Champion: Arina, the Coral Conjurer

CONCEPT:

I started with the base idea of "Snail Vastaya," with an obvious extension from this being "retreats into shell to gain defense" and "slow, but tanky".

After looking up some Wikipedia articles on snails, and a lot of poring over the League wiki, I began trying to think of a kit that would work with this, as well as a niche that this new Champion would fill. That's also when I decided to add a "sea snail" theme to her, and a staff made out of glowy magic coral found somewhere near Bilgewater was added to give her a secondary purpose of vision utility, which can help her get the drop on opponents or spot incoming threats.

In many places, I wasn't sure what values would be well balanced against other champions; if you see a ?, it means I wasn't certain about the values there.

DESIGN:

Arina's short, with a slim frame, and wears a worn-looking brownish traveling coat over a short buttoned dress and slacks. Her most stand-out feature would be the round spiral shell on her head in place of hair that's almost as tall as she is; it's white with light brown bands. Conical spiral shells of the same color scheme that look like "pigtails" hang down from where her shell meets her head.

Her Coral Stave is blue, and glows with a soft blue light.

GAMEPLAY SUMMARY:

-Arina is a highly AP-based Fighter with shades of Battlemage, who trades some damage for helpful vision utility, and mobility for a lot of defense. -Arina does well against burst-damage champions; a well-timed Shelter can help her weather a powerful attack, or allow her to gain back some momentum against champions that use Physical attacks by entering Shelter and healing with her passive ability while the opponent chips down her shield. -Arina relies on Shelter, Nervous Restoration, and her high Armor and Magic Resist to keep her alive. A powerful source of True Damage like Vel'Koz will tear her apart. Any Champion that can reduce Armor by a percentage, such as Trundle, can also be a difficult opponent.

STATS (tentative): Health: 566 (+ 81) Health Regen: 9 (+1) Mana: 410 (+47.2) Mana Regen: 8.4 (+0.45) Range: 150 Attack Damage: 57 (+2.7) Attack Speed: 0.630 (+1.8%) Armor: 42 (+4.1) Magic Resist: 33 (+1.5) Movement Speed: 320 (Her Attack Damage was based on the similarly AP-based (according to the Wiki) Nautilus, but I lowered the damage and increased the attack speed both for flavor reasons (Arina's staff would be faster and weaker than Nautilus's huge anchor) and to synergize better with Bioradiance. Her base Movement Speed would be the second-lowest in the game, with only Janna's being lower, and her Health is just OK, but her Armor and Magic Resist are excellent and her Health Regen outpaces all champions except Vi, Darius, and Gnar late-game.

PASSIVE: Nervous Restoration -When Arina is attacked by an enemy champion or a large or epic monster, her HP Regeneration increases by (50)%, plus (1.5)% for every 1% of HP she's lost for 5 seconds. This is increased while Arina is in Shelter.

ACTIVE 1: Shelter -No mana cost (?) -Arina retreats into her shell for up to (8/9/10/11/12) seconds, preventing her from moving until she uses the ability again. She is Shielded for ?/?/?/?/? % HP, and her Armor and Magic Resist increase by ?/?/?/?/? (Scaled with 30%? AP). Every 6/5/4/3/2th Basic Attacks against Arina while Arina is in Shelter will be negated, and she is immune to Critical Strikes. This ability can be canceled prematurely at any time, but its cooldown increases by 1 second for every (20?)% of her Shield lost. -Fear effects will automatically trigger this ability, regardless of its cooldown, until the Fear effect ends. Taunt and Charm effects will cancel the ability as normal. This ability can be used while Airborne.

ACTIVE 2: Bioradiance -Arina channels energy into her Coral Stave, adding (?/?/?/?/? based on 50%? AP) magic damage to her next five attacks. Enemies struck by two or more attacks are Revealed for (7/10/13/16/20?) seconds after the latest attack hits; towers are instead Revealed for (1/2/3/4/5?) seconds. The ability's cooldown is decreased and some of the Mana is refunded if it wears off before some of the charges are expended. -While Arina has Bioradiance loaded, her vision range increases by (200/250/300/350/400) meters unless she is in Shelter. Entering Shelter pauses the timer on Bioradiance if Arina has charges remaining.

