[Horror Champion Concept] Rai'Zhul, Shadow of the Ember
Background/Lore http://wallup.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/09/281184-digital_art-nature-trees-forest-painting-burning-fire-wood-artwork-branch-736x459.jpg "A mystical forest of fire. Deep within this forest is its Heart. A burning entity. One who sustains the Forest and all of its creatures through the fire that constantly rages from it. This entity is not malign, but is infact kind and caring. However, its power can be manipulated and used for destruction. To tend to the Heart is the race of the Zhul. The Zhul are humanoid in appearance, but with green skin of varying hues. Slanted eyes that shown no white, but instead were all of one color. Each color varies. Their faces were elven in nature with an angular face and pointed ears. The Zhul are kind, caring, and strong. They protect the Heart and tend to its fires as well as the rest of the Forest. They are said to blend with the trees as they are born from their very seed. That for every tree there was a Zhul. However, tragedy struck." http://wallup.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/224927-mist-nature-landscape-clouds-dead_trees-sunrise-fire-burning-forest-spooky-736x459.jpg "The fire of the Heart went out, but not in a calm and peaceful way. No, the fire exploded outwards. Consuming itself and the Forest. Now, the Forest was ashen and barren and they say a spirit haunts it. Consumed by death of the Heart the last of the Zhul have turned twisted and cruel. Their very skin turning to an ashen white or ebony black. Their duty to protect the Heart and Forest has become muddled. When once they protected even the inhabitants of the Forest, they now walk among the hollow landscape attacking any who encroach. Those who are foolishly within this forest rarely get out. Those who are taken alive are brought before the Heart and sacrificed in a vain hope that their blood will ressurect the Heart and bring forth the land which was once known. Of course, they are not without their kindness. Show respect for them and the Forest, and it is said they shall not harm you. However, disrespect the Forest then be wary for they will show no mercy." http://41.media.tumblr.com/d9cd0d2dfa0ca427d878f4b9ce97479f/tumblr_n3ruquivbD1sn3ne4o1_500.jpg "Among the Zhul is one who leads them. The only survivor of the elite who tended to the Heart personally while those that now live were ones who tended the Forest. His skin blackened and malformed from where the flames consumed him. Embers still burning in places to this day. His hands white from the ashes of his fallen Elite. His very presence is overwhelming and puts fear into the heart. Staring into his eyes you feel a sense of just how twisted he has become. An eternal sorrow and anger seething from every pore. Should one venture into the Forest they should be wary of him. His name, Rai'Zhul. He leaves none but ash in his wake and on everything he touches."
There was a pause from the storyteller then. All of him swathed in a cloak which hid each part of him quite well. His hooded head scanned each and every face listening before beginning again.
"They say this story is just that. A story. A myth. However, they any who venture into this Forest never come back. That the very trees themselves move within. A forest very similar to the one in the story sits not to far from here. Is it your plan to venture within?"
The group looked at each other then, and all nodded. There was a grim silence hanging in the room and everything seemed to grow darker. The storyteller continued.
"Then I warn you. You do so at the forfeit of your very life. The Ashen Forest is not one you should venture within unprepared."
They laughed it off as the story was concluded and they left the inn. As they left the chair whose inhabitant had been the storryteller was vacant, and all that was left was ash as white as snow. They were never heard from again.
"Rise o Heart, burn ever bright. Give to us your unbridled light."-Part of the chant performed by the Zhul during the ritual sacrifices to the heart.
DISCLAIMER!! Images or icons used are not my own and are merely used as a visual representation of my champion concept. All credit for images or icons used should go to their respective creators whoeve they may be. Thank you!
ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMER AND INFO This concpet was made due to the month of October housing the holiday Halloween. As such this concept was based on a horror/creepy sort of champion. Thus Rai'Zhul was created.
The Forest was once housed within the Void, and its Heart as well as the Zhul were a part of the Void. Through means unknown to the Zhul their Forest, the Heart, and themselves were thrust from the Void into the world of Runeterra. When this happened the Fire which raged from the Heart exploded and consumed everything.
