Seeker

The boy now known as **Seeker** is the heir of an ancient order of monster hunters known as The Seekers. He is fueled by a burning hatred for the Creators that destroyed his order, but is also devoted to protecting the people of Phandalin.

Due to an unfortunate encounter with a Deck of Many Things Seeker was send to an unknown plane where he is safe but in a catatonic state. The Asimar Paladin, Silas n'Behar was sent to help the Rebrands, but Seekers safety is his utmost concern. There was concern that the boy who became Seeker and was acting as a vessel for the line of the One Rangers was beginning to lose his grip on the spirits that he held in his mind and body.

***What follows is a narrative of the fall of The Seekers and the Rebranding of the Final Seeker***

*“The Bold...The Brave...The Righteous...I have been called all these things and more, all titles I do not deserve. More so, it should be The Fool....or as shall be my final legacy Terfried the Defeated” the old Ranger thought.*

*He knew the wounds he carried were fatal, the magic having caused them would not allow him to be healed. He was dying. Terfried had escaped the overrun citadel to save the legacy of the Seekers. The Amulet he grasped had on its surface the mark of the Seekers, a 5 pointed Star with a seeking eye at its centre, but what it held Terfried had to protect. The Amulet carried the knowledge and essence of those who had gone before.*

*For ages each of the One Rangers had held this Amulet, Terfried being the current possessor. He knew he would be the last. Like all the great Rangers who had led the Seekers before him, this talisman was part of Terfried, it was a vessel for his strength and his being, inseparable from him, except in death. When that time came it was intended that the amulet would be attuned to his successor in a ceremony known as the Rebranding. The spirit and knowledge of all the One Rangers would be transferred to the new leader. But due to Terfried’s failure what was intended would not come to pass.*

*He had no successor, even if he had designated someone to take his place they would be dead now, like all of the Seekers. No one was left to undergo the Rebranding, no one remained to carry on this line of great leaders. The attack had come without warning, so swiftly there was no time to react. In an instant cruel magic swept through the Seekers Citadel, killing many in their bed as they slept, those that were spared faced an onslaught of mercenaries and foul beasts. From his chamber in The High Tower Terfried did not realize what was happening until it was far to late.*

*By the time he reached the battle Terfried saw the last of his comrades fall. Knowing all was lost he had to escape and ensure the line of The Seekers endured. He had fought his way out of the Citadel but not without suffering these wounds from which he would not recover. Hiding outside the keep he could hear soldiers searching for him and the Amulet. It seemed only a matter of time before he was found.*

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*As he approached the Citadel the boy could not believe his eyes.*

*Over three weeks ago he had been sent to trade with the Dwarves to the south om behalf of The Seekers. It had been a successful trip, he should have been back days earlier but for the Dwarven Ale Houses that had drawn him in. Still days later his head throbbed with the effects of the potent drink. Despite his delay he knew the others wouldn’t miss him, he was the youngest and least experienced Seeker in the Citadel. Seldom given any task of consequence the boy was treated like the weakest dog in the pack. In fact his name was seldom used, he was simply called Runt or Whelp.*

*From his vantage point he could see that the Seekers Citadel had fallen. The walls crumbled and magical energy and flame surged forth from inside the keep. Dark soldiers and all manner of creatures and constructs moved about, creeping along the ground and flying above. In the distance the boy could see movement coming towards his direction. Knowing he was powerless to resist the boy turned and started to run.*

*His legs were swept from under him and he hit the ground hard knocking the breath from his body.*

*\*\*\*\*\**

*“Stop squirming and stay quiet, Runt.” the figure on top of the boy whispered. The boy froze in fear feeling the slickness of blood running across his face. As awareness came back to him, the fog in his brain cleared and the boy realized the blood was not his own. It seeped from the man who pulled him to the ground and who now held him down with the weight of his body.*

*As his eyes came into focus the boy realized he was being grappled by the One Ranger, the Leader of the Seekers, Terfried the Bold. While Terfried recognized the boy as one of the youngest of his order he could not recall his name. Circumstance and poor luck made this boy the last of the Seekers. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope but in the distance he could heard the searching soldiers getting closer.*

*Every move Terfried made was agony, his life was draining from his body. He winced as he thrust a bundle of leather towards the boy, “This is my armor, the ruins on it tell the sagas of my family line, a story that ends here and now. Take it and, if circumstance allow, wear it to honor my forefathers.” Tears welled in the boys eyes as he silently nodded.*

*“Now, do you know this Amulet and the power it holds?” Again the boy nodded. All rangers knew the truth of the Seekers Amulet and the guigance and knowledge it gave to the One Ranger. The lineage held within it ensured the continued strength and wisdom of The Seekers.*

*“For even the most worthy recipient it takes months or even years to attune this amulet to its new master. Even if we had that time I am not sure one such as you could control this power, but we must try, to save the Seekers Legacy. You do not have the strength or training to command the amulet, our only option to make you the vessel for those who have gone before. Let the spirits of the unbroken line of the One Rangers guide you if you have the strength. If not madness will be your end.”*

