Darius
Welcome, lore-lovers, to another riveting journey into the rich tapestry of Runeterra! First of all, I wish you a Merry Christmas and I hope you're all feeling amazing and prepart because today, on Liandrug, we delve into the formidable realm of Noxus, exploring a figure whose very presence strikes fear into the hearts of both friend and foe. In the heart of Noxus, there exists a living legend, a towering force of brutality and unyielding might. His name echoes through the annals of history--Darius, the Hand of Noxus. From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of Noxian power, Darius embodies the relentless spirit of a nation forged in the fires of conquest. His journey, a testament to the unwavering strength that defines the Trifarian Legion.
Opening
In this video, we'll unravel the lore behind this indomitable commander, exploring the very essence of what makes Darius the feared and battle-hardened leader of Noxus. A man who cleaves through enemies, even if they bear the same banner. With an axe that knows no mercy and a cause that fuels his every swing, Darius stands resolute in the face of adversity. Join us as we uncover the untold stories, the triumphs, and the sacrifices that have shaped the commander of the Trifarian Legion. So, fellow lore enthusiasts, brace yourselves for an epic journey into the heart of Noxus. This is Liandrug, and today, we proudly present the saga of Darius--the unyielding Hand of Noxus!
Champion's story
Darius and his younger brother Draven faced the harsh reality of orphanhood in the bustling port city of Basilich. Struggling to provide for both of them, Darius engaged in constant battles with gangs of older urchins and anyone posing a threat to his little brother--even clashing with the city guard. The streets became their battlefield, and by his twelfth summer, Darius had accumulated more scars than some soldiers do in a lifetime.
The fate of these defiant brothers took a turn when Basilich fell under the control of the expanding Noxian empire. Recognizing the strength within Darius and Draven, the victorious Noxian commander, Cyrus, offered them a place within his warhost. Over the years, they became seasoned warriors, participating in grueling conquests across the known world and quashing rebellions against the throne.
In the Noxian empire, where one's rise to power wasn't constrained by birth, culture, or background, Darius epitomized this ethos. Ascending through the ranks from humble beginnings, he consistently prioritized duty, earning immense respect for his unwavering aggression, disciplined approach, and refusal to take a step backward. A defining moment occurred on the bloodsoaked fields of Dalamor Plain, where Darius, in an act of defiance, beheaded a Noxian general who ordered a retreat. Roaring triumphantly and hoisting his bloodied axe overhead, Darius rallied the scattered warbands, securing a remarkable victory against a far more numerous foe.
Rewarded with a senior command of his own, Darius became a magnet for eager recruits, drawing thousands from every corner of the empire. Despite the overwhelming interest, Darius, living up to his fearsome notoriety, turned away the majority, accepting only the strongest, most disciplined, and iron-willed warriors. Beyond the borders of Noxus, his reputation was so formidable that entire cities would surrender at the mere sight of his banners.
Following a hard-fought victory against the resilient Varju, a warrior people who had resisted Noxian aggression for decades, Emperor Boram Darkwill bestowed upon Darius the prestigious title of the Hand of Noxus. Contrary to any personal craving for power or adulation, those who knew Darius best understood that his sole desire was to witness Noxus triumph over all. Acting on Darkwill's command, Darius and his warhosts were dispatched far north into the Freljord to subdue the barbarian tribes.
The northern campaign unfolded over years, culminating in a bitter, icy stalemate. Darius faced assassination attempts, ambushes, and even capture by the ruthless Winter's Claw. Weary of protracted wars of attrition, he returned to Noxus, demanding a reconsolidation of the military. The Hand of Noxus sought to redirect the might of the empire with a strategic vision, reflecting his unwavering commitment to the glory of Noxus.
Leading his battle-hardened veterans into the capital, Darius was met with a grim revelation--the emperor had fallen, a victim of a coup orchestrated by Jericho Swain. Shockingly, Darius's own brother, Draven, stood among the supporters of this drastic upheaval.
Caught in a complex predicament, Darius, as the Hand of Noxus, faced the conflicting expectations of noble houses. Avenging Emperor Boram Darkwill was the anticipated course of action, but Darius harbored a deep respect for Swain, a disgraced general he had defended after a failed offensive in Ionia. The oaths of the Hand were sworn to Noxus itself, not to any particular ruler, and Swain's candid vision for the empire resonated with Darius. The Hand was ready to stand by this new leader, only to discover that Swain had different plans.
