Complete the Passing of the Age quest in Hollow Knight Silksong. Find all 7 Mister Mushroom locations, solve riddles, and unlock the secret ending achievement.
The Herald’s Strange Journey: Understanding Passing of the Age
One of Hollow Knight Silksong’s most mysterious and rewarding side quests, Passing of the Age represents a fascinating continuation of the original game’s cryptic Mister Mushroom storyline. This isn’t your typical fetch quest or combat challenge – it’s a philosophical journey that spans the entire game world and culminates in revelations about the nature of time, civilization, and cosmic cycles.
The quest revolves around the enigmatic Mister Mushroom, a character whose presence hints at forces beyond the immediate story of Hornet’s adventure. Following his trail requires patience, puzzle-solving skills, and thorough exploration of Pharloom’s most hidden corners.
Why This Quest Deserves Your Complete Attention
The Passing of the Age quest offers rewards that extend far beyond typical side content:
Unique Benefits:
- Secret ending unlock – Witness additional story content unavailable through normal completion
- Achievement acquisition – “That the age may pass, this shroom its witness”
- Lore revelation – Deep insights into cosmic cycles and interdimensional travel
- Surface exploration – Visit the mysterious Nameless Town above Pharloom
- Complete world tour – Systematically explore every major area in the game
Important note: This quest requires significant progression through Act 3 and access to advanced abilities, making it truly endgame content for dedicated players.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Starting
Essential Abilities:
- Silk Soar – Absolutely crucial for accessing hidden areas
- Needolin skill – Required for summoning Mister Mushroom
- Wall jump capabilities – Standard for late-game navigation
- Key of Apostate – Needed for accessing The Slab location
Story Prerequisites:
- Act 3 progression – Most locations become accessible only in the final act
- Area completion – You’ll need access to all major regions of Pharloom
- Advanced platforming skills – The final location includes a “test of fitness”
Pro tip: Complete most other major quests before attempting this one, as it serves as an excellent capstone to your Silksong experience.
Triggering the Quest: Finding the Golden Tablet
Location: Far East of Putrified Ducts
The quest begins in the Putrified Ducts, specifically in the far eastern section that connects to Fleatopia.
Step-by-Step Activation:
- Head east from Fleatopia – Continue until you find an upward path
- Use wall jump to ascend – Climb toward the cliff area
- Look for golden glow above – This marks your destination
- Use Silk Soar to reach the tunnel – The only way to access this hidden area
- Inspect the golden tablet – Located at the tunnel’s end
- Promise to fulfill the wish – This officially begins the quest
Design note: The hidden nature of this quest trigger reflects its status as secret content meant for the most dedicated explorers.
The Seven Riddles: Mister Mushroom’s Cryptic Challenges
The heart of the Passing of the Age quest involves solving seven location riddles in specific order. Each riddle leads to a different area of Pharloom, creating a guided tour of the game’s most significant locations.
Universal Summoning Mechanics:
- Look for blue mushrooms with yellow circles – These mark the correct locations
- Play Needolin to summon – The herald appears when the song is played
- Follow strict order – Skipping locations prevents progression
- Wait for herald’s departure before moving to the next location
Complete Riddle Solutions Guide
Location #1: Moss Grotto Chapel
Riddle: “Under chapel fallen to the monarch’s might.”
Solution: Head to Moss Grotto, specifically to the area between the bench and the snail shaman’s home, near the Ruined Chapel.
Navigation tip: This location connects to Bone Bottom and should be familiar from early exploration. The “fallen chapel” reference makes this one of the easier riddles to solve.
Location #2: Bone Bottom Destroyed Camp
Riddle: “Over camp collapsed to the black thread plight.”
Solution: Visit Bone Bottom where Shakra’s camp existed before Act 3’s destruction events.
Historical context: This riddle references the dramatic changes that occur between acts, showing how the world evolves throughout your journey.
Location #3: Far Fields Lava Edge
Riddle: “Scorched field on edge, shells black and burned.”
Solution: Travel to the Far Fields eastern edge, where lava creates the “scorched” environment described.
Environmental clue: The “shells black and burned” reference helps identify the correct area within this large region.
Location #4: Greymoor Tower Heights
Riddle: “Up towers spinning, near the surgeon spurned.”
Solution: Climb the Greymoor tower and find the route leading to Wisp Thicket, near surgeon Yarnaby’s location.
Navigation challenge: This requires understanding the connection between Greymoor and Wisp Thicket, making it one of the more complex locations to reach.
Location #5: The Slab’s Caged Sinner
Riddle: “Cage of one who raged against the silken lie.”
Solution: Visit The Slab, specifically to the left of the First Sinner’s cage where you can obtain the Rune Rage skill.
Access requirement: The Key of Apostate is essential for entering this area.
