Dirtmouth - The Fading Town

Your guide to Dirtmouth in Hollow Knight. Learn about Elderbug, Iselda's shop, Confessor Jiji, and how to unlock new areas. Essential tips for beginners!

Alright, so you've just landed in Dirtmouth, the first real town you'll encounter in Hollow Knight. It might seem a bit quiet and rundown, but don't let that fool you – there's important stuff going on here! As soon as you enter, you'll see the Elderbug. He's the town's welcoming committee, so definitely have a chat with him. Right next to him is a Bench. These are super important; they're your checkpoints and also let you rest and pass time. Resting on a Bench is key because it'll update your map with any new areas you've explored. Keep an eye out for these Benches!

To your right, there's a house you can check out. You can't do much with it right now, but it's where you'll eventually be able to buy map upgrades from Iselda. Keep that in mind for later. Further into town, you'll spot a well. Past that well is a dead end, blocked by a simple lock. You'll need a key for that, which you can get later from Sly, a character you'll meet in the Forgotten Crossroads. Once Sly sets up shop back in Dirtmouth, he'll sell you a Simple Key for 950 Geo. Grab that key and use it on the locked door. Inside, you'll find Confessor Jiji. She can help you out by summoning your Shade to your current location if you give her a Rancid Egg. For now, though, the only way to progress is down the well.