Kayn

Kayn is a lean, muscular young man. He has black hair with a blue streak on the right side and a long braid at the nape of his neck. He wears only baggy, loose-fitting pants with a rope tied around them and leather boots. Due to partial assimilation by Rhaast, his left arm has become a bright red muscle with gray plates covering his shoulder, left pectoral, and left eye. He has a blue spiral tattoo around his right wrist. His right eye has a yellow iris, while his corrupted left eye has a dark red sclera and a bright red iris.

Like the Shadow Assassin, he now has pale white skin, bright eyes without pupils, and no longer displays the corruption on his body. He has dark blue tattoos on his eyes, torso, and arms. His braided hair has been replaced by long strands with a wider blue streak.

Shaped by Noxian brutality and tempered in Yánléi, Kayn harbors a deep resentment of authority while simultaneously maintaining unwavering confidence in his own abilities. His fearless demeanor masks a latent rage and a burning desire to prove his superiority, both to his enemies and his mentors. Kayn's arrogance fuels his relentless pursuit of power, leading him to defy tradition and embrace the forbidden allure of the Darkin, Rhaast. However, behind his bravado lies a shrewd intellect and a calculating nature, always seeking the most advantageous path to dominate both his enemies and his destiny, but he is also someone who can be quite relaxed and playful, provoking his foes.

An unparalleled practitioner of lethal shadow magic, Shieda Kayn fights to achieve his true destiny: to lead the Order of Shadows towards a new era of Ionian supremacy. He wields the sentient Darkin weapon Rhaast, unfazed by the growing corruption it exerts on his body and mind. There are only two possible outcomes: either Kayn bends the weapon to his will... or the evil blade consumes him completely, paving the way for the destruction of all Runeterra.

Born in Nox, Shieda Kayn was recruited as a child soldier, like many others. When he was only ten years old, he and his comrades received orders to attack the province of Bahrl in Ionia. He and other young soldiers formed the vanguard of the attack. While Kayn's young comrades fled or were slaughtered by the defenders before the regular Noxian soldiers arrived from the flank, Kayn showed no fear and survived to see the end of the battle.

Zed and his followers arrived at the battlefield two days later. There, they found Kayn lying on the ground, brandishing a scythe against Zed. The Shadow Master saw potential in the boy and welcomed him into the Yánléi. (Emblem of the Order of Shadows)

After joining the Order, young Kayn received food and a home to stay in. Growing up and training as an acolyte of the Order, Kayn was able to master every weapon given to him, while other acolytes spent years training with a single weapon. By drinking the Tears of the Shadow, Kayn gained the ability to camouflage himself in the shadows to stealthily assassinate enemies. He was able to spread fear among the survivors through his swift kills, using fear as his weapon. As Kayn's power and reputation grew, he developed arrogant ambitions, wishing that one day he could be more powerful than even Zed.

The Blade of the Millennia

Later, Kayn was sent on a mission to Noxus as his final test: to retrieve a recently discovered Darkin scythe from the Noxian city of Vindor to prevent the weapon from being used against the Ionians. Accompanied by his acolyte Nakuri, he used his shadow magic to surprise the three guards defending the noxtoraa, killing two of them before intimidating the last, who was then killed by Nakuri. After killing several other Noxian soldiers, Kayn approached the weapon, where he heard the Darkin Rhaast call to him from within the scythe. One of the Noxians seized the scythe in desperation and began to brandish it uncontrollably against his comrades as Rhaast's corruption overwhelmed him. Realizing the legends were true, Kayn, using a shadow technique, possessed the soldier's body, where he witnessed the atrocities Rhaast had inflicted over millennia. However, instead of destroying it as ordered, he was tempted to use the Darkin for himself. Ignoring Nakuri's pleas, Kayn seized Rhaast and suffered the same corruption, but Kayn managed to resist his will and control his amplified power. After a final battle against Nakuri, Kayn killed his fellow acolyte. Since then, Kayn has dueled with Rhaast for control of his own body, until one of them wins and takes control.

Possibilities:

• If Kayn completely defeats Rhaast, he will assume full control of the scythe's powers, unlocking his full potential as the Shadow Assassin.

