Who they are
Ivern was once a cruel Freljordian warlord who led expeditions to Ionia seeking magic. After he felled the sacred God-Willow, he was transformed into a tree-like spirit and felt deep remorse.
Since then he has spent millennia as a benevolent guardian, cultivating life wherever he goes as successor to the God-Willow's legacy.
Their story belongs to Ionia and also touches The Freljord. Natural magic, spirits, and a peace that war broke.
Their story, step by step
- Step 1
Ivern the Cruel
Ivern was a warlord of Vorrijaard in the Freljord who followed the war ways of old gods such as Volibear. He opposed the Three Sisters and Lissandra's Iceborn.
- Step 2
Seeking power in Ionia
Wanting the strength to defeat the Iceborn, he led his clan east to Ionia. They took coastal settlements and fought through Vastayan defenders until they reached Omikayalan, the Heart of the World, and the glowing God-Willow.
- Step 3
The felling
To break the Vastayans' will, Ivern chopped down the God-Willow with his axe.
- Step 4
Transformed
As the tree died, his body turned to bark and leaves, and he could hear the land weep. Overcome with remorse, he begged forgiveness.
- Step 5
The Green Father
Over many ages his violence faded. As Ivern the Green Father, or Bramblefoot, he wanders Runeterra nurturing life and befriending forest creatures. He has taken on the God-Willow's legacy and says he is close to succeeding it.
Turning points
- Leading his clan to Ionia
- Felling the God-Willow
- Being changed and repenting
Where their story stands now
Ivern keeps traveling and tending life. Whether he fully becomes the God-Willow's successor is not settled.
Who they are tied to
Where this fits in the story
- Ionia · step 1
The Vastaya
Ionian history says mortals merged with spirit-realm power to defeat invading Titans, and that this gave rise to the Vastayashai'rei, the Vastaya.
- Ionia · step 2
The Darkin war
Ancient god-warriors invaded Ionia in the Darkin war. The Kinkou Order sealed them inside weapons.
- Ionia · step 3
The Noxian invasion
Noxus occupied territory for about five years and took magical artifacts, then withdrew. Irelia led the resistance.
- Ionia · step 4
A divided peace
The war left Ionia split between those who want to stay peaceful and those who want to be ready to fight. Zed founded the Order of Shadow, a rival to the Kinkou that uses forbidden dark magic.