Yaotl, Paradise's Pursuer [Champion Concept]

(Disclaimer - I'm not a very good artist)

Hey all, here's my first champion concept, Yaotl. It was a lot of work but I hope you like it. ^^ Let's get right into it.

**Lore: **

Between the fierce Kumungu and Plague jungles lives a small tribe of people who can't be called primitive nor sophisticated. Thought to be ancient outcasts of Noxus, they share similar values in that the strong survive and that the most powerful people deserve the best. They show their status by what they wear on their bodies, primarily trophies they pick up from who or what they kill. Many tribesmen hunt the endless amount of beasts that surround their home, but few are able to venture to the more famous countries of Noxus, Zaun, Demacia, and everything in between in order to kill new beasts and even assassinate people of power in those districts. Any target who is a challenge to kill will be recognized. However, killing a fellow tribesman is strictly prohibited.

"Da, what is this?"

Yaotl, age 6, asked her single father while holding a red marker next to her new toy sack. Every several months, her father would make the extra effort to explore far-off lands and caves in hopes of finding lost relics. While worthless to him or his people, the happiness they gave Yaotl was priceless.

"It looks like a new kind of artifact." He inquired. Wooden, sometimes metal relics were what he usually brought home, but this was a tad different. Yaotl hit the ground with it a few times and tugged at it before pulling off its cap. The classic stench of a marker filled their nostrils.

"Oh, incense." He concluded while patting her head. "Have fun now, this is your last batch of toys before you have to learn how to hunt next month."

Yaotl rummaged through the new objects, but they were more or less the same as those she already had. Wooden statues and masks, old razors, disembodied dolls, rough paper, bricks, and metal spheres. Smelling the marker was a new experience though, and she put it so close to her nose that it touched it. Feeling that something lingered on her nose, she touched the open marker to her arm. The red dot soon turned into many red lines, and her father could hear her squealing with delight from the other room. Toys always came and went, but this was something else. Something that had a real use. Yaotl wanted to keep it forever.

>Ever since Yaotl began hunting at the age of 7, she's dreamt of leaving her home to hunt the most influential beings on the planet, whether they're monster or human. She's shown to have immense potential since her early teen years, being able to take down beasts no one in her age group could hope to tackle. Yaotl seemed to know where and when the animals would be most vulnerable, despite lacking predictable patterns, leading to simple sneak attacks and clean kills. The only constant in her equipment was the trusted red marker. When questioned on her seemingly impossible intuition, she'd reply: “I don't know, I just go where I feel right.”

>One fateful day in Yaotl's young adult life, she had just crossed the Great Barrier with a group for the first time, being one step closer to her goal of seeing the world. Suddenly, a vision of some being bombarded her mind. Whatever it was burned the image into her thoughts permanently. Becoming obsessed with what she felt, her travels led her all the way to Ionia, farther away from home than anyone in her time had ventured. Even her fellow competitive hunters she had stuck with felt uncomfortable crossing the Guardian's Sea, so Yaotl was now left in a foreign land, alone but driven. With her senses picking up on whatever it was she saw at the Great Barrier, she knew she was in the right place.

>Finally, it hit her. A clear image of a stormy dragon could be seen in her thoughts. After a couple weeks of slow research, she had learned all about Ao Shin and how he would “descend from the sky during Ionia's greatest crisis.” Yaotl was ecstatic more than she was perplexed by these legends. She didn't know what Ao Shin was, but she knew he was a creature unlike anyone in her tribe had ever seen. Putting two and two together, her thoughts were that if the Ionians had a crisis among them, this celestial beast would have to come to their rescue. And if she killed Ao Shin, she would be a legend to be remembered forever, an absolute queen to her people. This began her career as an assassin. Humans, no matter how skilled, proved to stand no chance against Yaotl's cunning and second nature techniques. Now, Yaotl carefully preys on Ionians and hides from their authority for survival, but more for luring out her real target, Ao Shin. Yaotl doesn't know what she'd be in for if he were to descend, and she doesn't care. Yaotl’s hunt is on.

