Dane, The Nullifier (ARTWORK + UPDATE + SHORT STORY #2) {Champ Concept}
It's been a week or two since I've worked on this champion concept, but I'm back! This is the third post on this forum about Dane, The Nullifier. If you would like to see a more in depth description of his kit, and his first origin story, they can be found here:
Lore ("The Witch's Child") - https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/skin-champion-concepts/ROI7LlsT-dane-the-nullifier-lore-danes-storyline
This forum post will be an additional lore story revolving around Dane, and specifically his years as a young soldier, serving for the Atura. The Atura are a mysterious group of soldiers who do not even know each others names, but can be hired to join larger armies and groups for more numbers in battle.
This post will also feature some small tweaks and updates to Dane's kit, as a pseudo hot-fix, and some clarification on some of his abilities.
Explanations to Dane's Kit:
1 - His W, "Radiating Edge," works similar to Diana's current E ability. It casts on hit effects, meaning Dane can critically strike with it. If Dane uses Radiating Edge on a target coated by Infusion, or he critically strikes while using it, it will be refreshed and will be buffed on the next activation. What I forgot to clarify is that it can only be recasted ONCE more before being put on cooldown, meaning it can be used twice in a row, or only once if the target is not infused, and Dane does not land a critical.
2 - His E, Interlude, cancels his bonus movement speed bonus from his passive while it is channeling. The reason Dane does not receive movement speed during this move is where a sort of skill cap comes in. It's meant to sort of act like Camille's recast Q, she loses movement speed in exchange for getting an empowered auto attack. Since Interlude is arguably Dane's strongest basic spell, and his "win the trade" ability, he will have to sacrifice something else, in this case, his bonus movement speed, allowing for an enemy to outplay him by trying to walk far enough away to negate the burst damage after Interlude is done charging.
3 - His ultimate ability, "The Nulling," does NOT mesh in other ultimate abilities like Sylas' ultimate. His ultimate makes a unique 3-part ultimate from 3 spells: The one that is used on him the most before level 6, the one that has dealt the most damage to him between the first upgrade and the second upgrade, and the third spell is the spell that has dealt the most overall damage in the game. All three of these spells CANNOT be ultimate abilities, and can only be a combination of basic spells.
Now that we have clarified some of the questions about Dane's abilities, lets dive into the new story being added to Dane's lore, a prequel to The Witch's Child, to when Dane was just barely a teenager...
The Boy Of Marau
“It’s getting hard to sleep father, when will they be done.” The small boy, worried by the brink of war. The battlefield, or even an area remotely close to the battlefield was no place for a child to grow up.
Gervase new his act of keeping two small boys in Ionia would no longer be a viable option. Soldiers from both their land and outside territories crawled through battle all hours of the night. Their shouts and grunts, the sound of swords clashing together, and blade whipping through armor, made for a hostile sleeping environment.
He needed to leave, but leaving the isolated land of Ionia was simpler talked about then done. You would need a ship, a ship that was pioneered by a captain who knew what they were doing, and where they were going.
The following morning, after Gervase managed to get his two sons to rest, he set out to find someone who could help. He was confident he was not the only one with a similar issue, and was afraid to ask where to start.
He shut the door tightly behind him, and told his eldest son, Dane, to secure the lock from the inside. Once Gervase was convinced he was in the clear to leave his sons alone for some time, he set out to the village. His house had been settled ever so slightly outside the village of Marau, and was a brisk walk to find all of the shops and vendors, but still long enough of a walk that Gervase does not dare to take his children on, especially in the midst of this war.
He made his way to find Lorenzo, a friend that was always strong when he needed to be. Lorenzo was the owner of the finest pub in the southern Ionian region, and a lifelong friend of Garvase’s.
Gervase crept in through the heavy wooden doors of the pub, “Renzo! Buddy!” He greeted his friend. Enlightened, Lorenzo placed down the glass he was cleaning and welcomed his friend inside with a warm smile.
Gervase asked about any information he could get, trying to be as discreet about the other drinkers in the bar as he could. Word of someone trying to flee the island could be a motive for arrestment or even murder.
“You know this is not the right option, regardless if it is the safe option.” Lorenzo assured him. Gervase was torn, as he knew if they got caught, he would be killed much quicker by an Ionian warden that caught word of a rat, then an invading soldier breaking into their small town’s houses. “Your boys are strong, and they are young, you have nothing to fear.” He added. “What if they take them, Ren. I can’t lose them on the battlefield, not before they have had a chance to truly live, and experience this world.” Gervase pleaded with sorrow behind his voice.
Lorenzo could see the genuine concern from his friend, and told him about a local ship fleeter, who specialized in moving soldiers in and out of Ionia, but she had retired long ago. “She may still have a small voyager that you could buy off of her, but this is as much as I can help.” Lorenzo said, worried about being an associate in a crime. Gervase left the bar, still uneasy about which route to take.
