MCCC (And CCC) Entry: Ozu, the Spectral Knight

Ozu, the Spectral Knight Fighter/Mage, Melee

http://i.imgur.com/wKVPUUY.jpg[/IMG (Yes, I know this is a Hearthstone character, but I can't draw worth crap. If an artist is willing to do a rendition of him for me, I'd love it.)

LORE

As I stared into the blackness of death, I noticed something moving. A tendril, reaching out from the darkness, only discernable because it was even darker than its surroundings. "Ozu, I'm afraid you've come upon a misfortune. Do not worry, I believe that you can recover from this. Just follow me." His voice was a low and raspy one, but it did not have an echo. Clearly, he wasn't talking to me at all; those were his thoughts that he transmitted to me. I did as he said and followed his tall, frail form through the darkness, his figure being the only moving thing I could make out; I couldn't even see my own hands.

We eventually arrived at a gate, and I could clearly see a fog-covered shore behind it. The Gatekeeper told me that this is where I will begin my journey of recovery, and that this is where I will be tested. He grabbed me with two arms and swung the gate open with the other two. I was surprised at his strength, seeing as I was covered almost completely in armor, but he still was able to shove me through the gate with ease. I heard a clank as it closed behind me, and when I turned around, all I could see was the marshes of the Shadow Isles.

"Another soul, hm? Well, I guess I have to give you passage, too. Hop in," said the man I recognized as Yorick Mori. I remember seeing him from somewhere, and I figured that it came from childhood memories, ghost stories that I was told to stay away from certain places at night. I guess they were true. I climbed into his rowboat, as he asked, and he pushed off.

His shovel proved to be a good replacement for a paddle, and even was able to ward off creatures that lurked in the river itself. One in particular swam up to the boat. "Please, Ozu, you have to remember me. I'm not dead yet, end my suffering. You know what the leeches did to my brain, but you can free me. Take your sword and cut me down... I'm Serga, remember? Please... Remember me..." The blue-skinned woman seemed desperate for death, as the black leeches were eating away at her flesh. I remember her, too, but I don't remember her as a woman desperate for help, I remember a much more different Serga, one who was clever and strong, one who commanded the leeches that are now eating her body. Regardless, with a swift strike of his shovel, Yorick cleaved her skull in half. I'm sure that if I remembered her better, I might have cried.

When we got to the end of the river, I payed a small toll of whatever coin was in my pocket and went on my way. I gave a brief nod to the Gravedigger, which he politely gave back. Upon my walking, I came upon something interesting. I saw a rusting animatronic man lying against a gnarled tree. Clearly, it seened the tree was growing into him, almost as if he was going to become a part of the tree. "Please... Ozu, my friend, help a fellow fighter up, would you? It seems my parts aren't as good as they used to be... Heh heh. It's a shame Oscar isn't here to fix me up, but he was lucky enough to avoid dying here. He died fighting to the very end, even when we were all attacked, but I guess that's what his family did. 'Every Augur's a hunter, even you, my son. My son, Core.' That's what he told me. Those were his last words. Now, can you help me up? I'm begin- in- in- in-" A root grew straight through his chest and he stopped talking. It was a shame to watch Core die; I truly did remember him. I respected him, idolized him. I would have helped him, but I didn't know why I respected and liked him. I figured that I would learn that along the way.

I came upon a small shack. Naturally, my curiosity made me want to go inside, so I did. In it, I saw two men, both dead. Skeletons in suits, one with a katana, both with a gun. Between them was a single soul, floating exactly the same distance between them. "You really shouldn't have come here," they both said at once, "We told you that you couldn't stop us." Their heads twitched as the soul shifted more towards the left. "You knew that even though we fought with you, fought alongside you, we were still bounty hunters. Noxus had the highest price, so we fought with them," said the left one. The right one, the shorter one with the katana, slowly approached me as the left man spoke. He drew his sword, so I drew mine. I didn't want to fight them, I quite liked these two. I pitied them, felt sorry that they should have the burden of one brain being shared between them, but if they attacked me, I had to fight back. I remember seeing them fight. I remember seeing them fight Core, Serga, the Gatekeeper, even. I remember fighting, but I also remember that I did not fight them. I merely watched then fight. I protected them when they fought. I do not remember why they were fighting, but I liked seeing them fight. They were skilled. I felt sorry when I had to kill them in that shack.

