Hollow Knight Silksong: How to Get a Map
Your journey in Hollow Knight: Silksong starts without a map. You’re dropped straight into the mysterious world of Pharloom with nothing but instinct and determination to guide you. That’s part of the magic and frustration of the game. But don’t worry, getting your first Hollow Knight Silksong map doesn’t take too long once you know where to look. In this Silksong map guide, we’ll walk through exactly how to find your first map in Silksong, where to locate the merchant Shakra, and how to make the most of your early exploration.
Finding the Map Merchant, Shakra

Make Your Own game Server
Your journey to getting a Hollow Knight: Silksong map begins in The Marrow, one of the earliest main regions in the game. The merchant you’re looking for is named Shakra. He’s a singing wanderer who sells maps, markers, and a few other essentials that’ll make exploring far less stressful.
But reaching Shakra isn’t instant. You’ll need to make your way through a few early areas first. Once you reach the small underground village called Bone Bottom, you’re getting close. From there, take the path heading right. It’ll lead you deeper into the twisting tunnels that connect Bone Bottom to The Marrow.
Along the way, expect some light combat. The enemies here aren’t too tough. But if you’re careless they can cost you a bit of health. The best approach is to keep moving. Jump, dash, and strike when it’s safe. And if you’re short on healing silk, don’t be afraid to backtrack a little.
Eventually, you’ll spot a ledge above you. Jump up, follow the upper path, and you’ll soon reach a section with a cracked floor. Step on it, and you’ll crash through into a hidden chamber. You’ll find a resting bench there but it’ll cost you 30 rosaries to activate it. These benches not only heal you but also serve as checkpoints and save points.
Following the Singing
Keep moving right until you reach a room full of platforms. Once you reach the top, head through the doorway on the left. You’ll start hearing faint singing as you go, that’s Shakra. Follow the sound, and you’ll spot little gold rings on the ground to confirm you’re close. Keep going left, and there she is, standing on a raised platform surrounded by maps and tools.
Buying Your First Map

Once you reach Shakra, you can buy several items from her shop. So make sure to save up a lot of rosaries beforehand. The Mosslands Map and The Marrow Map are the two you’ll want to focus on first. They cost 40 and 50 rosaries respectively. With these maps, you’ll be able to know the layout of the areas that you’ve checked out before. But the trick is that these maps only show basic outlines. To make them truly useful, you’ll also need to buy the Quill for another 50 rosaries. This tool automatically fills in areas you’ve passed through every time you rest at a bench. If you can afford it, grab the Compass and Bench Markers too. The Compass helps pinpoint your current location on the map, while the Bench Markers make it easier to remember where your last safe spots were. Both save you a lot of mental effort especially in a game where getting lost is basically part of the design. All in all, you’ll spend about 280 rosaries for the full setup: maps, Quill, Compass, and markers. It’s a small investment that completely changes how you move through Pharloom.
Why the Map Matters

Once you’ve got your map in Silksong, open it up. You can do that by holding the left bumper on the controller. You can do so by pressing “M” on the keyboard. It will show you the paths you’ve walked and the rooms you’ve entered. It will also show you the places you’re yet to explore. The real power of the map comes with the Quill. After every rest, it updates to include the new areas you’ve visited. You’ll start recognizing patterns, secret paths, and alternative routes that lead to hidden treasures or boss rooms. And while it may seem like a small step, getting your first map is a turning point. Before this, you’re surviving. After it, you’re exploring.
Using ScalaCube for Hosting and Mods
If you love to customize your game setup or play with friends, ScalaCube is a great server hosting platform. It’s a fast, easy-to-use game server hosting platform. You can make changes to your settings and upload mods easily. No lag or downtime. Not to mention the fact that it’s also very beginner-friendly. Everything runs from a simple dashboard, and backups happen automatically, so you don’t lose progress.
FAQs
Can I start Silksong with a map?
No, you’ll have to earn it by meeting Shakra in The Marrow. You start without a map, which adds to the game’s exploration challenge.
Who is Shakra?
She’s a singing merchant who sells maps and exploration items. Her cheerful humming is your best clue that you’re close.
What’s the best item to buy first?
If you can only afford one thing, go for the Quill. Without it, your map won’t fill in as you explore.
How do I earn more rosaries quickly?
Fight enemies in Bone Bottom or The Marrow. They drop rosaries often, and the routes are short enough to farm efficiently.
Can I mark custom locations?
Yes, later in the game you’ll be able to buy markers for benches, vendors, and other points of interest.
Conclusion
And that’s all you need to know on how to find your first map in Hollow Knight: Silksong. But be warned. Finding Shakra is going to require some patience and reliance. But once you are able to find her and buy a map from her, the game suddenly becomes a lot easier. So save yourself the stress of moving around without direction, find Shakra, get yourself a map and start exploring.