Cadmus, The Prodigy

Lore: Navori, the southernmost part of the Ionian mainland, was a prime merchant region. Natural harbors, calm waters, and a temperate climate cultured vast economic growth, however, there was a lack of military presence. During the Noxus invasion, Navori was among the first domains of Ionia to be conquered. As Noxus pushed their advance into Ionian lands tensions in the occupied cities grew and organizations of rebellion were birthed as the bulk of the Noxus assault was focused on pushing inland. The Ruh family, a wealthy lineage of merchants privileged to be nominated for The Distinction in years prior, was at the heart of the organizing rebellion believing that Noxus control was "A fate worse than death as the mind was oppressed along with their bodies".

Seven years had passed since the Noxus war machine ravaged Ionian lands, the forces of Ionia had managed a stalemate years prior yet three provinces remained under Noxus occupation. Seeking legal freedom and in order to avoid more battles, the remaining Ionian Families, brought together by the Duchess Karma, had decided that there was only one recourse left. They openly challenged Noxus with a duel of their finest warriors. The "Trial for the Isle" staked the legal rights of the three provinces: Galrin, Navori, and Shon-Xan. Ionia lost their gamble and Naori, along with Galrin and Shon-Xan, became annexed by Noxus. While the Trial for the Isle was in the process, it became clear that Noxus had rigged the outcome. Outraged, the Ruh family called for rebellion as they gathered the many who had pledged their service years prior. They were betrayed, many believed that attempting a rebellion was not only suicide but a shame on Ionian virtues as the legal Trial for the Isle was still in progress. With only forty supporters the Ruh family decided it would be foolish to waste the lives of their comrades, however, Noxus forces caught wind of their dispersing rebellion. As the Ruh family convinced their allies another time would come, Noxus soldiers flooded the family's home. As the rebellion was slaughtered the Noxians searched the home for survivors. They murdered all of the Ruh children except for one, the ten year old boy Cadmus. As soldiers murdered his siblings Cadmus lashed out only to be swatted aside like a fly. One of the Noxians stepped forth to kill the young child. Cadmus stared death in the eye without blinking knowing his time had come. The soldier swung his sword not to kill, but, to test the young boy. As the blade rend the tender flesh there was no cry of anguish, satisfied with the boy's lack of response the soldiers left stating "If he were to live, he may prove a fun opponent to kill". Cadmus would live with a scar crossing down from the right side of his forehead to his left cheek.

For eight years, Cadmus lived as an orphan finding his meals as they present themselves. There was no home for him as Noxus annexed provinces offered no refuge. Families were stretched thin and could not feed the needy hands that begged. Hatred for Noxus, and himself, kept Cadmus alive through years of malnourished conditions and rejection. The Shojin monk Lee Sin's display of disobedience sparked a chain of events that would lead to Cadmus's self redemption. As the monk lit himself aflame in demand of a second Trial of the Isle hope re-birthed anew in Navori. As the trial neared, many citizens gathered for the spectacle, Cadmus was no exception. As the warriors fought for legal freedom, a feeling of awe came over him. After the trial concluded in Ionian victory he washed himself in the sea cleansing layers of dirt and made way to the capital of Ionia. The orphan watched from a side. Irelia stood up from her seat as the chatter quieted, "Thank you all for your support. I will do my best to honor you all as a champion in the name of Ionia. Our fight has not yet ended, but we must endure until our lands are liberated of our Noxian invaders. We must be strong and we must endure for the future of our people. I choose this location to remind you all of the resolve of our country. Let us follow in the path that our Shojin brother has blazed for us," she raised her glass in the direction of the burning Monk to the corner of the courtyard, "Balance in all things!".

As the festivities closed Cadmus approached the Ionian captain seeking guidance. Impressed by the silence of his steps as well as disturbed at the silence of his heart, Irelia accepted him as her pupil. Cadmus trained under Irelia mastering her Hiten Style as well as Master Yi's, who often supplemented Cadmus's training, Wuju Style. It took five years for the young pupil to master two arts of sophisticated energy manipulation. However, his master noted his training was impeded by his fractured soul. Irelia dismissed Cadmus from her tutelage claiming she had trained him to the best of her abilities and that future growth was limited to the reaches of his mind. Cadmus then enrolled at the School of Transcendentalism in Placidium. He studied for four years all the while self training. Although he had mastered two styles, he could not create his own way of manipulating energy. Years of study had done nothing to expand his growth, in his depressed state the Star Child Soraka embraced him. Under her suggestion he decided to roam Ionia in order to discover his true self which had been polluted with hatred of Noxus. After a year of travelling, he found himself on the brink of insanity as his heart festered with hatred. Pushed to his limits, Cadmus found himself at the doors of the Hirana Monastery. After two years of meditation he found peace within himself. One day, while traversing his subconscious thoughts a spirit of a woman came to him. She told him he must travel to Omikayalan, the spiritual heart of Ionia. Cadmus left the monastery and traveled to Omikayalan but found nothing. He remained in the dense forest for three months meditating in solitude. One morning he awoke to the presence of blood lust, a group of bandits left over from the Noxus invasions had been roaming the forest. After peace could not be found the bandits attacked Cadmus, using his Hiten and Wuju styles he fought bare handed against the rugged veterans rendering them unconscious. After the fight, he noticed teal wisps circling the area. Seeing this as a revelation, Cadmus began using his styles of energy manipulation once more. The spiritual bodies of ancient beasts immediately became visible and a godly presence entered his mind. The spirit of The God-Willow spoke to him flooding his mind with knowledge. The Ruh Style was born.

