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| “ | I am Sherma, a pilgrim just like you. I hear the call of the Citadel just like every other devout soul. | „ |
| ~ Sherma introducing himself to Hornet in Bonebottom. |
| “ | We pilgrims, blessed... Together we pray! |
„ |
| ~ The lyrics to Sherma's song, expressing his optimism at reaching the Citadel. |
Sherma is one of the two deuteragonists (alongside Shakra) of the 2025 indie metrodivania Hollow Knight: Silksong.
He is a kindly but naïve pilgrim that seeks to ascend to the top of the Citadel using nothing but the guidance offered to him by faith. Boundlessly optimistic and cheerful, he serves as a beacon of hope to his fellow pilgrims and Hornet herself, even as his naïvety fades and he realises the true state of the world around him.
He is voiced by Juni Beaux.
Appearance[]
Sherma is a short bug with a grey body and white face with two small, dot-like eyes. He wears a grey cloak and a bronze, cymbal-like hat. Sherma always carries a small bronze chime and metal stick with him. Underneath his hat, Sherma has what appears to be a singular leaf-like ponytail that is probably used to anchor his hat to his head.
After assuming the role of Elder Sherma, Sherma dons the Caretaker's white robes and golden beaded necklace. He also wears the Caretaker's white hood over his hat.
Personality[]
A friendly and optimistic young bug, Sherma is constantly full of optimistic energy, always being assured in his ability to accomplish a task so long as he has faith. He seems to interpret the scripture of Pharloom's religion very literally, naïvely believing he can literally move stone doors by singing enough. Sherma also tends not to be that observant as when Hornet helps him open the stone door he stands in front of, he mistakenly believes his hymns were what opened it. Almost oblivious to the dangers that surround him, Sherma tends to always see the beauty in everything and stubbornly insists on always singing to cheer himself and others up.
Throughout his journey, Sherma begins to slowly open his eyes to the horrors and injustices of the world around him, causing his faith to begin to waver. Eventually, Sherma begins to question why his fellow pilgrims are suffering so much despite their good intentions, and wonders why the Citadel would allow its injustices to ensue, realising that his rose-tinted view of Pharloom was not all it was made out to be. Despite this disillusionment with the Citadel, Sherma maintains his optimism and faith, doing whatever he can to help his fellow bugs and raise their spirits, so as to fully realise the paradise he was told the Citadel was.
Biography[]
Sherma is one of many pilgrims that arrived in Pharloom to ascend the Citadel, a holy ground that's the religious centre of their religion. He's first found in the Marrow, attempting to open a door via playing a song for it. When questioned on his actions by Hornet, he explains the pilgrims believe that faith is all that's needed to accomplish anything, and that even song can move these doors (foreshadowing the way to open the Weavenests). When Hornet helps him open the door by flicking the switch on the other side, Sherma naïvely believes his singing made it move and offers to help Hornet whenever he can. Later on, he can be found next to the trapped Bell Beast, attempting to sing away the threads. Hornet points out that they will need a stronger tool to free it, to which Sherma assures her that the road will provide whatever tools they need.
Sherma is later found in the Far Fields at Pilgrim's Rest, attempting to cheer up a fellow pilgrim who's extremely weary from her journey. He expresses his excitement at nearing Greymoor, where he can restock on provisions and eat a wonderful meal. Hornet warns him of the predators that could be attracted to his singing, but Sherma rebuts that it would be better if more people joined in anyways. He's later found at Bellhart resting, offering to wait for Hornet if he reaches the Grand Gate before her. She advises him to rest here a while, seeing as the journey is perilous ahead, but he stubbornly insists on continuing his pilgrimage immediately.
At the Blasted Steps, Sherma is slumped over near a bench nearby the Bellway station, fortunately only having been resting. He voices his excitement at reaching journey's end and talks about the Judges, who have apparently been quite nice to him during his trek, implying that Sherma was judged to be completely sinless by them. When Hornet warns him of the Judges' violence, Sherma tells her that fallen pilgrims may rise again to continue the good journey.
Sherma is encountered at the Grand Gate, having entered the Citadel sometime after Hornet. This happens even if she hasn't fought the Last Judge, implying that he was let in by her after being deemed worthy. He is elated to enter this place and while Hornet urges him to be cautious, he assures her that faith will guide them through. Later on he can be found in the spa of the Choral Chambers, playing in the water and relaxing. Sherma will move to the Songclave when Hornet triggers the mass influx of pilgrims by ringing the First Shrine's bell, signalling that safe passage is possible to all. He does, however, admit that after his journey the Citadel hasn't been as splendid as he hoped it was, with many pilgrims and bugs suffering in its halls despite their devotion.
Hoping to help his fellow pilgrims treat their wounds from the journey up, Sherma leaves for Whiteward in an attempt to find some healing supplies, only for the way back to collapse when he does so and Haunted bugs to attack him. Fortunately, Hornet sees his announcement on the Wish board and arrives in the nick of time to protect him, fending off the hordes that assail the both of them. Sherma is shaken from this experience, in disbelief that such a horrible fate could befall the faithful, but thanks Hornet for her help and gives her a spool fragment he found earlier, allowing her to increase her silk capacity. When he returns to Songclave, Sherma tends to the pilgrims' wounds and seems to have calmed down. He ponders the significance of such evil being present in the Citadel's holy domain, commenting that these marvellous supplies are still signs of hope and goodness.
During Act III, Sherma is seen praying for Hornet after some pilgrims found and brought her to Songclave after she collapsed in the Choral Chambers. He is overjoyed to see her recover and explains that in the wake of the Void's release, much of Songclave was ruined by falling debris. Additionally, the previous Caretaker abruptly left to discuss the matter of the situation with his family, leaving Sherma in charge of the Songclave instead. He wishes Hornet the best of luck in her endeavours and assures her that he'll do whatever he can to help her. When she obtains the Everbloom needed to confront the Void, Sherma recognises that he may never see Hornet again. Hornet professes her faith that Sherma will be a fine leader of the pilgrims and while he admits he's still naïve, he thanks Hornet for her confidence in him and utters a prayer for her.
Trivia[]
- Sherma appears to be a heroic counterpart to Zote the Mighty from the previous game: while both are inept bugs that survive through pure happenstance and are somewhat delusional about their own capabilities, with Zote believing himself to be a fantastic warrior and Sherma that he's completely safeguarded by faith, Sherma is humble and kind, choosing to spread his faith and cheer to everyone, while Zote is a lying narcissist that cares only about himself.
- Additionally, Sherma undergoes character development to become a more realistic but optimistic person, while Zote remains the dimwitted egotist he was at the start to the end.
- Sherma can be duetted using the Needolin, allowing the lyrics of his song to be understood.
- During the Whiteward sequence, Sherma noticeably cries and sniffles as he sings. Later on as Elder Sherma, his voice is deeper while his song is slower, reflecting his increased maturity.
- Sherma's voice lines in-game are notably pitched up from the raw audio present in the game's files.
- Thanks to being an early-game NPC that was found via the sound of him singing, many fans have drawn comparisons of Sherma to Myla, another beloved NPC known for her childish nature and singing from Hollow Knight. This would cause many fans to express their fear that Sherma would suffer an equally horrible fate to Myla, while others would express their relief that he survives the entire game.
- Thanks to his high, feminine voice and lack of explicit mention of his gender until much later on, Sherma has been mistaken as a girl by many netizens, with many expressing surprise at him being male.
External links[]
- Sherma on Hollow Knight.Wiki
- Sherma on the Hollow Knight wiki
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