NOXUS
Published on: January 13, 2025
Hey, Lore-Lovers! Welcome back to Liandrug, where we unravel the mysteries of the League of Legends universe. Today, we plunge into the shadows of power and dominance as we explore the ruthless Noxian Empire. From its iron grip on Runeterra to the complex characters shaping its destiny, join me on a journey through the heart of Noxus and its complex history. Strap in, as we delve deep into the lore of strength, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of glory. So relax, grab yourself something to drink or eat, because this is Liandrug – your portal to the epic tales that define the League of Legends universe!
The Empire
Noxus stands as a formidable empire, renowned for its intimidating prowess. To those outside its boundaries, it appears brutal, expansionist, and menacing. However, peering beyond its warlike façade reveals an unexpectedly inclusive society. Noxus respects and nurtures the diverse strengths and talents of its people. Once a fierce reaver culture, they conquered an ancient city, now the heart of their empire, amid threats from all sides. Their relentless aggression expanded borders yearly, fostering a deep pride in Noxians, who hold strength in the highest regard. Notably, within Noxus, anyone can ascend to power and respect, showcasing aptitude irrespective of social status, background, homeland, or wealth.
Ages of tyranny
There were some ages of tyranny that started following the devastation of the Great Darkin War centuries ago, a coalition of sorcerers emerged, drawn together by the whispers of a long-dead soul. This spectral promise offered strength to those who could resurrect him. These sorcerers, driven by ambition, aimed to amplify the soul's power beyond mortal limits, encapsulating it within dark metal plates mirroring its ancient armor. Originally envisioned as a weapon for their wars, the reborn spirit turned on its summoners, rendering their weapons and magic ineffective. Mordekaiser, emerging from the fading souls of the sorcerers, forged his brutal mace, Nightfall, and assumed control of their army. Sweeping across lands, he crushed opposition, enslaving those who resisted. His rule seemed solely focused on massacre and destruction, leading to the demise of entire generations. Erecting the Immortal Bastion in the Noxii territories, Mordekaiser concealed the source of his power, holding arcane secrets collected for centuries. Establishing the Black Rose, his circle of mages privy to these secrets, he pursued forbidden knowledge of spirits, death, and the realms beyond. Tyranny drew adversaries. The Iron Revenant faced a surprising defeat at the hands of an alliance of Noxii tribes and internal betrayal led by LeBlanc, aligning with Vladimir. The Black Rose nullified the Immortal Bastion, severing Mordekaiser's soul anchors and sealing the empty iron shell away in secrecy. Banished from the material realm, Mordekaiser had orchestrated this, possessing the power and knowledge to construct a kingdom transcending death and life, paving the way for his eventual return.
Death to the king
Even with Mordekaiser gone for a while, over a century past, the brutal warlord Sion rose to prominence as he won many vicious triumphs for Noxus. He was the last of a proud warrior culture that had been part of Noxus since its founding and swore to his ancestors to die a proud warrior's death. The empire's might was at a peak not seen for hundreds of years and so it took the generals of high command by surprise when Demacia first resisted their western invasions, then began pushing back their steady advance. These Demacians drove the Noxian warbands eastward, harrying them back behind the walls of Hvardis. Sion, who had been campaigning in the Argent Mountains, turned south. He arrived at the city to find the Demacians on the horizon preparing to return home. Sion readied his troops, but the Noxian commander at Hvardis, had already suffered several defeats to the enemy, and was content to let them return home. Outraged, Sion hurled the commander from the city walls, and ordered the attack. But while Sion warband charged with him, the ones who had been cowering in Hvardis retreated back to the city, leaving Sion and his trusted few surrounded. One by one, they fell, but Sion reached to Jarvan and fought brutally. With a final burst of strength, Sion clamped one hand around the King's throat, being stabbed by Jarvan's guards again and again, but only when the enemy king was slain did Sion allow death to claim him. His body was recovered—along with the Demacian king's crown—and borne back to the Immortal Bastion in honor. Noxus mourned Sion's passing, and his corpse was interred within a towering monument constructed to honor him for all time. The lands beyond the Argent Mountains would since be contested by Noxus, creating an almost lawless frontier full of foreign reavers and warring tribes, which would lead to a greater action of Demacia defending their allies and the establishment of a rivalry between them and Noxus that would last for centuries. But Noxus was also looking to Ionia too, trying to find the right moment for a perfect invasion.
