Who they are
Kayn was conscripted into the Noxian military as a child, and was later recruited into the Order of Shadow by Zed. He wields Rhaast, a sentient Darkin weapon, and the two contest control of his body.
His arrogance and hunger for strength push him to defy tradition. It is unclear whether he will master the blade or be consumed by it.
Their story belongs to Ionia and also touches Noxus. Natural magic, spirits, and a peace that war broke.
Their story, step by step
- Step 1
A child soldier
Kayn was born in Noxus and drafted as a child, at about ten, into the invasion of Bahrl in Ionia. He showed no fear and survived the battle.
- Step 2
Found by Zed
Two days later Zed found him and saw his potential, recruiting him into the Order of Shadow.
- Step 3
Rising in the Order
Kayn learned several weapons quickly and took the Tears of the Shadow to gain shadow magic. Fast, frightening assassinations built his name. His success made him arrogant, and he hoped to surpass Zed one day.
- Step 4
The scythe
His last test was to retrieve a Darkin scythe from Vindor in Noxus, with fellow acolyte Nakuri. There he heard the weapon's spirit, Rhaast, calling. After a Noxian soldier who grabbed it was consumed, Kayn saw Rhaast's long history of atrocities.
- Step 5
A choice against orders
Told to destroy the scythe, Kayn kept it. He resisted Rhaast's will after partial corruption and killed Nakuri to stop her from interfering.
Turning points
- Surviving the Bahrl battle as a child
- Being recruited by Zed
- Claiming Rhaast instead of destroying it
Where their story stands now
Kayn lives at the Temple of Thanjuul in Ionia and fights Rhaast for control of his body. He may master the blade or be consumed by it.
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.