[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:08.66,0:00:09.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s been a while.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.42,0:00:13.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hope you all are doing well.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.77,0:00:18.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I’m sure you all know, I’ve been on\Na journey of self discovery these last couple
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.05,0:00:19.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of months.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.05,0:00:21.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I read Edward Snowden’s new autobiography.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.57,0:00:24.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And honestly, it changed my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:24.83,0:00:27.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I also saw the new Joker movie.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:27.45,0:00:30.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And honestly, it changed my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.63,0:00:32.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then, I tried vegemite.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.42,0:00:35.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And honestly, it changed my life.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:35.93,0:00:39.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But you’re probably not here to listen to\Nme talk about that, considering none of that
Dialogue: 0,0:00:39.61,0:00:41.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is in the title of the video.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.38,0:00:48.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So instead, we’re going to take a deep,\Nhard, throbbing look at the lore tablets located
Dialogue: 0,0:00:48.12,0:00:50.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the very beginning of Hollow Knight.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.84,0:00:55.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For being the first lore tablets we see, it’s\Nsurprising how little I’ve discussed them.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:55.24,0:01:00.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I briefly went over them in that one MatPat\Nresponse video I made, but that video was
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.25,0:01:05.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bonkers enough without me going on an insane\Ntangent explaining abstract concepts like
Dialogue: 0,0:01:05.39,0:01:10.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“souls”, and “true forms”, and “words”.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:10.09,0:01:15.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But now, I think it’s time to finally get\Nto the bottom of this mystery.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:15.29,0:01:19.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These lore tablets are located in an area\Ncalled the King’s Pass.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:19.57,0:01:23.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is basically the tutorial level where\Nthe player is taught tricky maneuvers like
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.30,0:01:27.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,walking, jumping and focusing soul.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.07,0:01:32.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This last ability is specifically taught to\Nthe player by reading this first lore tablet.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.05,0:01:37.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But even if the tablet’s main goal is to\Nteach the player a move, there still must
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.13,0:01:40.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,be some lore explanation for why the tablet\Nis there.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.86,0:01:45.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Considering this area is called the King’s\NPass, it seems likely that these tablets were
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.07,0:01:49.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,written, or scribbled, by the Pale King.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.47,0:01:52.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One thing that separates these tablets from\Nmost of the other lore tablets found in the
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.79,0:01:59.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,game is how they all start with the same phrase:\NHigher beings, these words are for you alone.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.64,0:02:04.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So these tablets were left specifically for\Na group of people known as “Higher beings”.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.75,0:02:07.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But who exactly are these higher beings supposed\Nto be?
Dialogue: 0,0:02:07.60,0:02:11.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some have argued that the tablets were left\Nfor the vessels.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.17,0:02:16.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After all, the first lore tablet teaches the\NKnight how to focus, a very specific ability
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.09,0:02:18.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,seemingly only vessels are shown performing.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.96,0:02:23.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the vessels are the children of two gods,\Nso it would be reasonable to call them Higher
Dialogue: 0,0:02:23.39,0:02:24.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beings.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.94,0:02:29.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another interpretation is that these tablets\Nare speaking directly to you, the player.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.70,0:02:33.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I guess Higher beings in this case would\Nbe humans.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.42,0:02:34.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not sure how I feel about that.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.75,0:02:37.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’m not a huge fan of either of these interpretations.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:37.78,0:02:42.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Instead, I’d like to argue that these tablets\Nwere specially written for bugs that traveled
Dialogue: 0,0:02:42.89,0:02:45.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to Hallownest from the lands beyond.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.11,0:02:50.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I like this theory because it ties these tablets\Ninto other parts of the lore, such as the
Dialogue: 0,0:02:50.29,0:02:52.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mask Maker and the Pale King’s beacon.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.76,0:02:57.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But be warned, this theory is a little bit…\Nout there.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:57.82,0:03:03.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You might even call this theory a little “speculative”\Nor in other words “nonsense”.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.65,0:03:07.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So please keep an open mind while watching,\Nand don’t just assume that I’m right.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:07.70,0:03:12.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s entirely possible that we simply don’t\Nhave enough information to truly answers some
Dialogue: 0,0:03:12.01,0:03:15.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of these questions, and that’s okay.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:15.08,0:03:20.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s start with the very first hurdle we\Nhave with this theory: “Higher beings”.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.30,0:03:25.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game uses this phrase a total of six times:\Nthree in the King’s Pass, one in the Howling