Invasion of Ionia
Since its inception, the people of Ionia have chosen the path of personal enlightenment over constant warfare with other nations. Noxus, perceiving this as a weakness, seized the opportunity. Noxian spies engaged in aggressive trade with the Ionians, meticulously studying their vulnerabilities and identifying crucial targets. The culmination of these efforts materialized in the long-planned Noxian invasion of Ionia. Navori, the central province, bore the brunt of the assault, witnessing the fall of many villages and settlements. Thousands of Ionians perished as their magical artifacts were plundered to sustain the life of the mad emperor. This aggression prompted the peaceful religious leader, Karma, known for her teachings, to take up arms. Dissenting voices across Navori rallied, forming a resistance that vowed to restore freedom to Ionia. In a pivotal moment, a warhost led by Jericho Swain captured the Placidium, hoping to ensnare reinforcements, but a 14-year-old girl named Irelia harnessed the power of ancient Ionian dances, turning the tide. Swain's veterans fell, chaos ensued, and Irelia struck down the general himself, marking a turning point. Irelia led the resistance for nearly three years, but Noxus intensified its efforts, employing child soldiers and Chemtech bombs from a notorious Zaunite alchemist. These bombs wreaked havoc, especially in the Wuju village, annihilating it and leaving the land barren and cursed by corrupted magics. The war concluded with Swain, backed by a raven demon and allies like Draven, killing Darkwill and establishing the Trifarix. Warhosts were withdrawn, concluding the conflict with Ionia. Despite this, Noxian influence lingers, as many Ionian regions remain under their rule.
The Battle of Bard Mountain
The noxians are artifacts lovers, or everything that promise to bring even more power to this empire, so noxian forces sought to seize Bard Mountain and claim a coveted magical artifact guarded by the locals. In the midst of the battle, the village sage was entrusted with transporting the artifact to a Celestial shrine atop the mountain. Tragically, Noxian arrows mortally wounded him before he could reach the shrine. In a final act of defiance, he wielded the artifact against his assailant, obliterating the attacker and cleaving a nearby peak in two. This reckless use of the artifact's power attracted the attention of a celestial being (Bard), prompting swift intervention. The celestial being retrieved the artifact, removing it from the mortal plane before Noxians and Ionians could exploit its potential for war.
The Freljord campaign
Even with all the snow and harsh environment, Noxus keeps an eye on Freljord and its tribes too. Following a hard-fought victory against the Varju, a resilient warrior people resisting Noxian aggression for decades, Darius earned the title Hand of Noxus from Emperor Boram Darkwill. Despite Darius's desire for Noxian triumph, the emperor directed him north into the Freljord to subdue the barbarian tribes. The campaign unfolded over years, culminating in a bitter, icy stalemate. Darius faced assassination attempts, ambushes, and even capture by the Winter's Claw, testing his endurance. Fatigued by endless wars of attrition, he returned to Noxus, advocating for a military reconsolidation. Upon marching his veterans into the capital, Darius discovered Noxus embroiled in an internal conflict, diverting his attention from external campaigns.
Trifarix Revolution
Following Swain's discharge post the Battle of the Placidium, he discovered the Black Rose's continued machinations, manipulating Darkwill and orchestrating his betrayal on the Ionian battlefields. After years of meticulous preparation and the reunion of formidable allies like Draven and General Du Couteau, Swain successfully eliminated the Emperor of Noxus in a single night, harnessing the newfound power of an ancient demon within the Immortal Bastion. Meanwhile, Darius, as the Hand of Noxus, faced a dilemma. While many noble houses expected him to avenge Darkwill, his respect for the disgraced general Swain, coupled with Swain's vision for the empire, conflicted with the expectations. Darius, bound by oaths to Noxus rather than a specific ruler, recognized Swain as a leader he was willing to follow. However, Swain had different plans. The establishment of the Trifarix marked a shift in Noxian leadership, with three individuals embodying distinct principles: Vision, Might, and Guile (known as Faceless, true identity concealed). Darius embraced his role on this council, pledging to assemble a new elite force—the 04NX017-full Trifarian Legion—and lead Noxian armies into a glorious era of conquest.
The Shedding of Skin
As Darkwill's wars raged, the Black Rose extended its influence to Shurima through Soreana Du Coteau and her daughter, Cassiopeia. Urgency heightened when news of Jericho Swain's coup, orchestrated with General Du Coteau's assistance, reached Urzeris. Furious at her husband's betrayal and alarmed for the Black Rose, Soreana sent Cassiopeia on a mission to Shurima: to uncover the ultimate goal, a godlike power pivotal to the Shuriman empire's supremacy. Upon discovering the Tomb of the Emperors, Cassiopeia recognized it as the gateway to the sought-after power. Intent on eliminating all witnesses, she first claimed the life of her guide, Sivir. Yet, an ancient stone tomb guardian emerged, sinking its fangs into Cassiopeia's flesh. Overwhelmed by arcane toxins, she was brought back through the desert, undergoing a twisted transformation as her body morphed into something unspeakable. Returning to her family's crypt, Cassiopeia concealed herself, tormented by her cursed form. Alone for weeks, she grappled with disgust for her serpentine body and mourned her lost aristocratic life. Eventually, an insatiable desire to hunt surged within her, driving her to venture into the night, targeting those she deemed deserving of death. Aware of the magic derived from dead Shuriman gods, Cassiopeia resolved to wield it for the Black Rose's schemes, aligning with her mother's plans.