I came across another traveler, like myself. She only recently came off of Yorick's boat, and I recognized her as the woman who couldn't die; Shori, Pantheon's mother. She had always taunted Yorick about one day meeting him. I guess she had died today with me at the Institute. I remember us two fighting together, side by side trying to keep the invading forces of Noxus from destroying the Institute. I quite liked her gusto, her willingness to dive headfirst into battle, knowing she'd most likely die coming out of it. I remember that she did die, and I remember that Noxian forces eventually breached the walls of the Institute, so it was my turn to dive headfirst into battle. I remember doing a pretty good job, too, if I might say so myself. As Shori and I reminisced about our final battles, I realized my armor and body were changing. My armor, previously the standard golden color of Institute guards, had turned rusty and dark, more red and satanic. My skin had become somewhat clearer, blue and glowing, too. I'm now sure that I'm dead.

Shori and I eventually parted ways, as she had to recover her own memories as well. I felt like I had recovered most of them, save the identity of my killer. I walked for what felt like hours, until I grew exhausted and passed out. When I awoke, I was back at the Institute, staring at the pristine face of the Black Rose assassin, Mikhail Latimer. "You know, I'm kind of sorry to have to kill you. You were a good guard, and honestly, had there not been that whole mess of trouble in Kalamanda, I'm sure we could have become good friends. Plus, you would have had the benefit of having a celebrity at your side, who knows all of the privelages you could get!" Latimer renained as cocky and snarky as ever, and I wasn't expecting any change when he faced actual death. "You don't have... To do this. Look... around you... cough Innocent people... Actually dying... This isn't a game... Anymore..." I coughed out in a last attempt to save my life. I knew it wouldn't work; Latimer was beyond morals, he was Draven-level sadism without the limits of a government. He was going to kill me, and I had to accept that. "Oh, you're trying to bargain for your life? Sorry, but the Institute needs to fall, and since you're guarding it, so do you." He plunged his knife directly into my eye, and I watched blood pool as I screamed in agony.

I died 33 minutes and 12 seconds later. It was just enough time to watch as the entire building I swore to protect crumbled and exploded in a blast of arcane energy, destroying all links between champions and summoners, and erasing the Institute from everyone's minds altogether. I remember crying out of my left eye, because my right eye was missing.

I miss the Institute. But I don't know what I can do to bring it back now. Now, I am nothing. And the only thing that I can do now is wallow in the fact that I failed to do the one thing that I trained most of my life for, and that is to protect.

I am the ghost of all that remains of the Institute. I am the ghost of something that doesn't exist. I am nothingness, but today, nothingness will try to fulfill what somethingness failed at, and that is to protect. I could have saved Serga, prevented her suffering. I could have dragged Core from that tree and put him somewhere safer. I could have not killed the twins, I could have simply locked them away so they would do no harm. Shori was already bound to die, she had cheated death too many times already, but I could have fought with her to at least prolong it. And Latimer... Latimer I could have taken down with me with a snap of the neck. I could have gone down swinging and killed as many as I could, but I didn't because I was something.

Now, I have nothing to lose, so I might as well try again. I am Ozu Eternity, and I am the Phantom Protector, the Ghost of the Institute, the Spectral Knight. And I will protect the memory of the Institute, even if I have to die again.

DEDICATION

I mentioned all of my milestone concepts, not just my first one. Is'Tal, the Gatekeeper of the Void: My very first champion I posted. Serga, the Leech Catalyst: My first entry into the MCCC Latimer, the Thorn of the Black Rose: My first successful champion idea. (I still work on him today) Core, the Hunter's Legacy: My dedication to The Core Augur, my inspiration for a majority of the MCCCs. Shori, the Ultimate Victor: My first Lore written entirely by myself with no outside help or challenges. John and Joseph, the Twins: My dedication to the reason I continue to play League (two friends I met on League and still play with) I thought that because the forums I was raised on is getting shut down, I'd make a huge dedication to my personal favorite concepts, and I hope that my love for each of them comes through in this Lore. Thank you.

STATS

Health: 500 (+66) 1688 @ 18 Health Regen: 7.25 (+0.5) 16.25 @ 18 Mana: 275 (+40) 995 @ 18 Mana Regen: 7.25 (+0.5) 16.25 @ 18 Range: 135 (Melee) Attack Damage: 60 (+2.4) 103.2 @ 18 Attack Speed: 0.644 (+1.85%) 0.847 @ 18 Armor: 25 (+1.75) 56.5 @ 18 Magic Resist: 30 Movement Speed: 340

ABILITIES

Passive: Spirit Blade Every 4 Basic Attacks, Ozu permanently increases his Maximum Mana by 1/2/3/4 points. (1/6/11/16)

Q: Ectoplasm Ozu shoots out a line of his own essence, slowing all enemies hit by 45% for 1.75 seconds and dealing 45/75/105/135/165 (+55% AP) Magic Damage. He regains Mana equal to 30% of the damage dealt. Cooldown: 9/8.5/8/7.5/7 Health Cost: 60/70/80/90/100 Range: 750