The emergence of the Trifarix marked a significant shift in Noxian governance, with three individuals sharing the rule, each embodying a distinct principle of strength: Vision, Might, and Guile. Darius, recognizing the potential in this restructuring, willingly accepted his place on the council. His commitment was underscored by a solemn pledge to assemble a formidable force--the Trifarian Legion, an elite unit comprising the empire's most loyal and prestigious warriors. With unwavering determination, Darius pledged to lead Noxus into a triumphant new era of conquest under the banner of the Trifarix.
The Winterspike Road
In the story "The Winterspike Road" we find Darius, in the frozen wilderness, leading the Trifarian Legion which confronts the relentless Winter's Claw, unleashing a visceral clash of steel and strategy. Amidst the chaos, Maja, a novice warrior, grapples with fear, loyalty, and the brutal realities of war, ultimately finding her place in the crucible of Noxian might and determination.
As evening descended, Maja trudged through the snow, her boots thoroughly soaked. The biting cold seeped into her bones with each step, the icy water sloshing from heel to toe, reminiscent of a flaying knife tracing along her foot. Alongside her, fellow soldiers struggled in the challenging terrain, navigating fifteen miles downhill through waist-high snow.
At the forefront of the column, the legionaries displayed a resilience that set them apart. Their steps maintained a confident rhythm, and their vigilant eyes remained fixed on the horizon. Maja couldn't help but wonder if their seemingly unaffected progress was due to better boots--Trifarians, tough as they were, couldn't endure such conditions in standard-issue footwear.
A minotaur named Zalt, towering over the others with his size and age, broke the silence. "Holding up?" he muttered to Maja. Plowing a path through the snow with sturdy hooves, he seemed impervious to the hardships.
Maja, envious of Zalt's apparent indifference, replied, "Wish I couldn't feel my feet. If I didn't have feet, no one could make me march."
Zalt shared a chilling anecdote from a previous campaign against the Winter's Claw, recounting how a soldier's foot had frozen solid, prompting General Darius to take drastic measures--chopping the entire thing off.
As they descended the mountain, Maja spotted Darius himself on a bend in the road below. The imposing Hand of Noxus, incarnate Might, carried a massive axe gleaming on his back. Zalt reminded Maja of the significance of the road, built by Darius during Darkwill's campaign, now in need of reclamation.
"The scouts don't get a rest, do they?" Maja observed, pointing to the figures on the cliff tops.
Zalt, momentarily confused, followed her gaze. Before he could comprehend the situation, the air filled with a deafening roar, and the world around them turned chaotic.
An avalanche, unleashed from the cliffs above, separated into two curtains of white that swiftly filled the pass. The Noxian column was engulfed, chunks of hard-packed snow descending upon the soldiers. Row by row, they were swallowed by the relentless force of the avalanche. Maja braced herself, but the impact was like a charging basilisk--tumbling terror, a disorienting weightlessness, followed by darkness and the suffocating embrace of winter's crushing grip.
Crunch! Maja felt a powerful force heaving her out of the snowpack. A commanding voice, resonating like the clash of blades, commanded, "Get up! Dig them out!" Shaking herself free from the snow, Maja realized she was digging alongside none other than the general himself--Darius.
Amidst the snow, Darius uncovered a cloven foot. "Zalt!" Maja shouted, rushing to assist the general in extricating him.
As Maja glanced back up the frosty slope, Winter's Claw warriors were scavenging through the scattered remains of the Noxian dead. There was no room for retreat, she thought.
Darius, taking stock of the situation, began counting heads. "Officers!" he called, summoning two Trifarian legionaries. "Report casualties. There's a river over the next ridge. We'll fortify there." Surveying the battered Noxian ranks, Darius's expression burned with barely leashed anger. "If you can't walk, crawl." The air hung heavy with the unspoken determination to forge ahead, despite the adversity they faced.
As the pale sun descended, Winter's Claw skirmishers hounded the Noxian column with barbed arrows, but the disciplined Trifarian Legion pressed on, undeterred. Maja struggled to keep pace as they approached a wide, slick frozen river, a perilous zone for the Winter's Claw. Darius, foreseeing an attack from the treeline, ordered snow trenches dug parallel to the bank, utilizing shields as shovels.
Zalt, a veteran, reminded everyone that they saw the Hand of Noxus digging with the infantry. Soldiers sharpened stakes for the outer trench, and Darius, while inspecting defenses, recognized Zalt from the first Freljord campaign.
Addressing Maja, Darius discerned it was her first action and advised her to focus on facing the enemy without succumbing to fear. Amidst his counsel, a javelin struck the trench wall, signaling an imminent assault.
