[Champion Concept]: Almza, the Runic Liberator
Hello and thank you for taking a look at Almza, the Runic Liberator.
#In game, Almza is a fighter who, despite her lacking mobility, is difficult to escape from if she positions right. And Almza is all about her own positioning. She literally shapes the earth with her runic power to a more favorable condition. In lore however, Almza is the Runic Liberator, a self driven warrior who strives to collect the World Runes to fix the problems that plague Runeterra. Utilizing the power of an immensely powerful, uniquely sentient World Rune, known to her as Irmada, Almza is willing to sacrifice nigh anything for her cause.
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/214/212/large/angel-huerta-final-with-logo.jpg?1458789003 None of this is my art. I believe it is all Angel Huerta's.
Friendly Neighborhood Reviews:
=================================================
Gameplay Preview: Almza is a melee fighter, who is reliant on casting spells which disrupt the battle field and aid her. She is the Terrain Champion, the first to truly focus on changing the battle field physically. However she won't be very effective if she can't position well. And her reliance on spells, lack of CC outside her ultimate, immobility, and inability to disengage effectively holds her back from dominating fights in an unfair manor.
Almza has two ways to directly change the battle field. With Cataclysm, she can create a crescent wall that bends so enemies have to walk towards her slightly, than around it in order to escape. With Sliding Columns, Almza can keep her enemies within reach. But with both Cataclysm and Sliding Columns, Almza can combo the spells for devastating effect. First she wants to trap the enemy with a well placed Cataclysm, preventing them from running while getting some damage off. Quickly, she can follow up and summon a Sliding Column from her newly created terrain to pull the enemy close to her into brawling range.
A big decision Almza players will have to make is when to use Crushing Calamity. Do they want to zone the enemy or play around her terrain? Or do they want to bash the rock into the enemies face for damage. Sometimes its clear you have no need for a wall anymore, and other times its not.
Another important skill Almza players must master is positioning. Due to the fact that two of her skill shots begin somewhere else and move to her location, it is very important that she is in a good spot.
Overall, Almza lacks burst but given time can crush and cut her enemies. She offers something no other champion can to the same extent she does, yet still having clear flaws and a weaker early game due to mana and cooldown reliance.
https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/002/620/777/large/angel-huerta-8-5.jpg?1471689125
#Kit and Abilities:
P: Runic Arsenal: Almza normally attacks with her artificial runic arm, Irmada’s Influence. When Almza damages the same enemy champion with three spells, she will withdraw The Irmadan Edge for a 6/8/10 seconds, granting her cone attacks that reach 150 units behind their target, +25% total AD, and 25 movement speed.
Q: Cataclysmic Crash: Almza wills a boulder to her at a target location, up to 900 units away after a minor delay. The boulder deals 60/80/100/120/140 (+50% total AD) physical damage to all enemies hit, and explodes on the first enemy champion hit, dealing 60/90/120/150/180 (+65% total AD) and creating a crescent wall, which bends away from Almza. If the boulder does not stop by hitting an enemy champion, it just will shatter at Almza’s feet without any effect. The boulder begins its journey away from Almza and flies to her. The wall lasts for 2.5/3.5/4.5/5.5/6.5 seconds.
W: Crushing Calamity: Almza extends Irmada’s Influence forward 400 units, each stone that makes up the artificial arm floating forward, damaging the first enemy champion hit for 70/90/110/130/150 (+130% total AD). If Almza hits player created terrain, she smashes it, causing rubble to fly forward 475 untits and dealing 100/120/140/160/180 (+155% total AD. If Almza is using the Irmadan Edge, this attack and the smash attack is a cone.
E: Sliding Columns: After a delay in which a mark telegraphs this abilities' cast zone, Almza pulls a Sliding Column towards her, from a nearby targeted wall up to 825 units away. Enemies hit are knocked towards her 200 units and damaged for 60/90/120/150/180 (+125% total AD). The Sliding Columns will move towards her until it is within 250 units of her. After being pulled from the earth, the Sliding Column will remain as an impassable wall, that can be dashed over, for 3/4/5/6/7 seconds.
R: Runeterran Smite: Almza selects a target direction up to 1250 units away. She first throws her axe to the nearest wall, penetrating the terrain. After the delay she quickly withdraws the axe, bringing a chunk of earth with it, and slings the axe in the previously selected direction. All enemies hit are stunned for .75/1/1.25 seconds and damaged for 150/200/250 (+35% of bonus AD). Enemy champions beyond the first reduce the damage the next enemy takes by 5%, up to a maximum of 20% reduced damage. Passively, Almza gains 5 additional movement speed while using The Irmadan Edge with each rank of this ability.
