Higher Beings

Higher Beings is a term used in the Hollow Knight Games to refer to individuals of exceptional power, they're god-like in nature and exhibit a range of abilities. In the original Hollow Knight there are six recognized Higher Beings as well as individuals who may be higher beings. The nature of Higher Beings varies between individuals some seeking to be worshipped or remembered like the Pale King and Radiance while others like the Nightmare's Heart and Unn exist for other reasons.
==Canonical Higher Beings==
There are six Higher Beings present in the original Hollow Knight; Pale King, the Radiance, White Lady, Unn, Nightmare's Heart & the Void Entity. Each seem to govern different aspects of the region of Hallownest and their power varies over time with some like the Radiance becoming more powerful while others like Unn waning.
The Pale King, an example of a Higher Being
It is unclear the origins of the Higher Beings, while some such as the Pale King seem to exist in their own right others such as the Radiance and the Nightmare's Heart seem to only exist as a result of the actions of groups such as the Moth Tribe and the Grimm Troupe. All Higher Beings are shown to have the capacity of creation although the degree to which varies with Unn and the Void Entity being able to physically create new life while the Pale King and White Lady are capable of creating new life through unions with other Higher Beings or other forms of life.
In almost every case, the Higher Beings are also shown to exert some degree of control over their subjects, the degree of the control varies between Higher Beings with ones such as the Radiance having direct control over their subjects while the Nightmare's Heart seeks to perpetuate its own existence. Others are more suggestive in their influence where the Pale King seeks to be worshipped and Unn has laws that are followed by her subjects. It is unclear the degree of control the Void Entity has over its creations and it may be direct control or simply suggestive based on the interpretations of the Knight's actions during Hollow Knight.
=== Wyrms ===
Wyrms are powerful Higher Beings that exist or existed in the world of Hallownest, it is unclear if any are still alive although the only known one, the Pale King is dead. Wyrms are stated to be able to control bugs as though they're thralls although this doesn't appear to be to the same degree as the Radiance's infection as the bugs are still able to exhibit independent thought. Wyrms are distinct among the Higher Beings as they're outright stated to have existed before their subjects and are simply regarded as Ancient Beings. Notably Wyrms are rather resilient to death, with the Pale King originally shedding his original form to take on the more insect-like appearance that he would rule over Hallownest.
== Fanonical Higher Beings ==
These are fanonical Higher Beings, they do not appear in any official Hollow Knight media and are merely creations of users on this wiki, they may be related to fan articles written on the wiki and should be linked to as such if they are.
=== Pale Higher Beings ===
Not much is known about what a Pale Higher Being is, they're known to be extremely powerful although the degree to which they differ from other Higher Beings is unknown. Canonically there are two Pale Higher Beings; the Pale King and the White Lady. In addition being Pale appears to be correlated in some aspect towards Soul due to the charm known as the Kingsoul which possesses a seemingly infinite amount of Soul within.
*Pale Sun - The Pale Sun is a Higher Being that once existed in the Crater's Crest, it was an incredibly powerful being and was responsible for stopping the spread of the vicious creatures from the depths of the Crater from escaping. The Pale Sun appears to have take on the form of some sort of giant Firefly as evidenced by it's body's still glowing abdomen. Interestingly the bugs describe the Pale Sun as a cooling spirit and despite being related to light, the Pale Sun seems to exude coldness above all else creating the Blizzard Skywall, an icy barrier between the upper and lower levels of the Crater's Crest. At some point the Pale Sun died resulting in the gradual weakening and destruction of the Blizzard Skywall, it is unknown what killed her as unlike most Higher Beings she seemed to act independently from the usual needs of controlling in some fashion lesser bugs.
=== Hidden Higher Beings ===
Hidden Higher Beings are a group of Higher Beings that exist in the world whose true appearance is unknown, there are currently four known Hidden Higher Beings that exist each portraying a different means of hiding.
* The Known Spore - In a distant land there exists a Higher Being known as the Known Spore who reigns over mighty colonies of Ants, they're a being who imbues great intelligence on their subjects and implores them to seek out knowledge and wisdom through exploration and discovery. Among one of the more powerful Higher Beings, their presence is obscured by the incomprehensibility of their form and according to some Ant colonies it's believed that by understanding the form of the Known Spore they will gain true enlightenment. The Known Spore also controls a vast interconnected array of fungi that exist throughout the world, one of the widest spread although almost impossible to see as the near microscopic fungi float through the air and simply monitor, carrying information to large hubs within the Ant Colonies which serve primarily as repositories for the information becoming immense vestiges of information. Some Ants have even taken it upon themselves to take union with the fungi which have granted them great thought although this is often plagued by headaches and losing one's sense of identity if pushed too far.
* Packmaster - Packmaster is a bit of an unusual Higher Being, the only knowledge of their existence is from tracks and remnants of their presence in areas, constantly moving they're regarded as the most nomadic of all Higher Beings. The Packmaster's followers are referred to as Hunters and search the world trying to find their Higher Being in a great hunt, supposedly the Packmaster's goal in life is to be slain by one of his followers in the hopes that it will bring about a great Kingdom from the wealth of experience the hunters gather from the hunt. Hunters often turn up all across the various lands of the world although rarely stay for long, some however are known to stray from the Packmaster's hunt when presented with opportunities to fight for glory, as such Packmaster is regarded as a weaker Higher Being due to their low grip on their followers.
