{"id":1174087,"date":"2026-02-13T14:06:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-13T14:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polygon.com\/?p=556719"},"modified":"2026-02-13T14:06:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T14:06:14","slug":"leagues-current-main-plot-moves-forward-toward-ionia-and-the-deadly-darkin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/leagues-current-main-plot-moves-forward-toward-ionia-and-the-deadly-darkin\/","title":{"rendered":"League\u2019s current main plot moves forward toward Ionia and the deadly Darkin"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If there\u2019s something gamers love in the fantasy genre, it\u2019s when ancient beings are sealed inside cool swords, from which they can only whisper and beguile mortal beings. League of Legends<\/em> takes this concept even further with the Darkin by creating a whole arsenal of evil weapons containing ancient evils. <\/p>\n

The Darkin had a rough start in the lore, but the constant cycle of Riot revising and retconning its previous works have led to them becoming one of the most fascinating groups in all of Runeterra. Recent lore revelations suggest that they\u2019re about to become important in the ongoing storyline spun up by the conclusion to Arcane<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Wait, what\u2019s up with Noxus?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Riot revamped the way seasons work in League of Legends<\/em> to feel more like narrative events that take the time to explore factions. The first region to benefit from this was Noxus<\/a>, where we learned more about LeBlanc and Vladimir, the Black Rose, and their ongoing schemes. At the end of the season start cinematic, \u201cBite Marks,\u201d we see LeBlanc and Vladimir scheming in a direct follow-up to the Arcane<\/em> finale.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery new path seems to lead us closer to chaos. Perhaps we should focus on the opportunity that\u2019s washed up on our shores,\u201d says Vladimir, the hemomancer (or blood mage, for the uninitated) with a dark past. The two look at a mysterious rune formed on LeBlanc\u2019s wall of mist and shadows, and Vladimir reacts with anger: \u201cDarling, that <\/em>is a step too far. <\/em>Even for us.\u201d<\/p>\n

We weren\u2019t fully sure what \u201cthat\u201d meant until LeBlanc\u2019s new in-game update, which includes new voice lines<\/a>. If she kills a Darkin in-game, she muses: \u201cAlmost too easy. Perhaps you\u2019re not the weapon I seek after all.\u201d <\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Riot released a new cinematic that follows up \u201cBite Marks\u201d and the Demon\u2019s Hand<\/em> in-client card game<\/a> from March, and it gives us more clarity on the Black Rose\u2019s plans. A Darkin is seemingly hidden in Ionia, the first lands and another hugely popular region in League<\/em> lore.<\/p>\n

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