Who they are
Jhin was imprisoned in a monastery until shadowy elements of Ionia's ruling council released him to act as an assassin and instrument of terror. His enchanted rifle fires magical bullets that reshape his victims' bodies.
He stages elaborate performances meant to horrify, works in many artistic mediums, and currently has no fixed home in Ionia.
Their story belongs to Ionia. Natural magic, spirits, and a peace that war broke.
Their story, step by step
- Step 1
A school and a stage
Jhin grew up in Zhyun in his father's martial arts school, which Wuju's rise eclipsed. His real name is unknown. He was drawn to art, and his psychology turned deadly.
- Step 2
The killing years
From about nineteen he murdered people on farms and travel routes, treating the bodies as art. He hid among crowds as a stagehand in Zhyun's opera houses under the name Khada Jhin.
- Step 3
Capture at Jyom Pass
Kusho, Shen and Zed pursued him for over four years. At Jyom Pass he captured Zed and threatened Yevnai to torment him, until Shen pinned him and Kusho arrived to spare his life. He was sentenced to life in Tuula monastery prison, where he excelled at arts such as poetry and painting.
- Step 4
Set loose
In the unrest after the Noxian invasion, shadowy figures in Ionia's council freed him to use as an assassin and tool of terror. Armorers at the Kashuri Armories built his pistol Whisper, firing magical bullets that remake his victims. His patrons include the Kashuri Armories, the Navori Brotherhood, Noxus and Zaun.
- Step 5
Old enemies and new rivals
He lured Zed into a deadly trap that forced Zed and Shen to work together. He captured Akali after she tracked him to Piltover and Zaun, and Shen and Zed rescued her. He also wants Sona dead because her fame rivals his.
- Step 6
An odd mentor
Jhin saw that the artist Hwei had suppressed himself and pushed him to challenge himself, letting years of buried emotion pour into his work.
Turning points
- Beginning his killings and hiding as Khada Jhin
- Being captured at Jyom Pass and spared by Kusho
- Being freed by shadowy members of Ionia's council
- Pushing Hwei to release his suppressed emotions
Where their story stands now
Jhin roams Ionia freely, bound only to his patrons' interests. His real identity and the full list of those backing him remain unknown, and it is unclear whether his threat to Sona stands.
Who they are tied to
- Shen →Shen helped capture Jhin and later pursued him again, forced to work with Zed to stop him.
- Zed →Zed helped capture Jhin and was tormented by him at Jyom Pass, and Jhin later baited Zed into traps that pushed him toward an alliance with Shen.
- Akali →Akali tracked him to Piltover and Zaun, was captured, and was rescued by Shen and Zed.
- Hwei →Jhin saw Hwei's suppressed potential and urged him to channel it, letting his buried emotions emerge in his art.
- Sona →Jhin wants Sona dead because her fame competes with his own spotlight.
- Camille →The Principal Intelligencer of Clan Ferros, a hextech-enhanced agent who keeps order between Piltover and Zaun.
- Kayn →A shadow assassin of the Order of Shadow who struggles for control with the Darkin weapon Rhaast.
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.