Silksong Lore Explained: The Story of Pharloom and the Citadel

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Hollow Knight: Silksong takes us away from Hallownest and into the mysterious kingdom of Pharloom—a realm bound by silk and song. At its heart stands the Citadel, a gleaming fortress and final destination for pilgrims, where Hornet must confront her heritage and the oppressive forces that rule the land.

This guide breaks down Pharloom’s lore, its central themes, and how Hornet’s journey ties into the cycle of control, rebellion, and legacy that defines Team Cherry’s universe. Whether you’re a lore enthusiast or just curious about Silksong’s story, let’s unravel the threads of Pharloom and the Citadel together.

🧵 Pharloom: A Kingdom Bound by Silk and Song

Pharloom is a decayed land ruled by two forces: silk and song. Unlike Hallownest’s descent into darkness, Pharloom’s story is about ascending—a pilgrimage toward the shining Citadel.

  • Silk as Control – Not ordinary spider silk, but a divine force used to bind and control pilgrims. The closer to the Citadel, the stronger its threads.

  • Song as Hypnosis – Bells and music flow through architecture, weapons, and enemies. This constant song guides and ensnares the kingdom’s people.

  • Faith and Pilgrimage – Pharloom’s faithful don’t descend for enlightenment—they ascend. The silk spool symbolizes this journey, connection, and fate.

Silksong Lore Explained
🏰 The Citadel: Source of Power and Mystery

The Citadel dominates Pharloom’s peak and serves as Hornet’s ultimate destination.

  • Architectural Contrast – Unlike Hallownest’s Abyss, Hornet climbs into blinding light rather than descending into shadow.

  • Seat of Power – It is the origin of the corrupting silk, ruled by Grand Mother Silk.

  • Narrative Significance – Reaching it means reckoning with Pharloom’s oppression, shaping the kingdom’s fate across multiple endings.

🕷️ Hornet’s Connection to Pharloom: A Homecoming

Hornet’s capture and arrival in Pharloom is more than coincidence—it’s personal.

  • Weaver Exodus – Her ancestors, the Weavers, fled Pharloom to escape Citadel control, later founding Deepnest in Hallownest.

  • Hornet’s Dual Identity – As the daughter of the Pale King and Herrah the Beast, Hornet is both an outsider and native heir to Pharloom.

  • Return to Roots – Her journey is tied to ancestry, legacy, and resisting cycles of oppression.

👑 Grand Mother Silk: The Cycle of Control

Grand Mother Silk rules Pharloom from the Citadel, embodying order through silk and song.

  • Themes of Oppression – She enforces conformity, echoing the Pale King’s control but with cultural dominance instead of seals.

  • Hornet as Successor – Grand Mother Silk sees Hornet as her rightful heir.

  • Multiple Endings – Confrontation with her leads to branching outcomes:

    • Normal – Hornet binds with Grand Mother Silk, failing to save Pharloom.

    • Alternate – Hornet becomes ruler, continuing the cycle.

    • Secret – The Void destroys Pharloom.

    • True Ending – The Shade Lord rescues Hornet and Lace, offering bittersweet closure.

🔔 Lace: Rival and Enforcer of Pharloom

Lace is Hornet’s recurring rival—both narratively and mechanically.

  • Characterization – A manic fencer wielding a gilded pin, mocking Hornet as “a little spider who has fallen from her cage.”

  • Narrative Role – Serves as Grand Mother Silk’s enforcer, testing Hornet’s worth.

  • Redemption Arc – In certain endings, Lace sacrifices herself, showing depth beyond antagonist.

🌌 The Void: A Lingering Shadow

The Void, central to Hallownest’s fate, makes a subtle appearance in Pharloom’s lore.

  • Containment vs. Invasion – Though tied to Hallownest, the secret ending shows the Void’s ability to invade Pharloom.

  • Hornet and the Void – Hornet is not a Vessel, but her encounters with the Void suggest an interconnected struggle across kingdoms.

🧭 Lore and Gameplay Connection

Silksong’s mechanics reflect its world and themes.

  • Vertical Design – Pharloom’s upward climb mirrors its pilgrimage narrative.

  • Quest System – Replacing Hollow Knight’s open-ended exploration, quests guide progression and lore discovery.

  • Tools & Crests – Tools replace charms, organized by color (red = offense, blue = defense, yellow = utility). Crests manage tool slots, allowing builds to match story progression.

💎 Conclusion: Breaking or Continuing the Cycle

Silksong doesn’t just expand Hollow Knight’s world—it deepens its themes. Pharloom reflects Hallownest but flips its narrative: light instead of dark, silk and song instead of infection and radiance.

Hornet’s pilgrimage is a battle of freedom vs. control, ancestry vs. legacy, and rebellion vs. conformity. Whether she ascends as ruler, savior, or something in between, the cycle of Pharloom forces players to confront the cost of power.

As you ascend toward the Citadel, remember—every bell, every thread, carries a story.

🔗 Additional Resources

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