The area from which the Forest hailed was unique in atmosphere and light. Instead of the typical darkness and purple energies which were trademarks of the Void it had Fire and light. Thriving due to the unique nature of the atmosphere in which it resided. Upon contact with Runeterra the Heart's fire combusted as it did not have time to adjust it and thus consumed everything.
The Zhul took this transition harshly as well. Warping their minds. They still held to the duty of protecting the Forest and the Heart, but became darker and more sinister than before. They believe that they were thrust here by the very people inhabiting Runeterra. They also believe that by sacrificing those of Runeterra they can revive the Heart and return to it its Fire. Rai'Zhul and a few others learn overtime that not all of Runeterra is bad, and that the sacrifices will do nothing, but they do not shatter the illusion for the others for it would drive them even further mad. Instead, they still protect their home and allow those who wish to sacrifice do so, and thus control their madness.
You may think Rai'Zhul has a bit of a heart, and perhaps he does. However, this does not dismiss his now vicious and cruel nature when he defends his home and people. He may warn those who enter, but he also entices. He lures those unsuspecting into the Forest for his people who would go mad without sacrifices. Indeed, a small civil war broke out when some of the Zhul went feral and began killing each other. They were put down, and now he allows a quota. An amount of lives to be given until such a time when what was done could be put right. However...there is only so long such a mighty Zhul can hold out. Just how long before he too goes feral.
Appearance Rai'Zhul looks pretty much exactly like the third picture I used in the lore section to describe him. Zhul are fairly average in size, but strong and tough. Lithe and quick. Rai'Zhul stands at about five feet and eight inches.
The Embers and the Shadow The Embers were what the Zhul Elite who tended to the Heart personally were called. Rai'Zhul is the last of them, and a shadow of his former self. Hence Shadow of the Ember. The Ember being him (as he is but one Ember) and the Shadow being what he has become.
STATS Health: 560-2130 Health Regen: 6-21 Mana: 350-930 Mana Regen: 5-18 Armor: 26-91 Magic Resist: 32.1-53.4 Attack Damage: 60-115 Attack Speed: 0.65-0.98 Attack Range: 150 Movement Speed: 355 Primary Role: Assassin Secondary Role: Mage
SYNOPSIS Rai'Zhul is meant to be a sort of fear filling champion. An opponent you makes you afraid. Both literally and figuratively. His kit will be based around fear and getting to your opponent. When in a fight he is relatively fast and hits hard while being tough as per his origins. This I wanted to portray within his stats, and I hope I fulfilled that.
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/107/107323-d71398ee4db6358d287220e1ab6a7e43.jpg Passive: One with the Forest Around the map are many ashen like trees added. These trees are everywhere, including in lane, but are more abundant within the Jungle. Rai'Zhul may take the form of these trees by clicking them. When taking the form of a tree Rai'Zhul cannot move or he will break the illusion and be forced out of the tree.
Enemies may attack a tree with basic abilities or attacks, but will not reveal him unless they destroy the tree first. Each tree has 5 health and each hit from an attack or ability will remove one of these health bars. Splash effects hit trees even if he is not within one. This can help to take out multiple trees at the same time.
Upon destroying a tree he is revealed and can be damaged.
When within a tree Rai'Zhul has a 400 unit radius around him from which he can target an enemy. Targeting an enemy will have Rai'Zhul lunge towards them causing a fear and 30% slow on target for 1s upon arrival. Enemy units with 300 units of the target are also feared for 1s upon arrival, but not slowed. Target takes damage upon arrival from Rai'Zhul as if hit by a basic attack and thus can apply on-hit effects.
Rai'Zhul can move to a nearby tree within 400 units of his current tree without breaking his illusion. Wards can only show him if they grant True Sight as that is the only thing which can reveal him save for destroying a tree and rooting him out.
