What Happens to the Nailsmith?
The Nailsmith, a dedicated craftsman in the fungal wastes of Hallownest, eventually finds peace and transcendence after his student, the Knight, achieves the “Embrace the Void” ending. After the Knight completes the delicate process of giving him the final upgrade, Pure Nail, the Nailsmith asks the Knight to strike him down with his own creation. If the Knight obliges, the Nailsmith dies, finally finding the perfect death he sought, a death worthy of his craft. If the Knight refuses, the Nailsmith is later found in the company of the Godseeker in the Land of Storms, having seemingly found a new purpose in perfecting the Nail for the Gods.
The Nailsmith’s Journey: From Craftsmanship to Transcendence
The Nailsmith is one of the few non-infected NPCs in Hollow Knight who directly assists the Knight on their quest. Located in the City of Tears, he meticulously upgrades the Knight’s nail, the primary weapon, transforming it from a chipped blade into a formidable weapon capable of vanquishing the most powerful foes. He believes deeply in the purity and perfection of the Nail, seeing it as more than just a tool. He considers it a symbol of power and a medium for achieving the ultimate form of martial prowess.
The Nail Upgrades
Throughout the game, the Nailsmith provides four distinct nail upgrades:
- Sharpened Nail: The initial upgrade, improving the Nail’s basic damage.
- Hardened Nail: Further enhances the Nail’s damage and durability.
- Coiled Nail: A significant increase in damage, making it a powerful weapon.
- Pure Nail: The ultimate upgrade, transforming the Nail into its perfected form.
Each upgrade requires a significant amount of Geo (the game’s currency) and Pale Ore. Pale Ore is a rare resource found throughout Hallownest, often rewarding exploration and the defeat of challenging bosses. Upon receiving the Pure Nail, the Nailsmith declares that he has achieved his life’s goal: the creation of a perfect weapon.
The Choice: Death or Transcendence
After the creation of the Pure Nail, the Nailsmith makes a startling request. He asks the Knight, the wielder of his ultimate creation, to strike him down. He believes that a perfect creation deserves a perfect death, a death at the hand of the one who wields its power.
- Accepting the Request: If the Knight strikes the Nailsmith, he dies peacefully. This action unlocks a unique journal entry for the Hunter’s Journal. The journal entry highlights the Nailsmith’s dedication to his craft and his search for the ultimate ending.
- Refusing the Request: If the Knight refuses to kill the Nailsmith, he will initially express disappointment. However, upon revisiting him later in the game, the Knight will find that the Nailsmith has traveled to the Junk Pit to be with the Godseeker.
The Godseeker and the Land of Storms
The Godseeker is an optional NPC found in the Junk Pit. She is obsessed with finding and experiencing the power of the Gods. Her ultimate goal is to transcend her mortal form and achieve divinity. If the Knight refuses to kill the Nailsmith, he can be found kneeling before the Godseeker in the Land of Storms, seemingly captivated by her pursuit of divine power. This ending suggests that the Nailsmith has found a new purpose – assisting the Godseeker in her quest by perfecting the Nail for the Gods. This potentially points to the Nailsmith’s true goal, surpassing perfection in his craft by appealing to the Gods themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Nailsmith
1. Does killing the Nailsmith affect the ending of the game?
No, killing or sparing the Nailsmith does not affect the main endings of Hollow Knight. However, it unlocks a unique Hunter’s Journal entry and influences the Nailsmith’s personal fate.
2. Is it better to kill or spare the Nailsmith?
This is a matter of personal preference. Killing him grants him the death he desires, fulfilling his lifelong pursuit of perfection. Sparing him leads to him finding a new purpose with the Godseeker. Neither choice offers any gameplay advantages or disadvantages.
3. Can I get the Pure Nail without killing the Nailsmith?
Yes, obtaining the Pure Nail is necessary to trigger the choice, but you are not required to kill him after acquiring it. You can refuse his request, and the game will continue.
4. Where is the Nailsmith located?
The Nailsmith is located in the City of Tears, in a small workshop near the central fountain area. You will need to acquire the Mantis Claw ability to reach his workshop.
5. What is the purpose of the Pale Ore?
Pale Ore is a rare resource required to upgrade the Knight’s Nail. It is found in various locations throughout Hallownest, often rewarding exploration and defeating challenging bosses.
6. How many pieces of Pale Ore are needed for the Pure Nail?
You need a total of six pieces of Pale Ore to fully upgrade the Nail to the Pure Nail.
7. Does the Nailsmith offer any other services besides upgrading the Nail?
No, the Nailsmith’s only function is to upgrade the Knight’s Nail. He does not sell any items or provide any other services.
8. What is the significance of the Nailsmith’s obsession with perfection?
The Nailsmith’s obsession with perfection reflects the themes of dedication, mastery, and the pursuit of ideals present in Hollow Knight. It also highlights the potential for obsession to consume one’s life.
9. What is the Godseeker’s role in the game?
The Godseeker is an optional NPC that offers a series of challenging boss battles within the Godhome area. Completing these challenges unlocks different endings to the game.
10. Where is the Godseeker located?
The Godseeker is located in the Junk Pit, accessible after acquiring the Dream Nail and using it on a specific corpse found in the Royal Waterways.
11. What happens if I dream nail the Nailsmith?
If you use the Dream Nail on the Nailsmith, you enter his dream state. His dialogue reveals his inner thoughts and desires related to his craft and the pursuit of the perfect death.
12. Is the Nailsmith infected with the infection?
The Nailsmith appears to be one of the few non-infected NPCs in Hollow Knight. His sanity remains intact throughout the game.
13. Does the Hunter’s Journal entry for the Nailsmith change depending on my choice?
Yes, the Hunter’s Journal entry for the Nailsmith is only unlocked if you choose to kill him. It offers insight into his character and motivations.
14. What does the Nailsmith say if I refuse to kill him?
He initially expresses disappointment, saying something along the lines of, “So it is. The Perfect Nail remains incomplete. Perhaps… perhaps there is another way.”
15. Does the Nailsmith’s story have any thematic connections to the broader narrative of Hollow Knight?
Yes, the Nailsmith’s story, in either outcome, connects to the broader themes of dedication, purpose, and the search for meaning in a decaying world. His obsession with perfection mirrors the kingdom’s own flawed attempts at achieving immortality and preventing the spread of the Infection. His choice to either seek death or join the Godseeker represents two different paths of dealing with the emptiness and despair of Hallownest.