Forgotten Crossroads

The Temple of the Black Egg is a temple located near the entrance to Dirtmouth. The outside of the temple was made from the shell of an ancient bug. In the centre of the temple lies a black, stone egg, adorned with the three masks of the Dreamers.

To stop the Infection, the Hollow Knight was sealed in this egg after sealing away the Radiance. In the past, some bugs went to the temple to pray, but they stopped going there after some time.

Initially, access to the Black Egg is blocked by a seal on the entrance. After killing all three Dreamers, this seal is broken and the entrance is opened. This area grants access to the Hollow Knight and Radiance boss fights. The World Sense Ability can be acquired from the Lore Tablet next to the Bench.

Infected Crossroads

After either acquiring Monarch Wings or killing one of the Dreamers, the Infection spreads through the Crossroads and remains there for the rest of the game, with orange pustules of goo appearing in the environment. Navigation becomes more difficult due to the Infection closing off certain paths (Two passages have been completely sealed off by the Infection making them inaccessible as labelled on the map). In addition, most of the standard enemies are replaced by new, stronger variants.

When the Crossroads become Infected, the door to the west of Ancestral Mound is automatically opened, even if the lever to open it has not been hit.

Special rooms Aspid Nest This room can be accessed above the path to False Knight's area.

The Aspid's nest appears heavily Infected even before triggering the Infected Crossroads. It contains Aspid Hunters and Aspid Mothers. When first entering, the Knight is locked in the room and has to fight small waves of Aspids.

After the challenge is accomplished, blobs of Infections burst, giving access to a giant Aspid Mother's corpse from which the Glowing Womb Charm can be acquired.

Deserted Village This room can be easily accessed after defeating Gruz Mother.

This deserted village, like most of the Forgotten Crossroads, is heavily Infected after obtaining the Monarch Wings or defeating one of the Dreamers. This small area has three accessible dwellings: A small deserted hut, where a semi-Infected Sly can be found, Menderbug's house, and Salubra's shop, which boasts a large array of Charms and Notches.

One of the more permanent residents of this small village, Salubra, when first met, remarks to the Knight on how the village is "lovely" and "full of life", insinuating that Salubra is unaware of the Infection and the kingdom's fall.

Trivia
 * In the beta for Hollow Knight, the Ancestral Mound was originally called the Shrine of Souls.
 * In the beta for Hollow Knight, the Black Egg was leaking Infection, which only happens in the Infected Crossroads in the release version.
 * The beta also shows an early map of the Forgotten Crossroads. This map is shown in the Ferocious Foes trailer as well.

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