• Should Rhaast dominate Kayn, he will completely assimilate Kayn's body and wield the scythe for himself, using his new body to resume his killing spree and bloodshed across Runeterra. He also implies that Kayn's consciousness is trapped in the same dimension where he was sealed.

Kayn is about 20 years old.

He was at most 10 years old when Zed took him into the Order of Shadows.

Rhaast is between 3496 and 4396 years old.

The blue streak in Kayn's hair is a result of using Rhaast.

It is revealed that the corruption of Kayn's left arm by Rhaast can be reverted to normal by Rhaast's will or Kayn's will.

Kayn appears to be left-handed.

Rhaast communicates telepathically with Kayn, so much so that the character will play both Kayn and Rhaast.

Prodigy of Weapons: During his training in the Order of Shadows, Kayn was able to master all available weapons with ease, while most of his fellow acolytes took years to master a single weapon.

Shadow Magic: Kayn was granted the powers of the Shadow Tears, which greatly enhance his abilities and allow him to control shadows at will.

Intangibility: Kayn can transform his body into a shadow, allowing him to pass through walls.

Shadow Cloning: Upon becoming the Shadow Assassin, Kayn is able to create shadow clones of himself to attack.

Possession: Kayn can temporarily possess others using his shadow magic. He was shown to possess the body of a Noxian soldier before being corrupted by Rhaast.

Darkin Weapon: Having wielded the Darkin Rhaast as a weapon and resisted the Darkin's will, Kayn's physical and magical attributes were greatly enhanced.

Blood Magic: Thanks to the power of the Darkin Rhaast, Kayn also gained access to Blood Magic.

Willpower: Kayn possesses an unwavering willpower that allows him to resist possession by Rhaast and even completely overcome him to become the Shadow Assassin. However, his willpower does not preclude the possibility of losing the battle against Rhaast.

Runeterra (meaning "magical land") is a plane of existence comprised of the physical realm: an oblate spheroid planet, and the Spirit Realm. It is also the fictional world where most of the intellectual property lore of League of Legends takes place. Runeterra is part of the larger Runeterra Prime universe. The currently known continents that the planet comprises are Valoran, Shurima, and the Camavoran Continent. It also possesses several large bodies of water, such as the currently known 18 Seas (like the Conqueror's Sea and the Guardian's Sea), and 2 Oceans with various archipelagos and islands surrounding them (such as Ionia, the Serpent Isles, and the Shadow Isles). The planet orbits a G-type star, while a natural satellite moon orbits the planet. Runeterra's sun and moon also mirror equivalents in the spirit realm.

Centuries ago, magical artifacts called "World Runes" were rediscovered. In the decades that followed, knowledge of the Runes began to spread as more were unearthed. The world's brightest minds studied the ancient glyphs, trying to determine their powers. Few could even begin to grasp the significance of their origins, or the sheer power contained within them. Some hypothesized that the Runes were essential to the creation of Runeterra itself. The first use of these mysterious artifacts proved catastrophic, reshaping the landscape of entire nations. Distrust quickly grew as those familiar with the Runes imagined that such "Power of the Creators" was being used as a weapon. Conflicts over these magical artifacts began to occur, known as the Rune Wars.

Open war raged across Runeterra. The first horrors of the Rune Wars sparked fear and aggression among those who now realized the power at their command. Ryze and his master, Tyrus, sought to lock all the Runes of the World away from human reach for the protection of Runeterra. Some heeded their pleas, others rejected them due to their newfound power and influence. After an incident with Tyrus, Ryze continued his journey alone, gathering all the rune artifacts to prevent another Rune War from beginning and potentially destroying the world.

Main article: Species There are many different species in Runeterra and the other connected realms. Most are divided into sapient, sentient, and non-sentient species.

Unlike Earth, Runeterra boasts a large number of sapient species. These sapient species can range from the ability to use primitive tools for their own benefit to godlike feats like forging literal stars.

Some sentient species are monstrous and aggressive, while others are less aggressive or docile. While most sentient species are animals, there are instances of plant-based sentient species.

Most known cases of non-sentient species are found in plants.

As rich and diverse as Runeterra is, not all species are well documented. From the Shuriman Jungles to the wild and magical regions of the Ionian Archipelago, known only by name or image, these countless species are an enigma.