Cooldown to Blend: 6/5/4/3s or 30s. The cooldown is dependent upon what Rai'Zhul does. Should he simply move out of a tree then he can reactivate this relatively quickly. However, lunging at a target will cause this to go on cooldown for a medium amount of time. Lunge Speed: 1000 units. This speed I imagine to be about the same speed as Maokai's W speed. I am unsure exactly as the Wikia does not state Maokai's Twisted Advance (his W) speed. Cooldown for Respawn: 10s. Trees will respawn after 10s of being destroyed.
ADDITIONAL INFO Rai'Zhul is untargetable while dashing towards target. However, any walls which can stop a projectile will stop Rai'Zhul short of his target, but enemy units within 300 units will still be feared. No damage is done should this occur.
These trees will be referred to as "Ashen Trees" for references to make it easier to know what trees I am talking about.
Secondary Passive: Ashen Some of Rai'Zhul's abilities grant the debuff "Ashen" on enemies. Basic Attacks from Rai'Zhul on enemies who are "Ashen" causes them to accrue stacks. On the 3rd stack they become Feared for 1s. Cannot be Feared in this way for the next 3s.
They may still be feared by other means.
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/100/100861-3ff4dd220201001228ead773494225ff.jpg Q: Cinders Passive: Basic attacks against enemies who are Feared cause embers to spark forth from Rai'Zhul upon contact causing his basic attacks to deal 10/20/30/40/50 (+5% AP) additional magic damage.
Passive: Awakened: While Awakened this passive overrides the original. Rai'Zhuls basic attacks deal bonus damage to all enemies regardless of whether they are feared or not. For damage see Awakened, Rise of the Flame details.
Active: Rai'Zhul gathers smouldering ash and throws it in target 600 unit direction dealing an initial 50/80/110/140/170 (+50% AD) physical damage and blinding enemies for 1s. Afterwards they become coated in ash gaining the debuff "Ashen" for 6s. This also leaves behind an "Ash Cloud" along its path that lasts for 3s.
Cooldown: 14/13/12/11/10s Mana Cost: 50/55/60/65/70 Shape: Cinders is a cone-like skillshot that reaches 600 units in range, and 150 units at its widest while reaching 50 units at its shortest. This is due to the ash spreading out from where it was originally thrown.
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/84/84532-da565896fd1fa0f3e80071a004a8c9ad.jpg W: Ashen Walk Passive: Rai'Zhul gains 10/20/30/40/50% increased movement speed towards enemies who are Feared. Additionally Rai'Zhul moves twice as fast through Ashen Miasma and the Ash clouds left behind from Cinders.
Active: Rai'Zhul turns to ash becoming untargetable and moves with 30/50/70/90/110% increased movement speed and can pass through terrain as well as enemies. Everywhere he moves he leaves a trail of white ashe that trails behind him for 600 which fades as he moves farther away. Standing still for more than 1s will have the trail quickly recede until there is no more trail. Allies may use this trail to gain an increased movement speed of 15/30/45/60/75% as long as they are moving towards him. Allows allies to follow him through terrain as long as they remain on the trail and the trail remains connecting the terrain. Stepping off the trail will result in them being knocked to the nearest open area.
He leaves behind ash on enemies he passes through causing them to contract the debuff "Ashen" for 6s.
During Ashen Walk Rai'Zhul cannot attack or use abilities. Doing so will end Ashen Walk and put it on cooldown.
Cooldown: 3s. Toggled ability. Mana Cost Per Second: 10/15/20/25/30 Damage Reduction: 15/30/45/60/75%
ADDITIONAL INFO While this makes Rai'Zhul untargetable he may still be damaged by some abilities. These abilities are AoE and Pass Through abilities as well as splash damage. Though he takes reduced damage from them. AoE abilities will also not be setup or stopped by him. Snares, Knock Backs, Knock Ups, and other CC will not touch him. Exceptions to this are things like Malphites Ult (if he is within the radius of it) and Cho'Gath's knock up (if he is within the radius). Everything else will just pass through him.
AoE example: Karma's Q. Her Q will go through him, causing no damage, but if it hits an ally beside him he will be hit by the splash damage from it and be damaged. The same goes for her empowered Q. The explosion and the explosion after will hit him, but they will not trigger on him, but pass through him.
