Karthus,the Deathsinger

Stats: health: Health620+110, resource: Mana467+31, health regen: Health regen. (per 5s)6.5+0.55, resource regen: Mana regen. (per 5s)8+0.8, armor: Armor21+4.7, attack damage: Attack damage46+3.25, attack speed: Base AS0.625, gameplay radius: Gameplay radius65, selection radius: Selection radius100, release: 2009-06-12, changed: V13.22, role: Battlemage, position: JungleMiddleBottom, rangetype: Ranged, adaptivetype: Magic, cost: 3150|790

Biography:
Games

KarthusTitlesAlias(es)The DeathsingerThe HarbingerCharacteristicsSpeciesWraith(formerlyHuman)Pronoun(s)He/HimTimelineBorn:700 AN - 946 ANWeapon(s)Unholy MagicBlack MistPersonal statusStatusUndeadPlace of originNoxus Prime,NoxusCurrent residenceShadow IslesFamilyUnnamed Father†Unnamed Mother†Three unnamed Sisters†Professional statusOccupation(s)Death WorshipperDeath PreacherRegion(s)Shadow IslesNoxusRelated character(s)MordekaiserThreshYorickSorakaKindred

Karthus

Titles

Alias(es)

• The Deathsinger
• The Harbinger
Characteristics

Species

• Wraith(formerlyHuman)
Pronoun(s)

Timeline

• Born:700 AN - 946 AN
Weapon(s)

• Unholy Magic
• Black Mist
Personal status

Status

Place of origin

Current residence

Family

• Unnamed Father†
• Unnamed Mother†
• Three unnamed Sisters†
Professional status

Occupation(s)

• Death Worshipper
• Death Preacher
Region(s)

• Shadow Isles
• Noxus
Related character(s)

The harbinger of oblivion,Karthusis an undying spirit whose haunting songs are a prelude to the horror of his nightmarish appearance. The living fear the eternity of undeath, butKarthussees only beauty and purity in its embrace, a perfect union of life and death. When Karthus emerges from theShadow Isles, it is to bring the joy of death to mortals as an apostle of the unliving.



Contents

• 1Background1.1Early life1.2Transformation
• 2Appearance
• 3Personality
• 4Abilities
• 5Relations5.1Kindred
• 6Read More6.1Biography6.2Starring Champion6.3Mentioned Champion6.4Alternate Universes
• 7Trivia
• 8Change log
• 9References
• 10See also
• 1.1Early life
• 1.2Transformation
• 5.1Kindred
• 6.1Biography
• 6.2Starring Champion
• 6.3Mentioned Champion
• 6.4Alternate Universes
Background[]

Early life[]

Karthus was born in a poor area just outside the capital ofNoxus, living in an almshouse with other families. Fascinated with death, Karthus would sneak into the rooms of those about to die and wait beside them to watch them, intent on seeing the moment of their death. He would not see this moment until his sisters came down with the plague. He looked after them, and as they died, Karthus realized that he wanted to experience whatever was beyond death.

Transformation[]

After the tally-men ofKindredcollected his sisters' bodies, as was custom in the parts of Noxus where they lived, Karthus followed them, asking them questions along the way. The tally-men soon accepted Karthus into their ranks, first as a grave digger, then pyre builder, then a corpse collector. Eventually, Karthus worked in the temple of the tally-men, tending to the sick in their final moments. As they died, he asked them what they saw and what layed beyond death.

After watching many more die in front of him and getting unsatisfying answers from those that he questioned, Karthus decided that he couldn't learn any more from the living. so he would instead try to learn from the dead. After learning of theShadow Islesfrom the dying people that he questioned, he decided to leave the order of tally-men and journey to the Isles himself.

After a long journey, Karthus finally arrived at the shores of the Shadow Isles. As the Black Mist entered Karthus and ravaged his body and soul, his desire to transcend mortality stopped him from dying. Instead, his body was transformed, and he was put into the threshold between life and death. Karthus decided to preach death to the rest of the world, and as he killed the fisherman that brought him to the Isles, he vowed to bring death to all.

