What it is
Ionia is a large archipelago off the east coast of Valoran, a land of unspoiled beauty and natural magic where the border between the material and spirit realms is unusually thin. Its people seek harmony and balance with the world and live in scattered, decentralized settlements.
Many Ionian traditions center on spirits. Several monastic orders and schools of thought, including the Kinkou Order and the Shojin monks, guide how people live, and they often disagree.
The short version
- Setting: an archipelago where the spirit realm is close to the surface.
- Society: decentralized, built around balance and spiritual practice.
- Orders: the Kinkou Order and the Shojin monks, plus the rival Order of Shadow.
- Turning point: the Noxian invasion split Ionians between pacifists and militarists.
The story in 4 steps
- 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.
- Step 2
The Darkin war
Ancient god-warriors invaded Ionia in the Darkin war. The Kinkou Order sealed them inside weapons.
- Step 3
The Noxian invasion
Noxus occupied territory for about five years and took magical artifacts, then withdrew. Irelia led the resistance.
- 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.