| “ | There was a time when I danced only for myself. Now, I dance for the First Lands. | „ |
| ~ Irelia |
Irelia Xan, also known as simply Irelia or The Blade Dancer, is a heroic playable champion in the multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends.
An Ionian silk dancer practicing the art of dance since she was young, Irelia's life changed forever when the Noxian Empire invaded Ionia. Noxian soldiers entered the Xan family's home, killing several members of her family and destroying their family crest, causing Irelia to manifest her powers for the first time. At the age of fourteen, Irelia fought back against Jericho Swain and cut off his arm, then led her people to drive the Noxians away from Ionia. Afterward, she was regarded as a hero by the Ionians, but she struggles to handle the disorder within her own country.
The 64th champion added to the game, Irelia was released on November 16th, 2010, and was officially reworked on April 4th, 2018. She is often played in the top or middle lane.
She is voiced by Cherami Leigh, who also voices Asuna Yuuki, Lucy Heartfilia, Makoto Niijima, Komaru Naegi, AE3803 and Chloe Cerise.
Biography[]
Irelia was the only daughter of the Xan family, being interested in dance at an early age and being taught how to be a silk dancer by her O-ma (grandmother). She doubted its connection to the Spirit of Ionia, but her confidence with dance had no doubt, so she went to the Placidium to train amongst Ionia's best performers.
Sadly, Irelia's dream would be cut short when Noxus invaded Ionia. By the time she had returned to her family's home, Noxian soldiers sent by Admiral Duqal had raided the house and killed several of the Xan members who tried to protest, burying them in unmarked graves. As they broke the Xan family's crest, Duqal knocked Irelia to the ground and ordered his men to kill her and bury her with the rest of her family, but she felt the spirit energy of Ionia within her. With a dance, she manipulated the shattered pieces of the crest and used them as blades to fight back, causing Duqal's army to retreat. Irelia later mourned her family, before thinking about her grandmother's teachings and understanding that the dances she was taught had greater power.
Irelia joined the Navori Brotherhood, a resistance dedicated to fighting the Noxian invaders, where she performed dances to remind them of Ionian culture. When she turned fourteen, she and her allies went to guard the Placidium, but the Noxians were eager to claim it. They captured the Navori and took them hostage, but Irelia broke free of her bonds and unleashed her blades on the army, cutting off the arm of their leader Jericho Swain and leaving him mortally wounded. Unbeknownst to her, Swain made a deal with the demon Raum and gained a new arm, returning to Noxus with even more power than before.
Irelia's victory would be known as the Great Stand of Navori, with her name being known across Ionia as a symbol of heroism. She led the Ionian resistance against Noxus in a three-year war which resulted in the defeat of Admiral Duqal and Ionia's victory. But even after the war, the Ionians are now fighting a civil war just as fiercely as the Noxians. Many turned to Irelia for help, but she was unprepared. At heart, she only wants to dance alone.
Ruination[]
When the Ruined King awoke and invaded Ionia, Irelia saw his forces sweep across her homeland as he possessed Karma. She joined the Sentinels of Light to save her homeland and rescue Karma, wearing the latter's headband to remind herself of her goal.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Irelia's pre-rework incarnation was known for the "Better Nerf Irelia" meme, since she was so overpowered upon launch that she was nerfed a day after release.
- Irelia was responsible for Swain's demonic arm, after she cut it off only for Raum to replace it.
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 Heroes
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Kingdom of Demacia House Crownguard House Laurent Dauntless Vanguard Deities Others Piltover and Zaun Enforcers Firelights Zaun Others Ionia Shadow Order Navori Vastaya Others The Freljord Winter's Claw Others Noxus Mages Others Others Bilgewater Mount Targon Solari Lunari Celestials Shadow Isles Others Icathia The Void Ixtal Bandle City | ||