[Champion Concept] Chayon, The Shepherd of the Afterlife

I once posted this champion as my very first concept as "Grim the Shepherd of the afterlife". Ive changed a lot since then, reworked his abilities, added some quotes etc, etc. So i figured i re-post him as the creation he is now. Tell me what you think!! Tips are always welcome!! :D

I remade him and his lore within the concept of a series of champions im calling "The storybook series". These champions are all beings out of Runterra's local folklore. If you are interested, here are the others i've made so far: For The Freljord: Torvald, The Storm Bellow who is a powerful spirit that creates storms and thunder. For Shurima: Sham'a, The Candle Maker who is a jolly spirit of light and kindness that protects those in need through his candles. For Demacia: Ethea, The Primordial Spirit who is the bringer of the end times that wields 3 forces of nature on the battlefield. For all of Valoran: Laurell, The Forest Guardian who is a nature deity that pops up in multiple tales all around Valoran and protects nature with fury.

Name: Chayon **Gender: **Male **Race: **Undead/spirit (formerly human) Birthplace: Ionia

Ionian folklore tells of many spirits that perform all manner of functions. It is because of this that a lot of the small-folk are superstitious and have some quirky ways. One superstition however, is referred to more then any other. Many a mother or grandmother has warned their young ones that if they go out at night, they should not disturb the floating lights that frequent the forests and plains of the Ionian continent. For these wisps are the remnants of tormented souls, seeking refuge and peace from the horrors of the world. It is said to any who’d want to hear that if you happen upon one of these wisps, you should bow for it out of respect and say the words: Shepherd Guide you… This so that the great spirit Chayon, the Shepherd of the Afterlife, will be alerted to the souls presence and that he knows where his help is needed.

Once there was a young man. He was no priest, no elder, no noble. He was not learned in the balance of the world nor in the ways of war. No, he was just a shepherd, wise from the world around him. Life was simple. It all made sense. He had his flock as company, the stream for nourishment and the stars above to wonder at. But all did not stay simple…An evil force of corruption and destruction had set its sights on the land the shepherd lived in…With anguish he saw how these monsters destroyed everything, without any regard for its value or feelings. When they came for his flock he resisted, to protect not only his animals which were dear to him like family, but for the sake of all life…But allas….a simple shepherd could not stand up to a heartless monster. The young man was cut down where he stood… But this was not the end… The mystical forces of the world had witnessed his selfless act and saw in him the kind and caring heart they needed for a special task. Imbued with magic from the world beyond the veil of death the boy rose from the dead, not as simple shepherd, but as Chayon, The Shepherd of the Afterlife. Wielding his mystical staff, he slew the evil force that threatened the land and brought their souls to the afterlife to stand trail. Chayon then returned to the world of the living, and swore he would protect all the innocent souls of Runeterra, may they be living or dead.

Quotes:

**When chosen: ** "Let us free some souls from their bodies…"

Moving: "Spirit, coming through." "As fast as my legs can carry me!" "Follow me!!" "Without delay!!"

Attacking: "This is no walking stick.." "Yes, run little sheep!!" "I'm not even touching you..."

**Joke: ** “They say people put their souls into things they love….you must really love my staff…” “Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order.”

**Taunt: ** “Your soul will be tried for your sins in the afterlife, so repent...while you still can.” “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once. Show me, are you the first…or the latter.” (Warwick in enemy team) “Ever heard of the boy who cried wolf?...WOLF!!” (Thresh in enemy team) “You are the sum of everything I despise!!” (Kalista in allied team) "Well...I guess those souls knew what they signed up for...Fine..i'll help you." (Lucian on allied team) “Join me Lucian. Together we will free your wife’s soul.” (Lucian on enemy team) “It is not your job to free souls Lucian…Leave it to the professionals.”

**If Grim syphoned Thresh, Swain, Nunu, Quinn, Sejuani, Annie or Lulu: ** “That counts for one soul? Really?…”

If Grim syphoned Orianna: “So she DOES have a soul…interesting…”

**When standing idle for a minute: ** (While leaning against his staff) “One, two….three….snore….(jumps up) OH, sorry, I was counting souls.”

Appearance: See picture, It is not my art and i take no credit whatsoever. it is merely an idea. Chayon was rather young when he died and i want that to be reflected in his spirit form. He shouldn't have that disintegrated wraith look like Hecarim, Karthus or Thresh but more of a being that protects people. His voice should sound resolute and clear, with no hint of fear.

Gameplay:

I imagined him as a mage/support champion that works around his remnant collection. He'd be a champion for whom kills correlate directly to his power and usefulness in game, having the potential to be very op if his team has a lot of kills but less powerful if not.

Auto attack: Chayon saps life from his enemies into his staff. This is made visual by a bolt of green/yellow light that travels to the enemy champion from the staff, then returning after sapping some health.