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.50,0:03:30.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Cliffs, and one in the Ancient Basin, near\Nthe entrance to the Abyss.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.49,0:03:34.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The last time it is used is to refer to the\NPale King and the White Lady’s union which
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.67,0:03:39.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,resulted in the creation of the worst charm\Nin the game, the Kingsoul.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:39.22,0:03:44.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now the game never gives us a formal definition\Nof what Higher beings are, but we do have
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.12,0:03:47.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a few external sources that mention it.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.01,0:03:51.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a Reddit AMA, William Pellen explained\Nthat Higher beings are creatures that exist
Dialogue: 0,0:03:51.57,0:03:57.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,above all others, such as the Radiance, the\NPale King and the White Lady.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:57.32,0:04:00.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is also a developer’s note found in\NHollow Knight’s code that states that Higher
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.83,0:04:03.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,beings are God-like creatures.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:03.66,0:04:09.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So by that logic, my theory makes no sense,\Nsince the bugs regularly traveling to Hallownest
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.27,0:04:13.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,were probably not as powerful as the Pale\NKing.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.13,0:04:17.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But at the same time, it seems highly unlikely\Nthat the Pale King would have written these
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.17,0:04:20.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tablets for creatures of immense power like\Nhimself.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.13,0:04:25.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He didn’t exactly roll out the welcome wagon\Nfor the Radiance, after all.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.03,0:04:28.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So why exactly would the Pale King call regular\Nbugs Higher beings?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.93,0:04:32.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It all ties into the promise of Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.45,0:04:37.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The second King’s Pass lore tablet, located\Nnext to the Fury of the Fallen charm reads:
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.63,0:04:43.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let all bask in your majesty, for only this\Nkingdom could produce ones such as you.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:43.60,0:04:47.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,From this tablet, we can tell that the “Higher\Nbeings” the Pale King is referring to are
Dialogue: 0,0:04:47.94,0:04:51.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,creatures with abilities produced by Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.27,0:04:55.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The lore tablet in the Pale King’s throne\Nroom tells us that the Pale King’s beacon
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.21,0:05:00.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,expanded the minds of bugs, and the lore tablet\Nin the Howling Cliff also mentions that the
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.36,0:05:03.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,kingdom grants bugs minds.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.21,0:05:08.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is further backed up by Dream Nail dialogue\Nfrom both the Whispering Root, and this chonky
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.53,0:05:09.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,bug corpse.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.74,0:05:15.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So the King’s Pass tablet says that Higher\Nbeings are produced by Hallownest, and several
Dialogue: 0,0:05:15.11,0:05:19.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sources claim that Hallownest itself expands\Nthe minds of bugs, so this must be what the
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.98,0:05:23.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pale King means when he refers to Higher beings.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.42,0:05:28.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The reason the kingdom is called Hallownest\Nis because that is literally what it is.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.17,0:05:35.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,An area of land hallowed, or made holy, by\Nthe Pale King, granting those within it higher
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.01,0:05:36.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:36.04,0:05:40.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So why exactly does William’s definition\Nof Higher beings conflict with these tablets?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.90,0:05:43.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is William on bath salts again?
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.01,0:05:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well maybe, but another explanation could\Nbe that the Pale King is likening his subjects
Dialogue: 0,0:05:48.22,0:05:51.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to gods as a way to make his gift sound even\Ngreater.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.61,0:05:55.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s a bit of a lie on his part, and it\Nseems like his main motivation was to earn
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.96,0:06:00.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the devotion of these bugs, but he is still\Nelevating their powers nonetheless.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.66,0:06:03.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Alright, that’s eight words down.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.33,0:06:09.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s look at the other twenty-one words:\NYour great strength marks you amongst us.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.37,0:06:14.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Focus your soul and you shall achieve feats\Nof which others can only dream.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.18,0:06:18.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This first sentence appears to parallel a\Nline from the Quirrel comic.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.49,0:06:23.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Quirrel explains that the path to Hallownest\Nis difficult to achieve, stating that Hallownest
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.59,0:06:25.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,accepts only the strong.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:25.98,0:06:30.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, this raises the issue of how complete\Nweakling like Zote and Cloth were able to
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.60,0:06:33.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,make it to Hallownest in the first place.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.43,0:06:36.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then again, Zote is just too cryptic of\Na character in general.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.97,0:06:40.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’ve been trying to pin down his political\Nideology for months now.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.95,0:06:46.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, is he an authoritarian, an anarchist\Nor a liberatarin?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:46.77,0:06:52.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This next sentence about focusing soul is\Nwhere things get a bit complicated.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:52.16,0:06:56.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now in the mechanics of Hollow Knight, focusing\Nis when the Knight consumes souls in order
