Karthus/Trivia

General

• Death Defied is one of only three abilities that allow their casters to continue attacking after death, the others being Icathian Surprise and Glory in Death.
• Requiem was likely named after Requiem Mass referencing Karthus' singing for/about the dead.
• A glass case reading 'Press R to Win' can be seen in the game's Mac Version launch trailer.
• Before 2016 Karthus had been disabled for every single Ultra Rapid Fire edition (most likely to prevent 'Spam R to Win' abuse cases)
• Karthus' vocals in Smite and Ignite are provided by ZP Theart ('Deathfire Grasp' and 'Last Whisper') and by Jørn Lande (the rest).
• His name combines Germanic *Karilaz "young man", Brythonic Celtic *Arth & Latin Ursus, both meaning "bear".
  • His design seems to have been influenced by Kel'Thuzad from Warcraft.[1]

Quotes

Original Karthus

• " It will turn their mantles to shrouds" is a double entendre.
• "I am become death" references J. Robert Oppenheimer misquoting the Bhagavad Gita.
• "What's the incantation again... yes, erm... oh, right, R!" references 'Press R to Win'.
• "I'm putting your name in my little black necronomicon" references H. P. Lovecraft and maybe Death Note.
• "Do you have a moment to talk about death?" references Excuse Me Sir, Do You Have a Moment to Talk About Jesus Christ?

Pentakill Karthus

• "You can't kill the metal!" references The Metal by Tenacious D.
• "Silence, groundwalker", "What have I done? Created beauty by simply rocking! That's all", and "What is that sound? It's the pounding of creation's hammer on the anvil of time!" all reference Brütal Legend.
• "Towerdiver, gotta get away, get away" references Holy Diver by Dio.
• "Die for metal references Die for Metal by Manowar.
• "Light's out forever references School's Out by Alice Cooper.
• "Death is blacker than the blackest black... times infinity" references Metalocalypse.
• "This is eleven!" references Spinal Tap.
• "I am The Lightbringer!" references Lightbringer by Pentakill.
• Both "Everyone will falter when you die!" and "My song, Smite them all!" reference Thornmail by Pentakill.
• In Brazilian localization he references Toca Raul by Zeca Baleiro (named after Raul Seixas)

Skins

Phantom Karthus

• He is the only skin priced at 460.
• He might be referencing Sauron from The Lord of the Rings.

Statue of Karthus

• He references the Statue of Liberty in New York City.
• An eagle screeches when he dances.

Grim Reaper Karthus

• His staff becomes the scythe the entity he references usually wields.
• The Necronomicon strapped to his waist references H. P. Lovecraft.
• He shares this theme with Reaper Hecarim and Reaper Soraka.

Pentakill Karthus

• He is the fourth non-Legendary skin to have special voice-over lines (the others being Jaximus, Mecha Kha'Zix, , and Battlecast Vel'Koz)
• He was inspired by Eddie the Head from Iron Maiden.
• He shares this theme with Pentakill Mordekaiser, Pentakill Olaf, Pentakill Sona, and Pentakill Yorick.

Fnatic Karthus

• He celebrates Fnatic winning the Season One World Championship.
  • He represents xPeke.
• He shares this theme with Fnatic Corki, Fnatic Gragas, Fnatic Janna, and Fnatic Jarvan IV.

Karthus Lightsbane

• He references a traditional tabletop role-playing game.
  • He uses what appears to be the Rod of Ages.
  • This is the first skin in which Karthus is a human.
• His ability visuals and sound effects are reminiscent of the Pre-Visual Update Karthus.
• He shares this theme with Bard Bard, Braum Lionheart, Gragas Caskbreaker, Jayce Brighthammer, Ryze Whitebeard, Sejuani Dawnchaser, Varus Swiftbolt, and Veigar Greybeard.
  • Bard Bard, Jayce Brighthammer, and Sejuani Dawnchaser can be seen in the background, trying to stop him.

Relations

• In life Karthus was a tally-man of Kindred and, to this day, he wears the vestments and carries the staff, which he still etches every time he 'releases' a mortal soul from life.
• Unlike most Shadow Isles champions, who have a direct relation to the Ruined King and/or the Ruination that destroyed the Isles, Karthus is one of two champions with no connection to the Isles' origin (the other being Evelynn)
• Mordekaiser embarked on a metal-fueled journey to recruit Karthus, Yorick, Sona, and Olaf in order to form Pentakill so they would Smite and Ignite the whole of Runeterra with their music.