*With that, Terfried uttered an incantation that had been unspoken for ages. He pressed the amulet to the boys chest watching as it turned from metal into fiery light. Searing pain overcame the boy as the marks on the Amulet burned into his chest. He screamed as he felt his mind and essence fill with energy and swell like a too full wineskin. As the pain and confusion seceded he could feel within him the presence of the Rangers who had gone before. Their voices spoke, at first, uncontrollable and loud but faded to echoes and whispers.*

*Terfried struggled to speak, “You must get away from here and ensure the mission of the Seekers continues. Someday, if this power does not consume you, you will avenge our fallen comrades.” Searchers were moving in their direction, drawn to the commotion. “Now you must run, Boy!”*

*Scrambling to get up, the boy ran, tears streaming down his face. With each step he could feel new presences influencing his mind and body. He could feel the boy slipping away.*

*Running, he looked back to see Terfried lift up from the ground and throw himself at the mercenaries, blocking their path and swinging wildly with his axe. The once mighty One Ranger fell, overcome by his attackers.*

*As he escaped into the shadows this was the first thing **Seeker** saw.*

***What follows is a narrative of the disappearance of Seeker***

*“Meh, it’s just an old deck of cards, and most of them are missing. I think I will pass.” Purpose scoffed and threw them back on the pile of plunder, picking a different item. Both Sherloki and Seeker felt powerful energy emanating from the deck and were drawn to it. Always pragmatic, Sherloki turned away. While tempted, he knew such wondrous power could just as easily could bring chaos as bring blessings.*

*On the other hand, Seeker could not look away. Crying out the voices in his head compelled him to grab the deck. Those voices that, of late, seemed changed, louder, yet more sparse. He felt like an old, stretched piece of sack cloth, still durable and strong but worn and frayed at the edges with loose threads dropping away. As the Rebranded One he embodied the Legacy of the Seekers and he knew the One Rangers were slipping away, some already having been lost.*

*The cries in his mind overwhelmed him and Seeker ripped into the deck, drawing a card. Dropping it at his feet, Seeker smiled as the card flipped over and he saw the image of a great knight with a shield emblazoned with the Seekers symbol. His mind grew quiet and the boy felt the vigour of youth and promise of life ahead as he slipped away.*

*Around him his companions saw a slight grin on Seeker’s face and he snapped rigid. Radiant metal armor shot from the ground at his feet and spread upward enshrouding him as it rose, until before them was a nearly 7 foot Knight in gleaming, silver plate. The Rebrands knew this not their friend Seeker but was a different being entirely.*

*Asher lost her voice and stared. This was a divinity about this moment that warmed her soul with peace and love. This was a blessed warrior, not of Lathandir, but still sacred and beautiful. Grasping her Holy Symbol Asher said a prayer to the Morning Lord as a warmth filled her heart. Her companions, less aware of the spiritual impact of this, were quick to act.*

*The wizard, Sherloki, lunged forward and snapped up the visor covering the Knight’s face. Purpose began to draw his rapier and readied to cast, screaming “What did you do with Seeker!” Time seemed to slow for the Rebrands as the knight before them removed their silver helm. The adventurers froze in place as for the first time, they saw the beauty of the visage before them.*

*Beauty was not enough to describe them. This was likely the most beautiful being they had ever seen. While their feature were human, they were flawless, more flawless than any human should be. Dark hair, entwined with silver thread and leaves, tumbled to their shoulder, like a dark river, framing a fine tanned face that was highlighted by angelic round eyes flecked with gold. They had a slight glow that could not be seen while looking directly at them. A side long glance could see the aura of a translucent halo and celestial runes surrounding them.*

*“The boy you know as Seeker is safe.” They spoke in smooth almost melodic voice. “Time and this foul place have been undoing the Rebranding and the legacy of the One Rangers is being lost. It was time to shelter the boy and ensure the vessel is protected.”*

*“I am Silas n’ Bihar. Born to human parents, I was touched on the brow by Gwaeron Windstrom and his consort Ereldior Belasson as a babe. Last night as I slept I felt their blessed touch upon my brow again and a vision of Ereldior come to me. The interest of the boy and the Rebranded Seekers are now part of my Oath. When I awoke I was here.”*

*“Ha! We are supposed to believe that?” Purpose scoffed.*

*At last Asher Umberwood spoke as she stepped forward pointing at Silas. “This one, has been bathed with a holy crown. While not the Light Of Lathander it is akin to it. We can trust them.”*

*Sherloki ran the calculations and probabilities in his head and said “The math works. We can trust them.”*

*Chuckling to himself, Purpose chided, “Seems like just a fancy, dressed up Seeker to me, so I guess we can trust them.”*

*“I am at your service and the Rebrands have much to do.” Silas grinned reassuringly and laughed as he bent down picking up the deck of cards at his feet. “But first, I think fate has one more jape to play.” he said while drawing a final card.*

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