Ernestine Flint, The Front Line ((champion concept))

Hey guys! I just noticed there's not a red-haired character from Demacia, which is a major gap that needs filling, so here's an idea that could be built on.

Let's start with their name and looks. Her name is Ernestine Flint. She's very tall, standing at about 5'11". She has a large frame and is muscular, being very fit and having good tone and definition; her stomach is flat, and she has intimidating hips and thighs. Ernestine's hair has grown very long, down to her hips, and it is a fiery red; it is held in a loose braid, but comes free as her health drops. Erniestine has a strong jaw and full lips, and the soulful brown eyes of a cow.

Ernestine wears a steel breastplate and large pauldrons with golden trim over a thick, white long-sleeved tunic. Her pants are royal blue, and over them are a fauld and cuisse like eagle's wings in the same regal style of her other armor. Her sabaton are heavy, and have wings on the ankles. Ernestine carries a very large scutum, the Demacian heraldry on the front of it. Her other main weapon is a bladed thing with a long, lance-like handle wrapped in dark leather, the cone pommel being padded with a quilted royal blue cloth; a wide and thick, double-edged blade that tapers in both thickness and width and a fuller down the center of the blade and runes etched on either side of the fuller; the hilt is a cone-shaped gauntlet hilt of steel with golden trim. Weapon Sketch

HER STORY: Born in Demacia to common folk, from her youth Ernestine was captivated by knights and the military. She was mocked for her large size in her youth, her peers always picking her last for their team when playing games. And so, Ernestine wanted to show she could be tough. She learned fist fighting from a local butcher, who would also throw in some choice cuts of meat for Ernestine's family when her lessons went well; later, she began to learn blacksmithing, becoming a talented apprentice.

Along the way, Ernestine completely forgot why she started her new hobbies, and began to be seen by her male peers as "one of the guys". She had slowly but surely stolen the heart of Drewsef, the blacksmith's son. He would teach her techniques that expanded on what his father taught, and in return, she taught him what she knew of the sweet science. On the cusp of her adulthood, Drewsef finally confessed his feelings for her, which gave Ernestine a great shock- she had not a clue he'd felt that way, and with regret she broke the news to him that she was leaving on her birthday to join Demacia's army. She promised to explore the new possibilities of their friendship with him when she returned from her first tour of duty.

Though it was what she had wanted from her youth, Ernestine found being a soldier much harder than anticipated. Despite her size, some of her infantry regiment doubted her combat potential; the drill intstructors were noticably harder on her than others; there were long hours of exercise and mock battles, and on top of that, she was also called upon to help forge equipment once word of her blacksmithing talent spread. Then, just when Ernestine began to adjust to the rhythm of her military life, her legion was called away to war.

On the south-eastern edge of Demacia's territory, her legion met Noxian soldiers in battle. Ernestine was filled with such energy that time seemed to dilate as she led her line into the clash; there was only a constant push as shouts swam around her. She kept thrusting forwards, and without warning the Noxian front line broke. Ernestine's line began advancing again, trampling the retreat as the cavalry swooped in from the sides- it wasn't a rout, but still a very sound victory. Afterwards Ernestine realized she'd accumulated a number of bruises and small cuts, and gratefully fell into sleep.

Over the next several days, the legion pursued the Noxians further south-east. This portion of the campaign was targeting Noxian supply lines- upon encountering one, the guards and transport would be completely destroyed, the Demacian legion taking the supplies for themselves. After a handful of weeks the campaign led them into a Shuriman oasis. The locals warned them of an incoming regiment, and Ernestine's legion prepared an ambush. However, the Noxians came in the middle of the night, taking the locals by surprise, slaughtering them all; though unprepared, Ernestine and her legion fought them to a standstill- Ernestine took up her scutum and blade lance and barrelled into the Noxians, rallying her comrades to her. Thanks to Ernestine's initiative and bravery, her legion got its wits about them and formed up, soon after crushing the Noxian raiders.

In the aftermath, Ernestine was promoted to captain on the spot, and given command of the front line she had lead into battle. The general had been injured, and she became his assistant while he was on bed rest, taking out his orders and standing watch at his tent. After her general recovered, though, was when the sandstorm struck. At that point Enerstine's legion was well into the Shuriman desert, and the fierce winds instantly wiped out their trail; and, without any local escorts, they were hopelessly lost. For a time they tried navigating by the stars, but some of the stars and constellations were unfamiliar. For a month they traveled blindly, but when they sighted jungle ahead of them, the general finally had to admit they were lost and end the campaign. Unfortunately, the general's wound had been infected, and a couple weeks later, he passed away.

