The Twisted Bud is a quest item in Bilewater. Reach it through a hidden passage on the eastern side of Whispering Vaults. Giving it to Greyroot in Shellwood after completing the Rite of the Pollip starts the Rite of Rebirth—and binds Hornet to the severely restrictive Cursed Crest. You can later lift the curse through Infestation Operation, or remain cursed to pursue the Twisted Child ending.
Where to find the Twisted Bud
The Twisted Bud is inside a root cradle in Bilewater. Approach from Whispering Vaults: on the easternmost side of that area, look for a hidden passage that drops down into Bilewater. Follow it downward to the cradle. The chamber is not reached through an obvious, ordinary entrance; its gate opens from above. The item entry and Nintendo Life’s route guide describe the approach.
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What the Twisted Bud does
The Bud is a quest deliverable, not a combat tool or a general-use consumable. To use it, first complete the Rite of the Pollip, then take the Bud to Greyroot in Shellwood. This begins the Rite of Rebirth: Greyroot implants the Bud in Hornet and binds the Cursed Crest. The prerequisites and rite sequence are described in the Rite of Rebirth entry.
Accepting the rite has major gameplay costs. While cursed, Hornet is locked to the Cursed Crest and cannot change crests at a bench. Her Silk Spool is limited to three strands, preventing Bind and Silk Skills, and the Cursed Crest disables tools. Treat this as a deliberate challenge route rather than a routine quest reward. The Twisted Bud entry lists these effects.
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Should you take the curse or remove it?
After the rite, you have two meaningful paths. The curse-removal route uses the follow-on Infestation Operation wish; the alternate route is to remain cursed and defeat Grand Mother Silk. The outcome and trade-off differ:
| Route | Outcome | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Complete Infestation Operation | Removes the curse and grants the Witch Crest. | Requires completing the separate cure quest. |
| Defeat Grand Mother Silk while cursed | Awards the Twisted Child achievement and ending. | You keep the Cursed Crest restrictions through the challenge, and the ending path is missable. |
Nintendo Life’s guide to the Twisted Bud describes Yarnaby in Greymoor as the healer and warns that progression conditions can make the ending route missable. If you want the Twisted Child outcome, check those conditions before curing the curse or advancing to Act 3. Routes and ending conditions may change with game updates.
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Greyroot’s line about the Bud
Greyroot says: “The time… the time of birth approaches. The bud cries. Yearning. The final rite may begin.” This is in-game dialogue from the fictional character, not a real-world quotation. The item entry records the line.
Quick Recap
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- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
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- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
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- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
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