| “ | Through dream I travel, at lantern's call To consume the flames of a kingdom's fall. |
„ |
| ~ Grimm's riddle in the Hunter's Journal. |
| “ | The expanse of dream in past was split, One realm now must stay apart, Darkest reaches, beating red, Terror of sleep. The Nightmare's Heart. |
„ |
| ~ Nightmare King Grimm's riddle in the Hunter's Journal. |
Grimm is the titular main antagonist of the Hollow Knight DLC, The Grimm Troupe.
He is the vampiric leader of the mysterious Grimm Troupe, a group of performers who seek to collect the Nightmare flames of fallen kingdoms. In doing so, they prolong the existence of a higher being called the Nightmare's Heart, a process the Troupe calls "The Ritual", manipulating the Knight into doing his bidding.
Quick Answers
What is the role of Grimm in the Hollow Knight DLC?
How does Grimm manipulate the Knight in Hollow Knight?
Who leads the Grimm Troupe in Hollow Knight?
What is the Nightmare's Heart in Grimm's lore?
Appearance[]
In the real world, as Troupe Master Grimm, he is a slender dark creature covered in a cloak, with a gray exterior and a red interior. Said cloak actually appears to be wings. His head is black, horned and crescent shaped, his face is pale with red eyes and black markings, and underneath his cloak, his body is scaled and red. While his mouth is normally not visible, Grimm has one filled with sharp teeth and a red interior.
In the Nightmare Realm, as Nightmare King Grimm, Grimm's body turns entirely red, with his cloak having a maroon color. His face remains pale and his limbs remain black. He also gains a new pair of limbs which are usually hidden by his cloak.
Everytime he's staggered, Grimm takes a form similar to the Grimmchild's third state, but with glowing red eyes and a completly black body.
Personality[]
| “ | Masterful! Even a Vessel discarded bears fierce strength. Fine craft dear Wyrm, and perfect tool to prolong the heart of Grimm. | „ |
| ~ Grimm's thoughts on the Knight after the player defeats him for the first time. |
Grimm, throughout all of his interactions with the Knight, remains polite and respectful, bowing in shows of respect to them on several occasions. He is dedicated to the part he plays in the Ritual, and has a flair for theatrics, keeping with his persona of the leader of a traveling troupe. He views battle as a form of dancing and in combat shall unleash moves that cause his always nearby audience to cheer.
His respect extends to the Godseeker, for when summoned to do battle with the Knight before her, he shall again bow towards her. Dreamnailing him shows Grimm is in fact delighted to be in Godhome, viewing it as a pleasure to take part in the Godseeker's quest to find the strongest creature in Hallownest.
Biography[]
Grimm first appears when the Troupe is summoned to Hallownest by the Knight lighting the Nightmare Lantern in a hidden area in the Howling Cliffs, after which they set up camp in Dirtmouth. Inside the main tent is Grimm, who greets the Knight and explains that the Grimmkin now travel across Hallownest to collect the "flame in dream". He gives the Knight the Grimmchild charm, and encourages them to seek and defeat the three Grimmkin who have gathered flames in order to upgrade the Grimmchild.
After defeating the three Grimmkin and collecting their flames, Grimm appears when the Knight and the Grimmchild return to his tent and uses the flames to upgrade Grimmchild into a deadly companion. He then sends the Knight out to find three more flames to further grow the Grimmchild so he can begin the performance. Following the next three flames, Grimm leads the Grimmchild into his body and challenges the Knight in a duel. After being defeated, Grimm congrats the Knight and mentions how they have the potential in prolonging the Nightmare's Heart. He awards them with a charm notch and returns the Grimmchild, now in its third form, and encourages the Knight to seek out the last three flames so the Ritual could begin.
Following Grimm's boss fight, the player is given two options to complete Grimm's quest: the first is to collect the remaining three flames and return to Grimm, who now sleeps in the back room of his tent. Dream Nailing him takes the Knight to Grimm's dream in the nightmare realm, where they must fight against Nightmare King Grimm to complete the performance and finish the Ritual. Defeating him there will transfer the Nightmare's Heart from Grimm to the Grimmchild, granting the Knight the fourth and final form of the Grimmchild. Defeating Grimm causes the Grimm Troupe to vanish, although Divine will stay behind and upgrade the fragile charms.
However, talking with Brumm in the Deepnest before collecting all three flames and following him to Howling Cliffs to quench the flame of the Nightmare Lantern will cancel the Ritual and banish the Troupe. The Nightmare Lantern is the anchor through which the Grimm Troupe can manifest in the waking world, and destroying this anchor banishes the Troupe back to the nightmare realm.
Godmaster[]
In Godmaster, Grimm is fought in the Pantheon of the Sage as the fifth boss, and later in the Pantheon of Hallownest as the twenty-fifth boss. Nightmare King Grimm is fought in the Pantheon of Hallownest as the antepenultimate boss, regardless of whether or not he was defeated in Dirtmouth or if the Troupe was banished.
A statue of Grimm is found in the second floor in the Hall of Gods. If the player has not defeated him yet, the statue will not show and an empty stand will read: "I await the lighting of the lantern". Otherwise defeating him in the base game will make the statue materialize in a bright light, allowing him to be fought again. Once the player either defeats Nightmare King Grimm in Dirtmouth, banishes the Grimm Troupe, or encounters Nightmare King Grimm in the Pantheon of Hallownest, the player can Dreamnail the statue to fight Nightmare King Grimm.
The Grimm statue reads: "Travelling god of the troupe", while the Nightmare King version reads: "God of nightmares".