ACTIVE 3: Coral Lamp -Arina conjures a fragment of glowing coral and drops it. If an enemy is nearby within 1 second of it being dropped, the Coral Lamp explodes in a burst of light, dealing (?/?/?/?/? based on 60%?) magic damage to enemies within melee range. If no enemy approaches it for three seconds, the Coral Lamp begins glowing, acting as an extra Totem Ward with 600 range that lasts for (40/45/50/55/60) seconds + (2.35/2.65/2.94/3.24/3.53) seconds per level. Up to two lit Coral Lamps may exist at a time. -Can be freely used while in Shelter. -A neutral Jungle creature will only detonate the Coral Lamp if the creature is attacked by Arina or an ally within two seconds of the Coral Lamp's placement.

ULTIMATE: Stave's Reprisal -Arina raises her Coral Stave in the air and summons a blinding flash of light, dealing (?/?/? damage based on 70%? AP) damage to enemies within 200 meters and blinding them for (1.0/1.25/1.5) seconds. Coral Lamps will inflict the same amount of damage and a Blind effect of the same length to enemies that wander within 200 meters of them within (8/10/12) seconds of casting. -Using this while in Shelter only triggers the Coral Lamps' flares.

BACKSTORY:

Once among the least notable of the Vastaya, the Thebi are a tribe of coast-dwellers that can live in the water or on the land. The massive spiral shells on their heads give them a shelter against danger when they're threatened, but they have very little magic power within them. The Thebi generally live modestly, far from most settlements. For reasons unknown, some of them migrated from their birthplace of Ionia to Bilgewater, the last place you'd expect them to settle, and Arina was one of them.

While many Thebi are fearful of the outside world- especially in Bilgewater, for many obvious reasons- Arina was also insatiably curious despite her fear, and she would often explore the coastline near her home, carrying only a lamp to see with, a simple knife to defend herself if she needed to, and a few spare healing potions.

It was on one of these days that she stumbled upon a magnificent sight. Underneath an unassuming underwater cave was a hidden coral reef, whose soft blue glow caught Arina's eye. The magic in the air was palpable, especially for a Vastaya, and she was awed by the beauty of the reef.

_Then her eyes were drawn to a small, dead tube of coral, detached from the reef, that had somehow ended up above the water near the cave's shore. It had drowned in the air, its color and light having long since faded. Arina took the dead coral, thinking to bury it at sea near her home. But on her way back, Arina's own latent magic reacted with it, slowly breathing life back into the colony- and then, as she landed on shore, a soft blue glow caught her eye. The coral was alive again. _

Despite her fear of humans, Arina began visiting the local port, looking for ways to improve her magic enough to care for this coral tube, even on land. As she did, she also learned more about the world outside Bilgewater. And just as her curiosity had led her to step outside her home and explore the coastline, it wasn't long before she set off to explore the whole of Runeterra, with her new Coral Stave beside her.

"VAGABONDS" One wanderer inspires another.

It was a quiet night. The rocky beaches appeared to hold little danger for Arina as she walked along at an easy pace, seeming to any passerby that she was simply wandering without any purpose.

Of course, to Arina, wandering was its own purpose, but she had another reason, and it loomed on the horizon. While she had heard about the dangers of Mount Targon, and didn't intend to climb it (at least, not yet), she wanted to get good sketches of it from a distance. She'd show to the other Thebi back home, and that man who told stories at the inn would surely love to hear a story about THE Mount Targon!

But first, she needed a nice view of it. Arina began walking inland, her Coral Stave lighting the way, its gentle glow paling in comparison to the beam of light upon Mount Targon. The Stave seemed... almost nervous, somehow. Maybe it was because they were close to Targon, Arina thought. A dry, dangerous place would normally be no place for a tube of coral.

Finally, she had her view- and at just a right time, as the light from the mountain was starting to glow brighter for some reason. Setting the Stave down at her side, she opened a water-warded pouch, removing a pad of paper and a pen she'd bought a while ago in Piltover. This would have to be a quick sketch.

But halfway through the drawing, something else caught her attention. A strange sound, from the mountains off to the side. A sound she could only compare to that of a war-horn she'd heard in the Freljord once, but then this was calmer, and the notes formed a vague song. Was this something that usually happened near Targon?

Arina continued her drawing, undaunted, as the strange song continued. She listened to it as she drew the ray of light rising from Targon's peak- and then she cast a quick glance to her right and saw another source of light, different still from both her Stave and the peak of Targon, shining in the direction the unearthly melody echoed from.

Arina began to turn away, but her Stave almost seemed to sigh in disappointment- though it made no sound- and Arina looked back at the light. Well, surely a quick glimpse of that strange music wouldn't hurt. If it was dangerous, she and her Stave both knew how to fight...