The TL;DR would be that Yaotl is from a tribe of people who show their status by what they wear - specifically the trophies of who or what they have killed. Since birth, she has aspired to hunt the greatest beings, and her travels led her to Ionia where she learns of Ao Shin. Now she assassinates Ionians in hopes of drawing him out so she can stand and fight Ao Shin himself, whatever he may be. Yaotl thinks that if she kills Ao Shin, she'll be a legend and the queen of her tribe.

**Abilities: ** Passive: Perception

Yaotl and her team are able to see silhouettes of enemy champions in brushes if Yaotl is within 1200 range (normal vision range) of them. Each silhouette is identical and will not reveal who the champion(s) is. If the silhouette leaves the brush into the fog of war, Yaotl and her team can see their footprints for 1.5 seconds (all footprints are also identical).

Also, allow me to clarify something: this passive will not spot enemies over walls. Think of it like an extended normal vision range just into bushes. Let's say you're at the back of the red buff on the red side. While you're definitely within 1200 units of the bush behind that wall, you would still not see any silhouettes because your vision range would not wrap around the walls to that point. Now if you were in front of the red buff, your vision range would be enough to cover about half of the bush right next to it. Does that make sense?

Q: Pursuit (only looks like a wall of text due to numbers haha)

Yaotl's next three basic attacks deal bonus Physical Damage to the target and apply different effects. Yaotl's basic attacks have 200 range when this ability is active. When her empowered basic attacks hit a target, Yaotl hops 75 units closer to her target if she is not in her basic attack range. • First Attack: Does bonus physical damage. • Second Attack: Does bonus physical damage and splash damage around the target. • Third Attack: Does bonus physical damage and splash damage around the target. The attacked target bleeds, taking more physical damage over the next five seconds.

[Cooldown 8/7/6/5/4 seconds, begins after all attacks are used or after 6 seconds pass] [45/50/55/60/65 mana] [Bonus Physical Damage for first hit: 10/20/30/40/50 {+30% Bonus AD}] [Bonus Physical Damage for second hit: 20/40/60/80/100 {+40% Bonus AD} + 15% of your attack damage as splash damage to units around your target {250 range}] [Bonus Physical Damage for third hit: 30/60/90/120/150 {+60% Bonus AD} + 30% of your attack damage as splash damage to units around your target {300 range} + 10/15/20/25/30 {+20% Bonus AD} bleeding damage to the target over five seconds] [Total Physical Damage: 70/120/200/265/330 {+150% Bonus AD}]

W: Marker

Yaotl throws her red marker in a straight line, damaging the first target hit for 50/100/150/200/250 (+45% AP) damage and revealing them for three seconds. Yaotl can target champions in brushes with ability, including silhouettes. If this ability hits an enemy champion, Yaotl gains 10/20/30/40/50% bonus movement speed for three seconds. Damaging a champion in a brush with this ability halves its cooldown. Enemy champions revealed by Yaotl's abilities have a green eye above their head.

>[1100 range] [Cooldown 9/8/7/6/5 seconds] [40/45/50/55/60 mana] [1300 missile speed] [This ability has no cast-time]

E: Spring

Passive – Yaotl gains 6/12/18/24/30% increased Attack Speed.

>Active – Yaotl leaps into the target brush, gaining 40% bonus Movement Speed for two seconds if an enemy champion(s) silhouette or footsteps are visible at the time of cast. Yaotl takes 20% reduced damage while traveling with this ability.

>[900 range] [Cooldown 16/14/12/10/8 seconds] [90 mana]

R: Insight

Passive – Yaotl does 5/10/15% increased damage to enemies revealed by her abilities, including silhouettes.

>Active -- Enemy champions who are being revealed by Yaotl's abilities, including silhouettes, or enemy champions who are in a brush within 1200 units are damaged for 150/300/450 (+100% Bonus AD) (+30% AP) damage and are slowed by 35% for three seconds. Enemies who are revealed through Yaotl's Marker and out of Yaotl's vision range (1200 units) take 20% more damage from this ability. Enemies who are revealed through Yaotl's Marker take the damage and slow after a 1-second delay, while silhouetted champions or champions being revealed in brushes become revealed for three seconds and receive the damage and slow instantly. If Yaotl damages more than 1 champion with this ability, those champions take 10% reduced damage per champion hit, to a minimum of 70%.
[Cooldown 110/75/40 seconds] [100 mana]

