Darkin

Darkin are a fictional ancient race in Runeterra, the world of League of Legends. They were once Ascended beings who wielded vast power and formed a warlike civilization. Over time, they fell to bloodlust and internal conflict, waging a devastating war that nearly destroyed their society and affected much of the world around them.

To end the conflict and prevent further slaughter, the Darkin were sealed inside living weapons—Darkin weapons. These weapons are sentient and can influence or even possess their wielders, making them dangerous to use and difficult to trust. In many stories, the Darkin remain largely dormant within their blades, with their true nature gradually revealed through modern lore.

Notable Darkin weapons include Aatrox, the Darkin Blade; Rhaast, the Darkin Scythe; and Naafiri, the Darkin dagger that can split into multiple blades. Each weapon is associated with a distinct consciousness and power, and each can compete with or dominate its wielder under the right conditions.

In current storytelling, these weapons occasionally surface in Runeterra’s history and its ongoing narratives. Aatrox has reemerged as a living champion, Rhaast inhabits the scythe carried by a champion named Kayn, and Naafiri is depicted as a Darkin dagger that embodies a pack of blades. The Darkin’s legacy continues to serve as a cautionary element in the mythos of Runeterra, illustrating the dangers and moral costs of wielding sentient, uncontrollable power.