Silk
Silk is a mix of thread infused with Soul that is generated by Grand Mother Silk, the Weavers, and their descendants such as Hornet.[1] It functions similarly to SOUL which the Knight uses in Hollow Knight.
In-game, the storage for Silk held by Hornet is represented on the HUD by a horizontal bar under the Crest icon and Masks, styled after a Spool and referred to as such. The Silk count is represented on it as distinct small white strands of Silk that appear starting on the left of the bar and stacking towards the right. Hornet starts with a Spool capacity of 9 strands of Silk and can extend it to hold more throughout her journey by collecting Spool Fragments, up to a maximum of 18 in total. Spool Extender can be equipped to increase the bar's length by 3 strands, visually distinct from the rest of the Spool.
Background
Grand Mother Silk, a pale higher being is the primal source of Silk. Using her thread, she evolved the Pharlids,[2] into Weavers, which inherited the pale being's ability to generate Silk. After Grand Mother Silk is lulled to sleep by the Weavers so they could take the rule of Pharloom, lines of Silk stretch out of the Mother's cocoon, akin to a loom, now being collected and used by the Citadel.[3]
Usage
Silk can be used to Bind, quickly healing three Masks. It is also used to perform Silk Skills, as well as the abilities Needolin, Clawline, and Silk Soar. Upon pressing CHALLENGE, Hornet performs a taunt, similar to the start of her boss battles in Hollow Knight. She bends down, with her head forward, and a Silk thread comes out of the end of her Needle and twirls around her. This uses 1 strand of Silk (unless the Throwing Rings are equipped and have at least 2 uses left, in which case an alternate animation that does not involve Silk is used). This makes her next needle attack deal 1.5x damage and causes enemies to approach her. The animation also can deal 2 damage gaining +2 with each needle upgrade.
When Hornet has enough Silk to Bind, the 9 strands of Silk on the left side of the Spool will glow, and the Crest's wheel above the Spool will fill with glowing Silk.
Acquiring Silk
Attacking Enemies
Almost all Enemies struck with the Needle or Clawline cause Hornet to gain Silk at a rate of 1 strand per strike. Multi-hit attacks do not generate additional Silk, With the exception of Hunter Crest's Needle Strike.
Breaking Cocoons
- Main article: Cocoon
When dying, Hornet will leave a cocoon behind at her death location, and upgrades to the length of her Silk Spool (besides Spool Extender) will be disabled. On breaking the cocoon with a Needle swing or by consuming a Silkeater, Hornet will gain 9 strands of Silk and regain her full Spool length.
Silk Hearts
- Main article: Silk Heart
Silk Hearts are permanent upgrades that grant Hornet Silk regeneration. Each Silk Heart allows 1 strand of Silk to be generated automatically. 3 Silk Hearts can be collected in total.
It takes 1.45 seconds for the first strand of Silk to regenerate, and 3.9 seconds for the other strands. Only 1 strand regenerates at a time. Weavelight reduces the regeneration time to 0.95 seconds for the first strand and a little more than 2.5 seconds for the others, and acts as an additional Silk Heart, allowing for a potential maximum of 4 strands. Sitting at a bench instantly regenerates all Silk produced by the Silk Hearts and Weavelight.
Silk Spindles
Silk Spindles are found all across Pharloom. When hit with the Needle, they release strands of Silk that are absorbed, granting 2 strands of Silk each time they are struck. After a certain number of hits, the Silk Spindle runs out and no longer gives Silk. They function similarly to Hollow Knight's Soul Totems.
Silk Spools
Silk Spools can drop from Choristors, Grand Reeds and Choir Clappers. Four spools can also be purchased from a vending machine in Choral Chambers for 
40 each.[4] They can be hit 2 times, granting 1 strand per hit.
Webs
Webs are found in various locations across Pharloom. Each web gives 2 Silk strands.
Drinks
Creige at the Halfway Home in Greymoor sells a drink of Nectar for 10 that restores 
and 6 Silk strands. Hornet drinks it immediately on purchase; it cannot be saved to use later.
Spa Pools
Spa pools can be found that cause Hornet to regenerate Silk (and Health) up to the maximum. A total of three can be found throughout Pharloom:
- Kratt offers access to one in the Flea Caravan for
10 per use.