_The ultimate ability was inspired by Bloodborne's frenzy status. The act of transferring immense amounts of knowledge to another being, making them go insane, their heads practically bursting open, and, in the sense of gameplay, inflicting them with tons of damage. _

I intended this champion to be played in a solo lane, however as the development continued, I found myself think that she would be a viable jungler as well. I started concepting her a long time ago as a "utility assassin," but then Ekko hopped in and stole the title. However, like Ekko, she has potential to be played in either solo lane or the jungle. Devourer synergizes well with her Q, and her Q is where over half of her damage is located. As for her laning, I'd image it to be weak during the early game. Despite her great auto attack modifier, that's really all she has when it comes to early combat. Since top lane has more accessible brushes for her E, I'd image she'd find a home there sooner than she would mid, and transition into a split pushing Fiora-like carry. But, since her passive is so valuable for her team, you may find it better to stick with them to help you make picks.

Speaking of picks, that is what Yaotl excels at. She's a hunter, somehow always knowing where and when the target is most vulnerable. The tools in her kit allow her to spot the enemy effectively and run them down. Similar to Rengar, she's especially good at chasing in the jungle, punishing enemies who attempt to run through brushes with her Marker, Spring, and Insight. This is also a concern for me - the similarities Yaotl has to Rengar and Nidalee are obvious. I hope they aren't too similar.

However, Yaotl starts to fall off when teams begin fighting 5v5. Despite the small splash damage she has on her Q, you will be dead if you're in the middle of the enemy team. You're squishier than a Zed or Talon, and you have no stealth or escapes unless there's a nearby brush. Her best bet is to snipe a carry with her Marker and active Insight, which should be enough to take them out of the fight. That's why there are so many ways for her to pick targets off - Yaotl never wants to fight a fair 5v5. If you spot multiple silhouettes in a brush while traveling with your team, popping Insight can be a great initiation and make it so that Yaotl can flank around to chase down any stragglers that your team didn't already get (or just chase head on depending on the situation).

Anyway, if you've read this far, I thank you! I've a lot more to say, haha. Here are the base stats for Yaotl and some of her lines. I don't have any generic moving or attacking lines, but I've come up with a slew of specific interactions.

Base Stats:

HP: 582.12 – 2010.12 (+84 per level) Health Regen: 8.5 – 20.4 (+0.7 per level) Mana: 327.2 – 1092.2 (+45 per level) Mana Regen: 8.05 – 16.55 (+0.5 per level)

Melee (125 Basic Attack Range)

Attack Damage: 53.88 – 112.53 (+3.45 per level) Attack Speed: 0.672 (+1.85% per level) [0% - 32.122%] Armor: 25.54 – 85.04 (+3.5 per level) Magic Resist: 32.1 – 53.35 (+1.25 per level)

Move Speed: 335

Now, these numbers + the numbers on her abilities could be, and probably are, very overpowered or underpowered. I tried keeping the stats on the lower side - especially move speed and attack speed since she has steroids for those. Due to her passive on R increasing her damage to enemies she sees through her abilities, the base AD or AD per level could be lowered should it prove to be too much. If you have experience judging these kind of things, let me know! :)

Now here are some specific interactions she has on the field of justice. Instead of most of them being jokes or taunts towards champions, a lot of them trigger when killing certain champions.

Taunting enemy : You’re angry…did this cloth belong to someone you know? Beginning a game where there is an enemy : An emperor is near. Perfect. Killing an enemy : “What did I just kill?” Killing an enemy or : “Fresh scales. Good.” Killing an enemy with 5 or 6 Feast stacks: -panting- “Heh, the bigger they are, the more meat I get.” **Taunting near a friendly **: “I also go where I please.” **Beginning a game where there is an enemy **: “Jarvan. Name sounds important for some reason.”

Killing an enemy with evolved claws: “Otherworldly claws. I definitely came to the right place.” Killing an enemy with evolved spikes: “These spikes look a lot more menacing than the countless teeth I’ve collected.” Killing an enemy with evolved wings: “These wings are beautiful. And now they’re mine.” Killing an enemy with evolved camouflage: “An exoskeleton that changes color. Gorgeous!”

