Ryze

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Ryze (瑞兹)
Alias(es)	Purple-skinned Bald Mage; Purple-skinned Baldy; Bald Mage
Species/Race	Human mage
Gender	Male
Occupation/Role	World Rune collector, keeper, and researcher; traveling mage
Status	Active 458
First Appearance	Chapter 12, “Purple-skinned Bald Mage”

Background / History

Ryze's homeland was destroyed during the Rune War, leaving the land beneath the sea; Noxus was later built over its ruins. He spent roughly a thousand years traveling Runeterra to locate and conceal the World Runes so that their power could never cause such a disaster again. 6 13 246

His master, Tyrus, secretly collected Blue Sorcery and Green Resolve. After discovering this, Ryze killed Tyrus and hid the runes, eventually using Demacia's Magic Nullifying Stone Forest as a secure refuge. 293

Ryze later accepted Kigen as his only disciple. Kigen stole a World Rune fragment, became the destructive mage Brand, severely wounded Ryze, and pursued the World Runes for centuries. Ryze continued hoping Kigen could recover until Brand's final defeat. 13 140 145

Appearance

Ryze is a bald, blue-purple-skinned mage whose body is covered in magical rune marks. The density of these markings increases as his understanding of World Runes deepens. 12 331

• Bald head and blue-purple skin, giving rise to the Yordles' teasing nicknames. 22
• Rune inscriptions cover his body; by the Underworld conflict, no empty space remained between them. 438
• Usually maintains a serious, guarded expression around unfamiliar people. 12

Personality

Ryze is deeply wary of others, especially anyone who learns of the World Runes. He believes that public knowledge of them would reignite human greed and repeat the destruction of the Rune War, so he treats secrecy as a responsibility worth extreme measures. 12

Despite his isolation and immense power, he is compassionate and burdened by regret. He mourns Kigen even after Brand's crimes, protects the Yordles with stern patience, and repeatedly joins wider conflicts because he believes powerful people must protect others. 22 147 253

His studies and long life have left him uncertain of what he has become, but he continues to define himself by his humanity. 246

Abilities & Skills

Rune Magic

Ryze is an ancient mage with mastery over numerous schools of magic. Each rune marking on his body represents mastery of a magical discipline, while his total mana reserve is portrayed as far beyond ordinary mages. 245 438

• Can create barriers, shields, energy blasts, and healing magic. 145 245
• His magical aura alone overwhelms Sylas, whose ability to perceive magic causes him physical pain when looking at Ryze. 245
• Matched and wounded Xerath, an arcane energy entity empowered by the Sun Disc. 143
• Is regarded as one of humanity's pinnacle mages alongside Syndra and Lissandra. 140

Imprisonment Magic

Ryze can bind targets between two magic circles with a light membrane, placing those unable to break it under his control. 12

• Used against Ato after suspecting that the World Runes' locations had been exposed. 12
• Requires the target to lack the power to break the containment membrane. 12

Spatial Magic

Ryze is an accomplished user of teleportation and spatial-control magic. 24 147

• Opens portals and teleportation arrays for short- and long-range travel. 24 149
• Maintains a spatial passage connected to a secluded Demacian cabin for storing items. 148
• Can use spatial lockdown magic to prevent powerful enemies such as Xerath and Brand from escaping. 143 147
• Repeated long-distance teleportation rapidly consumes his mana and can leave him exhausted. 356 376

Flame Magic

After Brand's death, Ryze absorbed Kigen's flame core, gaining the ability to use flame-based magic. 147

• The flame core retained a fragment of Kigen's soul, allowing Ryze to hear his disciple's final words. 147
• Brand's collected rune shards were also placed into Ryze's spatial storage. 148

World Rune Mastery

Ryze studies, suppresses, transports, and—when necessary—channels World Runes. Their power constantly tempts him and forces him to relive the destruction of his homeland. 140 293 331

