League of Legends Darkin: Exploring the Powerful Fallen Warriors
The Darkin are among the most enigmatic and feared characters in League of Legends. Once noble Ascended warriors, these fallen beings were transformed by the horrors of war and blood magic.
Their power, corruption, and tragic fall from grace make them central figures in the game’s lore. Imprisoned within sentient weapons, the Darkin now seek to regain their freedom by possessing the mortals who wield them.
Origins of the Darkin
The Darkin’s story begins with the Ascended, human warriors from the Shuriman Empire who were granted immense power through the Sun Disc. These Ascended were tasked with defending Shurima against catastrophic threats, most notably the Void, an ancient enemy that wreaked havoc across the land.
Despite their divine power, the toll of endless warfare began to corrupt the minds of the Ascended. The final blow came when Emperor Azir was betrayed by Xerath, leading to the fall of Shurima. With no leader to guide them, many Ascended succumbed to their darker instincts, driven by ambition and hunger for power.
These once-heroic figures used forbidden blood magic to transform their bodies, gradually becoming monstrous. Over time, they became known as the Darkin, which translates roughly to "the fallen."
The Darkin, now twisted versions of their former selves, waged a civil war across Runeterra. This conflict, known as the Great Darkin War, devastated entire nations as the Darkin clashed for dominance.
Ultimately, their war came to an end when powerful mages and the Aspects of Targon managed to imprison them within their own weapons.
The Darkin Imprisonment
The mages of Runeterra and the Aspects found a way to trap the Darkin inside their weapons. By merging the Darkin’s physical forms with the celestial power in their hearts, they effectively sealed the Darkin in a prison they could not escape.
These sentient weapons were then hidden across the world to ensure the Darkin’s power could never be fully unleashed again.
However, the imprisonment was not a permanent solution. If a mortal finds one of these weapons, the Darkin can slowly influence their wielder, tempting them with power. The relationship between the Darkin and their host is parasitic, with the Darkin seeking to dominate the mind of the mortal and regain a mockery of freedom.
This constant struggle for control can have dire consequences for the wielder, as seen with champions like Kayn, who wields the Darkin scythe, Rhaast.
The Shadow Assassin (Kayn) and Rhaast are in a constant battle for control over Kayn's body. (Credit: Riot Games)Darkin Champions in League of Legends
Currently, five Darkin have been revealed in League of Legends, each bound to a unique weapon that embodies their corrupted power. These champions include:
Aatrox: The Darkin Blade
Aatrox was one of the most feared warriors during the Great Darkin War. Once a noble Ascended, he became a bloodthirsty warlord, craving destruction. Aatrox wields a massive sword, which is his prison. He seeks to use his host to bring about the end of all existence, believing that annihilation is the only escape from his suffering.
Aatrox is out to destroy everything in his path. (Credit: Riot Games)Aatrox’s gameplay reflects his nature as a relentless fighter, capable of healing himself through damage dealt to his enemies. His abilities allow him to knock up, slow, and engage opponents, making him a formidable force in any team fight.
Rhaast: The Darkin Scythe
Rhaast is another Darkin trapped within a weapon, a scythe that is currently wielded by Kayn, a human assassin.
Unlike Aatrox, Rhaast does not yet have full control over his host. He constantly tries to corrupt Kayn, whispering promises of power in exchange for Kayn surrendering his mind.
Rhaast's presence never leaves Kayn, often threatening to take over. (Credit: Riot Games)The dynamic between Rhaast and Kayn is unique in League of Legends, as players can choose to allow Rhaast to take over, transforming Kayn into a Darkin champion.
Rhaast’s abilities focus on dealing massive amounts of damage and healing based on the damage he inflicts. He thrives in close-quarters combat, where his sustain can help him dominate longer engagements.
Varus: The Darkin Bow
Varus is a Darkin trapped within a bow, and his story is one of tragedy. His current form is a tri-symbiotic entity, as Varus shares his body with two mortals, Valmar and Kai. These two lovers released Varus while trying to rescue one another, and now their bodies serve as the vessel for the Darkin’s power.
Once a skilled Shuriman archer, Varus lost his path in his search for vengeance. (Credit: Riot Games)Varus’s gameplay revolves around his powerful ranged attacks. His abilities allow him to poke enemies from a distance, apply crowd control, and deal devastating damage in team fights.
Varus’s lore reflects his complex nature, with the struggle between Varus and his hosts constantly playing out in his mind.
Naafiri: The Darkin Dagger
Naafiri, the Darkin Dagger, is bound to a pack of Shuriman dune hounds. Unlike other Darkin, Naafiri manifests through a collective rather than a single host. This makes her one of the more unique Darkin in both lore and gameplay.
While she retains her vicious tendencies, she relies on the cooperation of her pack to exert her influence and carry out her plans.
Naafiri bound herself to a pack of hounds in the Shurima desert. (Credit: Riot Games)Xolaani: The Darkin Bloodletters
Xolaani leads the second faction of Darkin, opposing Aatrox’s goal of destroying everything. Xolaani seeks to unite Runeterra under a hivemind, believing that subjugation is the only path to order.
Her weapon, the Bloodletters, allows her to enslave her hosts and those she defeats. Her influence is growing, and she has already gained control of several other Darkin during her awakening.
Xolaani is perhaps the most powerful Darkin there is. (Credit: Riot Games)The Darkin War
The Great Darkin War was one of the most destructive events in Runeterra’s history. The Darkin, empowered by blood magic, waged war across Shurima, Valoran, and beyond.
Nations were crushed, and countless lives were lost as the Darkin sought to enslave the world. The war only ended when the Aspects intervened, working with mortal mages to bind the Darkin to their weapons.
Even though the Darkin were imprisoned, their weapons remain scattered across Runeterra. The potential for the Darkin to rise again is always present, as these weapons can be uncovered by the ignorant or ambitious, eager for power. In the wrong hands, the Darkin could return to wreak havoc on the world once more.
Darkin Corruption and Host Dynamics
When a mortal picks up a Darkin weapon, they enter into a dangerous relationship with the entity inside. The Darkin begins to whisper to them, offering power in exchange for control.
Over time, the Darkin starts to reshape their host’s body, turning them into an amalgam of both mortal and Darkin. If left unchecked, the host can lose their identity entirely, becoming a mere vessel for the Darkin’s will.
This symbiotic relationship is seen in champions like Kayn, who battles Rhaast for control. Kayn believes he can harness the Darkin’s power without succumbing to its influence, but Rhaast constantly tries to overwhelm him. If Rhaast wins, Kayn is transformed into a Darkin champion, his body and mind dominated by the scythe’s corrupting power.
The Legacy of the Darkin
The Darkin remain a threat in League of Legends and its broader lore. Although they are imprisoned, their influence still reaches across Runeterra through their weapons and the mortals who wield them.
With champions like Aatrox, Rhaast, and Varus, the Darkin continue to play a central role in the ongoing narrative of the game.
As the lore evolves, new revelations about the Darkin and their ancient war may come to light, potentially reshaping the landscape of Runeterra once more.
Image source: Riot Games
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