Ground targeted AoE's will damage him if he stands on them and all effects on them will take effect as well. Splash damage from Luden's Echo, Statikk Shiv, and Runaan's Hurricane will hit him as well.
Pass Through Example: Varus's Q. If it by Varus's Q he will take damage from it. Same with Ezreal or Lux's Ult.
Damage Reduction and Appearance: Rai'Zhul takes on an Ashen form of himself becoming pure white and like he is made of dust. Anything which hits him sends puffs of ash as it hits him. With him being Ash anything which hits him is displaced, and thus would deal less damage, and so he takes less damage because of this.
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/95/95089-61ebea4c626899283831c0277955dd55.jpg E: Ashen Miasma Targets a 600 unit area within a 800 unit cast range. The area becomes filled with ash like a miasma fog and applies "Ashen" debuff to enemies walking through it that lasts while within this area and persists for 6s upon leaving. While within this area enemies acrue stacks over time without the need to hit them with a basic attack. Additionally if Ashen Miasma is cast over terrain Rai'Zhul can walk through the terrain Ashen Miasma is covering.
If cast within 100 units of Ashen Trees they become linked with the ash and spreads the ash to the Ashen Tree and around it for 100 units. Ashen Trees connected in this way or are within the radius of Ashen Miasma they become empowered. Enemies who attack these trees or come within 100 units of them will become feared for 1s. Cannot be feared again by these trees for 3s after.
While within Ashen Miasma Rai'Zhul gains 10/15/20/25/30% attack speed.
Cooldown: 20s Duration: 3/3/4/5/6s Stacks over Time: 1 stack every second. Cannot gain stacks again for 3s after the stack effects where off. Mana Cost: 100/105/110/115/120
Ashen Miasma: Awakened While Awakened this ability gains another cast. See Awakened, Rise of the Flame for details.
ADDITIONAL INFO This is Rai'Zhuls main form of control and instilling fear into his enemies. More useful in the jungle where Ashen Trees are more easily clumped together within the are to apply Fear to enemies walking through. Good area to set up an ambush as well and to lead enemies to who decide to chase Rai'Zhul.
http://www.hiveworkshop.com/data/ratory-images/100/100708-27b688015732fbd7798c79bc0428c782.jpg R: Awaken, Rise of the Flame The embers within Rai'Zhul pulse to life around him causing a 400 unit radius explosion of fire and ash which is centered on him. Enemies within this area become Feared for 1s. Enemies within 200 units upon this explosion are knocked back 100 units and damaged for 150/200/250 (+100% AD)(+50% AP) magic damage.
While "Awakened" Rai'Zhuls body grows to twice his size and becomes covered in flames that run along his body. During this time Rai'Zhul has a constant Ash cloud around him which applies Ashen stacks to enemies near him every 0.5s. After max stacks are applied and wear off enemies cannot have Ashen stacks applied to them again for 3s. Rai'Zhuls basic attacks change Cinders passive while "Awakened".
Cooldown: 100/90/80 Duration: 4/6/8s. Killing an enemy champion will reset this duration. Mana Cost: 150/200/250
Cinders Passive: Awakened Cinders passive now applies 50/100/150 (+50% AD)(+25% AP) additional physical damage regardless of whether or not they are Feared. This is a constant bonus to Rai'Zhuls basic attacks while Awakened.
Ashen Miasma: Awakened Rai'Zhul can cast another Ashen Miasma free of cost within 3s of casting the first one. If cast within 100 units of the initial one they will combine to form a 1000 unit area of Ashen Miasma.
ADDITIONAL INFO This ultimate is meant to portray the blessing of the Heart. As if the Heart was rekindled and came alive again. That is the symbolism here. While in this form he is relatively stronger, but does not have Ashen Walk to call upon to avoid danger. Instead he must use Ashen Miasma to get around and get close to enemies to apply stacks of Ashen to then cause Fear to instil the imminence of their death.
