The Pursuer

The Pursuer is a recurring antagonist in Dark Souls II. He is a mysterious knight who travels by crow and seeks to kill the Bearer of the Curse, presumably to atone for his sins.

Biography
Little is known about the Pursuer's history, although it is mentioned that he committed multiple sins in the past and seeks to atone for them. To do this, the Pursuer seeks souls from those branded by the undead curse. He will not rest until his target's soul is in his hands.

Throughout the Bearer of the Curse's quest through Drangleic, the Pursuer will ambush them multiple times through their journey. First in the Forest of Fallen Giants, the Pursuer appears on a raised platform near the Cardinal Tower bonfire, dropping down from his crow. Defeating him, dying, or leaving the platform will make him warp to his second location, his actual boss fight past a locked door that can be opened with the Soldier's Key. Defeating him makes him drop the Ring of Blades. He will not appear on the platform if he is defeated in his arena first.

Three more encounters with the Pursuer can optionally occur. He can spawn in the Iron Keep in the arena of the Smelter Demon after its defeat. He drops the Ring of Blades+1 upon defeat. The last two Pursuers appear simultaneously in New Game+ or if a Bonfire Ascetic is used in Drangleic Castle in the room behind Chancellor Wellager. One drops the Ring of Blades+2 while the other drops a Twinkling Titanite.

In the "Scholar of the First Sin" editions, five more battles with the Pursuer can occur after his defeat; one on the beach in Things Betwixt after the ogres are defeated, and four encounters in the Lost Bastile:
 * In the room with the chest containing the Covetous Silver Serpent Ring.
 * Below the Servant's Quarters bonfire, accessible through a nearby ladder.
 * In the courtyard near McDuff's Workshop. Can be accessed after defeating the Ruin Sentinels.
 * Behind two illusory walls near where the Bracing Knuckle Ring can be found.

Trivia

 * The multiple weapons in the satchel on his back may be from the victims he slain in battle.
 * If the player activates a ballista at the Pursuer in his boss arena, it will deal significant damage to him.
 * Dying to the second Pursuer in Drangleic Castle after the first is defeated without picking up its drop results in that item being lost until the next New Game+.
 * The Pursuer can be parried, but cannot be riposted.