League of Legends Wiki

Want to contribute to this wiki?
Sign up for an account, and get started!
You can even turn off ads in your preferences.

Come join the LoL Wiki community Discord server!

READ MORE

League of Legends Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Image
Irelia OriginalSkin
Irelia
Irelia (Universe)Irelia (Universe)
Irelia (League of Legends)Irelia (League of Legends)
Irelia (Esports)Irelia (Esports)
Irelia (Teamfight Tactics)Irelia (Teamfight Tactics)
Irelia (Legends of Runeterra)Irelia (Legends of Runeterra)
Irelia (Wild Rift)Irelia (Wild Rift)
Irelia (Development)Irelia (Development)
Irelia (Trivia)Irelia (Trivia)

Irelia Update Teaser 01

The Noxus Crest icon Noxian occupation of Ionia Crest icon Ionia produced many heroes, none more unlikely than young Irelia Irelia of Navori. Trained in the ancient dances of her province, she adapted her art for war, using the graceful and carefully practised movements to levitate a host of deadly blades. After proving herself as a fighter, she was thrust into the role of resistance leader and figurehead, and to this day remains dedicated to the preservation of her homeland.


IreliaSquare"There was a time when I danced only for myself. Now, I dance for the First Lands."  Irelia
Separator
Read Biography

Background[]

Early life[]

When she was young, she was fascinated by the grace and beauty of human movement. Under her grandmother’s tutelage, she learned the traditional silk dances of her province—though she was dubious of their supposedly mystical connection to the Spirit of Ionia, Irelia’s love for the dances was real. Seeking to master the art, she eventually left home to study with some of Ionia’s most respected performers at the Placidium of Navori.

Irelia’s people were peaceful and sought harmony with their neighbors, but rumors of foreign invaders sighted off the coast unsettled many at the Placidium. Irelia returned to her village to find it already occupied, with steel-helmed soldiers from distant Noxus shoving unarmed civilians through the streets with the butts of their spears. The Noxian Admiral Duqal had seized the Xan home to quarter his fleet officers.

Irelia’s brothers and her father Lito had evidently protested; her entire family now lay in unmarked graves, in the gardens.

Ravaged by grief, the young girl saw Duqal’s men hauling valuables from the house. Among the loot was a large metal crest, depicting the Xan family emblem. Irelia raced to it, wrenching it from Noxian hands. The admiral himself hurled her to the ground, and had his warriors shatter the crest with a heavy iron maul, before ordering them to dig a fresh grave for this upstart child.

As they surrounded her, Irelia averted her eyes, looking to the pieces of the Xan crest scattered on the ground. From deep within her soul, she felt a strange rhythm begin to beat. The shards of metal began to twitch, to twist, moving seemingly on their own, and Irelia felt the serene joy of the ancient dances once more...

With a sweep of her arm, she sent the pieces flying like ragged blades, cutting clean through two of the Noxians. As Duqal and his officers reeled in shock, Irelia snatched up the shards of her crest, and fled the village.

In the quiet forests beyond, Irelia mourned her family, and thought back to her grandmother’s teachings. She realized that the techniques she had learned were more than mere dances—they were a powerful expression of something far greater.

The Noxian occupation soon began to test the fragile peace of the First Lands. It was said that even the religious leader Karma had been forced to strike back at the invaders with deadly magic, though her followers had now withdrawn to the Lasting Altar and would not condone any further violence. Across Navori, dissenting voices began to band together. A resistance was forming, one that would not rest until Ionia was free once more. Irelia joined their ranks, performing her cherished dances for them in the woodland camps, to preserve some vestige of their vanishing culture.

She was barely fourteen years old when she found herself back at the Placidium. Her band of resistance fighters joined the militia who had sworn to guard the monasteries and wild, sacred gardens.

But Noxus knew only too well what this place represented. A particularly cunning general named Jericho Swain captured the Placidium and took its defenders hostage, hoping to lure the inevitable reinforcements into a trap.

It was in this moment that Irelia rose to meet her destiny. Freed from her bonds, she unleashed the full potential of her ancient blade dance, lashing out with graceful zeal. A dozen of Swain’s veterans fell, sowing chaos in their ranks as the other captives joined her, before she struck down the general himself—the sight of this rebellious girl hefting his severed arm over her head would be the turning point of the war.

This victory, the Great Stand at Navori, ensured that everyone in Ionia knew the name of Xan Irelia, and looked to her for leadership. Reluctantly, she led the growing resistance for almost three years of grueling battle before her triumph at Dalu Bay. There, she finally cornered the defeated Admiral Duqal, and exacted the vengeance she had sought for so long.