There you have Rai'Zhul, Shadow of the Ember! This champion concept is meant to instil fear, and instil fear it does. The kit itself definitely emphasizes this. It is meant to be a horror. Something you do not want to fight. The gist of it all is that he presents the imminence of death. The fear of not knowing where he is within those trees. The fear that he is closing in on you. That is what I want to portray here, and I believe I did a good job on that.
It wasn't exactly the direction I wanted to go, but it became its own thing as I began creating this. Originally he was meant to be a more AD/Assassin hybrid with a bunch of Fear abilities. Instead he sort of became a more AD/AP Hybrid with burst potential, but mainly focusing on the control and basic attack aspect. Using Ashen Miasma as a tactical advantage to kill his enemies within it and to escape or close in with the boost to speed while within.
His whole theme is best used within the Jungle as that is where his Ashen Trees are as well as the best use of his Ashen Miasma and Ashen Walk. When not in the Jungle he could be used Mid land or Top lane, and possibly bot as a sort of fear controlling support, but is probably best used within the Jungle and Top.
Those with high burst damage are the bane of his existence because they could kill him before he has the chance to apply his stacks or setup for the takedown. Kiting is also a very effective way to stop him as he has no dashes to engage quickly and thus must chase his targets. Even with the speed boosts this can prove difficult against such champions like Ashe who has slows, Janna who is pretty fast herself and has her Whirlwind, as well as those champions who can dash and teleport around like Lucian and Kassadin.
Quotes "I rise from the Ashes," Upon selection.
"Taste your foolishness," hitting enemies with Cinders. "This is my playground," while within Ashen Miasma and fighting. "From Ashes I rise, and to ashes you go," killing an enemy champion.
"The Heart is alive!" upon activating his ultimate. "The Heart is alive within me!" alternate wording upon activating his ultimate.
"Can you find me? Are you afraid?" Taunting the enemy while within an Ashen Tree. This taunt is said from multiple trees so as to not give him away as well as instil fear/confusion to the enemy player. A sort of mind game with the taunt.
There are others I could do, but I don't wish for this to be any longer than it already is. For the most part he taunts using mindgames, says things about the heart, and a lot of stuff about ashes as well as a few things about his fallen Embers.
Voice/Personality For the most part he is twisted and cruel. Taunting and goading others. His voice as explained (if I kept that in up above in the lore/appearance area) has a sort of backdrop/sound that accompanies his voice that is like a tree as it creaks if you've ever heard that sound. His voice otherwise is slightly deep and masculine. Whenever he talks it's as if the tone around it is as if he is toying with prey. It's hard to describe, apologies. :\
Personality wise he is quite twisted in his logic and isn't exactly nice, but he isn't outright evil either. There is a preciseness to his actions, and to those who respect his forest and him he has no qualms with. However, he finds most beings within Runeterra to be crude and sees them all as threats to his home.
Suggested Items
These are but a few of the items suggested. These shown are focused on a sort of Hybrid build of Attack Damage, Ability Power, Armor Pen, Life Steal, Attack Speed, Enhancing the magic damage caused on basic attacks, and Magic Resist. Not to mention helping to compensate for his weakness to slows and CC that can stop his movement as he isn't very mobile aside from his movement speed, but with no dashes or teleports his is reliant on his ability to move around and navigate that way. So anything that hampers it can be detrimental to his health.
Suggested builds are: Attack Speed/Crit, Damage/Attack Speed, Attack Speed/Crit. These are the three main ones. Attack Speed being partial due to needing to apply stacks and to take advantage of Cinders Passive when it is able to be used.
Just a reminder that this champion was created as a sort of Horror/Halloween champion focused on a sort of spooky origins and a character that could be pulled out of a horror movie. A decrepit forest with a guardian who kills relentlessly. Their minds twisted and sacrificing to a dead being who they once worshiped. Almost as if they were a sort of cult. That is what I wished to portray and I hope I did well in that.
This is Rai'Zhul, I hope you enjoyed and vote up if you liked him! Numbers are not final, and it is only the basis of the kit that matters (at least to me) as numbers are just placeholders, but the idea of the champion is there within the kit. Thank you for your time! ^_^
