| “ | ▶️ "Gods do not need followers. Followers need gods." |
—  Ornn
| |
 |
The Spirit Gods are a race of powerful spirits who represent whole cultures, ideas and civilizations. Their strength depends on the amount of people worshipping them. They exist in multiple locations and have multiple depictions depending on where they are worshipped.
Lore[]
Spirit God Champions[]
Other Spirit Gods[]
-
Nagakabouros is the spirit of life, growth and motion, her race has been confirmed to be a Spirit God.[1] Some believe that this goddess is a Kraken-adjacent creature that roams the depths of the seas around Bilgewater. Even the Buhru, the ones who worship this goddess, don't know nor care about her species. - Ildhaurg also known as "The Iron Boar," was one of the only Demi-Gods to take Valhir's side in his conflict with Lissandra. He was heavily worshipped by Tryndamere's tribe and is one of the many Freljordian Demi-Gods channeled by Udyr.
- The Seal Sister, a Freljordian Demi-God that appeared to Udyr as an old woman with a large coat. After their strange encounter, she seemingly granted him her blessing in channeling the Spirit Gods of the Freljord.
- Hestrelk, also known as "Haestryr" was originally a powerful demigod, but with the waning worship of the Old Gods, many demigods had lost their identities and become distorted shadows of who they once were. It now roams the Freljord as Aurora's spirit friend.
Related champions[]
- Ashe potentially encountered Anivia on her journey when searching for Avarosa's Throne.
- Braum wields a door made by Ornn.
- Illaoi worships the Spirit God Nagakabouros.
- Ivern the Cruel was a worshiper of the most warlike Freljordian Spirit-Gods, including The Volibear.
- Karthus was fascinated by the Kindred's tally-men as a child in Noxus.
- Lissandra had encounters with the Spirit-Gods of the Freljord in the distant past, attempting to control their wild magic and being blinded by the Volibear. She currently has a bitter conflict with the Spirit-Gods in her attempt to deify the Three Sisters.
- Nilah has slain a Camavoran spirit god named Nabavelicus.[2]
- Nunu's tribe, the Notai, were followers of Anivia.
- Tryndamere's tribe prayed to a Freljordian Spirit-God named "The Iron Boar". They once mistook the Darkin Aatrox as their god in physical form.
- Udyr had encountered the Volibear's worshipers and is capable of communing and taking the form of the many Spirit-Gods of the Freljord.
History[]
Origins[]
- Main article: The Lost Tales of OrnnThe most ancient stories about the Spirit Gods tell that they participated in the very creation of Runeterra. According to Freljordian tales, Ornn would battle the earth itself and form the mountainous regions of the Freljord. After accidently setting his first home ablaze, he built the legendary Hearth-Home inside a mountain to prevent it from burning. His new home however was to hot. So he dug a trench to the sea, and the Seal Sister allowed cold waters to rush through the trench and cool the Hearth-Home. Great plumes of steam rose up. It took three days for the mountain to cool enough for Ornn. In that time, the ocean that fed the river dipped several inches. So much steam had risen from the waters that the perpetual blue sky was mottled with darkening gray clouds. As these new puffy forms gathered and cooled, they grew heavier and heavier until they burst with snow. It snowed for a hundred years, being the primary reason why the land later called the Freljord is covered in snow to this day. Later Ornn would give fire to humans.
The Blue Bird of Oshra Va'Zaun[]
Janna protecting the people of Zaun.
- Main article: Janna
The seafaring people of the port city of 
Oshra Va'Zaun were depended on calm seas for the trade ships that traveled through. Statues and shrines were raised in gratitude of their goddess, Jan'ahrem, a great wind spirit, who guarded the people of Oshra Va'Zaun from foul weather at sea. Even after the Shuriman empire enveloped the city, these displays of devotion continued for a time.
Only when the emperor of 
Shurima issued decrees suppressing “false idols”, were Janna's statues torn down and worship of her forbidden. Despite the growing worship of the God-Warriors, many still offered quiet prayers to Janna, as only she could protect their ships from thunderous storms.
After the fall of Shurima, once verdant lands became a desert as the remaining God-Warriors brought war and chaos. Janna, unbeknownst to the city, now known as 
Zaun, shielded them from the turmoil. As the city's ambition grew, however, humans became more focused on opening a canal that would unite the seas surrounding Valoran and Shurima. Because of this, prayers for Janna diminshed and so, her power waned.