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Dialogues[]
Troupe Master Grimm[]
| “ | So, it was you who called us. Well met, my friend. Well met. I am Grimm, master of this troupe. The lantern has been lit, and your summons heeded. A fine stage you choose, this kingdom fallowed by worm and root, perfect earth upon which our Ritual shall take place. And you, my friend. Your own part is far from over. As the lantern flared your role was cast, our compact written in scarlet fire. Eager we are to see you commence, but first, some illumination is required. Across these lands my kin now spread, harvesting that essence peculiar to my ... breed, the flame in dream. Seek my kin; claim their flame and return it to me. Together, marvels shall be achieved. But don't fret small one. For this task you won't travel alone. My child shall guide you to the flame and gather within itself that burning essence. Like you, the child plays key role in this task. Only with it by your side will the flame, and my kin, reveal themselves to you. | „ |
| ~ First encounter. |
| “ | I can feel it. The warmth of the flame you've gathered together. A masterful opening act. The air hums with excitement. Dear child, you've done so well. Let your fire burn even brighter! Beautiful, yes. The child has grown, from idle youth to deadly companion. About these dangerous lands, its aid will no doubt be welcome. Just don't neglect our dance, for it too continues! Keep hunting that scattered, scarlet essence. When the child is filled with flame once more, return to the stage and the performance will begin. | „ |
| ~ Returning with all flames the first time. |
| “ | Wonderful. Wonderful! My kin arrive and the time has come. This searing fire ... It carries well the Ritual's promise. Dance with me, my friend. The crowd awaits. Show them you are worthy of a starring role! | „ |
| ~ Before battle. |
| “ | Bravo, my friend. Hear how the crowd adores you! They've not seen such a show in a long time. Look here! How our child has grown, nourished and strengthened by the heat of our passionate dance! The two of you will feature in many tragedies and triumphs together, I'm sure. And so our great Ritual nears its end. Will you continue to harvest the flame, even though now you surely see the path it illuminates for us? Our scarlet eyes will watch you keenly... friend. Go out into the darkness. Harvest the last lingering embers of this Kingdom. Then return to me and we will complete our dance. | „ |
| ~ After defeat. |
| “ | How grand a stage! A charming ritual ... A pleasure! An honour, Seeker, to attend your call! |
„ |
| ~ Dream Nailed in Godhome. |
| “ | I await the lighting of the lantern. | „ |
| ~ Text in the Hall of Gods. |
Nightmare King Grimm[]
| “ | Heart of Flame... In dreams ... Born anew... Power ... Fear... |
„ |
| ~ Nightmare King Grimm's Dream Nail dialogue during a regular fight. |
| “ | Gods ... bound by ritual... Deepest power ... The Heart... Scattered lands ... Nightmare binds all... |
„ |
| ~ Nightmare King Grimm's Dream Nail dialogue during a Godhome fight. |
Trivia[]
- Grimm (particularly his Nightmare King form) is based on vampires, most notably Dracula.
- At the beginning of the battle, if Grimm is attacked while he is bowing, he lets out a banshee-like screech and retaliates with his Flame Spawner attack, which he normally only uses when his health reaches 75%, 50%, or 25%.
- The Grimmchild charm is required for both battles excluding rematches in Godhome. The Grimmchild itself, however, cannot participate in any of Grimm's battles, even if equipped in Godhome.
- The audience in the background will only applaud every time Grimm uses his Fire Spawner attack or reforms after being staggered.
- At the beginning of the fight, Grimm will always bow towards the Knight unless he is fought in Godhome, where he will bow towards the Godseeker audience instead. Regardless, attacking him whilst bowing will cause him to screech like in his fight outside of Godhome.
- Grimm's health is determined by the Knight's Nail upgrades, gradually increasing depending on the upgrade level. This also applies to the Grimmkin, the Dream Warriors, Dung Defender, and Hive Knight.
- Nightmare King Grimm is tied with the White Defender as having the second-highest health of any boss in the game, only behind the Radiance.
- Along with the Radiance, Nightmare King Grimm has a full-screen title card. It isn't uncommon for fans to speculate that he is related to the Radiance in some shape or form. Some fan-works even depict him knowing the Radiance personally.
- For some reason, Nightmare King Grimm has two more legs than regular Grimm, as seen from when he scuttles.
- While uncertain what species Grimm is given all characters in the game are bugs, the most accepted theory is that Grimm is a moth, particularly a Calyptra, or the vampire moth.
- Grimm is a popular subject of memes, jokes and trends amongst the Hollow Knight meme community due to his character.
- One of the most common jokes relating to him is that the fandom nicknames his flamespawner attack as the "Pufferfish Maneuver".
- YouTubers who bow to Grimm in their lets-plays are met with praise for respecting Grimm's bow instead of interrupting him.
- As of now, Grimm's battle theme is the only song in the Hollow Knight soundtrack to feature an electric guitar.
- Grimm's theme is one of the most famous and remixed pieces from the Hollow Knight soundtrack, with it usually being the first song remixed by a music YouTuber from the game. Currently, Retrospecter's medley of Grimm's theme and his theme as the Nightmare King has over one million views.
- Nightmare King Grimm will almost always begin the fight with his uppercut attack unless he scurries away from the Knight after teleporting too close to them.
External Links[]
- Troupe Master Grimm on the Hollow Knight Wiki
- Nightmare King Grimm on the Hollow Knight Wiki
- Grimm — Magnificent Baddie Wiki
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 Villains
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Hallownest The Infected Grimm Troupe Other Pharloom The Citadel Caste and its associates Silk Beings Others | ||