Welcome to Pharloom, hunter. Just like its predecessor, Hollow Knight: Silksong throws you into a vast, beautiful, and utterly confusing kingdom. Getting lost is not a risk; it’s a guarantee. But fear not. While you don’t start with one, a detailed and life-saving map system is available early on—if you know where to look and what to buy.
This all-in-one Silksong map guide will cover everything you need to navigate Pharloom like a seasoned explorer. We’ll show you exactly how to find the map merchant, what to buy from them (hint: everything!), and give you a tour of all the confirmed locations so far.
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Table of contents
Part 1: How to Unlock the Map in Silksong
For newcomers and veterans alike, the first few hours in Silksong can feel disorienting without a map. The game is designed this way. Luckily, finding the means to chart your journey is a critical step along the main path.
Where to Find Shakra, the Cartographer
Listen for a distinct singing or humming sound. After defeating the first boss in Moss Grotto and passing through the initial settlement of Bone Bottom, you will enter the game’s second major region, The Marrow.
- Navigate through the early parts of The Marrow until you reach a large chamber filled with lava.
- From here, begin making your way upwards and to the left. You’ll ascend a tall shaft with crumbling ledges that periodically reform.
- At the top of this shaft, head left. As you proceed, you’ll hear someone singing and notice an increase in bug corpses and scattered copper rings. This is your sign that you’re close.
You will soon meet Shakra, a cartographer monk who becomes your single most important NPC for exploration. She offers to sell you crucial map-related items in exchange for Rosary Beads.
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What to Buy from Shakra (And in What Order)
Hollow Knight veterans will tell you this, and we’ll say it again: buy all of Shakra’s map items as soon as you can. They might seem expensive, but they transform the game from a frustrating guessing game into a rewarding journey of discovery.
Here is Shakra’s initial inventory and a recommended purchase order:
| Item Sold (Price) | Description & Priority |
|---|---|
| The Marrow Map (50 Beads) | Priority 1. Unlocks the map for your current region. Essential for orientation. |
| Compass (70 Beads) | Priority 2. This tool shows Hornet’s current location on the map. Without it, the map is just a drawing; with it, it’s a GPS. You must equip it at a bench for it to work. |
| Moss Grotto Map (40 Beads) | Priority 3. Allows you to see the layout of the area you just came from, helping you find missed secrets. |
| Quill (50 Beads) | Priority 4. Automatically fills in the map with new rooms you’ve visited whenever you rest at a bench. Absolutely vital. |
| Bench Pins (60 Beads) | Priority 5. Marks the location of every bench you’ve rested at on your map. Invaluable for planning routes. |
| Shell Marker (40 Beads) | Priority 6. Gives you custom pins to place on the map, perfect for marking tricky spots, powerful enemies, or areas to return to later. |
Pro Tip: If you’re short on Rosary Beads, there is a small farming spot just to the left of Shakra’s location. The enemies there respawn when you rest at the nearby bench and drop a good amount of beads. A few minutes of grinding here is well worth the investment.
Part 2: All Confirmed Map Locations in Pharloom (So Far)
With your map tools in hand, it’s time to explore. Based on trailers, demos, and community analysis (shoutout to the cartographers on Reddit!), we have a good idea of the major regions you’ll traverse.
(Image of the stitched-together fan map, similar to Blog 3)
(Image Credit: Team Cherry / Fan compilation by Banets on Reddit)
Here’s a breakdown of the key biomes:
Moss Grotto
The starting area. A lush, green biome where Hornet breaks free. It’s filled with moss-covered walls, some of which can be broken to reveal secret paths and the game’s first major boss. It serves as an introduction to Pharloom’s verticality.
The Marrow
Characterized by bone-like structures and flowing lava in the background. This is where you first meet Shakra. Enemies here are more armored and aggressive. The level design suggests a connection to the Deep Docks.
Deep Docks
A more industrial-looking area with chains, metal platforms, and a heavy focus on lava hazards. The enemies here appear to be blacksmiths or armored sentinels, hinting at the lore of the “Forge Daughters.”
Greymoor
Described by Team Cherry as one of the largest regions they’ve ever built. Greymoor is a misty, desolate area featuring towering, dilapidated structures patrolled by agile, armed foes. Expect to spend a lot of time exploring its heights and depths.
Bellhart
A visually stunning city or town where bells are a central architectural theme. Platforms, buildings, and even traversal mechanics involve ringing massive bells. It appears to be a central hub connecting multiple other regions.
Conclusion: A World Waiting to be Charted
The Silksong map is more than just a tool; it’s a core part of the gameplay loop. The initial struggle of being lost gives way to the immense satisfaction of piecing together the world of Pharloom, one room at a time. By finding Shakra early and investing in her wares, you equip yourself not just with a map, but with the confidence to explore every dark corner and high peak this haunted kingdom has to offer.
Now get out there and start exploring! And don’t forget to share your own map theories and discoveries in the comments below.
Also read: Silksong Review: Is It the Masterpiece We Waited For?
FAQs
You unlock the Silksong map by finding the cartographer, Shakra. She is located in The Marrow. Purchase a regional map from her to start charting your journey through Pharloom.
Always buy the Compass first. It shows your location on the map, which is essential for navigation. The Quill, which fills in the map when you sit on a bench, should be your second purchase.
The fastest way to farm Rosary Beads early on is by defeating enemies near Shakra’s location in The Marrow. Use the nearby bench to respawn them and repeat until you have enough currency.
