The Abyss is the darkest place in Hallownest and the only major area with no map at all. Cornifer never came here, Iselda sells nothing for it, and none of it appears on the world map. You navigate by the Lumafly Lantern and by memory, and that is deliberate. Do not come down without the Lantern and Monarch Wings.
Getting in requires the Ancient Basin lift shaft and enough movement to survive the descent. At the bottom, shade tendrils grab at you in the dark and the floor is littered with the shells of dead Vessels. The area is short in room count but heavy in atmosphere, and it contains three things you need.
The Shade Cloak is in the eastern chamber, obtained by dashing through the dark gate at the bottom. It upgrades the Mothwing Cloak into an invulnerable dash that passes through shade gates, which are those black barriers you have been bouncing off in Fog Canyon and elsewhere. Abyss Shriek, the second upgrade to Howling Wraiths, is in a chamber reached by pogoing up the rising shade platforms in the west. Lifeblood Core, a charm that grants a large pool of Lifeblood masks, sits behind a wall of Lifeblood cocoons in the north east.
The Birthplace at the very bottom is where you take both halves of the Kingsoul, the King's Fragment from the White Palace and the Queen's Fragment from the Queen's Gardens, and transform it into the Void Heart. Void Heart is the key to the true ending and to the Radiance. It also permanently pacifies your Shade and the Siblings.
Two grubs are not here, but two Whispering Roots and a Hallownest Seal are, along with the entrance to the Sea of Void later in the game. Because there is no map, the practical approach is to do the Abyss in one deliberate run with the Lantern equipped, a full soul bar, and the Dreamgate planted at the top so you can leave instantly.
Places inside The Abyss
- The Birthplace
- Lifeblood Core chamber
- Shade Cloak gate
- Abyss Shriek chamber
- Sea of Void
Tips
- There is no Abyss map. Cornifer never came here and Iselda does not sell one.
- Bring the Lumafly Lantern and Monarch Wings or do not bother.
- The Shade Cloak lets you pass shade gates. Go back and clear every black barrier afterwards.
- Plant a Dreamgate at the top before you descend so you can leave in one button press.
- Bring both Kingsoul halves to the Birthplace to make the Void Heart and unlock the true ending.
- The rising shade platforms in the west need pogo timing. Take it slowly.
All 9 locations in The Abyss
Relics (3)
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Below the Lifeblood Core room
In the chamber under the Lifeblood Core pedestal. Taking the charm seals the room for good, so grab the egg first.
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West of the Shade Cloak chamber
Directly west of the pedestal where the Shade Cloak is taken, at the far east end of the Abyss.
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Southern Birthplace
In the south of the Birthplace, which only opens once you carry the Kingsoul charm.
Charms (2)
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Sealed door on the west wall of the Abyss
Gives a large number of Lifeblood masks on every bench rest, the strongest defensive charm for a no-heal run. The door only opens if you arrive with 14 or more Lifeblood masks, or 15 with Joni's Blessing equipped, and it shuts for good once you take the charm.
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The Birthplace, bottom of the Abyss
Costs no notches, cannot be unequipped, and calms the Siblings and your Shade so you can unlock the true ending. Wear the Kingsoul and walk into the sea of Siblings at the bottom of the Abyss, then Dream Nail the egg. It shares its completion point with Kingsoul.
Abilities and Spells (2)
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Pedestal in the south west Abyss
The upgraded Howling Wraiths, hitting harder and covering more of the screen. Stand on the pedestal in the south west room of the Abyss and cast Howling Wraiths to claim it.
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Void fountain, far east Abyss
Upgrades your dash so it passes through enemies and attacks without taking damage. Light the lighthouse on the west side of the Void sea to push back the Void Tendrils, then stand in the fountain at the far east.
Secrets and Lore (2)
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West side of the Void sea, the Abyss
A lighthouse you climb and switch on to drive back the Void Tendrils blocking the east of the Abyss. Lighting it is the only way to reach the Shade Cloak.
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Bottom of the Abyss
The egg chamber where the Vessels were made, only reachable once you wear the Kingsoul and walk into the sea of Siblings. Dream Nail the egg here to gain Void Heart and the true ending.
