What is the Backstory of Kayn?
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The backstory of Kayn revolves around his origins as a Noxian child soldier conscripted into the army, where he was later discovered by Master Zed, who took him under his wing and trained him in the ways of shadow magic. Kayn’s journey is deeply intertwined with his relationship with the sentient Darkin scythe, Rhaast, which he wields and whose influence slowly corrupts his body and mind, driving him towards his destiny of leading the Order of Shadow into a new era of Ionian supremacy.
Early Life and Training
Kayn’s early life was marked by turmoil and conflict, having been forced into battle as a child soldier in the Noxian empire under Boram Darkwill. It was during this time that he was discovered by Master Zed, who recognized his potential and decided to train him. Under Zed’s guidance, Kayn honed his skills in shadow magic and became a formidable fighter, eventually becoming Zed’s second-in-command in the Order of Shadows.
Relationship with Rhaast
Kayn’s relationship with Rhaast, the Darkin scythe, is central to his backstory. Rhaast, being a sentient weapon, slowly corrupts Kayn’s body and mind, seeking to eventually take over and become the dominant force. This dynamic creates an internal conflict within Kayn, as he struggles between his loyalty to the Order of Shadow and the increasing influence of Rhaast.
FAQs
1. What is Kayn’s Real Name?
Kayn’s real name is Shieda Kayn, as revealed in his lore, highlighting his identity beyond his title or role in the Order.
2. Is Kayn Evil in Lore?
While Kayn is part of Zed’s cult and engages in actions that could be considered villainous, his morality is complex and not simply evil, as he operates under a code of honor similar to Talon, the Noxian assassin.
3. Who Taught Kayn?
Master Zed took Kayn in and trained him after finding him as a battered child soldier, becoming a father figure to him and teaching him the ways of shadow magic.
4. What is the Story of Kayn and Rhaast?
The story of Kayn and Rhaast revolves around their symbiotic yet adversarial relationship, with Rhaast corrupting Kayn in pursuit of its own power and Kayn seeking to maintain control and fulfill his destiny.
5. Is Kayn Half Darkin?
Kayn can be considered semi-Darkin due to his connection with Rhaast and his gradual corruption, though the full extent of his transformation is dependent on his form and the influence Rhaast has over him.
6. How Does Kayn Get His Form?
Kayn assumes one of two forms based on whether he has dealt more damage to melee or ranged champions, with his form changing his abilities and playstyle significantly.
7. Who Can Beat Kayn?
Champions like Poppy, Ivern, Nocturne, Master Yi, Elise, Fiddlesticks, Rengar, and Maokai are known to counter Kayn effectively, with strategies often focusing on exploiting his weak early game.
8. Is Kayn Weak Early?
Yes, Kayn has a weak early game, making him vulnerable to invasions and early-game aggression from stronger champions like Nunu, Hecarim, or Udyr.
9. Does Kayn Beat Shaco?
Kayn has a roughly 49.5% win rate against Shaco in the jungle, indicating a closely contested matchup that can go either way based on player skill and strategy.
10. Who is Aatrox in Lore?
Aatrox is a powerful Darkin who was granted Ascension in ancient Shurima, becoming a member of the Ascended Host and later seeking to end all life on Runeterra to possibly end his own cursed existence.
11. Is Kayn Hard to Master?
Kayn is considered a challenging champion to master due to his unique mechanics, especially his form-switching ability, but he can be very effective in the right hands, particularly in the jungle role.
12. What is the Story of Kayn’s Lore?
Kayn’s lore involves his rise as a peerless practitioner of lethal shadow magic, his destiny to lead the Order of Shadow, and his internal conflict with Rhaast, highlighting themes of power, corruption, and the pursuit of greatness.
13. Who Killed Master Kusho?
Zed killed Master Kusho after Kusho absorbed the power of the Tears of Shadow to torment Zed, leading to a confrontation that ended in Kusho’s death.
14. Why Did Zed Betray Shen?
Zed left the Kinku order because he believed that fighting the Noxus invasion would require compromising the order’s core tenets, leading him to create his own order and become a villain in the eyes of others to preserve the balance between the mortal and spirit worlds.
15. Is Kayn Based on Any Character?
Kayn may be a reference to Ling Yao from the anime Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, given the similarity between their situations with internal, powerful entities (Rhaast for Kayn and Greed for Ling Yao) vying for control of their bodies.