- If he is hit by the Needle while peering at Hornet inside and then talked to outside, he switches to granting access free of charge.
- One can be found in the Choral Chambers.
- One can be purchased from Frey for 1100 to be added to the Bellhome as a permanent upgrade.
Sylphsong
- Main article: Sylphsong
After binding Eva, Hornet gains the Sylphsong.
Once obtained, while sitting at a Bench, Silk will regenerate at 4 strands per second. It will start faster when sitting down at a Bench than when respawning or loading a save.
Losing Silk
Closing the game or Dying
When the game is closed or Hornet dies in Classic mode, Hornet's current Silk will be lost. Once the game is reopened Hornet will appear at the last used Bench or checkpoint with only the Silk provided by any Silk Hearts that have been collected.
Ability Interrupts
If Hornet is hit while charging her Bind or Rune Rage, Hornet will lose all of her Silk and the action will be cancelled.
Muckmaggots
- Main article: Muckmaggot
If Hornet falls into water infested with Muckmaggots in Sinner's Road, Bilewater, or Putrified Ducts, she will immediately lose 1 strand of Silk and become infested. She will also lose 1 strand of Silk every 0.5 seconds as long as she stays in the infested water.
While infested, Hornet's Silk will drain at a rate of 1 strand every 7 seconds, and Bind will not perform its usual function. Silk regeneration from Silk Hearts will still occur and is faster than the drain. The drain and regen effects will occur separately instead of combining, resulting in the silk count going down and up from the Silk Heart regen cap once the rest of the Spool is drained.
The infestation is shown on the HUD by Silk in the Spool being tinted green with the currently draining strand being darker and dripping, and the Crest wheel to the left of Hornet's Masks will have maggots in it. [This section is missing one or more images]
To remove the condition, Hornet must Bind, sit at a Bench, swim in clean water for a few seconds, or go several minutes[Missing information] without falling into Muckmaggots again.
Wreath of Purity can prevent infestation while equipped.
Theft
Some enemies are able to steal Hornet's Silk with their attacks.
Clawmaidens are enemies found throughout the Citadel that will siphon away Hornet's Silk to charge an attack of their own. In addition to fixed locations, they can sometimes randomly spawn while fighting other enemies.
Wraiths are enemies found in The Mist that steal 3 strands of Silk from Hornet if she is caught by their charge attack.
Void Damage
Void Damage, dealt by black-threaded enemies, Void Masses, and inhabitants of the Abyss, causes 2 strands of Silk drain over a short period of time. The strands to be lost turn black and drip before doing so. The Everbloom prevents this Silk drain effect. [This section is missing one or more images]
Gallery
-
Hornet's default Silk Spool
-
Hornet's default Silk Spool with max Silk
-
Hornet's fully upgraded Silk Spool
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Hornet's fully upgraded Silk Spool with max Silk
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Hornet's fully upgraded Silk Spool with max Silk, with both the Egg of Flealia and Spool Extender equipped.
-
Hunter Crest HUD with at least 9 Silk
-
Inventory icon with both Silk Heart slots and Abilities ring
Trivia
- Hornet's taunt can be used to challenge bosses such as Grand Mother Silk or Skarrsinger Karmelita, instead of interacting with the prompt.
- Using Hornet's taunt on Widow before her fight immediately triggers her boss fight and skips her initial dialogue. This also works on Shrine Guardian Seth.
Names in Other Languages
| Language | Name | Meaning/Explanation |
|---|---|---|
 Brazilian Portuguese
|
Seda | Silk |
 French
|
Soie | Silk |
 German
|
Seide | Silk |
 Italian
|
Seta | Silk |
 Japanese
|
シルク Shiruku? |
Silk |
 Korean
|
실크 Silkeu |
Silk |
 Russian
|
Шёлк Šëlk |
Silk |
 Simplified Chinese
|
灵丝 Líng sī? |
Soul Silk |
 Spanish
|
Seda | Silk |
 Internal name
|
SILK
|
|
References
- ↑ Silk Materium description: "Fine thread spun from the soul of its creator."
- ↑ First Sinner post-fight cutscene.
- ↑ Screenshot showing Grand Mother Silk's cocoon in the Cradle.
- ↑ "A machine with a symbol of Silk."
"Insert Rosaries?"