On one cataclysmic day, entire districts on the River Pilt collapsed below the western sea level, caused by the canal's excavation making great portions of Zaun unstable.
Thousands of Zaunites suddenly found themselves fighting for their lives against the clashing currents. As they faced their doom, they called out to their protector.
Because of the rise of 
Piltover and the ongoing struggles of modern Zaun, Janna's faithful wear bluebird medallions and show reverence to the winds.
Physiology[]
The physical appearance of spirit gods can take different forms (which may exist simultaneously) depending on the culture of the local inhabitants across Runeterra. Each form however does still connect to the same source energy.
Unlike common spirits, who embody things like water and trees, Spirit Gods embody ideas created around the environment across multiple civilizations. Stories about them are used to explain certain natural phenomena, as the snowfall of Freljord or safe passage through thunderstorms by a seafaring civilization.
They harbor immense power that dependent on their followers. So, they will disappear if their followers are killed or stopped believing in them.
Spirit Gods of Death[]
2 Mask Mother bestowing a death mask.
Death visits all who perish within Runeterra, though they are most at home in spaces between the end of life and the afterlife, where they may serve as guides to the hereafter.[3]
The realm of death is built from the beliefs of Runeterrans, its landscape shifts across different cultures according to their beliefs. For many, the flow of air and water signify the inexorable movement of time and mortality.[4]
| Spirit Gods of Death | Description |
|---|---|
| 2 Mask Mother
|
The Mask Mother is said to be a primordial being who incepted the notion of gods of death on Runeterra, being a creator of these figures rather than a god of death. The story is purposely left with some ambiguity.[5] |
 Kindred
|
As death is a common thing among all humans, Kindred is worshipped the most, although in different manners depending again on the culture that worships them. The one consistency seen insofar is their dual nature - they are represented by two beings, often a more anthropomorphic Lamb, equipped with her bow, and a Wolf, equipped with only his teeth and a more incorporeal form. Lamb represents a swift and painless death, while Wolf represents a painful hunt, a chase, fighting until the end towards an inevitable end.
|
| 6 The Etherfiend
|
The Etherfiend is a representation of a second death - being forgotten.[6]
Representations (like the Spirit Gods) can't die, but they can be forgotten, and when they are, they're taken beyond by the Etherfiend. This is why the |
| 2 Fading Icon
|
Fading Icon was conceived as a Shuriman god of death who was known to the Baccai, that they slowly began to forget when they were cursed with (what is functionally) immortality.[7]
|
| 1 The Wings and The Wave
|
The  Kinkou speak of only two gods: the 1 first wave, who cradles life in its warm waters, and the 1 last wind, who snatches life with its final, frigid sighs.
|
| 4 Astral Fox
|
A handful of Targonian tribes speak of the Fox, a god of death seen as a lone star in the night sky. As the legend goes, the Fox descends upon the mountain with each death, and takes the soul to the skies to create his own dark constellation. |
| 3 Soulspinner
|
Soulspinner was conceived as a representation of death for  Elise's house.[8]
|
Spirit Gods of the Freljord[]
Udyr manifesting Spirit Gods as stances.
| “ | "The Spirits shape our world just as we and our world shapes the Spirits. By drawing power from them we take power from within ourselves." |
| — Udyr
| |
|
Because the inhabitants of 
Freljord mostly consist of tribal nomads, a lot of their Spirit Gods[9] are depicted as primal, anthropomorphic animals. Each one of them represents one or multiple phenomena or ideas.[10][11] Known also as the Old Gods, they have many abilities, such as: immunity to cold/heat, elemental magic, possible ability to create True Ice, spirit-walking, shapechanging and more.[12]
During the time of the Three Sisters, some demi-gods, like 
Anivia, were willing to work with humans to unite the land. Others, like 
Volibear and the Iron Boar, were hostile to humans, believing that the gods should rule the Freljord. Most however ignore humans completely, since they would eventually die like all before them. Later on, due to 
Lissandra's efforts, the demigods were slowly forgotten and faded away for thousands of years until recently as a time of great changes is coming.
| Spirit God of the Freljord | Description |
|---|---|
| Anivia (Ysjarn)
|
Known as the Undying Eagle that depicts the Ice, Wind, Snow, Everwinter, Freedom, and Hope. While not as hostile to humans such as some spirit gods, Anivia is the guardian of the Freljord and would protect it from anyone who dares disturb her homeland (often being the  Frostguard). The Notai tribe worship her and follow her migration patterns to escape winter. She controls ice and when her spirit is summoned by by shamans she is able to imbue them with the same elemental abilities.
