Shovel Knight Wiki
Advertisement

Few visit the Endless Parapet, but for the brave I offer a brief diversion of my own design.

Horace, Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

Horace is a character in Specter of Torment and King of Cards. In the former game, he offers Specter Knight the option to play a minigame with him; in the latter game, he is a Joustus champion that King Knight must beat.

Appearance[]

Horace is a large suit of armor that may or may not be headless. He is found sitting on a bench equipped with a lantern that creates an electric barrier, as well as confetti for those who beat his trial.

His appearance is based on the Dullahan, a creature from Irish Mythology associated with death, which is often depicted as a headless suit of armor.

Personality[]

Bar1

STUB
This section has insufficient information.
Feel free to assist the Shovel Knight Wiki by expanding it!

Story[]

Specter of Torment[]

In Specter of Torment, Horace can be found to the left of the rail section, where 'Edge Farmer is located. He hosts a minigame, and unlike Mona's Potion Juggle minigame, the player is not required to pay any fee in order to play it.

In the minigame, Specter Knight has to climb to the top of a room before an electric barrier touches him. If he falls below the bottom of the screen, runs out of health, or touches the barrier, the minigame ends immediately. The level layout is randomly "scrambled", meaning the order in which the level parts appear doesn't follow a specific pattern.

Reaching the top awards the player with 1700 gold. If the minigame was completed before in the same file, only 200 gold is given. No money is lost if Specter Knight dies in the middle of the minigame; the only thing that happens is that Horace congratulates the knight, but tells him that his efforts were not enough.

King of Cards[]

In King of Cards, Horace can be found on the balcony to the right of the room where the Liquid Samurai is located. He is the champion of the Tower of Joustus. Like the other champions, he has a special ability he can use during the Joustus match against him. Horace's ability is called Chrono Shock, and it allows him to skip over King Knight's turn if the latter takes too long to make a move. On King Knight's turn, a line of electricity slowly extends across the top of the screen from Horace's portrait and makes its way to King Knight's portrait; if it reaches King Knight's portrait, Horace gets to use Chrono Shock and steal King Knight's turn. The only way to circumvent this is to make a move before Horace has a chance to use Chrono Shock.

Minigame Strategy[]

As the level order is randomly generated, it is best to run the minigame multiple times to get used to the stage layouts. Aside from the obstacles, various enemies can be encountered, such as Blorbs, Boneclangs, Divedrakes, Wizzems, Goldarmors, and Floatsomes.

While it is not required, having the Judgment Rush Curio and Rail Mail are recommended in order to increase Specter Knight's mobility, allowing him to pass through corridors and enemies faster. The Chronos Coin is also useful to slow down Horace and the electric barrier. However, using Curios should be done sparingly, as there aren't many sources of Darkness to be found, although some specific points will have large Darkness Jars, and any enemy left behind will perish and automatically award a small jar of Darkness to Specter Knight.

Joustus Deck[]

RedCardHorace RedCardPropellerRat RedCardRatKing RedCardFairy
Horace Propeller Rat Rat King Fairy
RedCardTadvolt RedCardLunkeroth RedCardSumoGoldarmor RedCardCharflounder
Tadvolt Lunkeroth Sumo Goldarmor Charflounder
RedCardHermittack RedCardBirder RedCardClockameleon RedCardRailRider
Hermittack Birder Clockameleon Rail Rider
RedCardPlanto RedCardFloatsmall RedCardFlarey RedCardAxolongl
Planto Floatsmall Flarey Axolongl

Dialogue[]

Click to expand

Talked to in the Tower of Fate "Horace: Ah. Welcome. Few visit the Endless Parapet, but for the brave I offer a brief diversion of my own design. As if The Enchantress has the time for diversions! I've been here for longer than she. I merely reward the odd seeker of thrills, and none harm me. Care to play my game? If you fare well, there may be a reward."
Refusing to play Horace's game "Horace: Ah. I bid you a pleasant journey, then. Here my games and I shall sit."
Accepting to play Horace's game "Horace: Ah. Then we shall begin. Please board the platform."
Failing Horace's game "Horace: You performed admirably, but the goal remains elusive. Perhaps you'd like to try again sometime."
Winning Horace's game "Horace: I am impressed, you have bested my challenge. Well done.."

Talked to at the Tower of Joustus before defeating the other local players "Horace: Few ever find this place, but you are among those few. This is our champion's perch.. and I am the champion.
Unfortunately for you, I cannot be challenged yet. You must defeat the others first.
Oh, and I think I see your rat rope from here. Feel free to jump down- you'll surely be safe.
"
Talked to after defeating the other local players "Horace: You've defeated your rivals, I see. No small feat.. You've persisted longer than most up here.
Now we may finally have a proper match. Are you prepared?
"
Accepting his duel of Joustus "Horace: It's time for you to accept your fate."
Defeating Horace "Horace: Despite all of my posturing, I've suffered defeat. How embarrassing.
Dang.
Perhaps I'll journey along with you for a time. Some sunlight might do these old dry greaves some good.
"

Trivia[]

  • His model in the game's files is soberly named "Mini-Game Knight".
  • Viewers during a developer's stream joked about Horace's armor being occupied by one or several smaller creatures. When doing his portrait art for King of Cards, Yacht Club Games visual artist Nick Wozniak started drawing a face in the shadows inside Horace's armor.