Arina's began moving closer and closer to the light, her hands still shaking with apprehension. As she drew closer to the light, she saw that it was not one light, but three of them, with even more little lights seeming to trail behind it. A vague silhouette soon entered her view as she continued up the side of the smaller mountain, and the whimsical melody it created was now very easy to hear.

The creature was within view now, bounding along the mountain path as if it didn't have a care in the world, its great beard swaying to and fro with each leaping step. Arina vaguely recalled some song about a Vagabond that she'd heard in Ionia as she watched it pass, with smaller creatures of light trotting along behind it.

A small, whispering voice behind Arina caused her to turn around, almost retreating into her shell- before she saw another one of those light creatures that was behind the Vagabond, staring at her Stave.

For a moment, the wandering Thebi and the small spirit locked eyes, and the Stave seemed to speak to the spirit. Then the spirit hopped toward the Vagabond, joining the others in their line, as the creature bounded off, its song fading onto the horizon.

Arina picked up her sketchpad. This was one story she'd have to tell.

QUOTES

Pick: -"There's so much to see here!"

Ban: -"...Oh. Okay."

Game Start: -"Whoa... look at all this!" -"All right, Stave, are we ready?" -(If Bard is on the team) "The Vagabond? ...Hey! Wait! I have so many questions!"

Attack: -"Wait, we're going to fight?" -"Oh boy. Oh boy. Oh no." -"Can we... not start a fight?" -"I just wanted to walk there..." -sigh "Stave, get ready." -"Well... okay..." -"I guess I'll... Stave them off... Haha... ha ha. Ha."

Attack, less than 25% health: -"This is a bad idea this is a bad idea this is a bad idea..." -"What am I doing? Stave, tell me what I'm doing, I don't know!" -"I really think I should just go back now!" -"Oh no, oh no, oh no..." -­(If ally nearby with less than 25% health) "Stay with me! Come on!"

Movement: -"Off we go!" -"I'm on my way!" -"What's over there?" -"Have I been there?" -"It's the journey, not the end!" -"Hmm hmm hmm, hmhmhmm, hmm..." -"Stave, you have the best ideas!" -"Into the wild yonder!" -"Wow..." -"A snail's pace is the best pace!" -(At less than 25% health) "Okay, stay calm..." -(At less than 25% health) "Don't mind me, just running for dear life." -(At less than 25% health) "Uh... help?"

Taunt: -"Uh... you! ...Imagine I just said some really scary taunt. Please?"

Taunt, allies nearby and no enemies nearby: -"...does anyone have any idea how to taunt? I'm no good at it."

Taunting enemy Demacian champion: -"Wait! This Stave isn't magic, honest! ...shut UP, Stave!"

Taunting enemy Noxian champion: -"Y-you're not strong! You're just... mean!"

Taunting enemy Shadow Isles champion: -"G-go away! I said, GO AWAY!"

Taunt (Ahri): -(Enemy) "I don't hate you. But I CAN NOT STAND that stupid Charm spell."

Taunt (Annie, Nunu): -(Allied) "But you're so little... S-stay with me. It's dangerous!"

Taunt (Azir): -(Ally): "Stave? ...You're right, he seems so sad."

Taunt (Bard): -(Allied) "You're fighting with me? ...Thanks, Vagabond." -(Allied) "Somehow I feel like I'm safe here." -(Enemy) "I'm sorry... I wanted to be friends, honest." -(Enemy) "This'll be a... good match. Ready when you are."

Taunt (Braum): -(Allied) "Whoa... THE Braum!" -(Allied) "I heard so many stories! ...Can I have your autograph?" -(Enemy) "Oh, wow. This might be trouble."

Taunt (Draven): -(Enemy) "Can you... be... QUIET?!"

Taunt (Ivern): -(Ally) "Stave says hi, Ivern. ...In a good way."

Taunt (Jax): -(Enemy) "Wait, Stave, are you jealous?"

Taunt (Jinx): -(Enemy) "Stave, does that gun talk? ...I thought not."

Taunt (LeBlanc): -(Ally) "Wait, if you're always lying... does that mean you aren't going to hold this lane?"

Taunt (Lux): -(Ally): "We're team light, right? Uh, go team light! ...Yeah." -(Enemy): "Wait! This Stave isn't... hold on, aren't YOU using magic?"

Taunt (Nami): -(Ally): "One of the Marai... I've heard so many stories!" -(Enemy): "Another Vastaya? This might be tough."