#Lore:
####Note: Almza actually is terrified of death now, after both being introduced to the power of a World Rune and with knowledge of how much horror she has caused. She has fled from death many times, but personally faced Wolf right before bonding with Irmada.
Almza is a passionate warrior, who aims to fix the world with the power of the World Runes. Utilizing a power she doesn't understand, and being influenced by it, she has considered nigh all things to be of less importance than fixing the world through that which brought it into existance.
Years have passed and Almza feels the scars. Not physical scars, but how her culture branded her with harmful thoughts. Demacians held their country back. Tradition was a weakness for them. It was not common knowledge. It was not a story told to children in warm homes.
Built into Demacian blood, was the thought that magic was sinful.
It was not questioned. Magic was a wretched evil abused by power hungry fiends. Demacians failed to see how useful it could be.
When Almza was young, she was taken a war slave by Noxians during the ever constant disputes between Noxus and Demacia. In many armies, female war slaves are not used for labor but much more horrid activities. Even the honorable Demacians were not innocent of such actions. Almza, like many Demacians, was fiercely perserverent. She rebelled and fought, thrashing during long hours of torture. And in exchange, her Noxian superiors removed her left arm.
Agony spun up her. She knew pain more than most, but this was beyond what she knew.
It was up to her to bandage herself up, despite the excessive bleeding and pain. Despite the hopes of some officials, Almza was stubborn and survived.
After her punishment however, Noxian superiors were convinced the rebellious pleasure slave was not worth keeping. Almza was released and set loose in a dense Noxian forest, with the idea that she would die within a week.
The forest first felt hungry to Almza. The trees consumed the space. As she wandered, the ever present thought of suicide lurked under her skull. Hope was a lacking resource that was draining quickly.
After a week in the woods, the starving girl broke down in stress. The world was a wretched place filled with suffering. Angry and confused, the Demacian blonde stumbled around while a rain storm flooded the forest. One eye was infected and swole too much to be of use.
Her body was dieing.
The air ached and the earth breathed around her. Sounds forcefully struggled into her brain. She could not see straight.
Chilled, blue. Wind howled. A carpet of water ran around her. She was ankle deep in the river.
Almza crashed to the rocky bottom and scrambled for a sharp rock beneath the flowing water. She would suffer no longer. Slashing her old arm wound open with a dull rock, it had little effect. She searched for something that would end her life quicker. Beneath the water she picked up a vibrant green rock which, upon breaking the water's surface, glimmered and shined dangerously.
A brilliant explosion consumed Almza, followed by the sound of shuffling objects. Suddenly, Almza's mind cleared. Another mind was with her, and she was no longer alone. Her strength returned. And for the first time in a year, Almza balled her left fist. And to her amazement she had one, just not of flesh and blood.
"Irmada." Almza whispered, standing bloodied in the river.
"Almza" replied the World Rune, now in sync with the Demacian.
#[Color Story]: "Note: Axes to the back are... dangerous."
“Pleasure-Slave, stand.” Marda spat out. He stared Almza down, and they locked eyes. An awkward, hostile silence spread its heated effect throughout the air. Almza gladly, refused.
“Did you not hear me? Put your feet below your shoulders girl”. Marda smirked, and withdrew the cleaver Almza knew too well. Almza took a minute to remove herself off the powdery, dry, soil, than balled her fist. Almza would ignore him.
Almza followed Marda out of the pen-tent, knowing she had control. The dust collected to her legs, revealed by her small garment. Within the heavy cloth, she hid a stone.
Almza followed Marda through the maze of tents, passing Noxian men, and to the pleasure house. She shuddered at the experiences slaves like her lived, however she wanted to be here.
The sky was cloudy, with cool winds. The young morning meant the pleasure house was empty, except for Almza, Marda, and an unknown Noxian soldier. The sun shown through parts of the heavy cloth overhead, but the Noxians in the room had hidden faces. She knew though, that through the darkness they grinned.
Entering the tent, Almza attempted to look vulnerable for a moment, however it was not of her nature, she didn’t do much a good job. The unknown Noxian gripped Almza with a rough hand and gave her a shove.