|
| Ornn (Ramhaurg)
|
Known as the Great Ram, Ornn depicts the Forge and the Hearth. One of the more civilized Freljordian spirit gods, Ornn aided early Freljordians in the construction of numerous structures, including the bridges of the Howling Abyss. He controls fire and magma and when his  3 spirit is summoned by shamans he is able to imbue them with the same elemental abilities.
|
| Volibear (Valhir)
|
Known as the Great Bear, Volibear depicts the Storm and the Wilds. One of the more primal Freljordian spirit gods, Volibear has been hostile to humans and everyone who dares to tame the wilds. He controls lightning and when his 3 spirit is summoned by shamans he is able to imbue them with the same elemental abilities. The shamans that follow him are the  Ursine.
|
 Ildhaurg
|
Known as the Iron Boar, Wrath of the Freljord, and Warden of Sacrifice. They control iron and when their 3 spirit is summoned by shamans they is able to imbue them with the same elemental abilities.
|
 Rhond
|
Known as the Magma Serpent, Rhond fought against the Volibear and was slain, with his blood forming the rivers and ridges of the Freljord and his body forming the Wyrmback Mountains.
|
 Hestrelk (Haestryr)
|
Known originally a powerful demigod. The waning worship of the Old Gods, caused it to lose its identity and become a distorted shadow of who it once was. It now roams the Freljord as  Aurora's spirit friend.
|
| 3 Vinhaurg
|
Known as the Alpha Claw. Their spirit when summoned by shamans is able to imbue them with their ferocity and swiftness. |
| Elk of Bones | Few scry the future as well as the 2 shamans serving the Elk of Bones. Fewer still can stomach seeing the looming death of any who come seeking their foresight.
|
| Fox | The Wandering Fox depicts eagerness, cautious, quickness and quiet. Most 2 followers of the fox are pathfinders and scouts for other tribes.
|
| Lynx | This spirit God is also known as the Clever Lynx, which spirit shamans can summon and wield their abilities. |
| Mammoth | The great mammoth spirit depicts protection, strength, and unity. The 6 shamans of the spirit call not just upon their spirit's physical strength but also upon the strength of unity with which it protects its family.
|
| Murkwolf | Known also as The  Wolf, 4 shamans who follow this spirit god are ferocious and crave a violent death.
|
| Owl | A spirit god closely associate with divination. 2 shamans who summon the spirits power are able to read the stars for possible future events.
|
| Raven | Known also as the Two-Headed Raven, when summoned by  5shamans their are depicted as two separate ravens.
|
 Seal Sister
|
Known as the Seal Sister, she is associated with healing and burial rituals.[13] It's stated that her true name is long forgotten, and rumored that sailors revere her by rubbing blubber on their faces to protect from the icy winds of the sea. One mythological tale told by the Freljordians states that she had a hand in the origin of the Freljord's snowy landscape, in a myth about Ornn forging his Hearth Home where she allowed water to rush through, creating so much steam that eventually formed into snow.[14]
|
| Walrus | 2 Shamans of great walrus herald and portend the sea's bounty and its dangers with the Dance of Tusks.
|
Spirit Gods of Ionia[]
Lee Sin manifesting the Dragon's Spirit for his fighting techniques.
| “ | ▶️ "You rule the forests Sai'nen, as it rules you." |
—  Ahri towards 7 Sai'nen
| |
|
Spirit Gods that originate from Ionia are tied to nature and are often seen as the guardians of Ionia's forests, including its Spirit Trees, which are venerated in a similar fashion.
| Spirit God of Ionia | Description |
|---|---|
Spirit of Death  The Taker
|
In Ionia, the Kindred are often seen as a snake and a sparrow. Some Ionians also imagine them as the Taker, represented as a little girl and her beastly companion.
|
| Spirit of Ionia | The primal spirit that represents the people, the land, and the nature of the First Lands. It is not confirmed that the Spirit of Ionia is a Spirit God, but it has some of the hallmarks of one. |
 Spirit of the Dragon
|
A primal spirit worshiped and channeled by the monks of the  Shojin Order. It is not confirmed that The Dragon is a Spirit God, but it has some of the hallmarks of one.