Appearance[]

Karthus is a thin man wraith with unnaturally colored skin, pale white in some areas and pure black in others. There is blue light eminating from the crevices where his eyes and mouth would be. He wears the traditional clothes of a member of the tally-men ofKindred, dark red and grey robes with armored cuffs and shoulderblades. He carries the staff of a tally-man of Kindred, with a grey handle and a spike at its tip. He also carries a book with him, with it likely containing either prepared laments for the dead or spells and enchantments, possibly both.

Personality[]

Karthus has pledged to bringing death to the world. He sees life as a crutch and an obstacle from reaching the true potential and knowledge that humanity has to offer. He feels no remorse for those he kills, as he sees them as freed and at their true potential.

Abilities[]

• Wraith:Karthus is one of the Shadow Isles's wraiths, created when the Ruination came to be. The Black Mist consumes one original personality, leaving only a specter consumed by negative emotions and obsessions. In Karthus case, he became an spirit that sings for the dead.Amortality:Being already dead, Karthus can't die again. He can only be banished and loose his material form for a while.Spiritual Construction:Wraiths can create solid constructs from spectral energy, such as bodies and physical objects. These constructs mainly base themselves around how they looked in life.Transitory State:Being ethereal beings, Wraiths can shift from the physical world and spiritual one at will. This means they can become intangible and invisible, and disappear from one place to another.
• Amortality:Being already dead, Karthus can't die again. He can only be banished and loose his material form for a while.
• Spiritual Construction:Wraiths can create solid constructs from spectral energy, such as bodies and physical objects. These constructs mainly base themselves around how they looked in life.
• Transitory State:Being ethereal beings, Wraiths can shift from the physical world and spiritual one at will. This means they can become intangible and invisible, and disappear from one place to another.
Relations[]

Kindred[]

Karthus was a tally-man ofKindredand, he still wears the vestments and carries the staff, which he still etches every time he 'releases' a mortal soul from life.

Read More

Biography



Biography

The Deathsinger

ByGraham McNeill

Starring:Karthus

Mentioned:Kindred

Starring Champion



Short Story • 4 Minute Read

Burial at Sea

ByGraham McNeill

The sea was mirror-smooth and dark. A pirate's moon hung low on the horizon as it had for the last six nights. Not so much as a whisper of wind stirred the air, only that damned dirge carried from who knew where. Vionax had sailed the oceans around Noxus long enough to know that seas like this only ever presaged ill-fortune. She stood on the Darkwill's foredeck, training her spyglass on the far ocean, searching for anything she could use to plot their position.

Starring:Karthus

Mentioned Champion



Narration

The Princeling's Lament

ByGraham McNeill

Scrape the bench of sunless moss.

Starring: N/A

Mentioned:Hecarim,Isolde,Kalista,Karthus,Kindred,Maokai,Thresh,Viego,Yorick

Alternate Universes



Short Story

Attack of the Demon Poros

ByPOPSTAR URF



Starring:Bard,Jayce,Karthus,Sejuani



Video

Clash of Fates



Starring:Alistar,Amumu,Anivia,Annie,Ashe,Cho'Gath,Evelynn,Jax,Karthus,Kayle,Master Yi,Nunu,Rammus,Ryze,Singed,Sivir,Soraka,Teemo,Twisted Fate,Warwick,Willump,Zilean



Comic

Crystal Quest: Series 1

ByARTeapot



Starring:Bard,Jayce,Karthus,Sejuani

Mentioned:Anivia,Ashe,Braum,Bristle,Caitlyn,Camille,Elise,Ezreal,Garen,Gragas,Graves,Heimerdinger,Illaoi,Ivern,Katarina,Kled,Lee Sin,Leona,Lissandra,Lucian,Nami,Olaf,Poppy,Ryze,Senna,Singed,Skaarl,Taliyah,Taric,Teemo,Tryndamere,Twisted Fate,Veigar,Vi,Zac



Entries

Journal of Justice

ByInstitute of War

Formare veneficum est formare fatum.