For several more weeks the legion kept on, but eventually the other officers came together and announced that it was getting harder to sustain things, and that one of the regiments would be heading back to try their luck with the jungle. Ernestine chose to stay with the rest of the legion, wanting to eventually get back to Demacia, and possibly Drewsef.

By sheer chance, the legion happened upon another Noxian supply line, and though she was weary from the desert travel, Ernestine lead the front line to a sound victory. The captured officers even had maps on them- though, they were only to the area around the Shuriman city Nashramae. The rest of Ernestine's legion would have gladly settled for any civilization besides Noxus, though, and so they set off for the city. There were several nights of wild parties and feasts, but before Ernestine's legion could settle into peace, the Noxian cohort came for their supplies. Working together with the Shurimans, Ernestine and her front line led the defense of Nashramae long enough for the hidden Shuriman archer unit to finish off the Noxians. After another rousing feast, the officers gathered, remembering how hard it was to sustain things in the desert, and it was proposed to leave a regiment in Nashramae to rest and look for more trade maps to find their way back to Demacia. The proposal was agreed to, and more officers volunteered their regiments, until it was agreed upon the whole legion would just stay.

Within a couple weeks, a map to Demacia was obtained. Ernestine could see the hesitation on the faces of the other officers, and so volunteered to take her company back to Demacia. Most of the officers tried and failed to not look too relieved, and the colonel comissioned Ernestine with the duty of heading back to Demacia. Ernestine and her company made good time, now well accustomed to desert travel.

Halfway to the mountains, they were surprised by a Noxian legion coming back to their supply line. Though the company was outnumbered and took heavy losses, Ernestine was still able to lead them to victory- but, in the process, their mapbearer had been badly wounded, and his blood ruined the north-western portion of the map. After taking care of the dead and wounded, Ernestine and her company decided to press on- but soon, they ran into a Shuriman caravan going back East. Low on food, Ernestine and her company joined them, fending off a number of bandit attacks. For the next several weeks Ernestine's company kept the caravan safe, until they arrived at a city close to an area marked as Icathia. Knowing her company was farther from Demacia than ever, shortly after gathering supplies the company set out- and once again ran into a Noxian scouting party leading a supply line. Trying to stay cool despite thirsting for revenge, at the first chance she got Ernestine stood her ground against a light cavalryman and thrust up and back as hard as she could- flipping over the charging horse onto its back. Her company quickly advanced on the stunned Noxians, and before the day was done had subdued the supply line. They commandeered it and took it back West, hurrying to get away from Icathia and Noxus.

Though Ernestine could feel she was on the right path, she still felt lost- especially so after another sudden sandstorm. After another handful of weeks wandering about in the featureless dunes, Ernestine spotted a storm front on the horizon, the first she'd seen since the days before her general died. Beneath the stormy gray was a small speck travelling towards them, and her company and caravan quickly set up their weather shelters. After the fierce rainstorm had been pouring down for hours, the speck became a figure, and then a man, slowly but surely making his way towards their camp. Ernestine was surprised to see he was completely dry, though he did look tired. The man asked for shelter for the night, and Ernestine welcomed him into the camp. Knowing little about true magic, as they stayed up conversing, Ernestine asked him how he'd remained dry. He explained it as part of the gift he'd been born with, and that he traveled Shurima, healing the land with rain. Ernestine off-handedly asked if he knew the way to Demacia, and the stranger answered he did. Ernestine asked if he would lead her company there, and after several moments of quiet, the stranger agreed.

As the stranger journeyed with them, Ernestine noticed the weather was much more pleasant and cooperative, and the game was more plentiful. Though there were no surprise encounters with Noxian infantry, they did come across more Shuriman caravans, who were shocked and delighted to meet the stranger travelling with Ernestine's company, who they called The Rainmaker. He passed on all of their gifts to Ernestine's troops, and the Shurimans gladly did so; Ernestine thought it was due to association with the stranger, but the people of one of the caravans told her of the mysterious foreign soldiers who had saved Nashramae, and defeated Noxians all over the desert.

Their passage through the desert safe, Ernestine and her company crossed over the mountains, and came to familiar highland settlements. Recognizing the Demacian architecture, Ernestine's heart leaped for joy- it had been over two very, very long years since the last time she'd been on home soil. She remembered all the Shurimans she had fought for and with and traveled along, and renewed her vows to help defend Demacia. Tearing up, Ernestine got her company into formation, and began their long-awaited march home.

