Hornet, the fierce protector of Hallownest, had already carved her way through the treacherous depths of Pharloom. But even a warrior of her caliber knew that a sharper needle meant the difference between life and death. Somewhere in the bell-lit town of Bellhart, an old craftsman named Pinmaster Plinney held the secret to unlocking her weapon’s true potential. This is the tale of how she tracked down the elusive Pale Oil and completed the Pinmaster’s Oil quest in Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Starting the Quest: A Favor for Pinmaster Plinney

The quest only becomes available after Hornet defeats the Widow, the formidable boss that guards the top of Bellhart. Once the Widow falls, she must speak with Pinmaster Plinney inside the bell at the summit. He sharpens her needle for free, but a second conversation reveals his true request: he needs Pale Oil, a rare substance that can push a blade’s edge beyond its limits. The catch? This item is hidden deep within the Citadel, far from Bellhart’s comforting chimes. It won’t be found until Hornet reaches the Whispering Vaults, a labyrinthine area accessible only after the midgame.

Journey to the Whispering Vaults

Hornet’s first task was to defeat the Cogwork Dancers in the Choral Chambers of the Citadel. These mechanical foes were no pushover, but once they fell, a new path opened beneath their arena, leading into the Cogwork Core. She navigated the Core’s grinding gears and eventually reached a section that connected back to the Choral Chambers. There, a silver switch awaited. Striking it rotated a massive mechanism, revealing a passage to the Whispering Vaults.

Finding the Map (Don’t Skip This Step)

Before hunting for the Pale Oil, Hornet wisely sought out the area’s map. The Whispering Vaults are a confusing tangle of corridors and chambers, and without a map, she would have wandered for hours. From the entrance, she headed right and then upward, fighting through an enemy ambush room. After clearing the foes, she continued north to a room directly beneath the Songclave of Choral Chambers. There, the map was waiting.

The Box Puzzle and Pale Oil Location

With the map in hand, Hornet made her way to the room that precedes the Pale Oil chamber. A lengthy box puzzle blocked her path. The solution required striking a series of boxes in a precise order. Here’s how she solved it:

1. First box: Hit the box on the ground to the left, up against the west wall.

   

2. Second box: Enter the newly opened room, jump, and hit the next box to the right.

   

3. Third box: Return to the previous room, jump on the ground box, wall-jump upward, and strike the top box to raise it.

4. Fourth box: Progress right, wall-jump to a higher level, and hit the box blocking your way to the left.

   

5. Fifth box: Next to the previous box, strike the box below you to lower it, then jump down.

   

6. Sixth box: Hit the middle box to the left to open the passageway.

   

7. Final box: Get underneath the large box and strike it upward to move it aside.

   

With the path clear, Hornet continued straight until she found a silver lever. Striking it opened the door back to the Choral Chambers. And there, resting o
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