|
| 1 The Wings and The Wave
|
The Kinkou speak of only two gods: the 1 first wave, who cradles life in its warm waters, and the 1 last wind, who snatches life with its final, frigid sighs.
|
- Spirit from Ionian Folklore
Ionian folklore is rich with many stories of benevolent or trickster spirits, jealous demons, and tragic characters. These spirits have interacted with mortals during the 
Spirit Blossom festival, when the veil between the Spirit Realm and Physical Realm are thin. Some of these spirits related to the festival are even known beyond Ionia (e.g. Spirit Blossom Kindred is the same Kindred with an Ionian interpretation), however, it is unclear just how many of these most of these spirits are worshiped or venerated enough to be classified as spirit gods.
| Folklore Spirits of Ionia | Description |
|---|---|
 Spirit of Despair
|
A brave warrior from an ancient land, they were ignobly cut down in the heat of battle thousands of years ago, their sword shattering in the process. Unable to find peace, they obsessively scours an otherworldly battlefield for pieces of her broken blade, possessed by a horrific darkness that guides them into oblivion. |
 Spirit of Fear
|
Known also as the Fiddlesticks, this primal spirit threatens the Ionian countryside during times of strife. |
 Spirit of Hate
|
Known also as Tsetsegua, they came from a lost clan of monster hunters, annihilated to the last when the primordial demon of pain chanced upon their hidden village. Unable to let go, and doomed to her own obsessions for eternity, she hunts the creature without end, always unable to catch it. |
 Spirit of Heroism
|
Long ago, two brothers fought a bitter war across Ionia. The younger brother was a warlord renowned for his roguish demeanor until he was accused of crimes against the country and took up arms to defend himself. Both were fated to fall in their final duel. |
 Spirit of Loss
|
A shy fawn spirit, they once served as the guardian of a sacred Ionian forest until their grove was destroyed and cast into flame. Consumed by loss, they now slumbers in the spirit realm, reliving the destruction in an unending nightmare unaware of the timid hope still waiting to bloom. |
 Spirit of Nature
|
A child of the forest also known as the Trickster, they are famed across Ionia as the embodiment of nature, though his more onerous accolade is the king of pranks. A consummate gadfly and lover of all things annoying, they exploit in tricking mortals have graced the pages of Ionian history for hundreds of years. |
 Spirit of Obsession
|
Known also as the Collector, the demon delight in tormenting the spirits of those they deems as flawed, but blossoming with potential. They haunt the spiritual afterlife as a supreme collector of souls, tempting the dead away from their path to salvation until they are trapped for eternity within their own memories. It is this demon that influences  Yone.
|
| Spirit of Pain | A demon that attacked the village of Tsetsegua. |
 Spirit of Reflection
|
Long ago, two brothers fought a bitter war across Ionia. The older brother was a warlord renowned for his adherence to honor and duty. He fought to defend the country against those who would break its rites and rituals - until he was forced to confront his own brother for his crimes. Both were fated to fall in their final duel. |
| Spirit of the Bloom | Spirit connected to nurturing flowers and plant nature. |
 Spirit of Salvation
|
Known also as the Gatekeeper, it is the fox all mortals are beckoned towards when their souls arrive to the spirit realm. |
 Spirit of Temptation
|
Rumored to have once been a beautiful princess, legend says she vanished into the mountains when her sister staged a coup, never to return. |
Spirit Gods of Shurima[]
Not much is known about Shuriman Spirit Gods, due to most records of their existence were purged out over the centuries by the rising power of the God-Warriors, ascended beings of once mortal bodies which desired to be worshiped as the new deities of the empire. Some spirit deity worships managed to survive the religious purge and persecution after the fall of Shurima and the end of the Darkin War.
| Spirit God of Shurima | Description |
|---|---|
| Janna
|
Known as the Bluebird of the Sea that depicts the Wind, Safe Seafaring, Change, Wisdom, and Harmony. Known in ancient Shurima as Jannah'rem, she was the matron goddess of the ancient port city of Oshra Va'Zaun, who guarded the people against foul weather at sea. Even after centuries of destruction and rebuild of the city, the worship of Janna persisted. With the tragedy of the river Pilt, Janna answers the prayers of those in need. Most Zaunite worshipers pray to Janna to bring them fresh air as well as to remove the air pollution that's suffocating the undercity.
