Who they are
Yasuo is an Ionian swordsman.
Their story belongs to Ionia. Natural magic, spirits, and a peace that war broke.
Their story, step by step
- Step 1
Two brothers
Yasuo was born in an Ionian village to a widow, and he grew close to his half-brother Yone, though Yasuo was proud and impulsive while Yone was patient. He joined the village sword school and drew the notice of Elder Souma, master of a legendary wind technique. Yasuo at first refused his teaching, but accepted after Yone gave him a maple seed as a plea for humility.
- Step 2
The invasion
When Noxus invaded, Yone and other students went to defend Ionia, while Yasuo was ordered to stay at the school. He could not obey and went to the battlefield, where he found hundreds dead in an unnatural way. Back at the school he found Souma dead, and the remaining students accused him of the murder.
- Step 3
Killing Yone
Yasuo fought his way free and set out to find the real killer. Yone tracked him down, and in their clash Yasuo cut down his half-brother, who died before he could forgive him. From then on Yasuo was a fugitive.
- Step 4
Years of wandering
On the road he met Taliyah, a stone mage from Shurima, and taught her to control her powers. When they parted she gave him thread from her tunic to tie his hair. He later came to suspect Riven of killing Souma and confronted her. She told him a stray shard of her shattering blade had killed the elder, which cleared his name, though Yasuo admitted he had failed in his duty by leaving his post.
- Step 5
Yone returns
At Weh'le during the Spirit Blossom Festival, Yasuo met a resurrected Yone fighting a malevolent azakana. Once Yasuo let go of his past, Yone defeated the creature. Yone said Yasuo might deserve death but chose not to take revenge, and they parted in peace. Yasuo later joined others aboard the Charming Lady to face Viego in the Shadow Isles, then left for Noxus to look after Riven's safety.
Turning points
- Left his post at the school to go to the battlefield
- Killed Yone in their duel
- Learned from Riven how Souma really died
- Parted in peace with Yone at Weh'le
Where their story stands now
Yasuo is still a wanderer known as the Unforgiven. Although he has been cleared of Souma's death, he has not forgiven himself for Yone. His search for purpose is left open.
Who they are tied to
Games they appear in
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.