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.50,0:06:58.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to repair its shell.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:58.10,0:07:02.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But what does it mean for regular bugs to\Nfocus soul?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.53,0:07:05.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This ability seems to be reserved specifically\Nfor Vessels.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:05.47,0:07:10.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it seems very unlikely that the Pale King\Nwanted his subjects to mess with soul in that
Dialogue: 0,0:07:10.24,0:07:14.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,way, considering he condemned the actions\Nof the Soul Master and his followers.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:14.70,0:07:18.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To answer why the Pale King would want his\Nsubjects to “focus [their] soul”, I think
Dialogue: 0,0:07:18.75,0:07:20.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we’ll need to look at this from a different\Nangle.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.99,0:07:24.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s talk about what the word “focus”\Nactually means.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.94,0:07:29.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If we look at how the word is used throughout\Nparts of the game, it appears to link up often
Dialogue: 0,0:07:29.13,0:07:33.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with both the use of soul and the use of mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.07,0:07:37.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This might not be true in every case, but\NI think it’s a good framework to work from
Dialogue: 0,0:07:37.29,0:07:39.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when discussing this part of the game’s\Nlore.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.87,0:07:43.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s start with the scholars of the Soul\NSanctum.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.28,0:07:48.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These bugs were hoarding soul in some strange\Nattempt to avoid the Radiance’s plague as
Dialogue: 0,0:07:48.11,0:07:50.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well as achieve immortality.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.97,0:07:56.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In one of their lore tablets, the scholars\Nmention a desire to “attain a pure focus”.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:56.31,0:08:01.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now your guess is as good as mine as to what\Nthat actually means, but it seems safe to
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.01,0:08:04.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,assume that it requires an impressive mastery\Nof soul.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:04.90,0:08:09.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we can see that this act took quite a\Nheavy toll on the minds of the scholars, with
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.34,0:08:13.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Soul Twisters mentioning how their minds\Nswell and ache.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:13.37,0:08:18.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The possibility of a connection between focusing\Nand the mind becomes explicit when we look
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.15,0:08:20.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at the Godseekers.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:20.44,0:08:24.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Godseeker straight up tells the Knight\Nthat they are using a Godly focus to attune
Dialogue: 0,0:08:24.85,0:08:28.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the Gods of Hallownest and ascend their\Nown mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:28.52,0:08:33.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Weathered Mask description also states\Nthat it allows its wearer to focus their thoughts.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:33.27,0:08:35.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in this instance.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.74,0:08:40.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,focusing doesn’t seem to be related to soul\Nat all, but it still involves the mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:40.51,0:08:46.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We also have the Void Statue in the Hall of\NGods which reads “Void Given Focus”, which
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.98,0:08:51.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the initial release of Godmaster read “Void\NGiven Mind”.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.89,0:08:55.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This cut text might give us a hint of what\Nis going on here.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:55.14,0:09:00.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I have heard some argue that Team Cherry removed\Nthe word “Mind” because void in it’s
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.39,0:09:02.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,base form already has a mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:02.54,0:09:08.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I, however, think that “Focus” and “Mind”\Nare somewhat interchangeable terms, which
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.02,0:09:10.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is why Team Cherry used one instead of the\Nother.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.72,0:09:15.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s hard to say for sure, but I think we’re\Nsupposed to understand that the Shade Lord
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.59,0:09:20.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is some kind of conscious void being unlike\Nanything we’ve really seen before.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.96,0:09:24.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now there are more examples we could look\Nat, but hopefully you can see what I’m getting
Dialogue: 0,0:09:24.66,0:09:25.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,at.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:25.92,0:09:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Focusing for many characters in Hollow Knight\Nmeans the use of one’s mind in some capacity.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.30,0:09:35.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The scholars of the Soul Sanctum strained\Ntheir minds to try and attain a pure focus,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.93,0:09:39.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the Godseekers used their focus in a way\Nto ascend their minds.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.45,0:09:43.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s use that framework when interpreting\Nthis final line from the most cryptic bastard
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.78,0:09:49.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in this whole game: Mask Maker:\NA wonderful thing to have, a face.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:49.96,0:09:51.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not a thing with which we all are blessed.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.96,0:09:54.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For this kingdom's faceless, I shall provide.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:54.72,0:09:55.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A mask!
Dialogue: 0,0:09:55.72,0:09:56.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A face!