After this encounter Cadmus returned to the Ionian Capital to discover he had been in the forest for three years, not three months. Having mastered his mind and body Cadmus seeks to protect those that lit his path when his heart was dark. In order to do so he decided to join The League of Legends to provide stability for Ionia's peace.

Side comments: Cadmus is a latin name derived from the greek legend Cadmus and was used in naming to mention “east” Ruh is Turkish for Soul If you do not know Ionian history, the events depicted that do not directly occur to the Ruh family have occurred in the current time line. None of the Ionian landscapes mentioned are fan made.

**Kit: ** Cadmus uses mana has his primary resource for using abilities

Passive: Ruh Style For every 2 minions or small monsters killed nearby generates one Rune of Serenity Kills and assists on champions as well as killing large monsters or epic monsters generates three Runes of Serenity Cadmus may have a maximum of seven runes. Runes degenerate at a rate of one per 6 seconds, generating a rune at maximum rune count will replace your oldest rune. Abilities deal an additional 1/3/4/6 true damage per rune

Q: Arc
Base damage 40/70/90/120/160 (+.7 Ability Power )(+1.5% maximum hp per rune) as magic damage Cost: 130 mana at all ranks reduced by 12 per rune Cadmus loses 2 runes over 1 second after casting Cooldown: 16/14/12/10/8 After casting

Unleashes a wave of energy in target direction dealing damage to all enemies in a shallow cone or a narrow straight line depending on how long the ability was charged. Slows enemies by 20/25/30/35/40% for 2 seconds. If fully charged stuns for 2 seconds then slows for 20% for 1.5 seconds at all ranks. Range comparison, Sion Q- ¾ Karma Q

W: Reflection
Cost: 100 mana at all ranks reduced by 7 per rune cooldown: 26/23/20/17/14 Cadmus loses 3 runes over 1 second after casting Creates a Serenity Mirror covering 1/4 of target ally, or self. location depends on cursor location, shaped alike to Fiora's passive.

Serenity Mirror persists for 9 seconds or until destroyed Serenity Mirror will absorb all damage that would pass through up to 50/70/110/140/180 (+.4 Ability Power) Upon receiving damage the mirror expels a healing mist directed towards the protected ally and an eroding mist outwards. Healing for 15/20/35/60/90 (+.15 Ability Power) increased by 7% per rune at the time of casting, suffers diminishing returns at a rate of 25% per down to 30% of standard healing. Damaging for 20/35/60/90/120 (+.2 Ability Power) increased by 5% per rune at the time of casting and decreases armor and magic resistance by 20% at all ranks. Upon being destroyed Reflection restores 5 runes over 3 seconds.

May be cast while channeling

Blocks: Skill shots, pass through abilities such as Caitlyn’s Peacemaker. Does not block: targeted abilities not on the ally, ranged auto attacks not on the ally

E: Displacement
Base damage: 10/25/40/50/70(+.7 Ability Power) as magic damage (+.75% maximum hp per rune) as physical damage
Cost: 60 mana at all ranks reduced by 5 per rune. Cadmus loses 5 runes over 2 seconds Cooldown: 20/17/15/13/11 seconds Holds 2 charges

Cadmus quickly dashes slowing all enemies struck by 50/65/70/80/85% for 1 second and increases his movement speed by 15% per champion, large monster, or epic monster struck for 2 seconds. Generates one rune per champion, large monster, or epic monster struck.

May be cast while channeling

R: Wisdom of the Willow-God Passive effect: Cadmus is able to see the spirits of ancient beings. Passing through a spirit infuses him with energy restoring 6/9/11% of his maximum health and mana over 8 seconds. A spirit spawns in his vicinity every 55/45/35 seconds. Increases maximum rune count by 1/2/3.