Taunt (Nautilus): -(Ally): "You're on our side? ...Whoa, we can't lose!" -(Enemy): "Wait! I have the tithe, take it!"

Taunt (Ornn): -(Ally): "Stave? ...You're right, he seems so sad." -(Enemy): "Hey, don't talk that way about Stave!"

Taunt (Rakan): -(Enemy): "You're trying to Charm me when you already have Xayah? You creep!"

Taunt (Riven): -(Enemy): "You're... actually really nice. Why are we fighting?"

Taunt (Skarner): -(Ally, in Brush): "Skarner! I choose you! ...I don't know either."

Taunt (Tahm Kench): -(Ally): "Try to cut any deals, and I'll make you into fish sticks." -(Enemy): "L-Leave Bilgewater... and never come back!"

Taunt (Veigar): -(Enemy): "But... you're so cute! You don't need to be evil."

Taunt (Yorick): -(Ally): "I've heard the stories. Thank you for everything you do." -(Enemy): "I wish we could've met as friends instead."

Taunt (Zac): -(Ally or Enemy): "It sounds like you're having fun!"

Buying Hextech Gunblade: -"Put a gun on a sword... that's cool!"

Buying Nashor's Tooth: -"So that's why he's so cranky..."

Buying Rabadon's Deathcap: -"Power... UNLIMITED POWER! Heehee, just kidding, Stave." -"Ha! Now THEY have to be scared of ME!"

Buying Warmog's Armor: -"Let's see them pick on me now."

Using Shelter: -"Eek!" -"Aah!" -"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" -"Oh no!" -(If affected by Test of Spirit) "Is this considered cheating on the test?"

Hit by Icathian Surprise while in Shelter: -"Eww. Void germs."

Survives hit from an Ultimate ability while in Shelter: -"What?" -"Phew." -(Hit by True Damage) "Hey! Ow!" -(Bullet Time, Cannon Barrage) "Yo ho, swab the deck, broadside!" -(Call of the Forge God, Final Spark, Pyroclasm, Summon: Tibbers) "Hmm. It's a bit warm." -(Daisy!) "Hi, Ivern's Friend Daisy." -(Depth Charge) "When they said 'Titan,' they weren't exaggerating. Ow." -(Enchanted Crystal Arrow, Glacial Storm) "A little nippy in here." -(Feast) "Escargot is NOT on the menu!" -(Frozen Tomb) "Brrr... aah-choo!" -(GNAR! (Mega Form)) "Bad Gnar! Bad Gnar! No!" -(Leap of Faith) "Maybe you should try pamphlets instead?" -(Life Form Disintegration Ray, while Researched) "No no no no NO NO NO!" -(Super Mega Death Rocket!) "Yep. She IS touched in the head." -(Whirling Death) "You were right, Stave, he really is all talk."

Using Bioradiance -"Stave, light 'em up!" ­-"Stave, it's time!" -"Now, Stave!" -(if an enemy Champion is revealed by the increased vision range) "Whoa, good catch, Stave!"

Coral Lamp detonation: -"Get 'em!" -"Go away!"

Coral Lamp placed: -"It's always good to watch your back." -"Stave, you're the best." -"Thanks, Stave."

Using Stave's Reprisal: -"Leave me ALONE!" -"That's enough!" -"Stave, do your thing!"

Purchasing an Item Upgrade: -"Stave says thanks, Ornn."

Death: -"Aaagh..." -"Stave... help..."

Respawn: -"I-if at first you don't succeed..." -"Don't freak out, Arina. You can do this." -"Dying sure felt weird. ...There's a sentence I never thought I'd say."

TRIVIA: -Arina's tribe of Vastaya, the Thebi, is named for Theba, a genus of snails; Arina's name is derived from Theba arinagae, a critically endangered species of snail in that genus.

-Arina's Stave appears to be alive and even sapient, as evidenced in both her lines (where she talks to her Stave) and the Vagabonds story (where it appears to speak to a Meep). The purpose of the strange coral reef she found is still unknown.

FEEDBACK: -Keep it respectful. If something looks too powerful or not powerful enough, say so, but without name-calling. (In particular, I'm worried that Shelter may be too powerful; it has to be worth immobilizing yourself to use, but it can't be a "lol gg" button every time.) Similarly, if something seems to break lore, just point out where it does, and I'll do what I can to rectify it. (I left the reason Bard was wandering past Mount Targon ambiguous, considering he's... well, Bard.)