What to know
- The Green Prince is found locked in Sinner’s Road using a Simple Key, initiating his NPC story arc.
- Early key use in Deep Docks also grants the useful Flintslate tool and extra loot.
- After freeing the Prince, track him through the Citadel to eventually unlock Verdania in Act 3.
- Verdania introduces tougher foes, expanded exploration, and late-game rewards tied to the Prince’s quest line.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a sprawling Metroidvania filled with secrets, and the Green Prince is one of its most intriguing NPCs. His questline weaves through Pharloom’s haunting landscapes, offering you a mix of challenging combat, exploration, and rich storytelling. Whether you’re a completionist or just curious about this enigmatic character, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about finding the Green Prince, engaging in his associated challenges, and reaping the rewards.
Finding the Green Prince in Sinner’s Road
Your journey to the Green Prince begins in Sinner’s Road, a treacherous area accessible from the top-right of Greymoor. To reach him, you’ll need to navigate a series of platforming challenges and environmental hazards. Start by heading right through Greymoor’s opening rooms, using levers to drop trapdoors. A side passage loops downward and left, where you’ll encounter grabby parasites—stay sharp to avoid them. Eventually, you’ll arrive at a columned section where the Green Prince sits behind bars in a prison cell. To free him, you’ll need a Simple Key, a rare item that’s consumed upon use.
Acquiring Simple Keys
Simple Keys are essential for unlocking the Green Prince’s cell and other locked doors in Silksong. There are four confirmed Simple Key locations in the game, each requiring different levels of effort:
| Location | Method of Acquisition | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bone Bottom | Purchase from Pebb | 500 Rosaries | The earliest and easiest key to obtain. |
| Sinner’s Road | Dropped by a Roachkeeper in the upper right area | Free (enemy drop) | Unlocks the Green Prince’s cell. |
| Sands of Karak | Looted from a corpse on a bench in the far right | Free (exploration) | Found later in the game due to difficulty. |
| Songclave (Choral Chambers) | Purchase from Jubilana after completing her quest | 650 Rosaries | Requires rescuing Jubilana first. |
Since Simple Keys are one-time-use items, you’ll need to prioritize which door to unlock. If you’re focused on the Green Prince, save a key for his cell in Sinner’s Road.
Freeing the Green Prince and Act II access
The key from Sinner’s Road allows you to free the Green Prince during Act II, starting his questline. Afterward, he can be found twice in the Citadel, where brief interactions advance his story.
However, his role truly expands only in Act III, once the barrier near Greymoor breaks and Verdania opens. This new region lets you reconnect with him and see the later stages of his arc.
Unlocking Verdania in Act 3
To access Verdania, you must complete the Silk and Song Quest, which unlocks Act 3. After freeing the Green Prince and tracking his Citadel appearances, head to Greymoor. From a bench near Craw Lake, move right through a series of rooms until you reach a memorial where the Green Prince stands alone. Interact with him to gain more lore, then play the Song of Memoria in his presence to trigger a secret cutscene. If done correctly, Hornet will awaken in Verdania, and the Green Prince will comment on the location.
Verdania is a story-focused area with no major collectibles like Mask Shards or Spool Fragments. Instead, it offers deep narrative insights and challenging trials that test your combat skills.
Combat Challenges in Verdania
Once in Verdania, you’ll face trials that push your mastery of Hornet’s abilities. These trials involve intense platforming and combat against unique enemies.
You’ll need to leverage Hornet’s needle skills, including the Swift Step dash, Pogo Jump, and Clawline grapple, to navigate platforms and defeat foes. The trials culminate in a boss fight, which is a significant challenge requiring precise timing and strategy.
Trial Element | Description | Tips |
|---|---|---|
Platforming | Spiked platforms, moving obstacles | Use Pogo Jump and Clawline for precise movement |
Enemies | Fast, aggressive foes | Combine Swift Step with needle attacks |
Boss Fight | High-damage, multi-phase boss | Learn patterns, conserve Silk for healing |
Rewards for Completing the Green Prince Quest
Completing the Green Prince’s questline and the Verdania trials yields significant rewards:
- Conjoined Heart: Obtained after defeating the Verdania boss, this item enhances your abilities, though specific effects depend on your build.
- Lamenter Achievement/Trophy: Unlocked upon completing the quest, marking your mastery of this storyline.
- Lore and Story Insights: The Green Prince’s dialogue reveals deep details about Pharloom’s history and its connections to the broader Hollow Knight universe.
- Access to Verdania: This postgame area offers additional exploration and narrative content, ideal for completionists.
These rewards make the Green Prince quest a must for players seeking to fully experience Silksong’s world.
Deciding if it’s right for you
The Green Prince questline is a rewarding journey for players who enjoy Silksong’s blend of exploration, combat, and storytelling. If you’re drawn to uncovering Pharloom’s lore or tackling challenging trials, freeing the Green Prince and reaching Verdania is a must. For those focused on combat upgrades or collectibles, you might prioritize other Simple Key doors first, like Deep Docks for the Flintslate tool. No matter your playstyle, the Green Prince’s story adds depth to your adventure, making it a worthwhile pursuit in Hollow Knight: Silksong.
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