Rise of the Runelords

Seelah is a striking woman of Mwangi heritage, tall and broad-shouldered, with a warrior’s build honed by years of battle. Her deep brown skin bears the faint scars of old wounds—testaments to both hardship and valor. She wears her black hair in long, braided strands, a tribute to the fallen knight Acemi. Her eyes are sharp and warm, a rich amber that flickers with both fire and compassion. Clad in polished steel armor bearing the sunburst of Iomedae, Seelah carries herself with confidence and strength. Her shield is etched with righteous symbols, and her longsword gleams with divine purpose. Though her presence commands respect, her smile—when she chooses to show it—is disarming and sincere, revealing a heart still tethered to the ideals of hope and redemption.

Seelah is bold, compassionate, and unshakably driven by a desire to do what is right. Her past hardships shaped her into someone who believes redemption is possible for anyone—because she found it herself. Though she holds herself to high standards, she is not without humor, often breaking tension with a warm laugh or a teasing remark. She values honesty, loyalty, and courage, but understands that people stumble on the path to righteousness. Seelah can be impulsive, charging into danger to protect others without hesitation, and she sometimes struggles with guilt over her past. However, her faith in Iomedae is her anchor—guiding her not through blind obedience, but through a deep belief in justice, mercy, and the power of choice. She fights not just for victory, but to inspire those around her to stand tall in the face of darkness. Despite her divine calling, Seelah remains grounded, never forgetting what it felt like to be lost, scared, and alone.

Born to pilgrims fleeing the horrors of Geb, Seelah was orphaned during a brutal gnoll raid in Solku. Forced to survive on the streets, she turned to theft and mercenary work. Her life changed when paladins of Iomedae arrived to defend the town—shining symbols of hope. Seelah stole a helm from one such knight, Acemi, but guilt consumed her. When Acemi died in battle, unprotected by the missing helm, Seelah returned it—then climbed onto the pyre, ready to share her fate. Moved by her remorse, the knights took her in, revealing they knew she had stolen it all along. Acemi had let her keep it, hoping it would help her survive. Seelah became a paladin not from righteousness, but from guilt—now transformed into devotion. She wears her hair in Acemi’s style, wields a longsword, and fights for Iomedae not to redeem her past, but to carry on the legacy of a knight who believed in her.