Vessels



The Vessels are genderless beings of the Void who were created by the Pale King as a means of stopping the Infection. They are described as the progeny of the Pale King and the spawn of the White Lady, containing the "soul" of the two beings. The area within the Abyss known as "birthplace" is assumed to be the location as to where the Vessels originated from. This area is where most of them were discarded following the Pale King’s search for a pure Vessel.

Eventually, one Vessel was judged to be pure and was chosen to seal the Radiance within themselves. This Vessel was named the Hollow Knight.

During the birthplace cutscene, the following dialogue is presented:


 * No mind to think.
 * No will to break.
 * No voice to cry suffering.
 * Born of God and Void.

This dialogue comes from Pale King and appears to be referring to the Hollow Knight- also present at the top of the Abyss aside the Pale King himself.

The Siblings found at the bottom of the Abyss are implied to be the Shades that originate from the shells of deceased Vessels. From this enemy and the boss Lost Kin, it can be interpreted that all Vessels are siblings. Hornet calls the Hollow Knight the sibling of both her and of the Knight, further suggesting a sibling relationship.

After the Hollow Knight was lead out of the Abyss, the Pale King sealed the Abyss with a seal that could only be broken by somebody with the King's Brand, locking most of the other Vessels inside. Other Vessels can be found scattered across the world and the Knight starts their journey outside of the Abyss in Howling Cliffs. This suggests that despite being locked away, some Vessels still managed to find a method to escape.