The Grimm Troupe expansion introduces a dark, theatrical storyline to the subterranean kingdom of Hallownest. Initiating this side quest requires finding a hidden room within the Howling Cliffs and striking the Nightmare Lantern. This action summons a mysterious carnival to Dirtmouth, launching the Knight into a sinister ritual centered on collecting scarlet flames.
Summoning the Crimson Carnival
To begin your journey, you must navigate to the far western edges of the Howling Cliffs. Look for a breakable wall hidden behind large rocks near the area where you encounter the first Corpse. Inside this secret cavern, you will discover a massive bug corpse clad in a bonnet that responds to the Dream Nail.
Using your Dream Nail on this insectoid entity reveals a pathway deeper into the cave system. Striking the massive iron fixture found within will ignite a brilliant scarlet flame across the background. Returning to the surface town of Dirtmouth reveals two massive, dark tents pitched to the left of the traditional houses.
Gathering the Ritual Flames
Speaking with Troupe Master Grimm inside the central tent rewards you with a unique charm called the Grimmchild. Equipping this accessory is mandatory, as it reveals the precise locations of the required scarlet flames on your map. Your floating companion must be present at each location to absorb the energy from the guarding Grimmkin.
The ritual unfolds over consecutive rounds, with each stage increasing the overall difficulty of the combat encounters. The first phase spans relatively accessible areas of Hallownest, while the subsequent round forces you into trickier terrain like the Fungal Core or Deepnest. Defeating these ethereal guardians requires sharp movement and quick reactions to counter their airborne movement patterns.
The Crossroads of Completion or Banishment
After completing the secondary harvest, you face a massive narrative choice that permanently alters your available rewards. You can choose to challenge the true nightmare variation of the boss to finalize the performance. Alternatively, speaking with the rebellious member Brumm in the Distant Village unlocks a path to end the cycle entirely.
Choosing to complete the ritual forces an encounter against the formidable Nightmare King Grimm inside the dream world. If you prefer to stop the performance, meeting Brumm at the original lantern site allows you to break the source completely. For players looking to maximize their gear configurations, managing your currency to purchase permanent upgrades from Divine remains an essential side goal.
