Hive Queen Vespa

To rail against nature is folly. All things must accept an end. -Hive Queen Vespa

Hive Queen Vespa is a ghost in Hollow Knight. She gives information on the history of the Hive.

Lore

Vespa was the queen of the Hive, a tribe that is walled off from the lands of the Pale King.^[2] The Hive rejected Hallownest's attempt at perpetuation, arguing that it is pointless to go against nature. Vespa eventually grew so large that she could no longer leave the Hive.^[1]

At some point in time, Vespa died, causing the Hive to become consumed by the Infection.^[3]

In-game events

After Hive Knight, Vespa's former protector, has been defeated and Hiveblood has been acquired, Vespa's ghost can be found in the same area that Hive Knight is fought. Her corpse can be seen in this room in the background.

She will tell the Knight that she knows their kind, but that the pale beings, the Pale King and the White Lady, are responsible for the Knight's nature. Like all other ghosts, the Dream Nail can be used on her, giving 1 Essence.

Dialogue

First Encounter My Knight... At last you are freed. Small thing. I know your kind. If you attempt to resolve your past then I am not the queen you seek. It is the pale beings that bear blame for your nature. Though this hive exists within Hallownest, we play no part in its attempt at perpetuation. To rail against nature is folly. All things must accept an end.

Location

Hive Queen Vespa is located in the northeast part of the Hive.

Location in the Hive

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Official manual: "ruled by a queen who grew so huge she could no longer leave her domain."
2. ↑ Official manual: "Walled off from the lands of the king"
3. ↑ AMA answer concerning the Hive on Reddit