Runeterra has a large number of nations and settlements, each with their own form of government structure.

It consists of all nations that control large tracts of territory, as well as numerous cities, towns, and villages. These nations may or may not have a centralized or unified government.

Great Nations Bilgewater Crest Bilgewater (Gang Syndicates) Coat of arms of Demacia (Feudal Monarchy) Coat of arms of Freljord Freljord (Tribal Matriarchy) coat of arms of Ionia Ionia (Regional Provinces) coat of arms of Ixtal Ixtal (Magic Autocracy) Coat of Arms of Noxus Noxus (Expansionist Empire) coat of arms of Shurima Shurima (Divine Empire) Targon Coat of Arms Targon (Tribal Theocracy) Small Nations Arbormark (Feudal Lordship) Aurma Kalstead Nockmirch (Feudal Lordship) Rijenland Skaggorn (Tribal Chief) It consists of all nations that primarily control a city and some small lands surrounding it. These nations typically have centralized, unified governments.

Boleham Harelport Holdrum Kumangra Mudtown Palclyff Piltover Crest Piltover (Aristocratic Oligarchy) Stone wall coat of arms of Zaun Zaun (Industrial Oligarchy) It consists of all nations that have no form of government or that were formerly governed and have since been left in ruins.

coat of arms of the city of Bandle coat of arms of the Blessed Isles Blessed Isles (Old Meritocracy) Camavor Coat of Arms Camavor (Old Feudal Monarchy) Void Crest Icathia (Ancient Feudal Monarchy) coat of arms of the Shadow Isles Shadow Isles

Eternals: Runeterra boasts an entire pantheon of deities, whose influence has shaped many of the religions, ideologies, and myths of all modern Runeterran cultures. Though the truths about these deities have been lost over the ages, they are all still preserved in the celestial realm, shining upon the world through constellations and archetypes.

Freljordian Pantheon: There are a multitude of deities worshipped in the Freljord. These deities are called Freljordian Demigods. These demigods are spirits portrayed as primitive, anthropomorphic animals. Each represents one or more phenomena or ideas. Volibear, for example, represents the Storm and the Wilds, while Ornn represents the Forge and the Hearth.

Great Weaver: The cult of the goddess of fate. The Shurimans, being a nomadic and simple people, prayed to her for guidance and assistance in their daily lives and needs, and bestowed and protected those in her favor. She is said to weave the threads of destiny into a magnificent tapestry, designating what was and what will become. Taliyah, the Stone Weaver, is believed by the elders of her tribe to have received her powers over the land from the Great Weaver herself.

Lamb and Wolf: Since their people met death, Kindred have pursued Valoran. When the final moment arrives, it is said that a true Demacian will turn to Lamb, taking the arrow, while through the shadowy streets of Noxus, Wolf leads the hunt. In the snows of Freljord, before setting out to fight, some warbands "kiss the Wolf," swearing to honor their pursuit with the blood of their enemies. After each Harrowing, the city of Bilgewater gathers to celebrate its survivors and honor those who received a true death from Lamb and Wolf. Kindred await those trapped in the undeath of the Shadow Isles, knowing that all will eventually fall beneath Lamb's bow or Wolf's teeth. The oldest known sighting of the eternal hunters is a pair of ancient masks, carved by unknown hands from the tombs of people long forgotten.

Lunari: The worship of the Moon. The religion preached that the world needed a balance between the sun and the moon to live and thrive. However, it was long ago erased from the world and history, likely at the hands of the Solari. The return of the Lunari may come through the crusade waged by Diana, the Scorn of the Moon and an outcast of the Solari themselves.

Mother Serpent: The cult of the goddess of movement, Nagakabouros. Originating from the Serpent Isles, now known as the Blue Flame Isles, Nagakabouros is still the reigning deity of Bilgewater. Her church is now led by her chosen Truthbringer, Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess. The religion strongly demands that you follow your desires and create your own destiny, one of the main reasons why this faith remains strong today.

Solari: The worship of the Sun as the source of all life. Solari worship is largely comprised of a special sect of Rakkorians who renounce their warlike mantles in favor of a broader solar devotion. Their founder and leader chose Targon, the highest peak closest to the Sun, and was blessed with the power to invoke the Sun's wrath. Today, Leona, the Radiant Dawn, has taken up the mantle of this legend and fights to protect the defenseless and the innocent.

