Who they are
Ryze is regarded as one of Runeterra's most powerful sorcerers. He tracks down World Runes, fragments of primordial magic, to stop their catastrophic misuse.
He has carried this burden for over a millennium and is weary and hard-bitten. Drinking from the Waters of Life gave him his extended lifespan.
Their story belongs to Wanderers. Demons, spirits and ancient survivors that belong to no single place.
Their story, step by step
- Step 1
Apprentice in Khom
Ryze was born in the village of Khom in Noxii lands and trained under Tyrus of Helia, a member of a secret order that guarded dangerous artifacts. There he learned about World Runes, fragments of primordial magic that can reshape reality.
- Step 2
Rune Wars
As word of the Runes spread, fear led to war. Ryze and Tyrus tried to broker peace and failed, and the Rune Wars destroyed Khom. Tyrus took two Runes, believing they could end the war. Ryze saw this as giving in to temptation and killed his mentor.
- Step 3
A lone burden
After the wars, Ryze vowed to gather every World Rune and secure them. He has carried that duty for over a millennium, helped by drinking the Waters of Life.
- Step 4
People along the way
He saved Kegan Rodhe from freezing in the Freljord and tried to teach him, but Kegan fell to a Rune's corruption and became Brand, whom Ryze buried under Shurima's sands. He explored the Rune archives under the Great Sai with Nasus, went to Hirana Monastery with Sona, and helped Miss Fortune. Kalista once broke his arm, and he regretted not apologizing before she died.
- Step 5
Shurima
When Aatrox and Xolaani fought in Shurima, Kayle sent a messenger asking for his help, as her mother Mihira had been absorbed by Xolaani. After reflecting on whether the world was worth saving, Ryze activated the World Runes and defeated both.
Turning points
- Killing Tyrus after he took World Runes
- Vowing to gather all the Runes
- Trapping Brand beneath Shurima
- Using the Runes against Aatrox and Xolaani
Where their story stands now
Ryze, over a thousand years old, roams with no fixed home. Brand remains trapped beneath Shurima, and the World Runes are not yet safely secured. He still struggles with hope, which he tries to suppress.
Who they are tied to
- Brand →Ryze rescued Kegan, who later became Brand after a World Rune corrupted him, and Ryze trapped him under Shurima's sands.
- Nasus →Nasus helped Ryze explore the World Rune archives under the Great Sai.
- Miss Fortune →Ryze helped Miss Fortune during a conflict at sea.
- Sona →Ryze traveled with Sona to Hirana Monastery and fought the Navori Brotherhood.
- Kalista →Ryze met Kalista when she was young, hurting her pride, and later regretted not apologizing before her sacrifice.
- Bard →An ageless celestial wanderer who guards powerful artifacts and cosmic balance.
- Evelynn →An ancient demon who feeds on human suffering.
- Trundle →The cunning frost troll king who serves Lissandra.
Where this fits in the story
- Wanderers · step 1
Demons of fear and misery
Evelynn and Nocturne are demons that came to life during the Rune Wars, Fiddlesticks is a very old demon of fear, and Tahm Kench travels the waterways feeding on bad bargains. None of them is tied to one kingdom.
- Wanderers · step 2
Spirits and celestials
Kindred are twin spirits of death, Lamb and Wolf, who shepherd souls onward. Bard is a celestial being who travels between worlds protecting powerful artifacts.
- Wanderers · step 3
Survivors of older ages
Aatrox and Zaahen were Ascended warriors of Shurima who became Darkin. Jax and Zilean come from Icathia, which fell when the Void was unleashed. Ryze hunts World Runes, fragments of primordial magic, to keep them from being misused.
- Wanderers · step 4
Travellers with a cause
Alistar escaped Noxian gladiator slavery, Nami left her underwater tribe to save it, Shaco is a marionette turned jester, and Senna turns the Black Mist against itself to free trapped souls.