[CHAMPION CONCEPT] Nephree, the Dark Crusader

GD Topic: http://forums.na.leagueoflegends.com/board/showthread.php?t=3776988

(Trolls got me forum-banned, so further updates will occur here.)

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Nephree, the Dark Crusader
http://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/1230541
http://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/1485015
(Artworks are for reference; credit goes to the original artists)

General Concept

Nephree is a tank/fighter Champion who can heavily punish opponents for attacking her via her passive, as well as force opponents to engage her via her taunt capabilities. Her damage scales with her resistances as well, making her a continual threat throughout the game as she gets tougher.

Statistics (numbers are subject to change)
HP: 420 (+85)
HPR/5: 6.5 (+0.5)
MP: 240 (+33)
MPR/5: 5.5 (+0.5)
Damage: 55 (+3)
Range: 125 (melee)
Armor: 23 (+3.5)
Magic Resistance: 30 (+1.25)
Attack Speed: 0.625 (+2.02%)
Movement Speed: 340

Abilities (subject to changes)

P - Curse of Retribution

Every time an enemy lands a basic attack on Nephree, it receives a stack of Retribution for 6 seconds (max. 4 stacks). If Nephree damages an enemy with 4 stacks via a basic attack or Guilty Blade, the stacks are consumed and Nephree deals 35+(5*level)(+0.5 bonus AR)(+0.5 bonus MR) physical damage to it.

Q - Guilty Blade

Nephree's next basic attack releases dark power from her blade, dealing 25/50/75/100/125 (+0.2 AR)(+0.2 MR) physical damage and applying a stack of Retribution to enemies near her target (~225 radius). Resets attack timer. Guilty Blade's splash effect can trigger Curse of Retribution.

9/8/7/6/5 second cooldown. Costs 30/35/40/45/50 mana.

W - Aphotic Soul

Nephree releases a burst of darkness around her, dealing 60/95/130/165/200 (+0.15 AR)(+0.15 MR) physical damage to all nearby enemies (300 range). Enemy Champions damaged by Aphotic Soul are Crippled, reducing all physical and magical damage dealt by 20/22.5/25/27.5/30% for 2 seconds. If an enemy is damaged by Aphotic Soul, Nephree receives a shield for 4 seconds that absorbs up to 90/135/180/225/270 (+10% of bonus health) damage.

20/18/16/14/12 second cooldown. Costs 60/70/80/90/100 mana. Can be cast while moving.

E - Malefic Strike

Nephree releases a blast of darkness in target direction (skillshot, max. 700 range). If it connects with an enemy, Nephree dashes to the target, dealing 60/100/140/180/220 (+0.4 AP) physical damage and taunting it for 1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4/1.5 seconds upon arrival (dash can be disrupted by knock-backs and knock-ups).

18/16/14/12/10 second cooldown. Costs 70 mana at all ranks.

R - Heart of Darkness

For the next 12 seconds, Nephree is surrounded by dark fire (200 range) that deals 40/70/100 (+0.1 AP) magic damage each second and applies a stack of Retribution to nearby enemies. During this time, whenever Nephree triggers Curse of Retribution, she taunts her target into attacking her for 1/1.25/1.5 seconds. This taunt cannot reoccur on the same target within 5 seconds.

140/120/100 second cooldown. Costs 125 mana.

Background (thanks goes to Melancholy Exile for help in making the lore)

"One must be wary of their own sins, lest they become as vile as the ones they fight." - Nephree

Few Demacian heroes have as tragic a history as Nephree. Cursed to bear an ancient black sword, and feared by the people who once called her a hero, the knight holds an uneasy vigil over the people of Demacia, fighting as best she can for justice with the dark power she is condemned to wield, whilst simultaneously fighting the very power that threatens to corrupt her.

Nephree's endeavors began when she was sent to reinforce an ancient temple in Demacia under siege by Noxian forces. The Noxians sought an ancient Darkin blade sealed away within the temple named Ebonmere, a cursed weapon forged of hatred and rage. Her forces were hopelessly outmatched against the Noxians and, in desperation, Nephree took hold of the very weapon she was charged to protect, hoping to use its dark power to save her comrades. Upon breaking the seal, Nephree cried out as the sword's curse took hold of her, turning her white armor ebony and her blue eyes a deep crimson. Seconds later, she found herself in the middle of a horde of dead Noxians, covered in their blood. She had singlehandedly won the battle, but could not remember a moment of it.

