[LORE DISCUSSION] The Darkin

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Bit late on this but happy friday and welcome to Lore Discussion, the weekly post on topics of interest within the world of League that people wish to discuss. While we're all preoccupied with the spookfest that's happening on the client, this topic was one of the highly requested topics that always lost by a meager amount of votes. However, today it's finally time to discuss one of League's most enigmatic races and by extent the fascinating creatures that exist:

http://i.imgur.com/yoBska0.jpg #The Darkin

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http://i.imgur.com/eD1erga.jpg?1 #What are the Darkin?

The Darkin are a mystery to almost everyone. I have actually been spelling their name wrong (Darken, as opposed to the correct 'Darkin') and nobody corrected me on it! Still, there are well known, key facts that are constantly shown through the lore and the legends in Runeterra:

• The Darkin are nearly extinct. With only five members (That we're told of) remaining, this is a race on the verge of collapse. Suffice to say, we can likely guess that unless there is a female Darkin the race is as good as doomed. Further building on this, it's possible that the Darkin are incapable of reproduction considering the lack of any sort of...organs...which could also reason why they're going extinct. Perhaps they were made another way?

• Darkin thrive in combat. While we can only assume that based on the single Darkin we know of, the long standing lifespan and the fact that Aatrox seems to possess a weapon that is as much a part of him as his wings points to Darkin being a war-like or battle-lusting type of creature.

• The Darkin physiology is unknown, but based on Aatrox we can guess that they do not need sustenance or they 'feed' off of combat. Take, for example, Aatrox's splash art and how he's drawing the life force of the deceased. It's possible that this is how Darkin feed and/or sustain themselves, which would also explain why they are so lustful for battle.

With this in mind, we can only guess how the Darkin rapidly became extinct. What possibly occurred is that as the darkin drove every other sentient race to extinction through war, they ran out of others to feed on. Without this, they began fighting amongst themselves and feasting on each other's life forces. Soon the infighting broke off as only the most battlehardened, warlike Darkin remained...but if Aatrox is the fifth, where are the other four? Perhaps some are already in the game and we just don't know it?

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http://i.imgur.com/pHa8Hrd.jpg?1 #"Who wants a piece of the champ?"- Jax the Darkin?

Possibly the best theory as to who is a Darkin is the theory that Jax could possibly be one. When examining this theory, we have to focus on the old lore...but, suffice to say, the evidence is rather fascinating and largely coincides with what we currently know about the Darkin. Let's look over the key things to be pointed to when comparing Jax to a Darkin.

• In his original lore, Jax was a being that came out of nowhere and began winning League matches without pause. He was unbeatable. Building on this, he was a master with ANY weapon. So much so that he was single-handedly turning the tide of battle. This is a huge fact, as Aatrox was known for turning impossible odds on their heads and winning even against those odds. While the lore likely changed, we can bet it won't be a huge variation on his original theme/story.

• Jax's body is humanoid...but clearly not human. With odd lights protruding from his helmet that COULD be a mask and an odd three-fingered form, Jax's body isn't that of a normal person. Recall Aatrox: Despite humanoid, his features and form are varied. A large 'claw' arm, giant banner wings, etc. It's definitely possible all Darkin have off body-quirks.

• Jax not only loves battle, but considers it a sort of game that he's always up for. Now compare that to the theory that Darkin derive sustenance from battle. Now what if instead of murder, Jax was able to just survive by constantly draining a little fighting spirit/energy from someone with each fight? Would make sense that he's always fighting and would explain his willingness to dive into combat.

Perhaps the most damning evidence came with Aatrox's release. Take a look at this: http://i.imgur.com/IRyLF0Q.jpg Many keen-eyed players would remember that Aatrox popped up in one or two splashes. The two I recall were Jax and Darius. However, while Darius's splash was a war zone and befitting Aatrox...Jax's was nothing but a guy with a lantern. Could Aatrox have some sort of rivalry with Jax? Perhaps Jax is a Darkin able to give Aatrox a run for his money? Maybe there's no connection at all? Still, it's worth investigating...

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http://i.imgur.com/bZfqDwT.jpg?1 #"The joke's on YOU!"- Shaco...a Darkin?

Shaco? Why would a roaming demon beast be considered a Darkin? Well, actually, if you compare him with Jax and Aatrox, some further similarities appear...

• Much like Jax, Shaco is shrouded in mystery. A being who has been all throughout history and merely throwing fuel on the fires, he is nothing new when it comes to combat. While he isn't the warlike type that Aatrox or the honorable fighting type Jax is, he's still always hungering for a fight and often found where there can be combat.

• Another key face is the style of combat. Much like Aatrox and Jax, Shaco primarily uses blades...yet many of the skills he has are considered magical. Now compare that to Aatrox and Jax. Both use melee weapons but often have skills or abilities that use magical power or are beyond simply being physically strong. While it could just be a balance thing, it's still important to note the similarities.

• Perhaps Shaco's bloodlust DOES have a reason. Recalling the sustenance theory once more, perhaps Shaco was a Darkin that preferred to feed from assassination and wanton murder. It'd make him an outlier among the Darkin, but perhaps that's how he survived? When it all came down to the race feeding on itself and slaughtering, Shaco's perchance for stealthy kills and murder through trickery were a far stronger tool than any honorable fighting style a Darkin would use.

Shaco, however, has a huge asterisk next to him. With so many stories related to him and no true fact, it's entirely possible that he may just be a wandering sociopath, a demonic jester, a darkin...anything. With such varied, confusing stories related to him there's no wonder why Shaco remains an enigmatic figure that could have ten truths and twenty lies to his name.

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http://i.imgur.com/Q806VpP.jpg?1 #The Weapon Theory: Darkin Blade, Darkin Bow, Darkin....

One person (Who I hope will come forward and take credit for his/her explanation of the theory to me, it was long ago) pointed out another possible theory: The Darkin are not actual humanoids or creatures but living weapons that take hosts to use as they please. He/She pointed to Varus, but lemme try to explain a little deeper:

• In this theory, the Darkin are living weapons. Possibly destroyed, possibly only five were made, they are said to have been spread around by the creator. Some argue that Jax could be the creator of these weapons, as he had the experience and it would explain why Darkin weapons could be varied. It also points out that Aatrox's title, the Darkin Blade, is not the name of the person but the name of the sword. The SWORD is Aatrox, not him.

• The reason Varus headlines this is that someone suggested that the bow is not just corruption but an actual Darkin using Varus's body. Why he's not referred to as "Varus, the Darkin Bow" is because the bow hasn't taken control of his body yet. That the Darkin is currently just waiting until Varus dies. At that point he will control the body. Also to note is the similarity between Varus's corruption and Aatrox. The web-like connections, the carapace-style armor, etc.

• With this theory, it also explains why the Darkin were wittled down to five: They cannot make more and they cannot reproduce. Hence why only five remain, as the rest of the weapons were destroyed or lost in combat. The remainder went into hiding to keep themselves safe...except for Aatrox, the most bloodthirsty and dangerous of the Darkin weapons.

Again, this theory has some holes, but we can't point any of them out specifically without further knowledge. The darkin may simply have a way to craft weapons that suit their fighting styles. The darkin -could- be able to just manifest weapons from their body that fit their style of combat, etc. Either way, every single one of these theories should be taken with a grain of salt. Without further knowledge, we won't have specific answers...

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So what's your take on this? Maybe Aatrox is just lying about his other Darkin? Maybe Jax or Shaco are red herrings for another darkin entry? Maybe they -are- living weapons or just some sort of disease that forces combat. Either way, have at it fellow readers. And, as always, be sure to vote on next week's topic. Happy discussing!