The Marrow: A Humorous Guide to Silksong's Lava-Filled Tutorial Cave
Hollow Knight: Silksong The Marrow guide covers benches, NPCs, routes, collectibles, and the Bell Beast boss on Hornet’s path to the Citadel.
The Marrow is the first area players will traverse after leaving Bone Bottom and Mosshome in Hollow Knight: Silksong. It is a mixture of underground tunnels and lava pools, and it marks the first steps toward the Citadel in Pharloom. The place is basically a cave that looked at a tutorial and said, 'Let's add lava.' As of 2026, guides are still being updated as new details emerge, but here is what is known so far.
Benches, Fleas, and a Very Loud Beast
There are four benches in The Marrow for resting and healing. The flea caravan sits at the second top bench and right below in the small square to the left down the middle shaft. The Bell Beast, at the top-most portion of The Marrow map marked by the silver disk, is the only main boss fight in the area and unlocks fast transport stations across Pharloom. Nothing says 'welcome to the neighborhood' like a giant bell-themed creature that wants to flatten Hornet.
Sharka can be found immediately after the bone gate is opened and at the start of The Marrow. Players should speak to them to gain new map pieces and map markers. When players enter new areas like the Deep Docks or Hunter's March, Sharka will also move to that same area. The top right path adjacent to Mosshome leads to a dead-end room filled with bells. The path right below the top right path leads into Hunter's March; players will need Swift Step and the Glide ability to traverse there properly. A mini-boss also blocks the path, because of course it does.
Important NPCs (and One Locked-Up Thief)
Flick The Fixer is a pilgrim bug who creates a wishing board for players to accept wishes and commissions regularly, though he will leave after his quest is finished. The wishes update as players explore Pharloom and different regions. Sherma appears in the guide's image gallery, but details remain scarce—perfect for lore hunters who enjoy a good mystery.
Sharka is one of the most important merchants players will meet. They are a warrior and cartographer who provides maps and map accessories for easier navigation in Pharloom. Players will find them in The Marrow first, surrounded by dead mad pilgrim bugs. Each time players unlock a new map area, Sharka moves to a new location within the new map, leaving players to find them again. They will have maps for Mosshome and The Marrow available for purchase when first met, along with map markers and extras that flesh out the map and track Hornet with the compass accessory Sharka provides. Later, Sharka leaves a bell device in Bone Bottom village where players can summon them to purchase items.
The Moss Druid is found in an alcove within The Marrow. This mad druid requests three mossberries from Mosshome. In return, they give the Moss Bell and will accept more mossberries in exchange for rosary beads later on. It is a fair trade: berries for bells, and a little bit of madness for everyone.
Grindle is a thief of sorts and can be found locked up near the bench in The Marrow. He is on the far right of The Marrow map, right beneath the bench icon. Players should whack the gate to free him and hop upwards to the cell above to obtain the straight pin tool at the same time. Leave the room and return to talk to Grindle. For the fee of a few rosary beads, he will tell different secrets about the sectors of Pharloom. Some secrets cannot be acted on yet, but his hints are worth keeping in mind.
The Traveling Flea Caravan is a group of fleas traversing Pharloom. They are involved in a lengthy quest to retrieve all the lost fleas in each map location before they can move on. Located beside their flag markers in the shape of a flea on a leaf, Mooska, their leader, rewards players when half of the missing fleas are found and once more when all are found. After finding the main fleas of the area, they offer to transport players to Greymoor and give a fast pathway to newer areas. Players will still need to locate the other fleas, but these will not be tracked, unlike the quest fleas.
Granting Wishes (Side Quests)
After obtaining Hornet's first upgrade after opening the bone gate, players should return to Mosshome and see the bug pilgrim finishing their wishing well project. The pilgrim urges players to complete some tasks for rich rewards. Completing any wish unlocks the Granted achievement. Here is a handy table:
Wish
Requirement
Notes
Bone Bottom Repairs
Donate 200 shell shards from non-bug enemies
Aids repairs to Bone Bottom
Garb of the Pilgrims
Hunt haunted pilgrims and collect Pilgrim Shawls
Fashionable and slightly haunted
The Lost Fleas
Seek fleas across Pharloom and guide them to the caravan
Mooska is grateful
A Lifesaving Bridge
Donate 300 shell shards
Mid-game wish
Volatile Flintbeetles
Locate three beetles in The Marrow
Rewards a crest expansion slot
Boss Fight: The Bell Beast
The Bell Beast is found first tangled in thick silk that players cannot cut at first. They need the Silkspear upgrade to cut through and free the creature. The Silkspear is found in Mosshome to the left of The Marrow and across a quick platforming section, resting in the stump of a tree. Upon freeing the beast, it goes hostile and attacks with three main moves: a straight-on charge, a leap charge, and a bell toss. Gratitude, apparently, is not a bell beast's strong suit.
In Phase 1, if the Beast bellows, a jump is coming. Players should run the opposite way and follow the tail. Once it lands, they can land two good hits before it hides back underground. If the beast appears flat on the ground, it is a normal charge; players should jump and hit it from below as they pass over it. The beast will stick its head out of the ground and toss up two bells. Stay clear and do not go for a quick hit, as the bells have one bounce that can knock the player away and into the Beast's next attack. The key to this fight is patience. Do not rush movements and avoid using the Silkspear. Though it is tempting for extra damage, use the Straight Pin instead for extra chip damage.
In Phase 2, the Bell Beast shrieks from the ground and adds a new attack to its lineup. Players should watch the ceiling as bells fall, each one having one bounce. Dodge as best as possible while watching for the beast, which will still attack with other moves regardless of whether the bells finish dropping. Only attack after a leap charge or a straight charge, as attacking during the bell attack will only get Hornet injured. Once the beast is injured enough, it stops in place and explodes in a flash of light. This starts a new cutscene with minor parkour for Hornet to complete before returning to the Bell room.
Defeating the Bell Beast unlocks fast travel for all across Pharloom once players return from the Silk cutscene with Hornet. The Beast will be awaiting the next order at the bell stop. For now, it can only traverse between The Marrow and Bone Bottom until players unlock the other stations in the other areas of Pharloom. Players will also unlock the Liberated achievement as recognition of freeing and calming the Bell Beast. In 2026, that is still a pretty good deal for one very loud rescue mission.
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