Saychel Herek is Adamant Fern's father, though he is unaware of this. Herek believes his daughter, who he named Saychel Araka, long-dead; she in turn remembered nothing of him but his hands. He is a Wood-Aspect Dragon-Blooded who loved his daughter despite her failure to Exalt.
Fern ran into Herek at an archaeological dig near the Standing Stones of Cinnabar. Fern had been wounded by a chimera, and Herek had the medical prowess to fix such a wound. Fern recognized him as he lay his hands upon the wound in her neck. Herek is apparently researching Mela, whom the Dragon-Blooded believe to be the First Sorcerer. As repayment for the party's assistance in destroying the local anathema that were defiling the place, he told them a little bit of his findings... while Fern tried desperately to keep a straight face.
The party left without revealing their true nature, and Herek seemed not to recognize his daughter at all, except perhaps for a brief moment of pause and confusion. He believes the party to be a group of the Wyld Hunt sent to assist them, and would likely welcome their return.
When the Circle returned to the Standing Stones, they found Herek gone; investigation and demon-summoning revealed that he had stepped through and sealed a portal to Malfeas. His whereabouts were unknown for a long while after that.
Sometime between Largo, Fern, and Amber's entrapment and Takara's Exaltation, Dax regained contact with him: he had been in Malfeas, researching for those among the Yozis who regretted their treatment of Creation. He had some shocking news for the party regarding Brigid's connection to such beings. His captors released him after the party fought the Silver Prince: he is now traveling with the current party.