W: Spectral Protection Ozu amplifies the protectiveness of his Armor, giving him a shield worth 60/95/130/165/200 (+40% AP). He can reactivate this after casting for another shield for more mana that stacks with the existing one. This can be reactivated infintely and the cost will continually increase. If it's not reactivated within 3 seconds, the shield will decay by 25% per second and cannot be reactivated until destroyed. The price resets upon destruction, whether by decay or damage. Cooldown: 0.75 Mana Cost: 6/7/8/9/10% of Maximum Mana per cast (+0.25/0.5/0.75/1/1.25% for every one after the first) (Example: After 5 activations, 35/45/55/65/75% of his Maximum Mana would be missing, but he'd have a 300/475/650/825/1000 (+200% AP) Shield for 3 seconds.)

E: Eyes Wide Shut Ozu targets an enemy unit to reveal the spirit world to for a brief moment, which Blinds them for 1.75 seconds and deals 10/15/20/25/30% of his current Mana (Before casting) in Magic damage. Cooldown: 7 Mana Cost: 20/25/30/35/40 Range: 300

R: Nothingness Ozu becomes fully spectral, giving him a 30/45/60% Movement Speed boost and turning him Untargetable for 4 seconds while still giving him full control of his abilities and basic attacks. Killing champions while the effect is active increases the duration by 1 seconds, capping at 6 seconds. Cooldown: 110/95/80 Mana Cost: 90/45/0

QUOTES

Selection "I will not be forgotten."

Beginning a battle "Ah, I remember this." "Sweet memories..." "Once more, for the good old days."

Moving "Protecting is all I can do." "All of these memories..." "I can only go forward." "Living was a burden." "My mind is clear now." "This place... I miss it." "Just a casual stroll." "On patrol." "I'm on a mission." "May I call you Summoner?" "Just floating through." "Anyone in need of assistance?" "I will not fail." "So many fond memories."

Attacking "I won't fight unless I have to." "I fight because I must." "I'm sorry." "They MUST remember!" "My blade... It's still sharp." "This will make them see." "This must be reality..." "I will see it through." "No one can stop me." "Can't kill a dead man." "I haven't done this in a while..." "Is this what you really want?" "More killing... Hasn't there been enough?" "My sword is at the ready."

Using Ectoplasm "Feel my memories." "This is what remains." "Essence of death..." "I need your energy."

Using Spectral Protection "My armor still protects." "Rusted, but still good." "The everlasting glow." "I also need protecting."

Using Eyes Wide Shut "SEE MY PAIN!" "REMEMBER!" "You will see this someday." "Now you see."

Using Eyes Wide Shut on Lee Sin "Now you see... Actually, nevermind."

Using Nothingness "LOOK AT WHAT I'VE BECOME!" "THIS IS WHAT I AM NOW!" "I REALLY DON'T WANT TO DO THIS!" "WHAT HORRIBLE FATE!"

Recalling "I'm not yet finished" "The memories will return" "Sweet safety..."

Upon dying "Do you... Not... Remember?" "Seem... Familiar?" "Remember... Me..."

Joke singing "Memoriiiies..." "OoooOOOOoooh! SpoooOOOOookyyyyy!" "I still can't remember any good jokes..."

Joke near Teemo shudders "If only I could forget you..."

Taunt "A dead man has nothing to lose." "I'd like to see you try to kill me." "Kill one of my friends, and I kill two of yours."

Taunt near Garen "Your armor will rust too, in time."

Taunt near Zilean "You could have warned us..." "This is YOUR fault!"

Taunt near Sion "Your axe won't be as effective if you don't know where to swing it." "I remembered you as a warrior, now you're just flesh with a weapon."

Taunt near Draven "Want to see an execution? How about yours?" "Your axes won't even dent my armor."

Taunt near Yorick "I'm going to need that toll back..."

Taunt near Serga "Don't worry, dear. I'll end your suffering." "Let go of her body, you worms!"

Taunt near Core "You'll rust like my armor." "You'll be joining your creator soon."

Taunt near Shori "I can't protect you anymore." "There's a point when everyone dies."

Taunt near John and Joseph "Must be a great suffering to share a brain. Let me end that for you." "You made the worst choice of your life."

Taunt near Is'Tal "Thank you for the second chance." "I must kill the one who brought me back. How poetic."

Taunt near Latimer "I'm about to do what I should have done long ago." "Your knife is a toothpick compared to my blade." "The Black Rose twisted you, Mikhail..." "You're a thorn in everyone's side..."

Buying Archangel's Staff "A priestly staff is a... Strange weapon for a knight." "I can protect many with this." "It's energies are like ecstasy..."

Buying Boots of Speed "Quickly now." "Rushing to aid my allies!" "Running away is not an option." "One step at a time."

