Lee Sin/Background

Story
As a young teen, Lee Sin was intent on becoming a summoner. His will and dedication were unmatched by any of his peers, and his skill drew the attention of Reginald Ashram, the League’s High Councilor at the time. While studying at the Arcanum Majoris, Lee Sin became frustrated with instruction paced for the other students. He spent his free time researching the nuances of summoning in hopes of graduating sooner. He made amazing advances in his arcane studies, surpassing all other students. By all indications, he would have become one of the League’s greatest summoners were it not for one terrible mistake. Too impatient, he attempted to test his ability by summoning a beast from the Plague Jungles. What he summoned instead was a young boy, but not in one piece. He barely had time to look the boy in what was once his face before the jumbled human mass fell lifeless to the floor. A League investigation later revealed that the boy’s entire village was obliterated by feedback from the ritual.

Lee Sin’s talents were so promising that the League was willing to overlook the incident, but he could never forgive himself. He left the Institute and journeyed to the Shojin Monastery for eternal repentance, swearing never to practice magic again. Years later, hoping to atone for his crime with martyrdom, he set himself ablaze as a protest of the Noxian occupation of Ionia. He remained alive in this state, enduring searing agony for weeks. His actions paved the way for a League match wherein Ionia prevailed, but by the time he was doused, his eyes had been burned completely from their sockets. Hailed as a savior, he was reborn, and his will to act invigorated. He joined the League of Legends to continue his atonement with sweat and blood, a true monk’s only possessions.

"The actions of one may sunder the world, but the diligence of many may rebuild it." –- Lee Sin

Protest of the Shojin Monk
The events leading up to the Ionia vs Noxus rematch started when Lee Sin, a monk from the Shojin Monastery, set himself on fire within the Ionian Lotus Garden. He would not allow anyone to put out the flames until the three regions of Southern Ionia were freed from Noxus' occupation. Lee Sin remained in this state of excruciating pain for over two months. After Ionia won their rematch against Noxus, he was greeted by his sister from the now liberated Southern provinces. Only then did Lee Sin allow the flames to be extinguished. Though his brethren swiftly brought the monk back to the monastery for treatment, he had already suffered the loss of his eyes due to the intense heat.

Quotes

 * Upon selection
 * "Your will, my hands."
 * Movement/attacking
 * "Extend your senses..."
 * "Find your center."
 * "I will atone."
 * "Master yourself, master the enemy."
 * "Quiet steps..."
 * "Strike firmly."
 * "Waste not a minute!"
 * "We do what we must..."
 * "Where am I needed?"
 * Taunt
 * "Force is meaningless without skill!"
 * "You have not earned victory this day!"
 * Joke
 * "Blindness is no impairment against a smelly enemy!"

Development
He was from the first 6 champions developed. Hohums has confirmed that the Blind Monk and have no relation. Guinsoo revealed Blind Monk's true name: Lee Sin Blind Monk's model was used in WCG for the spectator.

His height is similar to that of, basing upon his concept art.

It was said that he was remade into Udyr The Animal Spirit. However, Riot Game Designer Guinsoo hints that this is not the case.

It has been strongly implied that he was the burning monk during the Ionia/Noxus feud, in Issue 12 of the JoJ, stating "His brethren hastened the monk’s blistered body swiftly back to the monastery for treatment. While it was clear that he would survive, the monk had suffered the loss of his eyes, along with other severe injuries from the intense heat." These would seem to corroborate the "Mystic Meditation" icon, as well as the fact that flickers of flame can be seen in its portrait.

If this is true, it could be that Lee Sin is a reference to a real life monk who burned himself as an act of protest against the persecution of Buddhist monks during the Buddhist crisis in South Vietnam.

Ezreal has stated that the blind monk has been deconfirmed.

In Maokai's Art Spotlight, towards the end a tab is shown titled "blindmonk.psd", which could mean that artwork is being done for Lee Sin, that the Rioter's are trying to tease the Blind-Monk fanboys or that the artist in question just likes working on Blind monk for fun.

Also, in the video "Brolaf, the King of Bromacia" the name "Blind Monk" can be seen on the New Champions Board Here. This however was most likely done as a joke by the staff as in the same list there are other champions Riot has long stated to have ceased development.

April Fool's
On March 21st, 2011 Lee Sin was re-confirmed on the official League of Legends website through a Champion Sneak Peek.

On March 22nd, Riot Games released art via their youtube channel which includes.

On March 24th, the "A new champion approaches" article, official screenshots of Lee Sin can be seen. Interestingly, in the screenshots the deceased champion Urf, The Manatee, can be seen as well.

On March 28th, Lee Sin's Champion Spotlight came out but it was a troll video, furthering the conception that it wouldn't actually be released and stating that it wouldn't be released with the V1.0.0.114 patch but until April 1st.

On March 31st, Lee Sin's actual | Champion Spotlight was released, once again stating that he would be released on April 1st.

On April 1st, Lee Sin was actually released and is available to buy in the Store.

Previous abilities
Images and names extracted from the game files.

Champion Sneak Peek
Announcement made by ByronicHero on 22th March 2011 :

Last year, around this time, we were forced to say our goodbyes to a loved and cherished friend, taken from us so tragically and so senselessly before his time. On April 1st 2010, we bid farewell to Urf the Manatee. It was a trying time for all of us all, and many came forward to pour their hearts out and memorialize this noble prince among Sea Cows.

If there’s anything that the death of Urf the Manatee has taught us, it’s that people deal with grief in different ways. For instance, take this gentleman here. Lee Sin was so shaken up that he actually ran off and joined a monastery. Now he’s Lee Sin the Blind Monk. Hey, what do you mean you’ve seen him before?

On March 23rd an Art Spotlight featuring him was added to the Youtube channel of Riot showing the possible final concept art of the character.