That night, Gervase left to the city once again, to find this voyager that Lorenzo spoke about. He found the retired captain on the outside of the town opposite from his own home. “Come in,” She said without turning around to see the man prompted at her door. She stood up to reveal she was about the same height as Gervase, but was muscular, undoubtedly from all the shiphand work she had served. “I know you, you’re the boys’ father, right.” She asked before Gervase could introduce himself.
“Y-Yes, ma’am, have we met?” He asked back. “Not formally, but it’s not everyday you see a single father, so I tend to remember them.” She answered back with a grin. Cutting to the point, as he was unsure of how much time he would have, Gervase asked, “My sons, they are unsafe to be here any longer-” The sailor cut him off, “I’m sorry, I’m afraid you aren’t the only one with the same concern, and that is a crime that I’ve already been caught doing.” She said sincerely. Gervase’s stomach sank, and asked if there was anyway she could help.
Wanting to help, the sailor looked to Gervase. She could see the pain that came from his gaze, and the genuine care he had for his sons. “There will not be room for three.” She began. “Pardon?” He asked for clarification. “Tomorrow night, I am taking a service ding to the mainland. It will be full of weaponry and food cartridges, and will not have much room for myself, let alone passengers.” She told.
The next night, Gervase wrapped his children in jackets and heavy clothing, did not tell either of them what was happening, and they kneeled and waited by the front door. They waited until the sounds of clashing swords died down, and at the peak of silence, Gervase rushed his two children out of the house, heading directly for the town. They arrived at the docks where Gervase had met the sailor, and as she promised, there was a small ding full of supplies, with barely enough room from one traveler.
He kneeled down to be on level with his youngest son, Prai. “Listen to me.” He said, grabbing the sides of his sons arms. Periodically looking back between Prai and Dane, he spoke, “You two are going to a safer place now, this is no longer a home.” He spoke quickly, as the sailor seemed to be in a rush to leave before sunrise. Tears fell from both of his sons eyes, as Gervase walked them to the ding.
Both of the boys crouched down on the ding, and watched their father standing on the dock get smaller and smaller as they drifted away with a stranger. Dane was concerned with their current situation. He was old enough to know that what they were enduring was illegal, but too young to have the might to ask the sailor any questions. “When we arrive in the docked island, you tell anyone who asks that you are slaves, correct?” She spoke behind her to the children as she steered the wheel. Without a vocal response, both the boys slowly nodded their heads. Dane turned back once more, his father was almost the size of his pinky finger now, and had begun to walk away back to the town.
Dane crouched down to his younger brother and told him, “Whatever you do, stick with this stranger, do not get lost.” He said. After Prai promised to stay with the sailor, Dane quickly undid his jacket, and jumped overboard the back of the ding, and into the water, and began swimming back to Marau.
After a long swim and walk, he arrived at his own home, and knocked at the door. Terrified that someone had heard about what he had done, Gervase slowly crept to the door, only to open it and see his oldest son, Dane. Panicking, Gervase began to cry. “You were suppose to be going to a safer place, Dane, what are you doing here?” He said pulling his son inside. Hugging his father, Dane responded, “I don’t need to be hidden away father, I can fight back.” The line struck a lightning bolt of fear into Gervase.
“Father.” Dane spoke after a short pause. “I heard of someone who can save our town.” He added. “Who could do such a thing?” Gervase asked his son. “They’re soldiers, who aren’t aligned to a ruler or a kingdom. They fight for money, meaning we could pay them to save Marau.” Dane spoke with confidence. “The Atura.” He said remembering the name of their clan.
Several years following up that night that Gervase planned on saving his children from war, they found themselves walking between stores and vendors in Marau. Prai and the sailor had never returned to Ionia, only leaving his father and his brother to assume they were either caught, or stayed at the other end of their journey. Gervase and Dane had both settled with their grief, and began to see their city coming closer and closer to being the center of war.
As soldiers grew closer and closer every night, the people of Marau grew worried.
While tending to their daily errands in the center of their town, Gervase and Dane, as well as the other civilians were stopped by a man in shiny black armor stood up on the pendulum of the town’s fountain. He lightly set down his weapons and his helmet and spoke to the crowd. “People of Marau, soon, you all could be in fatal danger. You do not need to fear for your life, we are here to help.” He spoke. “I hail from Atura, we are here to help.” The crowd seemed displeased after revealing the name of his soldiers. “You are no goods that are just chasing a coin!” A man yelled from the crowd of people. The crowd disrupted in chatter, frustrating the soldier.
“I can assure you, we are here to help without pay, Ionia is our home too.” He added. The crowd quieted down. “Instead, we need help. We need more people to fight with us, and your town is the largest city in this area.” The soldier petitioned for volunteers, seeking for help from those that were willing to fight alongside the Atura for Ionia’s sake. Not a single hand was raised, until one. “I will.” Dane said boldly extending his arm, and walking through a few of the people in the crowd. “Dane, stop this at once.” His father said desperately grabbing ahold of his arm. “I want to help Ionia, father.” Dane said letting loose of his father's grip.
