Like its predecessor, Hollow Knight: Silksong is packed with secrets and optional quests that can easily slip past players focused on the main journey. One of these side quests, the Flexile Spines quest, is tied to a unique NPC and rewards Hornet with a powerful exploration tool. To complete it, you’ll need to collect 25 Spine Cores — but knowing where to find them is half the challenge.
Beginning the Flexile Spines Quest
The quest begins with a meeting in the Far Fields. Take the lower path until you reach a wide, open glade, then climb up until you see a strange balloon-like dwelling hovering above. Inside is the Seamstress, a hermit NPC that requests Hornet to fetch her 25 Spine Cores. This begins the Flexile Spines quest.
Where to Find Spine Cores
Spine Cores, meanwhile, are dropped by Hokers, airborne foes with spines on their backs. You don’t actually kill these like most Pharloom enemies to get the resource. Instead, you’ll need to strike a Hoker until it fires its spines outward.
Then the process is simple:
- Jump from a nearby platform, or attack upwards (jump + up + attack) to strike the foe.
- Wait for the spines to fall off and plant themselves into the ground.
- Attack the fallen spines to generate orb drops, then collect them to receive Spine Cores.
If you don’t receive enough during a single run, you can leave the area and come back, as the Hokers will respawn. Fortunately, these enemies are numerous east of the Seamstress’ residence, so the farming loop is fast and simple.
Quest Reward
Upon completion of the delivery of the 25 Spine Cores, the Seamstress gifts Hornet the Drifter’s Cloak. The cloak is an invaluable exploration tool that allows her to surf wind currents or float gently across chasms. The enhanced mobility simplifies traversing Pharloom’s large map and opens up new avenues for hidden discoveries.
Due to the significance of the Drifter’s Cloak, the Flexile Spines quest is among the most rewarding side quests in Silksong — one which you will not wish to overlook.