In one movement, Almza willed the rock into her hand, which multiplied into many stones with vines and blood binding the cluster. As the object formed, Almza swiped her hand, and just before impact, the weapon took full shape.
The unknown Noxian had discovered just how lethal axe cleaving can be.
With a hand motion, Almza binded Marda with vines. She raised her hands and more stones, also binded through vines, formed her missing arm. The rune on Almza’s head and stone arm crackled and fizzed with power. Marda struggled with his bindings, and Almza paced around him. She would take a moment.
“It is sick.” A sudden snap from Almza’s hand cracked multiple Noxian bones, as the vines constricted their victim. “Sick how once you're in a position of danger, you beg for mercy.” As the vines and earth completely consumed Marda, the earth trembled and shook. “Mercy is a luxury you must give to receive. And this war camp has not given enough.”
Fissures spread throughout the Noxian camp, and vines tore the pleasure house apart. Another camp of Noxus would be claimed, and no prisoners would be taken. Almza flexed her unfeeling hand, and grimaced as she completely bonded with Irmada, preparing to unleash Hell.
Quotes:
- Selection quote:
All power stems from the barrel of a gun or the blade of an axe.
- Upon starting game:
My time here must be short, that Blue Wretch is out there!
Maybe this fight will be of some use.
Is it possible one of the Runes is here?
- Upon starting game against enemy Ryze:
Power Thief! I demand you surrender.
Where are they! You fail to realize the good the Runes could do.
I've pursued you too long Ryze... about time we spill some blood.
- Joke
And Irmada said "Need a hand!?" Hawh!
So when is The Power Thief getting another rework?
- Dance:
Almza conjures up a dancing stick out of stones and spins it. If she has her axe she uses it instead.
- Taunts
A wretched man looks up in defiance to power. A noble man looks up in respect.
It is truly foolish that those without power think they know how to wield it.
All I've got for you is broken bones and bleeding gashes.
- (Enemy Ryze): We can fix the world, put it back on track, but your too stubborn and foolish.
We're on a crash course to chaos and your hiding our world's only chance!
- (Ally Gallo): I... sense something breathing in you.
We are alike Colossus, our lives condemned by that which can save something much grander.
- (Enemy Galio): Your heart... I must tear it out.
My condolences Golem, I'll be hacking you down now.
- (Enemy Syndra): Arcane power cannot build worlds, but Runic power can. Ha!
Your power is limited. (Said maliciously).
- (Enemy Champion whom is a Leader, respected official, or persons of high status from any faction or region):
Submit and your civilization might remain.
Centuries spent to make something so vast, I will spend moments to undo it.
Your world will rest in my palm soon enough.
- (Ally Azir): Aid my cause and I can restore Shurima.
With the World Runes I can fill your rivers, raise your dust, and return your people. Yet I will need your aid.
- (Enemy Azir): Blinded by hubris once more it seems!
Cherish the present, your empire will shatter again soon enough.
Your civilization has been reborn, but not for long.
- (Enemy Riven): Your sword is a laughable attempt at runic weaponry.
Was your sword too big to carry, soldier girl?
- (Enemy Xerath): I sense a connection, beyond blood or flesh.
- Movement
Swift movements for short times
The land flies out from under my feet.
The world is a vast wonder filled with problems.
The power thief hurries, so must I.
The Blue Wretch may have doomed our world already, but I cannot give up.
The earth beneath breaths and the air aches.
- Recalling
I am not retreating. This is a tactical withdraw.
Such efforts are necessary if the world is to continue.
Once Irmada arrives, even after departure, it is never the same.
- Recalling while low on health. (20%)
I am not willing to die for my cause, for there is no need to be willing so.
Irmada beats rapidly with my own heart.
Such pups slow my progress, my time is precious!
It is not my time Dog, Irmada ensures so.
Once more you prepare to lunge, once more you are disappointed dog.
- Auto Attacking
Freedom, is not free!
This fight will cost blood.
Sometimes lives are the only payment acceptable.
I am not limited by morals of minor matters.
Blade or Bruise?
Smash or slash?
Cut or Crush?
Hrrah!
Heesh!
Hah!
- Death
Irmada-quick-drive off the Wolf... please.
This is not the end... right Irmada? Right?... (voice falters)
Lamb, your arrow.. no..
Ryze cannot succeed.
====================================================================
Thanks for reading my champion concept, please comment below why you liked or disliked it. Criticism is heavily appreciated!
