The Story Behind Seth
In 2018, a 16-year-old boy named Seth Goldman, known on Reddit as big_boi878, was facing the fight of his life. Diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, Seth found solace and inspiration in the world of Hollow Knight. Little did anyone know that his passion for the game would create a legacy that would touch thousands of players worldwide.
Seth's Journey with Hollow Knight
Seth shared on Reddit about his battle with Ewing sarcoma, connecting with the gaming community for support
Through the Marty Lyons Foundation, Seth's wish to connect with Team Cherry was arranged
What started as one video chat became multiple meetings, with Team Cherry inviting Seth to design a boss character
Seth passed away from cancer, leaving behind his creative vision and the love of a community
Shrine Guardian Seth appears in Silksong, ensuring Seth's legacy lives on in the game he loved
A Developer's Heart
What makes Seth's story so remarkable isn't just his courage in the face of illness, but how Team Cherry embraced him as part of their family. The developers didn't just fulfill a wish—they created a lasting tribute that ensures Seth's creativity and spirit will inspire players for generations to come.
How Team Cherry Honored Seth
In the Game:
- Shrine Guardian Seth boss in Eastern Greymoor
- Unique ethereal theme music for his encounters
- High scores in Fleatopia caravan minigames
- Appearances in multiple locations throughout the game
Beyond the Game:
- Special mention in the game credits
- Dedication of Hollow Knight: Silksong to Seth
- Design based on Seth's original artwork
- Community embracing Seth's legacy
Meeting Shrine Guardian Seth
Shrine Guardian Seth in battle - A tribute brought to life
When players encounter Shrine Guardian Seth in Silksong, they're not just facing another boss—they're meeting the creative spirit of a young fan whose imagination became part of gaming history.
Shrine Guardian Seth - Boss Details
Location & Appearance:
- Location: Eastern Greymoor, secret area of Grand Gate
- Appearance: Ant-like creature with noble bearing
- Weapon: Wields a pin as his primary weapon
- Defense: Uses a cymbal as a protective shield
Battle Characteristics:
- Accompanied by hauntingly beautiful ethereal music
- Fight continues across multiple map locations
- Reappears in various areas after initial defeat
- Maintains high scores in minigames throughout the world
A Different Kind of Boss Fight
Unlike other bosses in Silksong, encountering Seth feels less like a traditional combat challenge and more like meeting a guardian spirit. Players often report feeling moved by the ethereal music and the knowledge of the story behind this unique character.
The Community Remembers
The gaming community honors Seth's memory
Since Silksong's release, the gaming community has embraced Seth's story with overwhelming warmth and respect. Players discovering the connection between Shrine Guardian Seth and Seth Goldman have created a beautiful outpouring of tribute and remembrance.
Community Tributes
"Seth may have lost his battle with cancer, but in Silksong, he lives on; fighting alongside every player who meets him."
"What a beautiful way to honour Seth's memory and keep his love for the game alive forever."
"Finding out about Seth's story made fighting his boss one of the most emotional moments in gaming for me."
Players have left hundreds of messages on Seth's original Reddit posts and obituary, sharing how his story and character have touched their gaming experience.
A Legacy Beyond Gaming
Seth's story transcends gaming, representing the profound connections that can form between creators and their communities. It showcases how video games can provide comfort, hope, and lasting memorial in ways that few other mediums can achieve.
What Seth's Story Teaches Us
About Community:
- • Gaming communities can provide real emotional support
- • Developers and fans can form meaningful relationships
- • Creative collaboration knows no boundaries
- • Digital legacies can be as powerful as physical ones
About Games as Art:
- • Games can serve as living memorials
- • Interactive media creates unique forms of remembrance
- • Player agency makes tributes more personal
- • Stories within games can carry real emotional weight
Remembering Seth Goldman
Learning More About Seth
Seth's story has been covered by major gaming outlets including PCGamer, Kotaku, The Gamer, and NME
Seth's original posts under username "big_boi878" can still be found on Reddit, where community members continue to pay respects
The foundation that helped connect Seth with Team Cherry continues to fulfill wishes for children facing terminal illnesses
Forever in Our Hearts
Seth's legacy shines eternal like stars in the night
Seth Goldman's story reminds us that video games are more than entertainment—they're spaces where dreams come alive, where communities form, and where legacies can live forever. Every time a player encounters Shrine Guardian Seth in the depths of Pharloom, they're not just playing a game; they're honoring the memory of a young creator whose imagination became part of something eternal.
Team Cherry's decision to not only include Seth's character but to dedicate the entire game to his memory shows the profound impact that passionate fans can have on the creators they admire. It's a testament to the power of human connection in the digital age.
To Seth Goldman: Your creativity lives on, your spirit guides fellow players through the challenges of Pharloom, and your story continues to inspire both developers and fans. Thank you for showing us that the most powerful boss fights aren't about difficulty—they're about heart.
"Seth Goldman (2002-2020)"
"Forever our Shrine Guardian"
In memory of big_boi878, whose legacy lives on in Hollow Knight: Silksong