Buying Spirit Visage "I think I might have too much armor." "At least it's better than what I have." "The armor of a spirit. Only fitting that I wear it."

Buying Manamune "This blade has so much power..." "Man, what a blade!" "Two swords... They'll never expect it!"

Buying Hextech Gunblade "Time for an upgrade." "I've always wanted a gun."

Buying Frozen Heart "Almost as cold as my heart." "I remember this... I heard it saved many villages."

Buying Iceborn Gauntlet "Why use a sword when you can punch?"

Buying Rod of Ages "So many memories are in this staff..." "What secrets do you hide?" "Much energy... Very impress..."

Buying Nashor's Tooth "I don't remember killing the worm yet..." "Did he really have swords for teeth?"

Buying Liandry's Torment "I'm in as much pain as the mask." "I cry with you, Liandry."

Buying Rylai's Crystal Scepter "I will make them hear me." "It's a crystal bluer than anything I've seen..."

Buying a Ward "What better defense than vision?" "Time to scout." "I'll see them coming."

Buying Bloodthirster "I... Do not like this blade..." "Get it away from me!"

Buying Warmog's Armor "What better protection than that of Mother Nature?"

GAMEPLAY

Ozu is a relatively tanky Top lane fighter whose play style mostly relies on his mana levels. If played correctly, he can not only deal tons of damage and take very little.

In the laning phase, Ozu's main goal is to get as much Mana as possible, as his W and E are far more effective with greater amounts of Mana. He primarily should play passively and farm/poke with his Q, while basic attacking often in order to increase his mana every so often. HIs first item should be an Archangel's Staff as opposed to a Manamune, mostly because this allows him to continually increase the damage of his Q and the protectiveness of his W. As soon as he hits level 6 and has points in all of his abilities, he can play a bit more aggressively. If he wants to engage but fears that an enemy Jungler might gank, then he should save his Ultimate for trying to get out if he doesn't kill his opponent in time. With his shield readily available, he can very easily tower dive his laning opponent and pick up a kill while taking very little damage himself, however if he gets locked down under tower, he'd better have his Ultimate ready so he can escape. While his Ultimate makes him Untargetable to champion abilities and turrets, existing effects on him will still damage him, such as Vladimir's Ultimate, any Damage over time abilities and tethers. He will not be damaged by abilities like Zilean's Bomb, however, as that technically counts as an outside force.

When he leaves the laning phase and starts team fighting, while he doesn't provide a lot of disruption, he can provide a lot of damage while tanking a lot of the damage for his allies. However, if he rushes into a fight with 5 stacks of his shield on him, his damage output would be significantly lower, so he'd have to use his abilities in moderation or use his Q on as many enemies as possible. If he forced to be on his own, however, his enemies will find that he's significantly easier to kill once he's been snared or stunned or whatever, as his shield will very easily drain him of all of his mana, and it doesn't last for very long either.

Playing against him, there are a few things that need to be kept track of: His mana levels, his Ult timer, and how many allies are around him. In the laning phase, Ozu excels at killing enemies with the help of his Jungler, because with the slow his Q provides and the Blind to prevent opposing damage, you will most likely die to the both of them. Wards and poking are an easy way to prevent an engage so early, as his Q is on a relatively high cooldown early. Another good way to destroy him is with early aggression, especially if you have hard CC like a knock up or snare. Maokai, Xin Zhao and Vladimir all do well against him early game due to either their poke or early aggression.

When in the late game, do not focus him. He will most likely charge into your team with full shield and expect everyone to try and attack him, but if you just ignore him and let his shield decay, he'll very easily fail to save his team mates. Once his allies are killed, take him down, as he not only will do less damage due to his lower amount of mana, but just stunning him once should give you enough time to burst him down.

Recommended items:

Starting: Doran's Ring, 2x Health Potions, Warding Totem

Essential: Mercury's Treads, Archangel's Staff, Essence Reaver

Offensive: Nashor's Tooth, Hextech Gunblade, Liandry's Torment

Defensive: Spirit Visage, Frozen Heart, Rylai's Crystal Scepter

CHALLENGES

Dream (Major): Nothingness allows Ozu to become Untargetable while still granting full control over movement and commands. Darkness (Major): Eyes Wide Shut Blinds the selected target. Heaven (Minor): Ozu is the ghost of a guard from the Institute. Memory (Lore): The entire Lore is about Ozu recovering his memory. Memory (Abilities): Spectral Protection increases price based on how many times it was previously cast. Memory (Secret): Ozu talks to 6 champions that I made, ranging from my oldest to my newest. CCC Knock-Knock Challenge: Opening the gate to the Shadow Isles, Ozu meets Yorick.