**Killing an enemy **: “You’re not Kindred. Death doesn’t bleed.” “A couple of masks. Useless.” Killing an enemy : “Interesting, but a little too gooey.” **Killing an enemy **: -jokingly- “Look guys, I killed a rock. Ha…ha…” **Taunting an enemy **: “Can you hunt anything that doesn’t have small teeth, Nidalee?” “You need some diversity in your trophies, Nidalee.” “Does your body paint tell me where you plan to put the trophies you won’t get?” **Taunting near a friendly **: “Can I try using your spear, Nidalee? It’s potent.” “Hey Nidalee, let’s compare trophies at the end of the hunt.” **Killing an enemy , , or **: “What a beautiful creature. I hope I can take its best parts home.” **Taunting an enemy **: “You look a lot tougher than you are, Rengar.” “Rengar, there’s a point where wearing some trophies lowers your efficiency. Save it for after the battle.” “I get it, you want to look cool. Let’s see how your pride fares on the field.” **Taunting near a friendly **: “Rengar, show me your hunting grounds sometime. Your trophies look great.” “I wish I was big enough to wear all that like you.” “Hey Rengar, let’s compare trophies at the end of the hunt.” **Killing an enemy **: “How many times do I have to kill you?!” **Taunting an enemy , , or **: “You’re pathetic. Just let me end you.” **Starting a game where there is an enemy **: “Stay on guard. A master tactician is hard to kill. But it’ll be worth it.” **Killing an enemy **: -pants- “That was more effort than it was worth.” **Taunting near a friendly **: “I feel like your pelts serve a different purpose than mine, Udyr.” “Hey Udyr, let’s compare trophies…wait, are those trophies?” **Killing an enemy **: “Just goo. Worthless.”

Killing any Yordle: “Aww, reminds me of my first hunt.” “Poor thing didn’t stand a chance.” “Way too easy.”

(each line can only proc once per game)

**Buying **: “Ruined before I could get to him. Shame.” “The king isn’t the only one who’ll be ruined.” **Buying **: “I don’t think it’s dangerous to go alone.” “So much power in one relic.” **Buying **: “Now where’s a real hydra?” **Buying **: “Mmm, thirsty indeed.” “This’ll be quenched fast.” **Buying **: “Heavy, but probably worth it.” “Hope my hand doesn’t slip.” **Buying **: “Now this is a weapon!” “Who’s next on the chopping block?” Buying : “Finally, a weapon that lets me punch!”

Now of course, since this champion is practically made around the concept of hunting Ao Shin, she would have many interactions with him when/if Ao Shin gets released. Probably even a mini game similar to Rengar vs. Kha'Zix. If you're interested to know how or why I made Yaotl around Ao Shin, it all started last summer when I decided I wanted to try my best to make a champion. Obviously I can't produce Riot-like work, but I did do a lot. I sketched quite a bit and asked for many opinions, changing up her look and skill set a little each time. The look Yaotl has in the image is my third concept. If enough people are interested, I may share her early stages of art and skill set.

Now where did I get the idea to tie the champion to Ao Shin? When I wanted to make a champion, I wanted to decide on a theme. The theme I chose was to make a champion based around the Quetzalcoatl, a Mesoamerican God of sorts. Then I ran into a problem - I can't just inject some follower or Quetzal fanatic into League of Legends - it's not a Runeterrian deity after all! My hunt for deities in league led me to Ao Shin, the champion we're all waiting for since his reveal around 2-3 years ago. Then I thought, hmm, I could tie this champion to Ao Shin in more ways than being a follower. In fact, I could do just the opposite, a champion who wants to see Ao Shin fall! This is also where Yaotl's title comes in - Paradise's Pursuer. Paradise refers to her everlasting glory she would receive if she could actually kill the deity, but it also refers to the heavens without bringing religion into the game. Since Ao Shin resides somewhere in the heavens (I'd assume), trying to get to that paradise is also something Yaotl is pursuing.

If you actually read all of this post, I cannot thank you enough for your interest. I hope you enjoyed looking over my first champion concept and I hope you have some things to say or ask about her! I hope to add more to this post sometime soon, perhaps more lines. If anything is unclear or redundant, I will try to clear it up right away.