Though the war has long since ended, Ionia has been permanently changed by it. The First Lands are now divided, with rival factions fighting each other almost as bitterly as they did the Noxians. Many continue to look to Irelia for answers but, while others might welcome such power, Irelia remains uneasy with it.

At heart, she still yearns only to dance alone.

Rise of the Sentinels[]

When the sentinels arrived in Ionia they found Irelia, she was reluctant with the strangers and appeared willing to face them, especially after seeing Riven among them.

Appearance[]

Irelia is a slender, pale-skinned woman with long dark hair up to the hips and sea green eyes . Her robes are a mix of elegant robes and battle attire with a distinctive palette of red, pink, black and silver. The most characteristic ornaments of her attire are the silver diadem on her head. She also has several LoR Non-Champion Non-Spell Indicator1 silver blades that float around it.

Personality[]

Irelia is a passionate, protective and very fond of dance individual who dedicates herself to the protection of Ionia. She believes that brute force is needed to properly defend Ionia from the likes of Noxus, hence why she considers alliances with Zed and his shadow assassins due to their similar beliefs. She also demonstrates a kind and caring persona to those close to her, such as the Blossoming Blade, whom she has a soft spot for.

Despite her uptight and serious demeanour, however, Irelia also displays a level of sarcasm at her opponents, evidenced by her comments on Garen's fighting technique and his habit of yelling his country's name in battle.

Abilities[]

  • Spiritualist: Irelia has a deep connection to the Spirit Realm, created through meditation and spiritual pratices, allowing her to sense the influences of the Spirit Realm, and use it's magic for several purposes. Irelia has nurtured that connection with the pratice of the dancing arts of her people.
    • Blade Silk Dance: Irelia has been trained in the tradicional dances of her people. More than simple exercises of artistic expression, these dances connect the dancer to the Spirit Realm, allowing it's power to flow through them.
      • Telekinesis: By dancing, Irelia can levitate her Crests Blades through dancing to use them in combat. It's unknown if she levitate objects without dancing, or levitate other objects besides her Blades.

Relations[]

Swain Swain[]

Irelia cut off Swain's Swain's arm which resulted in him contacting and taming a demon of secrets named Raum and then become the Grand General of Noxus, for such reason he is somewhat grateful for her action.

Riven Riven[]

Irelia was heavily antagonistic towards Riven Riven, due to her past actions during the Noxian Invasion, but grew to respect her during their time together as Sentinels of Light.

Sona Sona[]

Sona's Sona's in-game voice lines suggest she and Irelia met at some point when she returned to Ionia.

Ionia Crest icon Ionians[]

The Ionia Crest icon Ionian resistance led by Irelia in the war was later sprung into different groups with different ideologies, including the Navori Brotherhood and the Navovi Militia. The Brotherhood in particular became more aggressive when she wasn't the hardcore leader they needed and has tried to kill her multiple times.[1]

Irelia dislikes those with more pacifist attitude like Karma Karma and Ivern Ivern or those who do not protect their homeland like the Kinkou Order since in her belief it would only lead to the fall of Ionia. She may also be willing to side with Ionian extremists like Zed Zed, his order and even the Navori Brotherhood if necessary despite not approving their method.[2]

Liana[]

As told in Legends of Runeterra icon Legends of Runeterra, her resistance force include peasants of Ionia, musicians and dancers. Among those, Irelia appears to have the most intimate relationship with LoR Non-Champion Non-Spell Indicator5 Liana.

Read More

Biography

Irelia OriginalCentered
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Biography

The Blade Dancer

By John O'Bryan

Starring Champion

Camille Jhin Awaken
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Music Video

Awaken

By Numerous creators

A deadly masterpiece unfolds. A lone resistance made whole. A chance to come alive.

Sentinels of Light Promo 01
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Game

Rise of the Sentinels

By John O'Bryan

Black Mist pours across Runeterra, enthralling its champions and shrouding the continent in darkness. If the last Sentinels are going to save Runeterra, they're going to need all the help they can get. And that means you Rookie!

Irelia lore 01
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Short Story • 5 Minute Read

Stains on a Name

By John O'Bryan

I believed in you, Blade Dancer!' the man choked, his lips frothing red. 'You showed us the path…'

Steadfast Heart 4 Cover 01
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Comic

Steadfast Heart: Issue 4

By Ian St. Martin

Tension brews as the Sentinels recruit more allies and prepare to take on the Ruined King. Can this motley crew win this fight?

Steadfast Heart 6 Cover 01
EditImageReference

Shadow Isles Crest icon

Comic

Steadfast Heart: Issue 6

By Ian St. Martin

The final showdown between Light and Darkness - the fate of Runeterra lies in the balance!

Irelia Update Promo 01
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Video

The Defiant Blade

A decade after the Battle of the Placidium, Ionia honors the young woman who inspired a revolution.