|
| 2 Fading Icon
|
Fading Icon was conceived as a Shuriman god of death who was known to the Baccai, that they slowly began to forget when they were cursed with (what is functionally) immortality.[7]
|
Spirit Gods of the Serpent Isles[]
The Serpent Isles have a rich history with spirits, with 
Nagakabouros having a significant presence that has shaped the Isles many cultures for centuries.
| Spirit God of the Serpent Isles | Description |
|---|---|
| Nagakabouros
|
Known as the Mother Serpent that depicts the Ocean, Life, and Motion. She is the main goddess the Buhru culture and her religion was largely popularized on Bilgewater Bay thanks to the efforts of  Illaoi.
|
Trivia[]
- It's possible that the deity venerate by the Buhru, described in Ruination (Novel) as a "crab the size of an island, with a vast volcano upon its back" could also be a Spirit God. The Buhru believe it to be responsible for the creation of the Serpent Isles.
- Similarly the deity described as "woman with flaming hair who stood upon the backs of a pair of flying sharks" could also be a Spirit God.
Media[]
- Related Music
- Related Videos
See Also[]
- A Good Death
- Deep Breath
- Silence for the Damned
- A Good Day
- Stormbringer
- The Dream Thief
- The Lost Tales of Ornn
- The Path, An Ionian Myth
- The Path to Hearth-Home
- The Voice from the Hearth
References
- ↑ Nagakabouros is a Spirit God
- ↑ Nabavelicus was a spiritual god
- ↑ Death gods ' lore on twitter part 1
- ↑ Death gods' lore on twitter part 2
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Riot_fizzNchips/status/1374234350720491522
- ↑ The Ehterfiend's pitch
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Fading Icon's pitch
- ↑ Soulspinner's pitch
- ↑ Demi-Gods are Spirit Gods
- ↑ Silence for the Damned
- ↑ A Good Day
- ↑ Laurie Goulding on Old God abilities - Twitter
- ↑ From the Ashes
- ↑ The Lost Tales of Ornn
Sapient Species| Main Sapient Species |
Ascended · Brackern · Celestial · Dragon · Golem · Human · Minotaur · Spirit · Titan† · Troll · Undead · Vastaya · Vastayashai'rei† · Voidborn · Watcher · Yeti | |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Sapient Species |
Azurite Eagle · Bubble Bear · Cat · Chirean · Coral Creature · Dredge Dredger · Fish Folk · Molediver · Pengu · Plague Rat · Poro · Shellshocker · Squill · Vellox · Whump | |
| Sapient Sub-Species | ||
| Ascended |
Aspect Host · Baccai · Darkin · God-Warrior | |
| Celestial | ||
| Dragon | ||
| Golem | ||
| Spirit |
Demon · Faerie · Fae Fawn · Luonn Kon · Naga · Nixie · Spirit God · Treant · Yordle | |
| Undead | ||
| Vastaya |
Besheb · Canghapi · Chyra · Fauhwoon · Juloah · Lhotlan · Khonlui · Kepthalla · Kiilash · Makara · Marai · Ophelis · Ottrani · Oovi-Kat · Raylu · Shimon · Skard · Sodjoko · Strig · Vesani · Vlotah | |
Sentient Species
Non-Sentient Species| Non-Sentient Species |
Blast Cone · Blue Stargazer · Calasa · Cavernberry · Citrus · Daisy · Duskpetal · Freljordian Grain · Grass · Honeyfruit · Kiwa · Lilie · Lotus · Medicila Elasticas · Mushroom · Naap · Night-Blooming Zychid · Nightbloom · Nirpooti · Parethan Corpse Tulip · Pearl of the Moon · Petricite Tree · Poppy · Raikkon Berry · Rose · Scryer's Bloom · Serpentleaf · Spirit · Sun Apple Tree · Tola Vine · Vlonqo Flower · Xaolan Tree | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Sentient Sub-Species | ||
| Citrus |
Bilge Bitter · Demacian Tangor · Ionian Citrus Fruit · Noxian Orange · Piltover Shaddock · Shadow Citrus | |
| Lilie | ||
| Mushroom | ||
| Spirit | ||
Alternate Universe Only Species| Sentient Species |
Bantha · Chicken · Firelight · Forest Chameleon · Manatee · Porowl · Yonkeies · Unnamed Species |
|---|
Other Species| Mentioned Species |
These species were only mentioned, but were never elaborated on. |
|---|---|
| Species Alterations |
These alterations are characteristics that multiple different species can have. |