Nomenclature[]

Language Name Meaning
English Horace Sounds similar to "horse", which may be a reference to the Headless Horseman.
French Horace -
Italian Horace -
German Horaz Horace
Spanish Horace -
Japanese ホラティウス
horatiusu
Horatius
Russian Гораций
Goratsiy
Horace
Brazilian-Portuguese Horácio Horace
Korean 호레이스
holeiseu
Horace
Simplified Chinese 贺拉斯
hè lā sī
Horace
Traditional Chinese 賀拉斯
hè lā sī
Horace

Gallery[]

References[]

Specter of Torment Characters
Main Characters: Specter KnightShield KnightLuanReizeDark ReizeBlack Knight (Terrorpin) • The Enchantress
Order Recruits: King KnightPhantom StrikerPlague KnightTreasure KnightMole KnightTinker KnightPolar KnightPropeller Knight
Guest Characters: Madam Meeber
Tower of Fate: RedMannyMissyDark AcolyteCreechLegionScrying GlassMemmecDragon Goldarmor'Edge FarmerHoraceScarletDancerGallBazBoneclangGoldarmorBirderRail RiderPlague MinionSpecter Knight impersonator
Wandering Minions: WizzemsBoneclangsGoldarmorsLiquid SamuraisHoppiclesesPlague MinionsHover MeanieHoverhaftGhostTundreadRail RiderGulper MageCogslotter
The Lich Yard: Super Skeleton
Mini-Bosses: TeethalonThe Dinghy DropperThe AlchemeisterHurlsvelgr
Final Boss: Nightmare Reize
Ending Only NPCs: Deposed KingTroupple KingVillagerGrizzled SeerPatronLady KnightAirship EnthusiastMonaMr. HatPeacock GentLeoDollyMaidenToaderFishermanWallaceKnightsFarrelsHedge FarmerHedge Pupil
Beeto's Big Break: Adventurer
King of Cards Characters
Main Characters: King KnightMomKing PridemoorTroupple KingKing BirderSpecter KnightThe Enchantress
Glidewing: DoeCooperBardCardiaGouacheHengineerLedge FarmerVicar of VigorGrandma Swamp
Glidewing Recruits: Hedge PupilDuelist DiTraitorusSkipBartonTroupple AcolytesTMK-500Mr. Hat
The Wandering Travelers: Phantom StrikerBazPlague Knight (Percy) • Treasure KnightMole KnightTinker KnightPolar KnightPropeller Knight
House of Joustus: RookieHoop KidPlaying KidGoaticianJuice MaidCroakerRuffianBlack Knight (Terrorpin) • KnightsGathererGrizzled Seers
Cavern of Joustus: VisitorCloaked Figure (Wandering) • ArmorerShovel SmithMole MinionBlorb/BlazorbToaderMona
Crag of Joustus: Old LadyLeoCogslotterHover MeanieCroakerToaderSpinwulvesYopplerOolongPlague MinionCloaked Figure (Wandering)
Tower of Joustus: MissyLiquid SamuraiWizzemRedHorace
Joustus houses/Glidewing: Chester
Wandering NPCs: Old LadiesCard PlayersBag FellowsVisitorsRookiesAdventurersGamblersLady KnightsPlague MinionsLunksWizzemsHoppiclesesCogslottersHover MeaniesTundreadsHoverhaftsRail RidersGhostsGoldarmorsGulper MagesBoneclangsLiquid Samurais
Chest Stage NPCs: Hedge FarmerFarrelsGrizzled SeerGastronomerSnow MaidenBag Fellow
Eerie Manor: The Big Creep
Void Crater: DollyHorzio
Fairy Glade: Madam Meeber
Mini-Bosses: Mole MinionTeethalon
Final Boss: The Grand Triumvirate
Background/Ending Only NPCs: The AlchemeisterWhippiclesesPeacock GentTicketerCultured FellowsPatronsMagicistShovel Knight
Showdown Characters
Playable Characters: Shovel Knight (Fish Head) • Shield KnightBlack KnightThe EnchantressPlague KnightSpecter Knight (Donovan) • King KnightTinker KnightMole KnightTreasure KnightPolar KnightPropeller KnightReizeBazPhantom StrikerMr. HatMonaDark ReizeLiquid SamuraiGoldarmor (Dragon Goldarmor) • Random Knight
Chester's Choice: Chester
Glidewing Crew: CooperBardDoeHengineerVicar of VigorMomKing PridemoorTroupple AcolyteHedge PupilDuelist DiTraitorusBartonSkipTroupple MissionaryTMK-500
Village - Town Center: Water CarrierFarrelsYoppler
Village - House of Joustus: Lady KnightsLunksOld LadiesAdventurersGamblersCard PlayersRookiesVisitors
Troupple Grotto - Royal Pond: Troupple KingTroupples
Troupple Grotto - Axolongl Cave: Axolongls
Tower of Fate - Mirror Chamber: Dark AcolyteMissyRedMannyHorace
Colosseum - Percy's Targets: PercyBeetos
Final Boss: Mirror of Fate
Advertisement