* Heart of Core - Heart of Core is a Higher Being that exists deep underground, potentially at the core of the planet itself, the being presents a great warmth to its followers which seek it out by digging great burrows through the ground, it's believed that many of the various tunnels, channels and pathways that stretch across the world's wastelands are as a result of the Heart of Core's followers. The Heart of Core's tenants which are said to be experienced by those that bathe in its warmth denote that the minerals of the world should be molded into forms that please the Heart of Core, as such many followers are known to be miners and blacksmiths as well as a number of artisans. Reportedly the strength of Heart of Core's influence is directly tied to how deep one goes into the world, with some describing the influence as being overwhelming driving them away from it as a result, it's believed that only ones with an unflinching determination and willpower can endure this influence.
* Bowmaker - Located in the Kingdom of Lub, Bowmaker is a Higher Being that is known to exist in a particular location although no one has ever been able to see them directly. Although this has led to some accusing the followers of Bowmaker to be following a false Higher Being, there is an influence present that would not exist otherwise. Bowmaker resides in the Tower of Lub a massive vertical spire that is believed to be one of the tallest constructs in the world. Residing at the top of the tower is the Bowmaker, encased in the Shell of Lub. Her followers attempt to ascend the tower through showing their devotion and love of the Higher Being, expressed through gifts and various actions. Interestingly despite the appearance, the followers who actually regard Bowmaker as a Higher Being worthy of worship are often rejected quickly as Bowmaker seems to seek a balanced love rather than one that harms her subjects.
===Creature Specific Higher Beings===
These are Higher Beings who govern over a particular group of creatures, they may be a single species or a certain group of animals which fit the same general theme. This is seen in the canonical Higher Beings with Unn who created all Mosskin entities in the game.
* Tongue-Eater - A colossal higher being who lives in a massive carcass of an even greater creature, Tongue-Eater is believed to have originated from a time well before much of the lands as the creature it resides within is believed to be one of the oldest known things to have ever existed. Tongue Eater is considered a Higher Being to many parasitic insects including the Lice and Ticks as well as some Assassin Bugs although many of the lattermost group have since turned their gaze from Tongue-Eater towards the Higher Being, Packmaster. Tongue-Eater is a bit of a strange individual as well as they are shown to survive off feeding on their subjects, often using them to either bring food or simply just eat them outright, Tongue-Eater itself has stated that it's goal is to ensure a balance of life, sending its parasitic creations throughout across the world to kill off overpopulated areas. It is theorized that Corpse Creepers may in fact be one of Tongue-Eater's creations.
* Woodrot - Woodrot is a higher being who created the Termites, one of the most expansive of all the Higher Beings, Woodrot is distinct in that it has split its physical body into many small splinters with which the Termites carry across the world planting in forested regions to establish new regions of control for Woodrot. Woodrot not only created the Termites but also helps them, being able to rapidly grow the trees and other plants which they feed on, Woodrot admits however that is rather weak for a Higher Being and has lost control of its subjects from time to time due to how its power is diminished each time it is split, as a result some of the wastelands that surround areas like Hallownest and Pharloom are believed to have been created by Traitor-Termites.
*Chameleon - The Higher Being of the Katydids, this strange Higher Being doesn't really have a physical form, more so manifesting as a mist that the Katydids keep sealed inside a large jar. Chameleon created the Katydids with the intention of allowing them to hide from threats, much like Chameleon himself does from his own kinds of threats. As such Chameleon is one of the lesser known Higher Beings with their powers seeming to extend to the general ability of creating illusions and hiding, some believing that many of the ambush predators found in Crater's Crest are also his creations.
===Non-Specific Higher Beings===
These are Higher Beings that do not fit into the above categories.
*Aktut - Aktut is a Higher Being found in the Crater's Crest, originally a governing body over the Topiary Gardens, his power has waned over time. Aktut's philosophy is on making the land beautiful and appears to have come to the Crater a long time ago due to a sheer disgust towards its unsightly appearance. During his prime, the Topiary Gardens were a marvel to behold, one of the few locations known across the world, however due to the prevailing threats from the deep of the Crater's impact site, Aktut has suppressed his power, something not unheard of in Higher Beings. As a result the control he once had over the bugs that inhabited the Gardens has waned and in their destruction the great monuments built by the bugs were destroyed and the topiaries, once verdant and beautiful have become overgrown and chaotic.
*Redroot - Redroot is debatably a Higher Being through worship alone, Redroot is unique among Higher Beings as it attained Higher Being status rather than simply always was one. The worship of Redroot is one of the most extensive followings of all Higher Beings known to exist, many bugs not only in Crater's Crest but across the world of Hollow Knight worship the strange plant and believe it brings luck and good fortune, many bring the roots of the Redroot to other lands where they sprout the distinctive Redroot Saplings which are said to bless lands. Due to its power being entirely driven by its worship, Redroot lacks a mind like many Higher Beings and simply acts on the beliefs of its followers, using its power to create good fortune through its highly resilient plant offspring.
Category:Characters
Category:Hollow Knight (series)