• Used Blue Sorcery to sever Kayle's connection to the Aspect of Justice and avert her self-destruction. 293
• Can use World Rune power to achieve extraordinary teleportation distances. 149
• Used four World Runes at full strength to destroy Mordekaiser's deathly-aura hand and save his allies. 458
• Can potentially use the runes to strip Mordekaiser of his ability to fight, though Ato chose to pursue sealing him instead. 458
• Controlling even one rune is exhausting; careless activation could destroy a continent. 385

World Runes

World Rune	Ryze's connection	Notes
Yellow Precision	Secured beneath Demacia's Magic Nullifying Stone Forest	Originally sealed by a former Demacian emperor; Ryze transferred it to the Stone Forest for protection. 13 25
Blue Sorcery	Recovered and studied	One of the two runes once held by Tyrus; Ryze retrieved it from Ionia's Xilana Monastery. 140 293
Green Resolve	Retrieved in Shurima	Ryze recovered it from a sealed underground chamber after Brand's defeat. 148
Red Domination	Found in Freljord	Located in Freljord's abyssal rift; Ryze drove off a Void creature while securing it. 246
Cyan Inspiration	Secured after Zoe retrieved it	The final rune completed Ryze's millennium-long collection mission; it was later held by Morgana for prophecy. 445 458

Relationships

• Ato / Mr. Ato — Ally and confidant. Ato earned Ryze's trust by demonstrating resistance to Darkin corruption and offering World Rune information; they repeatedly cooperate against global threats. 13 148 458
• Aatrox — Initially a source of suspicion because of his Darkin nature. Ryze agreed to aid Aatrox's wish for death in exchange for World Rune intelligence. 12 13
• Tyrus — Former master. Tyrus's secret collection of World Runes set Ryze on his present path. 293
• Kigen / Brand — Ryze's sole disciple. Kigen's theft of a rune fragment and transformation into Brand remains Ryze's greatest personal regret. 13 147
• Sarah Fortune — Former employer and friend from the Siren. Ryze sailed with her crew toward Ionia and later assured her that he would seek help if needed. 12 24
• The Yordles — Known to Ryze for at least a century. He acts as a strict but caring guardian to Tristana, Lulu, Teemo, and Kog'Maw during their voyage to Ionia. 21 22 23
• Morgana — A trusted contact who communicates with Ryze and later uses Cyan Inspiration to predict the Underworld's movements. 331 445
• Azir — Ally during the Shuriman crisis. Ryze fought Xerath while Azir completed his Ascension and later assisted in Shurima's defense. 143 213

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Siren voyage — Ryze boards Sarah Fortune's ship to travel toward Ionia. After confronting Ato over World Rune secrets, he accepts a deal to help destroy Aatrox in return for Rune information. 12 13 14
• Yordle escort — Reunites with Tristana, Lulu, Teemo, and Kog'Maw, then arranges their passage to Ionia while attempting to keep them from causing trouble aboard the ship. 22 23
• Shurima and Brand — Reunites with Ato while searching for Green Resolve, battles Xerath, and finally accepts Kigen's death after Brand is defeated. 138 143 147 148
• Rune recovery and research — Secures Red Domination, studies the runes in the Magic Nullifying Stone Forest, and reverse-engineers their principles in hopes of preventing future catastrophes. 246 331
• Regional wars — Joins Ato, Azir, and Noxus against threats including Xerath, Viego, Xolaani, and the Void. 213 247 376
• Underworld conflict — Awakens from a thousand-year meditation after Demacia's destruction, completes his World Rune collection, and uses four runes to save allies from Mordekaiser. 434 445 458

Notable Quotes

“I have a human heart. That's enough.” 246

“Those who are capable must shoulder more.” 253

Trivia

• The Yordles call him “Purple-skinned Baldy” and “Purple-skinned Garlic.” 22
• Ryze can still cast magic inside the Magic Nullifying Stone Forest, despite its anti-magic properties. 245
• He considers himself an exception among mages and discourages Sylas from comparing him with ordinary spellcasters. 245