Despite warnings from her comrades of the sword's curse, she could not compel herself to abandon the blade, and opted to keep the Ebonmere and use it to further Demacia's cause. In battle after battle, Nephree led her forces to numerous victories against Noxians and bandits, each battle ending with her regaining consciousness amid a pile of fallen foes. Yet with each victory, her men grew more and more fearful of her, her bloodlust unnerving even the most experienced soldiers. What was more unnerving was that none of her foes ever surrendered to her, no matter how hopelessly outmatched, as though they too shared her bloodlust. Though she claimed to be hunting down the enemies of justice, many feared that she was becoming as vile as the ones she hunted, sparing no foe regardless of the weight of their crimes.

On one day, Nephree was met by Prince Jarvan IV, who wished to congratulate her on her successes. As the prince approached her, Nephree lashed out at the prince, the Ebonmere drawn as she claimed he was to be judged and punished for his crimes. The prince, accompanied by Garen Crownguard, squared off against Nephree in battle. Onlookers watched in horror as Nephree's darkness seemed to ebb into the prince and his comrade, driving them to seek her blood. Eventually, the fight dragged to a standstill. But just as Nephree was about to renew her assault, she suddenly stopped her rampage, regaining her senses and seemingly freeing her opponents of their own bloodlust. Believing that the Ebonmere's curse had corrupted her and that it threatened all of Demacia, Jarvan sought to destroy the blade. Yet Nephree protested, claiming she could control the weapon, and herself, if the prince would give her the chance. Jarvan accepted, but demanded that Nephree seek the aid of the Summoners, and warned that she would not be spared if the curse took a full hold of her. Nephree departed for the Institute of War that day, seeking to conquer her demons before they conquered her.

Trivia

• Nephree "taunts" her opponents by directing her own darkness into her foe (via the Ebonmere). This darkness briefly overtakes her foe, sending them into a frenzy.
• Nephree is not exiled from Demacia, but is kept under close watch whenever she is in the capitol.
• Nephree and Jarvan IV used to be in a relationship with one another, but the two deny any sort of romantic connection. However, Nephree seems to be quite jealous of Shyvana, who is rather close to Jarvan.
• Nephree and Quinn are old friends, despite that Nephree is a noblewoman.
• Nephree has a bit of a competitive rivalry with Garen, as both are knight commanders in Demacia. She is rather amused by his relationship with Katarina.
• Aatrox seems to know a great deal about the Ebonmere, but refuses to tell Nephree about its secrets. Nephree is determined to make him reveal the truth of the blade.

Quotes

Ideal Voice Actress: Willa Holland (Aqua from Kingdom Hearts series)

Selection
Justice, no matter the cost.
Movement
I will conquer the darkness within me.
For Demacia.
Ebonmere hungers...
The blade speaks to me.
I will reclaim my honor.
I cannot submit to this curse.
The darkness grows ever stronger in me.
Justice through darkness.
Attacking
Justice can be such a dark thing.
Ebonmere shall feed!
I'll lead the assault.
They should be running...!
Demacia, now and forever!
It must be done.
To victory!
The cravens will fall!
Using Malefic Strike
Face me!
Craven cur!
Activating Heart of Darkness
I say when it ends!
Face your sentence!
Taunt
Do your worst. It won't be enough!
Taunting Jarvan IV
Don't show me any mercy, my liege. For I'll show you none!
Taunting Shyvana
Come on, Shyvana! Show me your so-called dragon's pride!
Taunting Quinn
Nothing personal, Quinn. But I plan to live through this.
Taunting Lux
Your day's about to get a LOT darker, Lux.
Taunting Garen
Let's see which of us is the better knight, Garen.
Taunting Fiora
Time to learn a few lessons in humiliation, Fiora.
Taunting Vayne
You think you do not fear the darkness, Vayne? You soon will!
Taunting Varus
I have mastered my darkness. Have you?
Taunting Aatrox
Your kind made this blade. You will free me of it!
Joke (both are references to Monty Python and the Holy Grail)
Ugh... it's only a flesh wound... (clutches her side)
Urgh... I'm being repressed again... (clutches her side)
Death
I can't... fall here...

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Critiques and constructive feedback will be appreciated.