The One Reborn

Lore

The One Reborn is a colossal, undead mass. He is reborn as part of the Mensis Ritual.

It is located in Advent Plaza after Rom, the Vacuous Spider is defeated.

You can summon the Old Hunter Defector Antal (The Church Pick Hunter) with the Old Hunter Bell to assist you in this battle.

Theories

The One Reborn is the School of Mensis' "last line of defense."

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As told through the descriptions of the Bell items, we know that the bells originated in the underground Pthumerian Labyrinth and were capable of reaching into other worlds and summoning beings from them. Although humans require insight to use these bells, it's likely that the bell maidens that summon the One Reborn are Pthumerians allied with the church, like the Church Servants and Church Giants. (Even if they aren't, it's likely any humans in the service of the School of Mensis and in Yahar'gul during the blood moon have insight to spare.)

It is the point of this theory that the bells used to summon the One Reborn are no different, and that the bell maidens in the One Reborn's arena ring their bells repeatedly and simultaneously en masse to bring a mass of (presumably human) beings from other worlds simultaneously, coalescing all of them into one horrible amalgamation in the process of their summoning. The purpose of this would be to prevent hunters such as the player from interfering with Micolash and Mensis' plots involving the Mensis Ritual and the Nightmare of Mensis. After all, they are likely unaware that the scholars have undergone the stillbirth of their brains and, to the best of their knowledge, are still plumbing the Nightmare for answers from a higher plane.

Ordinarily, these bells summon (for good and ill) only beings willing to cross between worlds. It is possible that the humans summoned to form the One Reborn are unwillingly summoned via unknown methods that Pthumerians such as the bell maidens might be privy to. If this is the case, the One Reborn may simply be lashing out in pain and horror at the player.

Alternatively, it is conceivable that the humans summoned this way are willing fanatics devoted to the School of Mensis who await in a parallel dimension to be called upon to create a last-ditch defense in the "base reality" of your own game world. If the One Reborn (possibly the "main body" that is prominently displayed atop the monstrosity) has any sentience remaining, it may manifest the combined desires of these fanatics to protect the scholars. Such a case would also explain the inhuman utterances that the One Reborn uses for its "spells", as members of Mensis might have knowledge of such incantations.

Such an undertaking is abominable, even by the standards of the School of Mensis, thus why they would only resort to it when someone came too close to making the scholars abandon the dream.

The One is the Reincarnation of Gravelord Nito from Dark Souls

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This is mostly based on their appearance. Given that the two games aren't really related, the One Reborn is most likely just the product of an old Pthumerian rite.

Sources

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Ritual Blood
Material used in a Holy Chalice ritual.
One of the basic ingredients used to satiate a Holy Chalice is
this in coagulable blood.
When all is melted in blood, all is reborn.

Inflicted Organ
Special material used in a Holy Chalice ritual.
Special body parts collected by the Healing Church in
What was this gruesome bait used to lure?
The additional rite Rotted Offering beckons ungodly forces,
normally terrifying things, but also worthy prey for a special
hunt.

Yellow Backbone
Special material used in a Holy Chalice ritual.
Special body parts collected by the Healing Church.
What was this gruesome bait used to lure?
The additional rite Rotted Offering beckons ungodly forces,
normally terrifying things, but also worthy prey for a special
hunt.

Beckoning Bell
Great old bell discovered in the old underground labyrinth.
Its ring resonates across worlds, and the first hunter used it
as a special signal to call hunters from other worlds to cross
the gap and co-operate.
A human must use Insight to ring this uncanny bell, but the
benefits of cross-world cooperation are many.

Black Hooded Iron Helm
Iron helmet worn by hunters of the Unseen Village.
The hunters of Yahar'gul answer to the village's founders,
the School of Mensis. Hunters in name only, these
kidnappers wear these black hoods low to shadow their
eyes.
This helm is made of metal, a rarity for hunter garb, and has
high defense, but only against physical attacks.

Iron Yarhar'gul Helm
Iron helmet worn by hunters of the Unseen Village.
Removing the hood reveals something reminiscint
of a warrior of a previous age.
This headwear is made of metal, a rarity for hunter garb,
and has high defense, but only against physical attacks.

Yarhar'gul Black Garb
Thick black pullover worn by hunters of the Unseen Village.
The hunters of Yahar'gul answer to the village's founders,
the School of Mensis. Hunters in name only, these
kidnappers blend into the night wearing this attire.
Designed primarily to defend from physical attacks, the
binding of thick rope servers both to protect its wearer, and
restrain his foes.

Yarhar'gul Black Gloves
Thick black gloves worn by hunters of the Unseen Village.
The hunters of Yahar'gul answer to the village's founders,
the School of Mensis. Hunters in name only, these
kidnappers blend into the night wearing this attire.
Designed primarily to defend from physical attacks.

Arcane Haze
Material used in a Holy Chalice ritual.
The tiny smatterings of haze that are found in certain ritual
materials. Sometimes required for special rites.
The additional rite Sinister Bell makes the bell-ringing
woman appear, and when she rings a sinister bell, hunters
from other worlds will be beckoned as adversaries.

Sinister Lower Pthumeru Root Chalice
When used in a ritual, this sinister chalice summons the Sinister Resonant Bell. The bell-ringing woman appears to be a mad Pthumerian.
The old labyrinth was carved out by the Pthumerians, superhuman beings that are said to have unlocked the wisdom of the eldritch Truth.
Note: Additional rite Sinister Bell is for online use only. The bell-ringing woman does not appear offline.

Sister Adella dialogue:
Upon entering the room and standing on the stair case, the young woman can be heard saying:
"Please, Leave me be… Don't Take me… Please… Oh, please, dear gods."
"Oh, merciful gods, help me…"
"In the name of the Healing Church, cleanse us of this horrible dream…"

While telling her about a safe place:
“Ahh, by your garb… the Healing Church…
You've come to save me…Ahh!
Thank you, dear saint!
I have no words to express my relief…
You could take this, at least.
(gives Madman's Knowledge)
It's sure to please an upstanding member of the church like you.
Ahh, thank you so much. Dear gods…
Thank you so much.
I was seized on the street by a hulking brute in the Cathedral Ward and locked up here.
There were many others, but they've been taken away…
And I've heard moans, echoes in the distance, ever since…
So, the hunt is on tonight?
Then the streets are perilous… And every door will be shut tight…
Perhaps it isn't my place to ask, but…
Do you know somewhere that might take me in?
[tell her about a refuge place]
Oh, thank you so much.
I'll set out as soon as I can.
I pray for success on your hunt.
Kind hunter.”

Byrgenwerth Lore Note:
Location: On a Bookshelf on the same floor as the Lunarium Key door:
"When the red moon hangs low, the line between man and beast is blurred. And when the Great Ones descend, a womb will be blessed with child.

Yahar'gul, Unseen Village Lore Notes:
Location: Right in front of Hypogean Gaol lamp on the floor:
"Nightmarish rituals crave a newborn. Find one, and silence its harrowing cry."

Location: Found on the right side outside of the cell you wake up in after being captured by a snatcher:
"Madmen toil surreptitiously in rituals to beckon the moon. Uncover their secrets."

Location: Outside Hypogean Gaol. Leave through the front door. This note is on top of the stairs leading to the area where the Yahar'gul set can be found:
"Behold! A Paleblood sky!"

Location: In a jail cell behind the first Chime Maiden you encounter after the Yahar'gul lantern:
"The Mensis ritual must be stopped, lest we all become beasts."

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NEXT: The Witch of Hemwick

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