Champion backstory

Aphelios

the Weapon of the Faithful

Read the backstory Abilities and gameplay guide

3Story chapters

1Story connections

1Named place connections

The person behind the champion

A story to start with

Emerging from moonlight's shadow with weapons drawn, Aphelios kills the enemies of his faith in brooding silence—speaking only through the certainty of his aim, and the firing of each gun. Though fueled by a poison that renders him mute, he is guided by his sister Alune. From her distant temple sanctuary, she pushes an arsenal of moonstone weapons into his hands. For as long as the moon shines overhead, Aphelios will never be alone.

Short biography by Riot Games · Data Dragon 16.20.1

What shapes their story?

The apparent solitary fighter depends on a relationship that distance cannot erase. Alune's guidance and Aphelios's bodily sacrifice make their defence of the Lunari a shared undertaking, even when only one sibling stands on the battlefield.

Reading note by VRC.LOL

Read Riot's full biography ↗

Follow the story

Story timeline

Follow the main developments in order, then explore their consequences. Use each chapter's links to explore the people, regions and places involved. Artwork shows the character or wider world, not an exact reconstruction of each event; calendar dates are not assigned here.

Riot Games · Regional world artwork
Twins devoted to the moon
Aphelios and his sister Alune serve the Lunari, a persecuted moon faith around Mount Targon. Their devotion places them within a religious struggle much older than a single champion's journey.
Targon
Riot Games · Regional world artwork
Poison, silence and Alune's weapons
A poison opens his connection to Alune while leaving him unable to speak. From a distant sanctuary she supplies his moonstone weapons, making their partnership essential to how he fights.
Targon
Riot Games · Regional world artwork
Two siblings, one distant struggle
Alune guides and arms her brother from a sanctuary separated from ordinary life. Aphelios accepts pain and silence to maintain that connection. Their campaign to protect the Lunari depends on cooperation across realms, rather than the independence his solitary appearance might suggest.
Mount Targon Targon

Story guide by VRC.LOL, based on the linked Riot stories. Older biographies and newer stories can differ; no exact date or current whereabouts is implied unless stated.

Picture the setting

A world behind the story

Official Riot setting artwork, not illustrations of these exact events. Open an image to see the complete composition.

**The Lunari**Riot Games · World artwork

**The Rakkor**Riot Games · World artwork

Explore the wider region

People who shape the story

Relationships and allegiances

Discover the companions, communities and powers that matter to this champion. Each card explains the connection, rather than treating every nearby character as a friend.

Not everyone important to this story is a playable champion. The reading suggestions below are labelled separately from these story connections.

Follow the story

Known places and connections

Origins, journeys and documented events. A connection here does not mean this champion lives there now.

Regional connection

Targon

Explore the regional timeline

More about the region

Runeterra's immense mountain draws pilgrims toward an almost impossible summit. The Rakkor, Solari and Lunari live beneath celestial powers whose influence can transform a mortal life.

Mountain

Mount Targon

Reaching the summit is a spiritual ordeal as well as a dangerous climb. Some survivors return changed by an Aspect; the lower slopes remain home to migrating Rakkor communities.

Explore this place

Another perspective

Stories to read next

Continue with related characters, regional stories and other perspectives on the same themes.

Diana

Scorn of the Moon

Read backstory

Leona

the Radiant Dawn

Read backstory

The character, in detail

Champion artwork

Explore the wider settingTargon

The story beneath the scenery

What makes this place matter?

The mountain is both a physical home and a meeting point with celestial powers. Rakkor communities live on its slopes, while Solari and Lunari traditions shape different understandings of the heavens. The stories of Leona, Diana and Pantheon show the personal cost of those beliefs.

Look closer

A window into this world

Official Riot artwork. The gallery includes the regional setting; not every image depicts this exact landmark. Open an image to see the full composition.

**Temple of the Solstice**Riot Games · Runeterra world map

**The Solari**Riot Games · Runeterra world map

Sources and story contextOfficial stories, artwork credits and reading notes

Where the stories come from

VRC.LOL writes the introductions, reading notes and connections using linked Riot Universe biographies and regional guides. Short champion summaries use Data Dragon version 16.20.1. Longer histories link to the official story used; some champions currently have a shorter official overview.

What the pictures show

Artwork belongs to Riot Games. Scenery comes from Riot's Runeterra world map; champion art depicts the character. A regional illustration sets the scene when a landmark has no dedicated image. It does not show a confirmed event at that exact place.

A world still being written

Older biographies and newer adaptations can differ. These guides introduce connections rather than declaring a final chronology or a character's current whereabouts. Translations help you explore and may keep original proper names. Follow the official sources for full context.