Active effect: Base damage: 100/160/200 (+.6 Ability Power) magic damage or physical damage per spirit Cost: 300 mana at all ranks reduced by 25 per rune Cadmus loses all current runes over 3 seconds Cooldown: 110/90/65

Evokes the wrath of the deceased guardians of the Willow-God. Sending forth two elder beast spirits knocking up enemies in a line dealing 100/160/200 (+.6 Ability Power) one dealing magic damage and one dealing physical damage. There is a “sweet spot” where enemies may be damaged from both sources taking 60% standard damage from each beast. The beasts attack nearby enemies in the area where the charge ended dealing 30/60/90 (+.2 Ability Power) magic damage or physical damage depending on the beast for 4 seconds. The spirits are then calmed persisting for 3 seconds allowing Cadmus to pass through them. The left spirit is always a stag and always deals magic damage, the right spirit is always a wolf and always deals physical damage. Your beasts attacks also receive the damage benefit from Ruh Style. Generates 8/9/10 runes over 8 seconds. Beast on hit damage recieves the benefit of current rune count not the rune count when casted. May be cast while channeling

**Playstyle: ** Cadmus is a champion able to fulfill many roles in a team then itemize to a set niche varying between games. Employing a concoction of slows, burst damage, percent of health damage, as well as shields and mixed damage: Cadmus can easily fulfill the role of an ability power assassin, support, top laner or jungler. Although he does not excel in one role until mid to late game, his variability makes him a dangerous opponent to lane against or an effective support. His spells cost an extreme amount of mana without rune reduction and spells consume runes at an alarming rate. A player who loses track of his rune timers may find themselves losing many runes at once causing their mana expenditures to spike. The passive effect of Wisdom of The Willow-God provides a safety net for low skill players still learning how to optimize the balance between aggression and biding time. Arc offers a strong harass tool in lane as well as a potent skill shot to lock down multiple targets in a team fight. This ability provides maximum health scaling when runes are abundant, allowing Cadmus to whittle down tanks while his ranged stun and slow abilities make him desired for picking targets. Reflection is an extremely powerful support ability that doubles as a rune generator and damaging zone for enemies. Cadmus may use this spell defensively to counter large bursts and generate runes. In team fights placing a Serenity Mirror on your attack damage carry or front line are both viable options as your team benefits from healing effects as your enemies are slowly corroded. In lane this tool is desired in a support as your attack damage carry will benefit from a healing shield as well as damage to enemies. However, this spell is countered by mobile champions who move to a different sector bypassing the shield or players able to quickly recognize the shielded target and react accordingly in order to prevent the healing and damaging effects. The best use of this shield is a pseudo spell shield in order to prevent a large scale ability before enemies can react to the mirrors location. Overall Cadmus can be effectively built to fight over long periods of time following a tanky build or he may be abusing his ability power and true damage scaling in order to quickly burst down foes and escape with Displacement. He can even be built as a support who provides team healing and crowd control effects. The goal of this champion is to be a constant threat who is hard to build perfectly against but can be countered through player skill and knowledge.

The best Cadmus player is a destructive force of nature capitalizing on rune counts by balancing your ability usage and comboing attacks while channeling Arc. They react to team comps by filling a needed role rather than their intentions while entering the game. The player must understand all of Cadmus possible roles in order to optimize their impact on the game. A bad Cadmus player will find themselves out of mana early and lack the maximum damage available to the player through poor rune balancing.

**Character Profile: ** Height: 5’11” Weight: 165 lbs Skin: Brown Hair: Blond, curly hair Eyes: Brown with teal specks Face: Defined jawline, highest cheek bones, pointed ears, no widow’s peak Distinctive features: Teal Henna tattoos, scar from the right side of his forehead to his left cheek.
Equipment: Black sword with teal runes enclosing a sealed wisp, leather armor exposing fore arms, no glove on sword hand, white thin scarf.

In game lines:

Arc: “This will stop them” “I wonder how this feels…” “Oh look, they can’t move.. Wonder who did that”

Reflection: “Negated” “I never liked the way that tastes” “Let’s see how long that holds”

Displacement: “This hurts me a lot more than it hurts you” “Thats one way to make an exit” “Here we go” “One way ticket to a headache”

Wisdom of The-Willow God: Upon receiving a spirit’s blessing: “Woaah there” “Remarkable” “What kind of demon did this to you…” Upon casting: “Forward!” “Aid me” “Come forth”

Movement: “Yea, yea” “Maybe I should’ve joined the academy’s track team after all” “The air smells different here”

Skin Ideas: Corrupted Feral Floral Ruffian Academy

Thanks for reading if you came this far, so so sorry for the bulk of my writing. This has been in the works for sometime, all suggested scaling is open for balancing.