Location #6: Mount Fay’s Aerial Nest
Riddle: “Fell heart of frost, who soars on high.”
Solution: Ascend Mount Fay to the bird’s nest area at the peak.
Efficiency tip: Use Silk Soar to bypass much of the challenging platforming that normally leads to this location.
Location #7: The Cradle’s Ultimate Test
Riddle: “Past cradle’s peak, last test of fitness.”
Solution: Reach the absolute peak of The Cradle after completing intense platforming challenges.
This final location represents the quest’s most demanding segment, requiring mastery of all movement abilities and significant patience.
The Cradle Ascent: Your Ultimate Challenge
Accessing The Cradle:
- Start at Cogwork Core – Head to the room right of this major landmark
- Look for overhead opening – Search upward for accessible gaps
- Use Silk Soar to enter – Access the Cogwork Core side area
- Climb to reach The Cradle – Follow the vertical progression upward
Key Navigation Points:
- Former Architect Melody puzzle room – Find the correct standing position for elevation
- Second Lace fight location – Use super jump where light shines from above
- Grandmother Silk platform – Claim the Pale Nails Silk Skill before continuing
- Final cave entrance – Navigate the small opening to reach the peak
The Test of Fitness:
The final platforming challenge lives up to its intimidating name, requiring:
- Precision jumping across challenging gaps
- Advanced movement combinations using all available abilities
- Patience and persistence – Expect multiple attempts
- Mastery of Silk Soar timing for the most difficult sections
The Summit Revelation: Meeting the Herald
When you finally reach The Cradle’s peak and use Needolin one last time, Mister Mushroom engages in actual conversation rather than his typical cryptic appearances. This dialogue provides crucial context for the entire quest and hints at the cosmic significance of your actions.
The Surface Journey:
After the conversation, you’ll find yourself in the Nameless Town on Pharloom’s surface – a completely unique area that exists nowhere else in the game.
Surface Activities:
- Explore the mysterious town – A haunting glimpse of the world above
- Combat cockroach-like creatures – Add new entries to your Hunter’s Journal
- Use Needolin at the skull cave – Obtain the Surface Memento
- Return via the spike area cave – Descend back to The Cradle and continue to Pharloom
Unlocking the Secret Ending
The Achievement: “That the age may pass, this shroom its witness”
Completing the Passing of the Age quest unlocks access to a secret ending sequence that plays in addition to the normal Act 3 conclusion.
Requirements for Secret Ending:
- Complete entire Passing of the Age quest – All seven locations visited
- Defeat the final boss of Act 3 – Standard story completion
- Witness both endings – Normal conclusion plus secret content
Important note: You don’t have to choose between endings – completing this quest adds the secret content to your normal ending experience.
Platform Availability and Community
Ready to embark on this cosmic journey? Hollow Knight Silksong is available across all major platforms:
- Steam – Download on Steam
- Nintendo Switch – Get it on Nintendo eShop
- PlayStation – Available on PlayStation Store
- Xbox – Download from Xbox Store
Advanced Strategy Tips
Efficient Completion Approach:
- Plan your route – Visit locations in logical geographical order when possible
- Prepare for The Cradle – Save this most challenging location for when you’re fully upgraded
- Document progress – Keep track of which riddles you’ve solved
- Practice Needolin timing – Some locations require precise positioning
Troubleshooting Common Issues:
- Herald won’t appear – Ensure you’ve completed previous locations in order
- Can’t find blue mushrooms – Double-check riddle solutions for exact positioning
- Cradle access problems – Verify you have Silk Soar and can navigate vertical challenges
- Missing Surface Memento – Return to the skull cave with Needolin if needed
Lore and Significance
The Passing of the Age quest connects to larger themes about:
- Cosmic cycles – The nature of ages ending and beginning
- Interdimensional travel – Mister Mushroom’s mysterious abilities
- Witness testimony – The importance of observing and recording change
- Surface world connections – Links between Pharloom and the world above
Philosophical depth: This quest asks players to consider their role not just as heroes, but as witnesses to significant historical moments.
Final Thoughts: Witnessing the Age’s Passage
The Passing of the Age quest represents Hollow Knight Silksong at its most mysterious and profound. This isn’t just about collecting items or defeating bosses – it’s about participating in cosmic events that transcend the immediate story of Hornet’s adventure.
The journey from hidden tablet to surface revelation takes you through every corner of Pharloom while building toward philosophical questions about time, change, and the role of witnesses in recording history. The secret ending you unlock provides context that enriches the entire Silksong experience.
Ready to become a witness to cosmic change? The Passing of the Age quest awaits those dedicated enough to seek out its hidden beginning and skilled enough to reach its challenging conclusion. Check out our comprehensive Act 3 guide and advanced exploration tips to prepare for this ultimate test of dedication and skill. The herald’s journey – and the cosmic secrets it reveals – await your discovery.