Runeterra also has some cults:

Cult of the Spider: Most of their followers reside in Noxus and Demacia. The champion, Elise, serves as their High Priestess, traveling between the two nations and the Shadow Isles, leading her followers to live with the Spider God, Vilemaw, for all eternity, or so they believe.

Cult of the Void: A cult that began when Malzahar claimed that Runeterra would be saved by the Void. Its followers make sacrifices to the nothingness below, hoping this will keep the Void's holy fury at bay.

Disciples of Armordillo: This is by far the only cult that doesn't commit any harm. The cult revolves around the champion, Rammus, whom they believe to be a god, Ascendant, oracle, or something similar. The disciples hold annual ceremonies in which they imitate his famous roll and somersault through their respective cities en masse. Many pilgrims wander the desert, hoping to find him and answer a single question. Knowing his sweet tooth, they often fill their caravans with sweets and treats, often finding their caravans exhausted by morning.

Frostguard: Most of their followers are located in the northern Freljord, with Frostguard Citadel as their main center of worship. Followers pray to and venerate the three ancient Iceborn sisters: Avarosa, Serylda, and Lissandra. Each year, three Frostguard warriors are chosen to descend into the Howling Abyss to inspect the runic prisons that keep the Watchers from any sign of melting and destruction.

Zed

Zed is a muscular yet slender man with brown eyes, fair skin, and disheveled white hair. His signature armor is an imposing ninja outfit, lined with dark red and blue fabrics interwoven with dark gray metal with gold details. The most striking feature is a sinister metal mask with vertical slits over the mouth. Zed's eyes appear to glow red from within. His preferred weapons are a pair of retractable double-edged blades that extend from his forearms. He also carries two large shurikens on his back.

Like many Ionians, Zed is deeply devoted to his homeland. What sets him apart, however, is how far he is willing to go to protect it. Ruthless and decisive, Zed is willing to master forbidden arts, use deception and secrecy, and even betray his allies in his efforts to keep Ionia safe.

Xayah

Xayah is a slender Vastaya Lhotlan with white skin, yellow eyes, pointed ears like a bird's, and long red hair. She wears simple wanderer's clothes in a distinct palette of dark red, purple, burgundy, and some brown details. The most striking ornament on her outfit is her feather cape, which is dark with shades ranging from burgundy to purple. She also possesses several blades made of feathers that float around her. Determined and grumpy.

Xayah is a Vastayan from Lhotlan who travels through Ionia on a crusade to ensure the survival and independence of her people. After meeting and beginning a relationship with Rakan, they both travel through Ionia to preserve the island's natural magic, preventing it from being controlled by humans. They are not yet married, as she longs to hear him propose to her every day.

Rakan

Rakan has white hair, highlighted by a bold red streak. His small red cape conceals the base of vibrant yellow plumage, which falls like a regal cloak. A single bird skull adorns the cape, holding it in place. Shirtless, he displays two armbands, which hide more yellow plumage underneath. Rakan wears blue trousers held up by a red rope belt adorned with bird skulls. True to his Lhotlan lineage, Rakan possesses avian features, such as bird legs and pointed, feathered ears. As the title suggests, he is extremely charming, an emotionally intelligent guy, and incredibly stylish. Because of this, he can be an extravagant and showy performer, as he is energetic and confident. But he is also courageous, loyal, and compassionate, and, unlike his beloved Xayah, tends to act on instinct rather than plan.

Yone

Yone, in life, was a tall young man with fair skin, dark brown hair tied back, brown eyes, and a beard. He wore an Ionian tunic in shades of dark turquoise with gold details and a long red belt, as seen in the illustration on his card in LoR.

Upon returning to life, his appearance had changed, now sporting a scarlet-red mask on his face that could not be removed. His hair was loose and long, with two strands in the front, and his eyes glowed a ghostly blue.

His attire consists of torn and blood-stained Ionic robes, shirtless, and mostly covered by bandages that extend to his shoulders and just below his chest. His robes and belt are decorated with the various azakana he has hunted.

When Yone separates his soul from his body, his appearance remains the same, but semi-transparent and enveloped in a bright scarlet red.