Mentioned Champion

Zilean Guardians of the Ancient
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Video

Guardians of the Ancient (Video)

Runeterra is in turmoil! Noxian warships set sail for Ionia’s shores. But all is not lost. Heroes will rise. Fates will change.

Noxus A State Of Perpetual Conflict
EditImageReference

Noxus Crest icon

Short Story • 17 Minute Read

The Principles of Strength

By Anthony Reynolds Lenné

My name is Alyssa Roshka Gloriana val-Lokan. For almost two millennia, my ancestors ruled the Delverhold as kings.

Alternate Universes

PROJECT Outsiders
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Video

Outsiders

A band of cybernetic castoffs plans to infiltrate The City to destroy the entity that created—and then abandoned—them: the PROJECT Corporation.

Worlds Phoenix
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Music Video

Phoenix

By Numerous creators

Destroy your doubt, face the future.

Irelia TheBladeDancer 2 Cover 1
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Comic

The Blade Dancer: Issue 2

By Gronoc

Irelia TheBladeDancer 3 Cover 1
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Comic

The Blade Dancer: Issue 3

By Gronoc

Irelia TheBladeDancer 4 Cover 1
EditImageReference

Ionia Crest icon

Comic

The Blade Dancer: Issue 4

By Gronoc

The Blade-Dancing Immortal Cover
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Comic

The Blade-Dancing Immortal

By Numerous creators

Soul Fighter WR Promo 01
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Game

Tournament of Souls: Wild Rift Edition

By Kristina Atanasoski

Be careful what you wish for—and what you fight for. Draven entered the Tournament of Souls to make a name for himself, but when the results don't live up to expectations, it's time for some quiet introspection. ...Aww, who are we kidding?! It's time to double down and carve through the competition! Join Draven on his winding path to glory in the League of Legends: Wild Rift's Soul Fighter Event!

Samira Viego Coming Alive
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Music Video

Coming Alive

By Numerous Creators

In the fight of a lifetime, you may get knocked down. But never knocked out.

Immortal Journey Cinematic Soraka
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Video

Immortal Journey Cinematic

The Heist Promo 02
EditImageReference

Piltover Crest icon

Short Story

The Heist

By Riot Paradox

Worlds Worlds Collide
EditImageReference

Runeterra Crest icon

Music Video

Worlds Collide

By Numerous creators

Two teams have risen above their peers. Ten warriors have laid claim to the Summoner’s Cup. Five champions will etch their names in history.

Trivia[]

  • Irelia is the feminine version of obscure Latin name Irelius , possibly diminutive of ira "wrath".
Irelia, the Blade Dancer Irelia, the Blade Dancer
  • Irelia mentions and names her entire family, whom were slaughtered during the Noxian invasion. This being her mother, father Lito, O-ma (Grandmother) and her siblings Zelos, Kye, Ohn and Ruu.
    • Kai is a common Navorian name with many variants, so Irelia's deceased brother Kye is not the same Kai Kai living within Varus Varus.[3]
  • The blades that she wield come from a prized emblem of her household that was smashed by Noxian soldiers. Now, after all the events of the war and everything she's done, it is also the symbol for an Ionia that will not bow. It's become her medal/Mantle of Decorum, but is also her weapon.[4]
  • Irelia is 24 years old.
    • Young Irelia was just 14 years old when a Noxian Warhost lead by none other than General Swain General Swain, successfully attacked and captured the Placidium of Navori. Swain intended to use the captive villagers to lure Ionian reinforcements into his laid-out ambush, yet Irelia broke free & counter-attacked, killing Swain's veterans & dignitaries as well as severing his left arm, scoring, against overwhelming odds, a strategic victory that'd ultimately turn the tide against Noxian invaders.
  • Irelia's favourite soup is pickled lotus.
Irelia, the Will of the Blades Irelia, the Will of the Blades
  • When Noxus Noxus invaded Ionia Ionia it was Soraka Soraka who saved Irelia from the brink of death.
    • As a result, Irelia awakened her ability to control her father Master Lito's blade.
  • Rick 'ricklessabandon' Maher once described Irelia as a Lich and her blade as her Phylactery.
    • According to this, Soraka Soraka bound Irelia's soul to her blade, meaning Irelia would die for good if her blades were destroyed.
  • The Art of Hiten was a blade style developed by the famed swordsman Master Lito. His art was a highly guarded secret, but it was said that swords would breathe in his grasp. When Master Lito died, his daughter inherited the Hiten style. Irelia has since taken the art form to new heights as she is capable of telekinetically commanding multiple blades.
  • Irelia wore a "Mantle of Decorum" on her back, which is the highest decoration an Ionian can receive (Karma Karma has one).

Change log[]

Character blurb
Added.

References[]

See also[]

Advertisement