Starring:Akali,Alistar,Amumu,Anivia,Annie,Ashe,Blitzcrank,Brand,Cassiopeia,Cho'Gath,Corki,Darius,Dr. Mundo,Evelynn,Ezreal,Fiddlesticks,Gangplank,Garen,Gragas,Heimerdinger,Irelia,Janna,Jarvan IV,Jax,Karma,Karthus,Kassadin,Katarina,Kayle,Kennen,Kog'Maw,Lee Sin,Leona,Lissandra,Lux,Malzahar,Maokai,Master Yi,Mordekaiser,Morgana,Nasus,Nidalee,Nocturne,Nunu,Olaf,Pantheon,Poppy,Rammus,Renekton,Riven,Rumble,Ryze,Sejuani,Shaco,Shen,Singed,Sion,Sivir,Skarner,Sona,Soraka,Swain,Talon,Taric,Teemo,Tibbers,Tristana,Trundle,Tryndamere,Twisted Fate,Twitch,Udyr,Urgot,Veigar,Vladimir,Warwick,Willump,Wukong,Xin Zhao,Yorick,Zilean



Video

Just One More

Every League of Legends player knows what it's like to chase the next win. Inspired by the true story of the five North American League of Legends players with the longest losing streak in one sitting. It's On.

Starring:Blitzcrank,Darius,Fizz,Jinx,Karthus,Kayn,Lux,Vi,Viktor



Music Video

Pentakill II: Grasp of the Undying

ByPentakill

No one shreds like the undead.

Starring:Karthus,Kayle,Mordekaiser,Olaf,Sona,Yorick

Mentioned:Poppy,Rumble,Teemo,Tristana



Music Video

Pentakill III: Lost Chapter

ByPentakill

Join Karthus, Mordekaiser, Sona, Yorick, Olaf, and Kayle to do battle with Viego and the Dissonant One, as the future of all Metal hangs in the balance...

Starring:Karthus,Kayle,Mordekaiser,Olaf,Sona,Viego,Yorick



Music Video

Pentakill: Smite and Ignite

ByPentakill

The era of metal has begun.

Starring:Karthus,Mordekaiser,Olaf,Sona,Yorick



Short Story

The Man with the Grinning Shadow

ByJared Rosen

“You the marshal?”

Starring:Alistar,Karthus,Lucian,Senna,Thresh,Urgot

Mentioned:Cassiopeia



Comic

A Fireside Frightener

ByLuchador Teemo,ZeOcelot



Starring:Darius,Draven,Jinx,Lucian,Tristana,Vi

Mentioned:Fiddlesticks,Hecarim,Karthus



Comic

Academy Adventures: Series 1

ByGutter Rat



Starring:Ahri,Darius,Ekko,Vladimir

Mentioned:Akali,Amumu,Anivia,Azir,Bard,Blitzcrank,Braum,Cho'Gath,Elise,Ezreal,Fiddlesticks,Fiora,Gnar,Heimerdinger,Ivern,Jhin,Jinx,Karthus,Kog'Maw,Lulu,Lux,Malzahar,Miss Fortune,Nidalee,Olaf,Poppy,Rek'Sai,Renekton,Rumble,Ryze,Shaco,Shen,Sion,Sona,Soraka,Talon,Taric,Teemo,Tristana,Trundle,Twitch,Urgot,Varus,Veigar,Vel'Koz,Vi,Yorick,Zed,Ziggs,Zyra



Comic

Olaf vs Everything: Series 2

ByTom Barton



Starring:Olaf

Mentioned:Ahri,Aurelion Sol,Brand,Cassiopeia,Cho'Gath,Darius,Dr. Mundo,Ekko,Gnar,Illaoi,Karthus,Kog'Maw,Lee Sin,Nagakabouros,Ornn,Renekton,Skarner,Teemo,Tryndamere,Urgot,Vel'Koz,Vi,Viktor,Vladimir,Warwick,Zyra



Comic

Playtime with Gnar: Series 1

ByRachel J. Corey



Starring:Gnar

Mentioned:Amumu,Cassiopeia,Cho'Gath,Darius,Draven,Karthus,Kha'Zix,Lee Sin,Leona,Malzahar,Nocturne,Nunu,Rengar,Twisted Fate,Willump