Dane walked closer to the soldier, “Just one?” The soldier asked in embarrassment. Dane returned to their home with his father, as he began to gather anything he could take with him. “Are you sure about this Dane. You’re old enough to decide for yourself, but do you know how dangerous it is out there?” His father warned him. “I know my way around a bow and arrow father, I will be fine so long as Ionia stands.” Dane reassured his father.
There was a knock at their door that interrupted their lecture, and Dane promptly swung open the door, to reveal the soldier that had recruited him early that day. “Dane of Marau, all packed?” He began. “Almost captain. It’s really a pleasure to be serving for Ionia.” said Dane.
Dane hugged Gervase and said goodbye, although he knew he would one day return. Dane followed the fleet of soldiers known as the Atura into their fleet ships stationed outside Marau. He was handed an attire fit for an archer, a darkly colored red uniform with a brown under scrub and belt. Most of the other soldiers wore this color of red, and the ones in charge wore a sleek blackish gray color similar to the soldier who had recruited him. Dane was told that it was forbidden to know the names of any of the other soldiers in the Atura, and would only be revealed in the event of death. Not knowing who the men around him were by name was unsettling, but at the same time would make it easier to fight alongside.
Weeks passed by, and Dane finally returned from a separate part of Ionia. He had began to use the arts of a blade, and grew fond of this type of weaponry, over his bow and arrow. The Atura had been fighting soldiers off in other areas of the island, before returning to Marau, as it was believed to still be at peace for now. When the Atura fleet ship arrived at Dane’s home town, it was clear that leaving was the wrong choice. The town seemed to have been stomped on by a giant, houses and buildings burned down, people running around gathering things that were left behind in the ruckage, and even the dead still lay in the streets.
Dane’s stomach sank, as he eagerly hopped off the boat, and ran searching for the first person he recognized. He found his father’s old friend, Lorenzo who told him about a horrific event. “Spellcasters came running in over the hills, chanting mad words and spells before even reaching our square.” Lorenzo choked, he looked like he had been parched from water for a decade. Dane uncapped his flask of water, and spilled some gently into Lorenzo’s mouth. Lorenzo assured Dane he had not seen his father, and that he did not want to leave Marau.
“You should go back with your army, boy. Do not stay here, they will come back with their curses and finish us off.” Lorenzo confirmed to Dane. One of the leading soldiers traced his way over to Dane and Lorenzo, and placed his hand over Dane’s shoulder. “Come on boy, we cannot stay here.”
“Promise me you’ll find him. My father.” Dane looked into Lorenzo’s eyes. Lorenzo subtly nodded. Dane left his flask with Lorenzo who seemed to be in need of it more, and followed his soldiers back to their fleet.
They began to sail outward away from Marau. It took a long period of time for Dane to realize that they were traveling straight away from Ionia, rather traveling around it. “Where are we going?” Dane asked after finding one of the commanding soldiers. “We are outnumbered boy, we are going to the mainland to search for more help.” He answered Dane. Outburst by this plan, Dane grew furious.
Before Dane could talk any further, a strange green mist clouded the vessel. Wind seemed to pick up, but the boat stood still. Dane and the soldier began to hear whispers, then began to see gusts of wind that resembled people fly around them. They appeared to be attacking some of the other soldiers, even pushing them overboard. Dane could only think of one match to what they could be from stories he had read about, they were demons. Violent demons.
The ending of this story ends here as it goes into another scene for another story that ties into Dane's origin from his time on The Shadow Isle.
Another thing that was requested in one of the other forum posts is the creation of some original artwork for Dane. All of the pictures used to create this character were meant to visualize the character that I had been writing about, but none of the pictures were made by me. Spoiler, I'm not much of an artist, and tend to stick to storytelling and writing, but I did dive into trying to draw what I think Dane would look like in his other origin story (older version).
He can be pictured here, alongside some other doodles of what I imagine his blade looking like, as well as the beginning to his armor, and some unique symbols that would be placed on it. When I imagine Dane, he would definitely have a full grown beard, and longer hair, as he had been isolated in the Isle for so long without being able to shave or cut his hair, he grew fond of this look. The three dots on his forehead are also symbols that the Aturian soldiers would paint on themselves, and he still wears them as sort of a tattoo to commemorate his past. One thing I also pictured for Dane that I would not be able to picture here, as it is just a sketch, is the color of his eyes. Since Dane has been infused with dark magic after surviving the demons from The Shadow Isle, his eyes would a tint of dark green, similar to Senna.
Lastly, I would like to thank anyone who has supported this champion concept on any of the other posts, or even if you have checked this post out! Dane has been so fun to create up to this point, and I can't wait to further his story, and maybe work on the art side of creating a champion. If you like this concept idea and have your own opinions or thoughts about it, feel free to add on below!
Thanks, Beedel.