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.72,0:09:57.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Does it need one?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.72,0:09:58.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Does it not?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.74,0:09:59.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To define.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.91,0:10:01.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To focus.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:01.03,0:10:02.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To exist.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.43,0:10:07.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Mask Maker is basically equating being\Nable to focus with having a face.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.62,0:10:09.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To have a face means to exist.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:09.48,0:10:14.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So if we say that focusing means having a\Nmind, then the Mask Maker is saying that a
Dialogue: 0,0:10:14.55,0:10:17.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,face is required in order to have a mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:17.76,0:10:24.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that sounds stupid and dumb, but if\Nyou think about it philisophically, it makes
Dialogue: 0,0:10:24.19,0:10:25.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sense.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.33,0:10:30.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Having senitience or consciousness is paramount\Nto having a sense of self.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.21,0:10:34.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And what represents the concept of the self\Nbetter than the face?
Dialogue: 0,0:10:34.12,0:10:39.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s a parallel between this line from\NMask Maker and the lore tablet in the King’s
Dialogue: 0,0:10:39.15,0:10:40.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pass.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:40.15,0:10:44.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both establish the idea that not everyone\Nis capable of focusing, or in other words,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.79,0:10:47.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,not everyone has a face.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:47.28,0:10:52.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Focusing allows you to achieve feats others\Ncan only dream of, while having a face (which
Dialogue: 0,0:10:52.23,0:10:56.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lets you focus) is not something with which\Nall are blessed.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:56.00,0:11:01.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So in other words, this lore tablet might\Nbe saying that Hallownest grants bugs “faces”
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.97,0:11:03.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which allow them to think.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:03.44,0:11:08.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I know that might sound strange, but it actually\Nties nicely into the second King’s Pass
Dialogue: 0,0:11:08.04,0:11:11.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lore tablet:\NWithin our lands do not hide your true form.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.99,0:11:16.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let all bask in your majesty, for only this\Nkingdom could produce ones such as you.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:16.93,0:11:18.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What does true form mean?
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.81,0:11:22.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well the phrase “true form” is only used\Nin two other places in the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:22.68,0:11:28.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It is used in the Pure Nail description, as\Nwell as the Ancient Mask description.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:28.18,0:11:31.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Ancient Mask description reads:\NA complete mask.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:31.86,0:11:36.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When whole, a mask protects its wearer, shielding\Nthe true form beneath.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:36.55,0:11:41.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this second tablet could be implying that\Nthe reader might be wearing some kind of mask
Dialogue: 0,0:11:41.03,0:11:43.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to hide their true form.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.39,0:11:48.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They might be wearing this mask as a way to\Nbe able to define, focus and exist, as Mask
Dialogue: 0,0:11:48.73,0:11:50.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maker explains.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.45,0:11:55.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this tablet is telling the reader that\Ntheir mask is no longer needed, implying that
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.02,0:11:58.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this “face” is now provided by Hallownest\Nitself.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.84,0:12:00.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now I know what you’re thinking.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.99,0:12:03.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What the hell is mossbag talking about?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.41,0:12:05.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is he on bath salts again?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:05.24,0:12:09.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How does wearing a mask or having a face help\Nyou focus?
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.27,0:12:11.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And how does entering Hallownest affect any\Nof that.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:11.97,0:12:16.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let’s look at the first lore tablet again;\Nthe one that tells the reader to “focus
Dialogue: 0,0:12:16.34,0:12:17.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your soul”.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.37,0:12:22.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, the use of the word soul here might connect\Nto the Elegy for Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.42,0:12:29.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,At one point the poem states that Hallownest\Ntamed the “savage souls” of its subjects.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.03,0:12:33.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps this focusing of the soul is how this\Ntaming occurs.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.22,0:12:37.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In other words, Hallownest grants bugs the\Nability to focus their own souls, turning
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.71,0:12:40.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,them from savages to civilized bugs.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.84,0:12:46.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This resulted in the expansion of their minds,\Nas stated in the throne room tablet.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.17,0:12:50.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This line of thinking implies that bugs outside\Nof Hallownest can’t focus their souls as
Dialogue: 0,0:12:50.30,0:12:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well, which could be what we see in the Quirrel\Ncomic.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:54.04,0:12:59.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The bugs in the wilderness must forgo higher\Nthought in order to adapt to the harsh conditions
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.05,0:13:00.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the land.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:00.31,0:13:05.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Elegy of Hallownest also states that bugs’\N“base instincts were redeemed”.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:05.60,0:13:10.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In other words, these bugs have unfavorable\Ninstincts, but the Pale King’s beacon makes