Passive, Shepherd of Souls: Chayon's ties to the afterlife give him and allies that die in his vicinity a 10% reduction in re-spawning time. This reduction scales with the amount of remnants he has collected with 0.5% per remnant (maxes out at 25%). Champions that die during the game will leave remnants on the map in the form of floating wisps. These wander around without a goal for 5 minutes. When Chayon activates Light of the Afterlife or Soul Syphon, the remnants will move towards his staf. 1 champion (allied or enemy)/big monster = 1 remnant 1 Cannon minion = 1 remnant

I wanted something unique for his passive. I've always hated the long wait after death in the late-game and this passive would massively shorten that. Again, this effect is only truly powerful if Chayon has the chance to stack up on remnants.

Q, Cast and Recall: Cooldown: 5 Mana cost: 40 / 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 Active: Chayon throws his staff towards a target location in a 500 radius around him causing AoE damage (60 / 80 / 100 / 120 / 140 + 5% AP/remnant). Auto attacks will always originate from his staff, range being calculated from that point. The staff will recall automatically after 5 seconds, or if Chayon exceeds the boundaries of its 500 unit range.

This is the basic ability where all his other abilities are built upon. While he can easily harras enemies when casting out his staff, greatly increasing his range, he can also redirect the staff to an allied champion for healing or crowd control. I didn't make the damage done by the AoE of this ability too high, since it only has a 5 second cooldown.

W, Voices from Beyond: Cooldown: 20 / 19 / 18 / 17 / 16 Mana cost: 65 / 80 / 95 / 110 / 125 Active: Chayon shows enemies the fate of damned souls, fearing all enemies around his staffs current location and lowering their armor ( 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 +5% AP/remnant) for 0.5 / 0.75 / 1 / 1,25 / 1,50 (+ 0.025/remnant) seconds. Allies around his staff hear reassuring voices and gain attack speed (5% / 10% / 15% / 20% / 25% + 0.5%/remnant) and movement speed (5% / 10% / 15% / 20% / 25%+ 0.5%/remnant) for 0.5 / 0.75 / 1 / 1,25 / 1,50 (+ 0.025/remnant) seconds. Voices from Beyond call for the remnants, giving them new hope and regaining 50% of their leftover time (but never exceding 5 minutes).

Since i was imagining him mainly as a support i thought he needed another CC ability, and this fits perfectly within the concept. The attack and movement speed buff would't be like HUGE but enough to feel the difference. Of all his abilities other then his ultimate, the cooldown on Voices from Beyond would be the greatest.

E, Light of the Afterlife: Cooldown: 25 / 24 / 23 / 22 / 21 Mana cost: 75 / 90 / 105 / 120 / 135 Passive: Chayons auto attacks syphon life energy from a target, filling up his staff with power. 50% of flat damage of every auto attack will stack up as energy until it caps at 250. Allies around his staff deal 10% of their AD as bonus magic damage, which is then added as energy aswel. Active: Chayon pours the life energy in his staff into an area around it. This energy is equal to 30 / 45 / 60 / 75 / 90 in flat health, plus the syphoned energy that is stored in his staff (so max 250), plus 5%/remnant. Upon activating this ability the energy will divide itself between all allied units within range, healing them for an equal amount. Excess health will form a shield over the effected champion that lasts for a maximum of 0.5 / 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 2.5 (+0.25/remnant) seconds. Wandering remnants also see the light as a global beacon, turning towards it and rushing its way for a few seconds.

When i play support i always love a support champion with a heal. So thats why i gave Chayon one. The flat health healed is meant to make the ability useful in the early game without stacks or remnants. Fully stacked however, Light of the Afterlife would have the power to turn around teamfights for his team. The cooldown and mana cost would ofcourse balance the ability out so that it can't be spammed.

R, Life Syphon: Cooldown: 100 / 80 / 60 Mana cost: 100 Active: Chayon creates a syphoning field (radius of 500 units) at his staffs current location after channeling for 2 seconds. The field deals continues magic damage (25 / 50 / 75 + 5/remnant) and slows enemies for 45% / 60% / 75% for 6 seconds. All remnants on the map will start to move towards the syphon, gaining speed while they come closer. Remnants in a 500 radius wil be absorbed. Ofcourse champions, and monsters that die inside the syphon will automatically count as a remnant. Passive: Allies within a 1000 unit radius gain 40% / 45% / 50% movement speed when moving towards the staff when Life Syphon is active.

Since his abilities become so powerful with high numbers of remnants, i decided to make his ult the only move that can collect these stacks. No thresh does not have to fear for his armor XP. The cooldown on his ult would not be all to high, seeing as collecting remnants is such a big part of his gameplay, but high enough to call for some higher tactical understanding.