Much like its beloved predecessor, Hollow Knight: Silksong throws you into the haunting, labyrinthine world of Pharloom without much guidance. If you’ve already gotten lost in Moss Grotto’s winding caverns, you’re not alone. Fortunately, your mapless wanderings won’t last long: Hornet will eventually gain access to a region-based map system that expands as you explore. It’s just not handed to you upfront.
Here’s everything you need to know to unlock the map in Silksong, find the elusive merchant who sells them, and gather enough Rosary Beads to fully upgrade your navigation gear.
Where To Find The Map Merchant In Silksong
Just like in Hollow Knight, you don’t start the game with a map. That means early exploration can feel like stumbling around in the dark. But don’t sweat it — your journey to unlock the map aligns pretty closely with the main story path, making the process fairly straightforward. Here’s how to kick things off.
After defeating your first boss in the Moss Grotto and passing through the underworld town called Bone Bottom, you’ll transition into Pharloom’s second major region: The Marrow. This area’s signature feature? A lava-filled chamber that introduces a good dose of vertical platforming.
When you hit that molten room, start moving upward and to the left. You’ll need to climb a long shaft filled with crumbling ledges — don’t worry, they reform after a moment, so timing your jumps is key. Once you reach the top, head through the left-hand passage and keep moving until you catch the sound of someone singing.
That’s when you’ll know you’re close. The environment will change: expect to see dead bug corpses and copper rings scattered around. Not far from there, you’ll finally meet Shakra: a warrior monk with a knack for cartography. She’s your main map merchant in Silksong, and she’s got plenty to offer in exchange for Rosary Beads.
Map Items Shakra Sells
Shakra’s inventory includes essential items to help you track your progress and pinpoint your location. Here’s a breakdown of what she sells and how much each item will set you back:
- Mosslands Map (40 Rosary Beads): Gives you the central map of Moss Grotto.
- The Marrow Map (50 Rosary Beads): Unlocks a region map of The Marrow.
- Quill (50 Rosary Beads): Automatically fills in discovered areas on any purchased map when you sit at a bench.
- Compass (70 Rosary Beads): A yellow tool that shows your exact location on the map when you press L1/LB.
- Bench Pins (60 Rosary Beads): Auto-marks all Bench/Rest locations on any owned map.
- Shell Marker (40 Rosary Beads): Adds nine custom markers you can place manually while at a bench.
Keep in mind, the Quill will only expand existing maps. If you haven’t purchased the base map for an area, the Quill won’t do you any good there. So it’s a smart move to buy the area’s map before grabbing the Quill.
Once you’ve bought a particular region’s map, it becomes accessible both while you’re exploring (by holding L1/LB) and from a bench. As in the original game, uncharted areas won’t be visible right away — but once you rest at a bench, Hornet will add your newly explored sections to the map.
How To Get Rosary Beads Fast
So, what’s the catch? All of Shakra’s gear comes at a price, specifically, Rosary Beads. You won’t have enough to buy everything on your first visit, but don’t worry, Pharloom is littered with ways to bulk up your bead stash.
1. Scavenge the Environment
Rosary Beads are small, shiny beads– typically red or silver — that can be found in obscure places. They might be hanging from ceilings, draped over statues, or hidden in buried mounds. Keep your eyes peeled for these glowing spots and don’t be shy about swinging your weapon around. You can knock them loose and scoop them up off the floor.
2. Fight Humanoid Foes
Enemy types in Silksong drop different forms of loot depending on their nature. Bestial enemies usually reward you with Shell Shards. To get Rosary Beads, seek out more humanoid or sentient foes.
Conveniently, just left of Shakra’s location is a route that loops back to the Moss Grotto. Here, you’ll find a cramped room filled with dangerous, corrupted pilgrim bugs. These aggressive humanoids drop Rosary Beads when defeated.
At the top right of this room, you’ll find a shortcut leading back to Shakra, as well as a crucial bench. Use this bench to rest, then head straight back into the pilgrim area, the enemies will have respawned. Kill, rest, repeat. This farming method is a reliable way to grind out enough Rosary Beads to purchase everything Shakra offers.
Exploration Made Easier
Unlocking the map in Hollow Knight: Silksong might seem like a daunting task at first, but once you reach Shakra, things begin to click into place. With your region maps, Quill, and Compass in hand, Pharloom becomes a little less menacing and a lot more manageable.
As you push deeper into the game, be sure to stop by Shakra’s new locations: she’ll pop up across multiple regions, always ready to help you chart your path. Just make sure you don’t go in broke.
Now get out there, gather those beads, and map the unknown!