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.57,0:13:15.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up for these flaws, allowing the bugs to show\Ntheir true forms without shame.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.45,0:13:20.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, it seems like some of these bugs\Nthat wandered the wilderness wore masks, since
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.34,0:13:25.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the second King’s Pass tablet mentions how\Nthese bugs would hide their true forms.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.53,0:13:31.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We do see travelers wearing mask ingame, particularly\Nthe Grimm Troupe and the Godseekers.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:31.02,0:13:35.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I don’t know how representative these\Ncharacters are of the bugs that routinely
Dialogue: 0,0:13:35.32,0:13:36.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,traveled to Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:36.47,0:13:41.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Okay, so you just witnessed a bunch of mental\Ngymnastics there.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:41.63,0:13:45.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These last several minutes were dedicated\Nsolely to trying to explain the “focus your
Dialogue: 0,0:13:45.74,0:13:47.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,soul” line.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.37,0:13:51.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And to be perfectly honest, part of me wonders\Nif Team Cherry even intended half of these
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.32,0:13:53.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,connections I just made.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:53.04,0:13:57.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The fact that they changed that line of dialogue\Nabout the Void being given focus may indicate
Dialogue: 0,0:13:57.78,0:14:01.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that a lot of this stuff might be pretty vague,\Neven to them.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:01.84,0:14:06.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But if we take a step back, I think this concept\Nstill makes sense in a broader view.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:06.91,0:14:11.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Basically you need a “face” in order to\Nachieve higher thought, or to have an identity.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:11.54,0:14:16.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But not everyone is blessed with this naturally,\Nas some numbskulls are only capable of relying
Dialogue: 0,0:14:16.96,0:14:18.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on instinct to survive.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.81,0:14:23.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However, some would wear masks as a way to\Nsupplement their savage nature.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:23.45,0:14:27.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But then the Pale King came along and promised\Na world where masks weren’t needed.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:27.98,0:14:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He granted a “face” to bugs outright,\Ngiving them the ability to control their savage
Dialogue: 0,0:14:32.07,0:14:35.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,nature and achieve higher thought.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:35.28,0:14:40.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And now we come to the final lore tablet,\Nlocated right outside the sealed up door to
Dialogue: 0,0:14:40.01,0:14:43.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hallownest:\NBeyond this point you enter the land of King
Dialogue: 0,0:14:43.28,0:14:44.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Creator.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:44.64,0:14:47.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Step across this threshold and obey our laws.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.47,0:14:51.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Bear witness to the last and only civilisation,\Nthe eternal Kingdom.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:51.94,0:14:55.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hallownest\NNow this tablet specifically makes it clear
Dialogue: 0,0:14:55.58,0:15:00.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to me that these lore tablets are directed\Nat newcomers to the kingdom and not the vessels
Dialogue: 0,0:15:00.34,0:15:02.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or the player directly.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.60,0:15:07.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These tablets were likely erected during Hallownest’s\Nprime, whereas the vessels would have probably
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.27,0:15:11.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,appeared much, much later after the kingdom\Nfell.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:11.24,0:15:15.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And why would the Pale King be telling us\Nto obey Hallownest’s laws?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:15.15,0:15:19.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What, is he expecting me to pay taxes or something?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:19.20,0:15:23.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But of course, there is another problem with\Nthis tablet that we need to discuss.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:23.59,0:15:27.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Pale King calls Hallownest the “last\Nand only civiliszation”.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.26,0:15:32.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But we know that was a fucking lie because\Nthere’s Pharloom, as well as wherever it
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.43,0:15:33.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is Ze’mer is from.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:33.81,0:15:38.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So is the Pale King just unaware of these\Nother kingdoms, or is he purposefully lying
Dialogue: 0,0:15:38.71,0:15:40.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the bugs entering Hallownest?
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.29,0:15:45.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I wouldn’t be surprised if the Pale King\Nwere being a bit dishonest here.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:45.09,0:15:49.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After all, his whole motivation appears to\Nbe based on accruing worshippers to devote
Dialogue: 0,0:15:49.33,0:15:50.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,themselves to him.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:50.87,0:15:55.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,His servants even thought that he created\Nthe world and everything in it, which obviously
Dialogue: 0,0:15:55.51,0:15:56.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,isn’t true.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:56.58,0:15:58.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that pretty much wraps up these tablets.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:58.47,0:16:02.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I should take a moment to address a few counter\Narguments to my theory.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:02.68,0:16:07.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the Wanderer’s Journal, the character\NEllina remarks the following when standing
Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.07,0:16:11.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,next to the locked door in the Ancient Basin:\NIf only I could decipher the message on the
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.86,0:16:16.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,tablet next to the door, perhaps I could figure\Nout how to open it.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:16.06,0:16:21.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This dialogue might imply that Ellina is completely\Nincapable of reading the lore tablet, which,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:21.97,0:16:26.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just like the King’s Pass tablets, begins\Nwith the phrase about Higher beings.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:26.82,0:16:31.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it because my assumption about what “Higher\Nbeings” means in this context is wrong?