Demacian Invasion
Upon receiving the honorary rank of general, Demacian Prince Jarvan IV embarked on a mission beyond the Argent Mountains to bring stability to the lawless frontier shaped by Noxian presence. In response, the newly established Trifarian Legion was dispatched to the Gates of Mourning, a standing outpost near the westernmost Noxian border. Despite Diadoro from the Dauntless Vanguard valiantly holding the Gates for an entire day, they eventually succumbed to the Trifarian Legion. General Granth, though later honored as a hero of the battle, knew the accolades from Swain were an insult, a realization that festered within him as a pale woman reached out. Learning of the fall of the Gates of Mourning, Jarvan, undeterred by his lieutenants' advice, resolved to press further into Noxian territory. Battalions stretched thin, he found himself encircled and defeated by Noxian warbands before reaching Trevale. Refusing surrender, Jarvan and a few survivors fled into the forests, relentlessly pursued by the Noxians. After days of evasion, an arrow pierced Jarvan's side, causing him to collapse by a fallen tree. Salvation came in the form of a purple-skinned woman.
Progress Day
If you think Piltover or Zaun are spared of the Noxian influence, then you’re wrong because Noxus keeps an eye on everyone, and in the past, for several months, two Noxian Warmasons, Tamara and Colette, discreetly infiltrated Piltover with the aim of placing an agent within Clan Medarda. Exploiting the annual Progress Day as a cover, they showcased their technical prowess to the clan's masters and apprentices. Tamara Lautari presented her Hex-Armillary Amplifier, designed to harness crystal properties and exponentially amplify their output. Despite its potential, the invention proved perilous, nearly destroying the hall due to faulty construction—an intentional act to sabotage the proceedings. Subsequently, after departing the Medarda mansion, Tamara was apprehended by Caitlyn, who had uncovered her true identity and motives in the city. Facing exposure, Tamara was banished and sent back to Noxus. While both Tamara and Gysbert failed to secure positions as Medarda apprentices, Colette succeeded. Later, Colette managed to obtain a Medarda trading map, a valuable piece of information she relayed to Noxian intelligence.
At the edge of the world
Even in the untamed jungles of Shurima, Noxus found something worth fighting for. Coveted by ambitious Noxian generals, fleet officer Tomyri finally secures her long-sought commission after seven petitions to Noxian high command. Preparations for her expedition are in full swing when she learns of the eminent participation of the renowned Reckoning beast hunter, Niander Ordylon. Days at sea bring the Ardentius to the Serpentine Delta, revealing the vast wilderness awaiting Tomyri and her crew. The jungle, however, is unforgiving to foreign invaders. Struggling to find their bearings and any quarry for the beast hunters, Noxian morale and discipline begin to waver. The challenges of the jungle threaten to thwart their ambitions in this unfamiliar frontier.
Blood of Noxus
There was an attempt of a rebelion even inside Noxus, war veteran Quilletta Varn, steward of Basilich, revolted against Noxus, prompting the arrival of the Might of Noxus, Darius (Quilletta's childhood friend and ex-lover), along with Draven and Warmason Tamara. Against Tamara's counsel, Draven led an assault on the city, met with fierce resistance from archers and a strategically deployed gunpowder bomb. Following the defeat, Darius retreated to Blackrock Mere, a lake reminiscent of his time with Quilletta. Aware of an impending assassin, he brought Draven in secrecy. Returning to Basilich with the assassin's head, Darius and Draven confronted Quilletta and her second-in-command, Invetia Varn. The revelation that Decius, Quilletta's son, perished in the campaign against Freljord due to Darius's call to arms fueled a heated discussion on the cost of rebellion against Noxus. As ships from Vindor appeared, Quilletta asserted that Steward Amenesce, aligned with her, was bringing warriors to her aid. However, the truth unfolded—Trifarian Legions on Vindor forced Amenesce to betray Quilletta and support Darius. With options dwindling, Quilletta attempted to reveal that Decius was not only her son but also Darius's. Before she could finish, her own daughter and Invetia Varn killed her, becoming the new steward of Basilich and quashing the rebellion. So you can see, no one can escape the wish of expansion and power of the Noxian empire, no matter if we are talking about Demacia, Ionia, Freljord tribes or even jungles from Shurima.
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