IN-GAME/PEDIA BIO: From her youth, Ernestine had longed to become a soldier, taking up shield and sword and defending Demacia. The other youth of her neighborhod teased her for her size, and so to toughen herself up, Ernestine began to learn boxing and blacksmithing. Quickly falling in love with them separately from her original intentions, Ernestine continued to grow in skill and strength.

Coming as a complete shock, the blacksmith's son revealed his feelings for Ernestine one day- but unfortunately, she had already pledged her service to the Demacian military upon entering adulthood. Becoming an infantryman serving on the front lines, Ernestine gave her all to proving she had what it took to be the first into battle. After driving back Noxians out of Demacian territory, her legion came to an oasis in the Shurima desert, and rested there for a while. They were ambushed by Noxian troops, and Ernestine's quick thinking and resolve helped save the day, earning her a field promotion to captain. But then, a sandstorm struck, and the legion got lost.

After several clashes with Noxians and their supply lines and losing their general and any sense of direction, Ernestine and her legion finally made it to the city of Nashramae- only to have to defend it against yet another Noxian cohort. With the other officers reluctant to leave the desert city, Ernestine volunteered her company to report back to Demacia- only for their map to be damage in a skirmish with a Noxian advance scouting party. For a time Ernestine and her troops traveled with caravans, defending them from bandits. During a storm a desert mystic the Shuriman people called The Rainmaker met up with them, and he agreed to lead Ernestine and her company back to Demacia.

Now returning home, Ernestine has pledged to continue to defend Demacia, serving them as she learned to serve the Shuriman people- to be the first line of defense, any place or time she might be needed.

STATS: Health 561 – 2011 Attack damage 51 – 118 Health regen. 8 – 19.6 Attack speed [*] 0.625 (+ 0 – 17.5%) Armor 24.7 – 82.7 Magic resist. 32.1 – 48.4 Range 150 Move. speed 335

KIT:

Passive: Shield Wall While within 300 units of a visible enemy champion, Ernestine gains 5-25 bonus Armor and Magic Resist, and she becomes impassable terrain.

Q: Shield Shove Ernestine drives her shield forwards, dealing 60/80/100/120/140(+10/15/20/25/30% Bonus Armor) damage and knocking back enemy units 200 units and gaining 40% bonus move speed for 0.5 seconds. For the next 2/2.5/3/3.5/4 seconds, Ernestine gains 10/12/14/16/18% bonus Armor while within 300 units of enemy champions hit by Shield Shove. (Knockback Width: 225, Knockback Reach: 200, Cooldown: 10/9.5/9/8.5/8 seconds)

W: Demacian Aegis Ernestine rallies her allies behind her, granting her and them 8/12/16/20/24% bonus Magic Resist for 3 seconds and 10/12.5/15/17.5/20% Tenacity, the bonuses decaying over the duration. If Ernestine's allies come into contact with her, another 3 seconds is added to the duration of the bonus. (Aegis Width: 800, Aegis Radius: 400, Contact Radius: 175, Cooldown: 16/15/14/13/12 seconds)

E: Declaration With a loud battle cry, Ernestine boosts her attack speed by 1/1.25/1.5/1.75/2% of her bonus health and boosting the attack speed of her allies by 15% of that amount for 4 seconds, reducing the cooldown by 1/1.25/1.5/1.75/2 seconds for each enemy champion in the area. (Declaration Radius: 600, Cooldown: 30/27.5/25/22.5/20 seconds)

R: Monolithic Might Ernestine draws strength from fighting with her comrades, and passively gains 1/1.5/2 bonus Armor and Magic Resist for each assist while living and kill while within 750 units of a living ally. She can call upon this strength to deal 30/35/40% of her bonus Armor and Magic Resist extra damage on her Basic Attacks for the next 10 seconds. Ernestine can't gain bonus Armor or Magic Resist while the ability is on cooldown. (Cooldown: 100/80/60 seconds)

QUOTES: Ernestine's voice is normally soft and musical, but it has a distinct shouting register.

Champion Select: Onwards to Demacia! Champion Ban: Courage is being able to move forwards in spite of your fears.