Dialogue: 0,0:16:31.77,0:16:35.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Is it because the text is written in a language\Nthat Ellina can’t read?
Dialogue: 0,0:16:35.94,0:16:41.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My interpretation is that Ellina can read\Nthis tablet, however, she can’t decipher
Dialogue: 0,0:16:41.16,0:16:44.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,what the Pale King’s message means.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:44.25,0:16:48.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps she thinks that she could open the\Ndoor if she understood what regrets were hidden
Dialogue: 0,0:16:48.85,0:16:50.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the Abyss.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:50.78,0:16:55.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another explanation might be that bugs with\Nhigher intelligence already, like Ellina,
Dialogue: 0,0:16:55.24,0:16:59.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,can’t read these tablets because they only\Nappear to bugs whose minds were actually elevated
Dialogue: 0,0:16:59.80,0:17:00.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.80,0:17:06.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Regardless, I don’t think this sentence\Nfrom Ellina has to debunk the whole theory.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:06.77,0:17:11.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Another issue is how bugs like Zote, Cornifer,\NIselda, and Tiso are perfectly capable of
Dialogue: 0,0:17:11.72,0:17:16.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,traversing the lands beyond Hallownest without\Nseemingly needing to wear masks.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:16.67,0:17:20.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,My theory doesn’t really do anything to\Naddress this problem, but it might be due
Dialogue: 0,0:17:20.35,0:17:23.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to what species of bugs these characters are.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:23.64,0:17:27.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Mask Maker mentions that only some bugs are\Nblessed with a face.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:27.49,0:17:31.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Maybe these characters are born with higher\Nthought and don’t need any help to show
Dialogue: 0,0:17:31.37,0:17:32.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,intelligence.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:32.37,0:17:37.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, Cornifer is obviously smart, the dude\Nwears glasses after all.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:37.09,0:17:42.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe I am completely misunderstanding\Nwhat masks actually do.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:42.01,0:17:46.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After all, none of what I’ve talked about\Nanswers why the Mask Maker has those anime
Dialogue: 0,0:17:46.64,0:17:49.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,swirly void eye things.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:49.74,0:17:51.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like seriously what the fuck are those?
Dialogue: 0,0:17:51.85,0:17:55.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And does that play any roll into why he is\Nwearing a mask?
Dialogue: 0,0:17:55.07,0:17:58.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that leaves a few questions about other\Nbugs in Hallownest as well.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:58.83,0:18:03.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Did the Vengeflies become Higher beings, or\Nare they still dumb as rocks even with the
Dialogue: 0,0:18:03.12,0:18:04.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Pale King’s beacon?
Dialogue: 0,0:18:04.79,0:18:06.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,What about the bugs of Deepnest?
Dialogue: 0,0:18:06.22,0:18:11.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s unclear if they are in the beacon,\Nsince Deepnest technically isn’t part of
Dialogue: 0,0:18:11.08,0:18:12.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Hallownest.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:12.08,0:18:15.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Are these bugs just naturally intelligent?
Dialogue: 0,0:18:15.08,0:18:20.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Midwife seems to think so, but she might be\Na bit biased.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:20.12,0:18:25.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This would also imply that Mantises, Mushrooms\Nand some of the bees already had the intelligence
Dialogue: 0,0:18:25.74,0:18:29.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to focus their soul before the Pale King arrived.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:29.07,0:18:32.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Which makes it odd that this is never really\Nmentioned anywhere in the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:32.96,0:18:35.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We just kinda have to assume that they could\Ndo this.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:35.97,0:18:37.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that’s it for this video.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:37.76,0:18:44.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In general, I think it’s a compelling argument,\Nbut remember, just because something is compelling,
Dialogue: 0,0:18:44.44,0:18:45.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that doesn’t mean it’s right.
Dialogue: 0,0:18:45.82,0:18:52.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That’s how you get cults like Scientology\Nand the NSA, the United States Bowling Congress.