Quirrel (film)

Quirrel is an animated film by ThatIsAPirate, taking place in the same universe as Blood Wasp, Vessel of Blood, and more. It features the adventures of a curious bug known as Quirrel, and his travels before his venture into Hallownest.

Timeline
Quirrel takes place long before Blood Wasp and Vessel of Blood. The exact era is unknown, but it is presumably before the fall of Hallownest.

Story
The film begins a long time ago, with a training scene with Quirrel in the kingdom of Hallownest. He fights against Royefin, a large club-wielding guardian sent to protect Fog Canyon, as well as his best friend. They are interrupted by their master, Monomon the Teacher. Monomon requests to see Quirrel, who then visits the Teacher’s Archives. Quirrel is told of an issue occurring within the kingdom: a large plague from a mysterious being has been growing, overpowering and controlling insects, as well as possessing dead corpses and turning them into mindless husks. To keep the Infection at bay, the ruling figure of Hallownest, known as the Pale King, has called for three strong insects willing to sacrifice their bodies to keep a seal on the Infection. Monomon knew it was her duty to protect the kingdom. Aware of the Infection, Monomon now sends Quirrel away to keep her apprentice safe. Even though it’s against his will, Quirrel knows of his destiny, and what he must do to protect not only his friends, but the entire kingdom. Before departure, he says goodbye to Monomon, Royefin, and his other friends. He is given one last trinket: Monomon’s mask. He then moves up to the town of Dirtmouth, taking a stag from the Queen's Station. He exits through the King’s Pass, a large bridge leading out of Hallownest, and eventually makes it out to the vast world.

Following the flashback dream, Quirrel awakens in his bed in a small hut. He speaks with Conch, the mayor of Windtown, where Quirrel currently lives. There has been a recent food shortage, with reports of a large beast eating up the crops of the village’s farm. Quirrel goes to investigate the farm, where he speaks with the owner of the farm, Montag. Quirrel moves forward, outside the town, to investigate. He discovers a large cave inhabited by a massive butterfly. Quirrel fights the large beast responsible for the missing food, and eventually overcomes it. On his way home, he falls into a large cavern that happens to be a home to thousands of beings. The cavern conceals a large kingdom known as “Othopis.” Taking a detour from his journey, Quirrel enters the kingdom out of curiosity. He is greeted by the Scorpion Tribe, a tribe full of scorpion creatures that are much larger than Quirrel. The Scorpion Tribe are the hunters of Othopis: the top of the food chain, and the mightiest of warriors. He learns of a large conflict between the Scorpion Tribe and the Wasps of Othopis, a group of deadly creatures that live on the other side of the kingdom. The Scorpions prepare for their next major battle at the heart of the kingdom, in a town known as Ellston. Quirrel joins the battle to aid them, but their numbers are brought down significantly. The Wasps overwhelm them, and the Scorpions retreat. Wanting to put an end to this conflict, Quirrel returns to Windtown to gather villagers willing to help the neighboring Scorpions.

Montag and a group of others join Quirrel, and the group returns to Othopis. Unfortunately, during their departure, many butterflies attack Windtown in revenge of the death of their brother. After hearing of the news, Montag and Quirrel return home to see their town in ruins. They chase after the butterflies which lead them back into Othopis. After evacuating the remaining citizens of Windtown, Quirrel leads them into Highcrest, a safetown at the bottom of Othopis. Cater, the commander of the butterflies, leads an attack force to invade a nearby sector of the Forgotten Basin, where Highcrest is hidden. Quirrel and Conch drive them off and make a plan to win the war. Cater makes a deal with the Wasp King, and the Butterfly Tribe and Wasps of Othopis join forces. Now known as the Tyrants of Othopis, the Wasp King plans to take over the entire kingdom. He sends his loyal General Flare to seek out and destroy Quirrel. While setting up traps in the kingdom as apart of the plan to defeat the Tyrants of Othopis, Quirrel and Conch are ambushed by Flare and duel at the top of the kingdom’s highest peaks. Flare is defeated, and retreats back to the Wasp King. The war continues to rage on as the Scorpions vigorously fights back, attacking the Tyrants’ capital city. Quirrel and Conch join them, and battle the several Tyrant forces. A swarm of Wasps attack Quirrel and separates him from Conch. He is led into the hands of Flare, who battles Quirrel once more. This time, he has brought friends, including Cater. The three take off into a large battle, with Conch joining them midway through. Flare is wounded, and falls back as Cater moves forwards. Cater eventually gains the upperhand and knocks out Conch. Eventually, Cater overpowers Quirrel as well, and ultimately defeats him. He is about the kill his foe, but is stabbed from behind by none other than Flare.

Flare reveals his true self, and his internal hatred for the Wasp King. He had joined the Wasp’s army to protect his people when he was young, but grew a resistance towards the Wasp King after being treated poorly. He had never betrayed them, however, as he was too scared of the King. It wasn’t until now the Flare had enough courage to stand up against his true enemy. He joins Quirrel and Conch and makes their way into the Tyrant’s base, and the trio eventually sneaks past the majority of the base guards. They attack the King himself, who puts up a long fight. He is eventually defeated and is put to jail. The Wasps and Butterflies continue to fight, but their numbers shrink as the butterflies begin to fly away after the defeat of Cater. The Wasps are eventually defeated as well, and the war is put to rest. In a happy ending, the citizens of Windtown eventually inhabit the former Tyrant city, and the Scorpions return to their homes on the other end of the Kingdom. Quirrel leaves Othopis after the war, and continues to explore on his own. Flare also leaves Othopis, in hopes of finding his true destiny.

The two begin to travel with each other, but Quirrel leaves as he senses a familiarity in a distant kingdom. Flare sets off his on his own, and Quirrel travels closer to the kingdom. As he gets closer, he gains more flashbacks of his past. He meets Boon, a friendly bug being attacked by creatures. Quirrel saves him and the two travel together, before parting ways. He eventually enters the kingdom, through a broken bridge known as the “King's Pass.”