dreamgate traversal.

The Cleared Path Method​

Most enemies in Hollow Knight only respawn when you rest at a bench. You can trivialize this quest by clearing the route beforehand:

  1. Travel Backward: Start at the Traitor's Child grave in Queen's Gardens and walk backward to the Resting Grounds, killing all aggressive enemies along the path.
  2. Set Dreamgate: Place a Dreamgate marker directly outside the Grey Mourner's hut.
  3. Bench & Accept: Sit at the bench inside the hut to establish your spawn point, then accept the Delicate Flower.
  4. Walk the Cleared Route: Follow your cleared path back to Queen's Gardens. Small environmental hazards like jellyfish and spikes remain, so take your time.
  5. Use Trams Safely: Riding trams does not break the flower, letting you bypass hostile crossroads in Forgotten Crossroads and Fungal Wastes.

If the flower breaks, cast Dreamgate to instantly teleport back to the Grey Mourner and restart. Completing the quest rewards a Mask Shard and the Solace achievement. Extra flowers can later be gifted to Elderbug, Nailmaster Oro, or the Godseeker (gifting to Godseeker alters the Pantheon of Hallownest ending).

warning

NPCs will refuse to accept the Delicate Flower if you have Defender's Crest equipped due to its smell.

Should you choose Ritual or Banishment in The Grimm Troupe?​

After defeating Troupe Master Grimm in Dirtmouth, the quest splits into two mutually exclusive outcomes:

  • Complete the Ritual: Defeat Nightmare King Grimm (NKG) in the Dream Realm. Rewards the Level 4 Grimmchild charm (deals 11 projectile damage).
  • Banish the Troupe: Meet Brumm in Distant Village, then smash the Nightmare Lantern in Howling Cliffs. Replaces Grimmchild with Carefree Melody (grants a scaling chance to block incoming damage) and spawns Nymm in Dirtmouth.
danger

If you banish the Troupe before converting your Fragile charms into Unbreakable versions, Divine vanishes permanently. Any Fragile charms in her possession drop onto the ground where her tent stood.

How do you beat the Path of Pain?​

The Path of Pain is an extreme platforming challenge hidden behind an unmapped breakable wall on the second floor of the White Palace.

  • Infinite Soul Totems: Infinite Soul Totems stand at key checkpoints throughout the gauntlet, allowing you to heal completely between attempts.
  • Mid-Air Spell Stalling: Casting Howling Wraiths or Abyss Shriek freezes your character briefly in mid-air. Use this spell stall to adjust your landing timing during tight sawblade cycles.
  • Kingsmould Ambush: The final room drops you into a enclosed pit with two Kingsmoulds that deal double damage (2 masks per hit). Enter the pit with a full Soul meter and spam Shade Soul or Abyss Shriek immediately to defeat them from a distance.
  • Recommended Loadout: Equip Hiveblood, Dashmaster, and Sharp Shadow for maximum survivability and dash range.

How do you complete the Hunter's Journal?​

The Hunter in Greenpath grants the Hunter's Mark once you log the minimum required entries across Hallownest.

The game contains 168 total entries, but 4 non-encounter entries (Void Idol, Weathered Mask, Hunter's Mark, Hunter's Seal) do not count toward the cap, leaving 164 total entries. You only need 146 base-game entries to earn the Hunter's Mark achievement.

Key Journal Rules​

  • Optional DLC Entries: Most DLC entries do not count toward the 146 base-game requirement. However, three DLC additions are mandatory: Flukemunga, Hive Knight, and Pale Lurker.
  • Commonly Missed Entries: Players frequently overlook Crystal Crawler (requires spell kill), Void Tendrils (requires inspecting cavern painting in The Abyss), Charged Lumafly (found in Teacher's Archives), Goam, Garpede, and Gorgeous Husk.
Can I do Path of Pain in Steel Soul without losing my save?

No. Dying inside the White Palace or Path of Pain is a real death that ends Steel Soul runs, unlike Godhome or Dream Boss fights.

Where is Gorgeous Husk located?

Gorgeous Husk hides behind a breakable wall in a secret upper room of the City of Tears main mansion. It drops 420 Geo upon defeat.

Does Carefree Melody count toward 100% completion?

Yes. Carefree Melody and Grimmchild both count for 1 percent completion toward your total save percentage.