Yone is a stoic, loyal, and honorable man who always put his responsibilities above his feelings. He had a complicated relationship with his brother Yasuo, having to take care of him from a very young age. Yone wished for Yasuo to learn to be responsible and have a better life, and he was overjoyed when Yasuo was chosen by Master Souma as his disciple.

Upon discovering Yasuo's "betrayal," Yone was devastated, but continued to fulfill his duty, which was, unfortunately, to kill his brother, Yasuo.

When Yone finally found and confronted Yasuo, they ended up dueling to the death, with Yasuo emerging victorious. Yasuo Yasuo

Upon returning from the dead, Yone dedicated himself to understanding what he had become through hunting azakana, as he feels that the conflict he now faces with the mask he wears surpasses the unresolved conflict between him and his brother.

According to rumors, Yone and Lillia share a deep friendship, very similar to the bond between Yasuo and Taliyah.

Mordekaiser

Mordekaiser appears to be a massive, animated suit of armor, devoid of any visible trace of humanity except for two spectral, blue-green eyes. Rigid and angular, the black metal plates that compose his form are enormous, featuring three large spikes on each shoulder and two "horns" on his helmet. The armor seems to pulsate and glow with the intense blue-green color of necromantic magic. He also wears a dark red loincloth and a faded, tattered, three-cornered cape.

His enormous staff, Nightfall, is the same color as his armor and has prongs pointing outward in four directions.

Mordekaiser is a brutal warlord who desires to conquer all and destroy all who oppose him.

Lillia

Lillia is a beautiful and slender Fae Fawn girl, half-deer, having the body of a deer but with the torso instead of a head, with brownish fur, long hair in a distinct palette of lilac and blue, large ears, large blue eyes, and four deer hooves. She wears no clothes, only a simple blouse made of leaves in shades of green. The most characteristic ornament on her attire is the flower button on her head. She also carries a magical branch in her hand. Despite resembling a Vastaya, Lillia is not one.

Lillia is a very shy and kind person, but also extremely protective and determined in her cause to help the mother tree. She is very passionate and dedicated to her mission of saving the mother tree's life. Lillia is very curious, with a fertile imagination and an endless sense of wonder. She is both clumsy and competent.

Soraka

Soraka is a slender celestial being with lilac skin, long, light blonde hair with a single horn on her forehead, golden eyes, and goat-like legs. She wears simple wanderer's clothing in a distinct palette of red, orange, and some touches of brown, including her cape. The most characteristic ornament on her outfit is the 1 Gems. She also possesses a golden Celestial Staff shaped like a moon at the tip. Although she has the appearance of an ottrani, Soraka has only assumed the form of one, her single horn being the main distinction from the vastayans.

Soraka is a very kind and humble person, but also extremely protective and caring towards those who follow her and depend on her guidance. She is loyal to her cause of wanting to help those in need and always seeks to assist those who ask for help.

Despite this, Soraka believes in free will above all else. Although she offers guidance, those who receive it must accept being guided and healed in order for her to be able to help. She offers countless paths to mortals, but only they can choose the path they will follow.

Ahri

Ahri is an attractive Vesani of medium height, with pale skin and long black hair that reaches her waist, tied in a braid with two loose strands framing her face. Her eyes are golden-yellow with slit pupils, and her cheeks have red markings that resemble whiskers. Due to her vastaya nature, she has black fox ears on top of her head, long claws instead of fingernails, and nine white fox tails. She usually wears a white dress with red and gold details, as well as adornments such as three purple tassels.

On some occasions, usually when she is hiding her vastaya nature from society to avoid unwanted attention, Ahri wears a huge white hooded cloak to protect not only her face, but also her nine white tails.

Ahri began as a wild and impulsive creature, raised in nature, far from civilization, and obsessed with consuming the spiritual essence of mortals. As she devoured more souls, she began to feel the emotions of her victims, becoming more empathetic and reluctant to continue her hunts. After the death of her beloved, Ahri was consumed by regret and guilt, completely ashamed of her Vesani nature and distancing herself entirely from society, interacting with people only to feed on their essence and satiate her hunger. Ahri's pain grew so much that she simply wished to forget all the painful memories, but eventually decided that these memories were too valuable to discard and learned to carry them with her, however painful they might be.