As Winter's Claw warriors ambushed them, Darius, brimming with anticipation, declared they would strike when the enemy charged. A snarling from the trees heralded a pack of trained wildclaws, followed by the Winter's Claw themselves.
In the ensuing chaos, Maja fought alongside Trifarian legionaries, witnessing Darius's formidable presence. However, Zalt fell victim to a javelin, and as Winter's Claw warriors closed in, Maja faced a dilemma--save Zalt or engage in the battle.
Choosing to save Zalt, she pushed him toward the river, but the urge to flee with him arose. Zalt, embodying Noxian resolve, reminded her that Noxians never flee. As Winter's Claw closed in, Darius intervened, forcefully directing Maja to face the enemy.
Amidst the conflict, Darius's stern warning against fleeing hung in the air. Maja, torn by her allegiance to Noxus, left Zalt and, with Darius, confronted the enemy in a relentless whirlwind of Noxian steel. Blades clashed until sunrise, culminating in the rout of the Winter's Claw.
Upon their return, Darius and Maja discovered Zalt's lifeless body at the riverbank, pierced by arrows. Maja, grappling with numbness and denial, tried to justify her actions, believing Zalt might have rallied or fought. However, Darius sternly criticized her decision to prioritize protection over active participation in the battle, stating that she should have fought alongside those with a chance of survival.
Shaken by Darius's rebuke, Maja acknowledged her mistake and pledged to improve. Darius, with a steely gaze, emphasized the importance of being prepared to fight rather than focusing solely on protection, even when faced with soldiers like Zalt who were ready to die.
As they turned their attention to the looming threat of the Winter's Claw in the north, Darius urged Maja to act swiftly. The campfires and rising smoke on the dawn-lit slopes of the Winterspike mountains signaled the adversary awaiting their next clash. The urgency in Darius's command underscored the impending confrontation, and Maja, though grieving, steeled herself for the battles ahead.
Champion's relations
The Hand of Noxus also has a lot of relations with a lot of characters, let's now discuss some of those relations with the champions we know about. Darkwill honored Darius with accolades, yet Darius forged an alliance with Swain, recognizing in the Master Tactician the potential to elevate Noxus to greater heights.
Darius views necromancy as a means of cheating death to rationalize an unwarranted prolongation of one's existence. Nevertheless, in the case of Sion, he perceives a legacy that serves as an illustration. When he contemplates the Undead Juggernaut, he envisions a potential fate for himself should he cease to be valuable to the empire--or, conversely, if his usefulness becomes a threat warranting his demise.
Darius harbors no personal vendetta against Garen, yet he deems him a fool constrained by a superficial code of "honor." Regardless, Darius finds a certain satisfaction in the prospect of defeating Garen, aiming to demonstrate that Noxian Might triumphs over all, including Demacian Perseverance, Courage, and Justice--particularly when confronted with a paragon of such ideals.
Darius and his younger brother Draven have earned fame as the "Blood Brothers." While family bonds can be a wellspring of strength, Darius observes that self-serving aristocrats often exploit their lineage as a support for their own weaknesses. This perpetuates a state of stagnant leadership that Darius believes must be eradicated and replaced. Considering this perspective, it remains uncertain whether Darius' provision and care for Draven in their childhood stemmed from genuine affection or pragmatic necessity. The comic "Blood of Noxus" appears to suggest the former.
Darius is the father of two children, Decius and Invetia Varn, born to his former lover, Quilletta Varn. In adherence to the pragmatic customs of Noxus, they never formalized their relationship through marriage, recognizing the unpredictable trajectory of their lives amidst the ongoing warfare. Tragically, Quilletta met her demise at the hands of their daughter Invetia during the Battle of Basilich.
Although the direct confirmation of their parentage was never explicitly stated, strong implications arise from the evident relationship between Darius and Quilletta, as well as certain localizations utilizing terms suggestive of a familial bond.
Quilletta Varn's growing disillusionment with the empire's ambitions, fueled by the approval of the slaughter of innocents by figures like Singed and Emystan, ultimately led her to rebel against the empire, contributing to the unfolding events of the story.
In the midst of the Black Mist onslaught orchestrated by Viego at The Immortal Bastion, Darius found himself briefly under possession, engaging in a temporary confrontation with Samira until the Mist eventually receded.
Closing Words
And there you have it, fellow lore-lovers! We've delved deep into the rich tapestry of Darius's story, from his strategic alliances to family ties and even a dance with the eerie Black Mist. If you can't get enough of these epic tales from the realms of fantasy, make sure to join our Discord channel--where lore discussions never sleep!
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