Bardoon

"For quiet retreat did I climb up here, away from spitting creatures. Ormmph... Yes. High up. Away from simple minds, lost to light."

- Bardoon

Bardoon is an NPC in Hollow Knight. He provides lore on the Cast-Off Shell and the Infection.

Lore
Bardoon is an old caterpillar found sleeping in Kingdom's Edge. He climbed up to the top of Kingdom’s Edge to get away from bugs plagued by the Infection. He resists the light’s allure, which he explains offers unity but also reduces a bug to instinct alone.

Bardoon has knowledge of the Pale King's origins and of the King's Brand. Though he knows about Wyrms, he is not one himself.

Hollow Knight
His body can be seen in the background twisting through the cliff face. Bardoon's tail is found to the southeast of his head; hitting it will make him chuckle. He does not mind it when his tail is struck.

Bardoon has new dialogue after the King's Brand has been acquired, as well as Void Heart.

Location
Bardoon's head can be found in the north part of Kingdom's Edge. His tail is found near the Lifeblood Cocoon in this area, behind a breakable wall.

Trivia

 * The game's files list Bardoon as "BIG_CATERPILLAR."
 * Bardoon is one of the few NPCs who can be "hit" with the Nail without taking damage. The other five being the Grubfather, Steel Soul Jinn, Mister Mushroom, Millibelle, and the Midwife.
 * Bardoon is one of the few NPCs who are able to detect when they are being Dream Nailed, the others being Midwife, White Lady, Seer and the Snail Shaman.