Short Story

The Dissonant Verses

ByIan St. Martin

I: Herald of the Forbidden God

Starring:Viego

Mentioned:Karthus



Comic

The Tale of the Poro King

By Numerous creators



Starring: N/A

Mentioned:Aatrox,Akali,Ashe,Aurelion Sol,Azir,Braum,Caitlyn,Cho'Gath,Darius,Diana,Draven,Ezreal,Gnar,Illaoi,Janna,Jarvan IV,Jayce,Kai'Sa,Karma,Karthus,Katarina,Kayle,Kayn,Kennen,Kha'Zix,Lee Sin,Leona,Lulu,Lux,Malzahar,Miss Fortune,Nunu,Ornn,Pantheon,Pyke,Rammus,Rek'Sai,Rhaast,Ryze,Sejuani,Shen,Sion,Sivir,Soraka,Sylas,Syndra,Taliyah,Talon,Taric,Thresh,Tristana,Trundle,Udyr,Vi,Volibear,Willump,Yasuo,Zed,Ziggs,Zoe

Trivia[]

• Unlike most Shadow Isles champions who have a direct relation tothe Ruined Kingand/or the Ruination that destroyed the Isles, Karthus is one of two champions with no connection to the Isles' origin.
Change log[]

References[]



See also[]

Passive ability — Name: Death Defied, Description: Innate: Upon taking fatal damage , Karthus enters a zombie state for 7 seconds, during which he can cast his abilities at no cost. If Defile has been learned, it will remain toggled on for Death Defied's entire duration. Requiem becomes disabled after Death Defied has lasted 4 seconds. While under this state, Karthus becomes untargetable and immune to crowd control as well as prevents all incoming damage, but is also rendered unable to move, declare basic attacks , use summoner spells , and activate items . Link ▶️ "I am become death!", {'targeting_input': 'Targeting inputPassive', 'details': ['Hide', 'Details', 'Map-Specific Differences', "Death Defied'suntargetabilitydoes notdestroyin-flightprojectiles.", 'Karthuscannot beexecutedby theAspect of the DragonduringDeath Defied.', 'At the start ofDeath Defied,Karthusis set to1 health.Karthuscan still regenerate his health over the duration, but he will always die at the end of it.', 'Karthuscan still regenerate his health over the duration, but he will always die at the end of it.', 'AfterDeath Defiedends, the corpse ofKarthuswill retainunit collisiondespite being dead on the ground.', "Karthus'mana bardrains over the duration ofDeath Defiedas an indicator of his time remaining in this state.", 'Zombie states trigger upon takinglethal damage.Raw damageeffects will not prevent zombie states from triggering.', 'Raw damageeffects will not prevent zombie states from triggering.', 'Allresurrectioneffects will take precedence over effects that reanimate as a zombie.', 'A champion that enters a zombie state will start their death timer upon triggering the effect.', "Most buffs and debuffs will be lost upon transitioning into a zombie state.Those that persist through death, such asBrand'sBlaze, will remain.Undisplayed marker buffs, such as those imposed byVeigar'sEvent HorizonandViktor'sGravity Fieldto prevent being affected multiple times by the same effect, will be lost.(bug)This does not apply when transitioning from one zombie state to another zombie state.(bug)", "Those that persist through death, such asBrand'sBlaze, will remain.", "Undisplayed marker buffs, such as those imposed byVeigar'sEvent HorizonandViktor'sGravity Fieldto prevent being affected multiple times by the same effect, will be lost.(bug)", 'This does not apply when transitioning from one zombie state to another zombie state.(bug)', "Units within a zombie state cannot:UseRecallorCorrupting Potion/Refillable Potion.Activateresurrectioneffects.TakeDark Passage,Catapult, orgates.Pick up theEye of the Herald.Be targeted by the following:BailoutChronoshiftUmbral Trespass.Be affected by the following:Curse of the Black MistFear Beyond Death'schain missileTest of Spirit'sinitial missileLamb's RespiteRealm of DeathFountainhealth restore", 'UseRecallorCorrupting Potion/Refillable Potion.', 'Activateresurrectioneffects.', 'TakeDark Passage,Catapult, orgates.', 'Pick up theEye of the Herald.', 'Be targeted by the following:BailoutChronoshiftUmbral Trespass.', 'Bailout', 'Chronoshift', 'Umbral Trespass.', "Be affected by the following:Curse of the Black MistFear Beyond Death'schain missileTest of Spirit'sinitial missileLamb's RespiteRealm of DeathFountainhealth restore", 'Curse of the Black Mist', "Fear Beyond Death'schain missile", "Test of Spirit'sinitial missile", "Lamb's Respite", 'Realm of Death', 'Fountainhealth restore', 'Duration changed to 5 seconds.']}

