Harrowing

The Harrowing is an event to commemorate Halloween festivities in the world of Valoran. It introduced a few temporary cosmetic changes to the game (items, maps), and some Limited Edition skins and runes. The event started on October 18th and culminated on October 31st, 2010. It started again next year on Octoober the 19th.

Lore
Each calendar year, the celestial bodies of Runeterra align in a particular astronomical event. This lengthy occasion -- beginning with a partial eclipse on the 18th of October and culminating in a full solar eclipse on the 31st of October -- is of one of the most significant holidays in Valoran. The alignment occurs annually around the time of the harvest, and is known as the Harrowing due to its dusky setting. For obvious reasons, the occasion is marked by superstitions surrounding the world's dark denizens, creepy crawlies, and things that generally go bump in the night.

While rural folks still believe that this is a time of great foreboding, most of Valoran has taken to commemorating the Harrowing through a bit of good, clean fun. Citizens of the city-states don monstrous costumes and exchange holiday sweets with one another as part of the revelry. Large costume parties, where patrons wear either light or dark costumes (with the intention of either warding off or confusing evil) are quite popular, and those of opposite colors are encouraged to exchange gifts with one another. However they're celebrating, all across Valoran, spirits are as high as the night is long.

As with all things Runeterran, the League is a major participant in the holiday festivities. Summoner's Rift is decked out with special lanterns to provide lighting (and a bit of atmosphere) during any scrimmages that take place during the eclipse. Minions are also decked out to honor the occasion, and even some champions choose to join in the merrymaking, donning costumes before they take to the battlefield. Additionally, the alchemists of the Institute of War brew special holiday concoctions, and the rune forges produce special runes for summoners who display valor during this time.

Champion Skins
Some limited edition champion skins were released for a few League favorites who were really in the spirit this Harrowing!
 * 2010 Harrowing


 * 2011 Harrowing

Features

 * Limited edition Holiday Runes
 * Some sinfully sweet editions of your favorite in-game consumables
 * Frighteningly festive costumes for your minions
 * A sinister overhaul of Summoner's Rift featuring a more nocturnal motif
 * A terrifying new login to get you in the mood

Runes
5 special holiday runes were released and they were only available from October 18 to 31. All of them were Tier 2.5 Quintessences:
 * QuintessenceofthePiercingScreech.pngessence of the Piercing Screech (Tier 2.5, +1.75 Magic Penetration)
 * QuintessenceofBountifulTreats.pngessence of Bountiful Treats (Tier 2.5, +24 Health)
 * QuintessenceoftheSpeedySpecter.pngessence of the Speedy Specter (Tier 2.5, +1.39% Movement Speed)
 * QuintessenceoftheElusiveWerewolf.pngessence of the Elusive Werewolf (Tier 2.5, +1.39% Dodge)
 * QuintessenceoftheWitchesBrew.pngessence of the Witches Brew (Tier 2.5, +4.56 Ability Power)
 * QuintessenceofUnknown.pngessence of the Headless Horseman (Tier 2.5, +3.08 Armor Penetration)

Items
Some items received a new temporary icon to celebrate the festivities:
 * (replacing the )
 * (replacing the )
 * (replacing the )
 * (replacing the )
 * (replacing the )
 * (replacing the )
 * (replacing the )

Map
The Summoner's Rift was replaced with a seasonal variant that includes many Harrowing holiday elements. It also contains Easter Eggs:
 * To the right of the blue team's top tower is a blue slab surrounded by green smoke. 's Ghost (complete with name and description) will appear when a Champion stands near the gravestone.
 * Bringing over in the Urf skin prompts Urf's Ghost to throw his spatula at Warwick and shake his head, as seen here
 * The extreme lower right has 3 coffins, containing the rumoured heroes Averdrian, Plant King, and the . This could be interpreted as a "nail-in-the-coffin" confirming their cancellation.