Starting A Game: Oh, no. Lost again. singing If you should find yourself in trouble, I will stand with you. (normal, after a pause) What? You're Demacian, and you don't know the words? ((starting a game with Garen, Lux, Jarvan IV, or Xin Zhao)) Get in formation! We've got a pitched battle ahead of us. I'm back, Shurima... ((starting a game on the Crystal Scar)) Take a mile if they give us an inch! Not saying I'm the hero but, uh, could I hold the hammer for just a second? ((starting a game with Poppy)

First Move: Shield wall forwards, marching on... Blade lance ready, shields up high... Drive them backwards, knock them down... One, two, three, hut-! Just stay behind me and I'll keep you safe. ((near a moving ally)) Snow is just cold sand, I guess. ((on the Howling Abyss)) Time to engage.

Movement: When you're lost, every direction is forwards. On the highways, through the fields... This seems like a good way. Double time! This way's North, right? Gotta keep going! Just keep marching, just keep marching... Where did I put that map... Tactical retreat! ((nearby enemy scores a Triple or Quadra Kill)) Good! Stay in tight. ((ally collides with Ernestine)) I've heard you can use the moss on the trees...

Attacking: A Demacian soldier never yields! Grind their bones into the ground! Keep it steady, keep it strong... See the fear that's in their eyes! Lunge, thrust! Lunge, thrust! Inch, mile! Inch, mile! Keep pushing! ((near an allied Melee champion)) Forwards! We've got them running! ((near an ally and attacking an enemy facing away)) You aren't getting past me! Demacia will rise! ((attacking an enemy Swain or Darius))

Killing An Enemy Champion: You would've made a great Demacian. ((killing an enemy Darius or Riven)) There aren't any politics on the front line. ((killing an enemy Swain or Jarvan IV)) That's one down! Keep going! ((near an ally)) First in, last out. ((scoring an Ace or Pentakill)) We make a good team, don't we? ((scoring an Ace near an ally)) That one was for Shurima. ((killing an enemy Noxian)) Don't worry, I've got your back. ((Killing an enemy that recently damaged a nearby ally below 20% health)) You can count on me. ((Killing an enemy that recently damaged a nearby ally below 20% health))

Taunting: Your blood will get tracked from here to your homeland. I haven't found anything my blade lance can't pierce yet- but you're welcome to try stopping it. Scared already? ((taunting an enemy facing away or below 25% health))

On Dying: Take me home on my shield... I wonder if he kept waiting for me... I was always afraid I wouldn't make it back... There's hope as long as you're breathing! ((near a living ally)) Next man up! Don't stop...! ((near a living ally))

On Respawning: Was being lost a dream, or...? Whew! That was a lot like being lost. Alright. Back to the front.

On Casting Shield Shove: Get back! Not here! Push!

On Casting Demacian Aegis: Stand strong! Behind me! Rally together! Hold steady! You won't break us! ((near an ally))

On Casting Declaration: Allies of the sky! Heed my call and feast on sinful flesh! Havoc! Burn them down and salt the ground! ((near living allies)) ...but you won't be getting past me. ((while last alive on team)) Demacia! Cut down their retreat! ((near both allies and enemies facing away)) This is as far as you go! For the king, for the land, for the mountains! Face me, evil bastards! ((while below 25% health or last alive on team)) Glory, pride, and bloodshed! For the green valleys where dragons fly! Nothing will remain- not your memory, or your name! Today, the birds; tomorrow, the worms.

On Casting Monolithic Might: Someone had to make a stand. Conquer this. Flee, while you still can. This is what happens when you face Demacia.

In The Shop: Now where have I seen this before... ((buying an Eye of the Oasis)) Not my scutum, but it'll do. ((buying an Doran's Shield, Relic Shield, Aegis of the Legion or Glacial Shroud)) Guess it's my turn to carry the banner. ((buying a Banner of Command)) Stick with your squad, no matter what. ((buying a Knight's Vow)) Opposing forces sometimes make great teammates. ((buying a Zeke's Convergence)) This should be a good back-up for my blade lance. ((buying an item that gives AD)) Um... yay, magic? ((buying an item that gives AP)) Ooh! This looks neat. I used to use something like this. ((buying a Phage or Caulfield's Warhammer)) The balance is pretty good on this. Who's the smith? ((buying an item that gives AD))

Laugh: Ernestine's laugh is long, and grows increasingly breathy.

DANCE: Ernestine sets her shield down and props it up with her blade lance, then proceeds to lie down and take a nap behind her shield.

LOG-IN SCREEN MUSIC: A quiet and humble piece based on the simple melody Ernestine sings when starting a game with a fellow Demacian, using flute and strings. Part of the way through, a military style drum beat enters the background of the piece.