History Characters / HollowKnightHallownest

* MouseWorld: Possibly; all the characters are bugs, arachnids, worms, or mollusks, and although we never see any giant objects or animals to compare them to, there's nothing like trees, rivers, or mountains to compare them to, either, the wilderness areas are made of moss and fungus instead of trees, and all wielded weapons are nails except for Hornet's sewing needle and Zote's wooden weapon. There's a definite possibility that the characters are supposed to be the size of actual bugs.

* SpiritAdvisor: The former kingdom of Hallownest is home to a number of restless spirits, of both the [[MrExposition passive]] and [[BonusBoss combative]] variety. They can't be perceived by anyone who isn't wielding the dream nail.

* MedievalStasis: Since the kingdom is already ruined, the technology left there no longer improves even if they are still functional.

The great Kingdom of Hallownest stretched itself deep into the caverns, built beautiful and wonderful things and was home to many great bugs and Higher Beings. It was not meant to last however; a mysterious plague took hold in the citizenry and forced them into savagery. The Pale King, monarch of Hallownest and its physical god-figure, did all they could to stave off the end but all in vain - the Kingdom was doomed.

** The third Trial in the Colosseum of Fools is a sharp DifficultySpike up from the first two. Twenty waves of increasingly tough enemies, the later of which include Mantis Traitors, Soul Twisters, the [[UniqueEnemy exclusive]] [[UndergroundMonkey Volt Twisters]], and a long stretch of fighting Armored Squits and Battle Obbles while walljumping above SpikesOfDoom that gives you no chance to heal, culminating with the God Tamer boss.

*** The Beast's Den is an area within the Deepnest (itself already a maze) that takes the tight paths UpToEleven. It also doesn't help that this place has a lot of breakable walls that well... lead you right back to a previous path. It's up to you to leave them as a [[DoorToBefore convenient shortcut]] or an annoyance.

** Resting Grounds: Purplish-blue

Hallownest's history is deep, and it's past still haunts it a ghost.

** DownInTheDumps: A sub-area added in the ''Godmaster'' DLC is the Junk Pit, where you can find [{ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin mountains of junk]], empty treasure chests, and a mysterious locked cocoon. [[spoiler: If you granted the Nailsmith his death wish, you can also find his body here.]]

* SpeakingSimlish: Characters have voice acting but they all speak in gibberish. It's most likely their native language, given that the characters are non-human and the game takes place in an ancient kingdom.

* {{Magitek}}: Although most of its technology is non-functional at this point, a lot of Hollownest's machinery seems to be powered by the magical crystals harvested from Crystal Peak, which the miners continue to harvest non-stop even when infected and going insane, and there's almost no one sane left in Hollownest to use them.

* OrangeBlueContrast: Almost all of Hallownest is dark blue- or blue-tinted, providing a sharp contrast with the bright orange plague.

* SchizoTech: The general setting and architecture may look like it's inspired by pseudo medieval era or SteamPunk where armed citizens use bladed weapons, shields, and magic spells. But how else can anyone describe the liberty of having more advanced technologies like tramways, circular buzzsaws in the White Palace, a lighthouse in the Abyss, laser beams from the Crystal Peak, elevators in the City of Tears, and speakers in the Queen's Gardens?

* TemporaryPlatform: There are platforms in the Crystal Peak that flip 180-degrees, pointing their spiked crystals that damage the Knight if it stays on top for too long.

* UrbanSegregation: The capitol of Hallownest, the City of Tears, is split between several towers where bugs live. The wealthier parts of the city are in their own spires, clearly segregated away from the common bug residence.

* WallAroundTheWorld: Apart from the natural borders of rock, a plaquet states that all citizen of Hallownest shouldn't stray away from these borders, as they will [[spoiler:lose their sentience and become beasts]]. However, since traders, adventurers and warriors seem to come from outside Hallownest, this is a dubious claim at best.

* AerithAndBob: Unique names in this game range from "usual and realistic" (i.e. Myla, Marissa) to "fantasy-grounded" (i.e. Zote, Quirrel, Tiso, Bardoon, Bretta).

* CastHerd: Most characters are grouped from either or both their in-universe territorial settings/tribes/memberships (i.e. Flukes, Godseekers) and/or the places whom they are encountered (i.e. Citizens of Dirtmouth, Mantis Villagers).

* GlowingEyesOfDoom: An orange glow in a creature's eyes is a sure sign they're overcome by the plague and will attack you. Lack of it doesn't necessarily mean the bug is not infected, though.

* OurZombiesAreDifferent: The undead of Hallownest, some reanimated by [[TheVirus the Infection]], others [[TechnicallyLivingZombie corrupted while still alive]], are known as Husks, identifiable by their [[GlowingEyelightsOfUndeath glowing yellow eyes]]. Furthermore, many of the Husks encountered in Deepnest are afflicted by the Corpse Creeper, a ''Cordyceps''-like PuppeteerParasite that controls their corpse after you strike them down.

* DyingTown: Dirtmouth. The Elderbug is the one keeping it in check, while the rest have gone below or went into hiding. This can be subverted as you progress further on the game, as more residents would show up and set up shop in the town.