Q ability — Name: Lay Waste, Description: Active: Karthus conjures a blast at the target location that detonates after 0. 528 seconds to 0. 759 seconds , granting sight of the area and dealing magic damage to all enemies within, doubled when only one target is struck. Magic Damage: 43 / 61 / 79 / 97 / 115 (+ 35% AP) Enhanced Damage: 86 / 122 / 158 / 194 / 230 (+ 70% AP) During Death Defied , Lay Waste will cast at maximum range if cast beyond that., {'targeting_input': 'Targeting inputLocation', 'damage_type': 'Magic', 'spell_shield': 'Blocked', 'details': ['Hide', 'Details', "The delay between the cast and the detonation is inconsistent, but always matches up with the VFX.(bug)Defile'sticks beyond the first has a similar issue.", "Defile'sticks beyond the first has a similar issue.", 'Appliesspell damageif it hits a single target andarea damageif it hits multiple targets.Lay Wastealso plays a different sound effect when it only hits one target.', 'Lay Wastealso plays a different sound effect when it only hits one target.']}

W ability — Name: Wall of Pain, Description: Active: Karthus erects a wall of pain at the target location perpendicular to his facing that lasts 5 seconds, granting sight around its pillars and center. Wall Length: 800 / 900 / 1000 / 1100 / 1200 Enemies that touch the wall are inflicted with 15% magic resistance reduction and become slowed for 5 seconds, decaying over the duration. Enemies can be affected by Wall of Pain only once per cast. Slow: 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80% Reduced Slow: 20 / 25 / 30 / 35 / 40%, {'targeting_input': 'Targeting inputLocation', 'spell_shield': 'Not Blocked', 'details': ['Hide', 'Details', 'No additional details.']}

E ability — Name: Defile, Description: Passive: Karthus restores mana whenever he kills an enemy. Mana Restored: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 Toggle: Karthus surrounds himself in a necrotic aura that deals magic damage every 0. 25 seconds to all nearby enemies. Toggling Defile off triggers a final tick of damage. Magic Damage Per Tick: 7. 5 / 12. 5 / 17. 5 / 22. 5 / 27. 5 (+ 5% AP) Damage Per Second: 30 / 50 / 70 / 90 / 110 (+ 20% AP) Defile cannot be toggled off during Death Defied ., STATIC COOLDOWN: STATICCOOLDOWN:0.5, {'targeting_input': 'Targeting inputAuto', 'damage_type': 'Magic', 'spell_shield': 'Not Blocked', 'details': ['Hide', 'Details', "Toggle abilities do not count as ability activations for the purposes of on-cast effects such asSpellbladeand triggeringForce Pulse'spassive.", 'Defilewill restoremanaifKarthusdestroys an enemy structure.', "Defilere-calculates its damage with each tick based on changes inKarthus'sability poweror an increase in the rank ofDefilewithout the need to toggle it off and on again.", 'Defilewill toggle off automatically ifKarthusentersresurrection.']}

R ability — Name: Requiem, Description: Active: Karthus channels for 3 seconds, then deals magic damage to all targetable enemy champions upon completion. Magic Damage: 200 / 350 / 500 (+ 75% AP) Link ▶️ "Die!", {'targeting_input': 'Targeting inputAuto', 'damage_type': 'Magic', 'spell_shield': 'Blocked', 'details': ['Hide', 'Details', 'Due to several character stats needing to be recalculated each time a character spawns, castingRequiemimmediately upon respawning will cause its cooldown to be unaffected by ability haste. Damage dealt is unaffected due to cast time.(bug)', "Requiem'schannel is telegraphed to all enemy champions by a beam of light that descends on all targets, including if they areuntargetableor evendead.", 'Requiemwill affectclones.', "The damage will applyspell effectsto targets in an order based on proximity toKarthus. Single target spell effects (such asLuden's Tempest) are thus triggered on theclosestenemy champion.", 'The following table refers for interactions whileKarthusischanneling:', 'Death', 'Cast-inhibiting effects']}

Trivia:
The nameKarthusresembles Medieval LatinCarthusianus.