Some lore of every tool: Quick Sling and Wreath of Purity
A Stilkin weapon, fun
The corpse holding it seems to be a Stilkin Trapper, although the tool's function, throwing two red tools at once, is closer to the regular Stilkin's attack (two consecutive darts) than the trapper's three consecutive stake throws
That said, regular Stilkin don't seem to be using the tool either, seeing how they spit the darts out of their...mouth? proboscis?
The sling is held in the arm, much like how i think the silkshot is held; fun how both slingshots are found in Bilewater
The bones it is built out of probably came from muckroaches; another possibility is miremites but they strike me as a weaker alternative
And yes, we do know muckroaches have bones
But the reed....both the sling and the wreath of purity are described as made out of reed, but what kind of reed exactly?
Read the reeds...
This is the only clear example of reeds we have ingame, both a classic kind of reed irl and something referenced in the pondcatchers needolin dialogue
However, not a single one of these is present in Bilewater (which is a shame, these are known for absorbing pollution)
While the plants of Wisp Thicket, which likely existed in Greymoor proper in the past (as they seem to have been used in the construction of all the builddings in the region), are obviously designed to look like bamboo, I could argue they may actually be a kind of reed, from the common reed, used in construction and food alike, to the giant reed, used for instruments (which I often thought was bamboo as a kid) or perhaps silk reed
Even the stem of rice can have segmentation like that...well, a lot of grass does, which is what both rice and bamboo are
Either way, these aren't present in Bilewater either, not as wild plants nor as part of buildings, I simply brought them up for the sake of completion; I will talk about them more when I get to the wispfire lantern
Are these roots, which hold a similar bundling look to the wreath, and are everywhere in Bilewater, reeds? probably not; still, wanted to bring them up because the Stilkin definetively use them extensively in their structures and traps
Cunning bug that hunts with darts fashioned from stake and bile.
Trap setting bug carrying a pouch of sharpened long-stakes.
So, which are the reeds used by the Stilkin at the end? well...
Wreath of Purity is obviously made out of the same plants the Mothleaf Lagnia mimics
This grass is all over Bilewater and also around the dead Pinstress that once held this tool, so it would make the most sense to be the reed both tools are made out of, and they certainly look like flowering or dry reed; although, one could argue these are only the leaf part of the "reed and leaf" composing the wreath, with the color of the stem being the same as the leaf and thus not the same as the reed, leaving only the possibly more common grey grass as last candidate (although their break particles are nothing like the reed ones)
By the way, the broken reed particles accompanying the falling leaves are the same ones seen when snapping a trap trigger; these ropes (and by extension probably all stake-binding rope) being woven out of reed isn't surprising
Either way it's undeniable that the mothleaf is the source of the wreath's repelant properties; but why can it do that?
Well, we know it has a coarce texture thanks to Mothleaf Lagnia, so maybe that has a hand on keeping the maggots away
This one is pretty, but not as soft as it first seems. The plant it mimics is flaked and coarse, and the bug's coat shares similar texture.
However, I don't think that's all: notice how there's glowing particles coming from around Hornet (as well as an aural glow) while the wreath is active? similar particles emanate from this wide field of mothleaf leading to the secret bench shortcut, although not as shiny or vigorously; this phenomenon is seen nowhere else in the region
So it seems these plants, like real reeds, are absorbing and purifying the pollution, releasing something else into the air as a result (if it was brighter and whiter I'd even assume it to be soul, but it may just be spores or seeds or pollem)
Regarding this, Mothleaf Lagnia's needolin is interesting
Air... so warm... Water... so nourishing... Land... so fertile... Life... light... threads...
Mothleaf is certainly thriving in this environment; I wonder if they'll eventually cleanse Bilewater's pollution after the Exhaust Organ (and the Citadel at large) cease function
The sprites for the mothleaf are called "grass white"; I wonder if they were originally white before turning yellow from absorbing muckroach brine, similar to how pale fern turns orange from absorbing too much environmental infection miasma
It must not be easy for Stilkin to have to eat muckmaggot to survive
Although it does seem they were breeding them into the larger slubberlug form; you can tell this is their doing and not the work of Sinner's Road from the stake-root structures
These creatures look to have been bred deliberately in watery pens. If they are food to be, their scent suggests they must taste vile.
In fact, it seems the original owners of the quick sling were the ones tending these pens, and ironically, the mothleaf field is right above them both (also funny how they had a spike ball avalanche trap on the ready)
I wonder if the bones of the sling aren't actually from already adult Muckroaches but from the Slubberlugs
How would Hornet or the Pinstress wear the wreath? like a chaplet or a garland?
Decorative wreaths originated in Ancient Greece, they were used to promote healthy crop harvests, it would be made from the previous years harvest (such as wheat)[27] and would be hung on people's doors in hope for a fruitful harvest in the coming year.
Corpus Christi wreaths are also "put up in gardens, fields, and pastures, with a prayer for protection and blessing upon the growing harvest."[29]
In early modern England, a wreath custom existed for the funerals of "young maidens". A young woman of the same age as the one being mourned would lead the funeral procession, carrying a wreath of white flowers to represent the purity of the deceased, and "that eternal crown of glory reserved for her in heaven".[30]
Harvest wreaths, a common household decoration today, are a custom with ancient roots in Europe. The creation of harvest wreaths in Europe can be traced back to ancient times, and is associated with animistic spiritual beliefs. In Ancient Greece, the harvest wreath was a sacred amulet, using wheat or other harvested plants, woven together with red and white wool thread. The harvest wreath would be hung by the door year-round.[31]
A wreath may be used as a headdress made from leaves, flowers and branches. It is typically worn in festive occasions and on holy days. Wreaths originally were made for use with pagan rituals in Europe, and were associated with the changing seasons and fertility. Christianity appropriated the symbolism of the wreath based upon its Roman association with honour and moral virtue.[34]
That small bit about funerals for young maidens particularly stuck with me because of the Pinstress order being an "order lost of maidens fair"
Wreaths as symbols of honour, mourning and hope for a better harvest sure are fitting of the Bilelands and the Stilkin's current status, mourning the loss of a fertile land to pestilence, and the honour of its inhabitants still fighting
Maybe that connection to fertility is the reason the Mothleaf Lagnia are called that
Btw, see that mention of "animistic spiritual beliefs"? the way Soul is presented in Hollow Knight is very in line with animistic beliefs, spiritual power being everywhere, even in words
And would you look at that
