Exploring Pharloom in Hollow Knight: Silksong can feel overwhelming at first. The winding paths, vertical shafts, and maze-like caverns make it easy to get lost. Unlike some games, Silksong doesn’t hand you a map right away; you’ll need to earn it as part of your journey. The good news? It doesn’t take too long before Hornet gets access to an expanding map system that will guide you deeper into Pharloom’s haunted kingdom.
Where to Find the Map Merchant
“Much like its predecessor, Hollow Knight: Silksong will have you exploring the vast and haunted kingdom of Pharloom that is full of winding passages and maze-like regions that are easy to get lost in. Luckily, Hornet will be able to unlock an ever-expanding map early on in your adventure, but it won’t be right away.”
At the start, your path is fairly straightforward, and you’ll naturally progress toward unlocking the map. After your first major battle in Moss Grotto, you’ll pass through Bone Bottom before moving into the game’s second big region: The Marrow.
Keep pressing forward until you reach a massive, lava-filled chamber. From there, climb upwards and veer left through a tall shaft filled with crumbling ledges that reform after a few seconds. Once you reach the top, continue left until you hear faint singing in the distance. This is your clue that you’re close.
Here, surrounded by bug corpses and copper rings, you’ll finally encounter Shakra a warrior monk who doubles as a cartographer. Shakra becomes your go-to merchant for maps and navigation tools, trading them for Rosary Beads.
She sells essential items such as:
- Mosslands Map (40 Rosary Beads): Grants the central map of Moss Grotto.
- The Marrow Map (50 Rosary Beads): Unlocks the map for The Marrow region.
- Quill (50 Rosary Beads): Lets Hornet automatically fill in new sections of a purchased map whenever you rest at a bench.
- Compass (70 Rosary Beads): Displays your current position on the map by holding LB/L1.
- Bench Pins (60 Rosary Beads): Marks all benches and rest spots you’ve discovered.
- Shell Marker (40 Rosary Beads): Gives you nine custom markers for map notes.
A key detail to remember: buying the Quill is helpful, but it won’t work unless you already own the map for that region. So, prioritize purchasing maps first, then expand them later with the Quill.
Once you’ve secured a map, you can view it both while resting at a bench or by holding L1/LB as you travel. Hornet will automatically add any new areas you’ve explored the next time you sit down at a bench. And if you still feel disoriented, equipping the Compass is highly recommended.
How to Get Rosary Beads
“All of Shakra’s wares cost Rosary Beads to purchase, which you likely don’t have enough of in your first encounter to buy more than 1 or 2 things. Luckily, there are plentiful ways to find more.”
You’ll collect Rosary Beads by exploring, defeating enemies, and uncovering hidden treasures. Early on, you won’t have enough to buy everything at once, so choose wisely. Many players grab the regional map first to avoid wandering blind, then save up for the Quill and Compass.
As you push deeper into Pharloom, Shakra will appear in multiple regions with new maps and supplies, making her an essential ally for anyone who wants to chart every path and shortcut the kingdom has to offer.
