Comprehensive Noxus Dictionary/Field Guide
Hello Story and Arts Boards. This is a Comprehensive Noxus Dictionary/Field Guide. I have made this continuing from my Comprehensive Zaun Dictionary/Field Guide
Here you will find most of the locations, groups, words, and phrases that give Noxus its character. I’ve made this for myself and for anyone else interested in getting to know more about Noxus. As always I appreciate any additions of suggested updates/changes to this Field Guide/Dictionary. The more we work together the better and more expansive this can be. This makes the 2nd region I have done this for, took me a while didn't it.
Here’s the link to the prep post
The set up for this field guide will be a bit different as much of Noxus' culture is tied up in its politics and military. As such instead of the field guide being entirely alphabetical I've focused more on organizing the terms according to their category and order of importance.
#A Almshouse - Dwellings built originally by the Tallymen for poor people to live in
Audience Chamber - The old cavernous throne room large enough to house over a thousand petitioners. The Trifarix sit at a simple marble table at the foot of the throne’s raised platform to discuss the future of Noxus and hear petitions from leaders of its regions.
#B Ballista - a catapult crossbow used to fire large spears
Basilisk - Monstrous reptiles from the southern jungles, basilisks are fierce predators that can grow to gargantuan sizes, few can stand against their charge. Young basilisks are prized riding beasts. After they become too large for a rider to control, they are used as beasts of burden, or sometimes as living battering rams to smash down the walls of besieged cities.
Berms - A war fortication used by warmasons during war: an artificial earthen ridge, as a defense against artillery fire
#C Catacombs - Underground passageways beneath Noxus. Possible meeting locations for the Black Rose.
Crenellated Roofs - Indented battlements of roofs that overhang the lower floors, used for shooting arrows or firing missiles through. They are part of the reason why most native Noxian built homes/building are highly defensible.
#D Dark steel- Made from Ironspike mountain ore, used in the forging of armor. All the best plate in Noxus is made from Dark Steel.
Drakalops - A species of fast, long lived frilled pony sized herbivore standing on two legs with frilled ear-like forelimbs fanning from the side of its head. Its native to the Northern Steppes. It has impenetrable dark scales with hints of gold. It is also known as a wind spirit to the Noxians and is believed to be the cause of random winds on the plains.
Drake-hounds - a species of wingless, wolf-sized carnivores that lair in the mountains to the north of the Noxian capital. They are vicious pack hunters, and much favored in Noxus as war-beasts, guard creatures, herding animals, and expensive (albeit dangerous) pets. To own one or more drake-hounds is a visible symbol of wealth and power.
#E Elmarks - A domesticated herd herbivore animal
#H Headsman - Arbiters tasked with the sworn duty to maintain a strong security within their homeland. Headsmen are usually chosen by the leader of Noxus and receive direct orders to seek out internal and foreign threats to the empire. They have free reign to conduct public executions upon those they deem fallible, treating weakness like a blight upon the nation. To be a Headsman is a great honor.
Hooked Grouse - A bird species native to the Norther Steppes
#I Ivory Ward District The Ivory Ward itself is one of the oldest and most wealthy districts in the Noxian capital. Its marketplace was the center of a serious riot following the death of Boram Darkwill.
#L Livery - A uniform, or insignia adorning, denoting a the status/rank of an individual and what group they are associated with.
#N Noxtoraa - Whether a city is taken by force or willingly swears fealty to Noxus, warmasons immediately set to work in stamping the empire’s signature of authority upon the newly acquired territory. Representing the strength of Noxus, they are raised to instill fear and to demand fealty from all who passed beneath them. Gateway arches of dark stone quarried from the mountains surrounding the capital are built on every road leading to the city. Known throughout Valoran as Noxtoraa (gateway to Noxus in Ur-Nox), these towering structures leave approaching travelers in no doubt as to who holds the reins of power.
Noxus Prime - The capital of Noxus. In this city, it was not at all unusual to see armed warbands from all across the empire. The streets and alleys of Noxus are narrow and twisting, designed to stifle and frustrate any attacking force that managed to penetrate the city’s outer defenses. The rooftops were flat and crenellated, like the battlements of a castle, allowing any soldiers above to dominate any enemy below
#O Old Noxus - The area of Noxus within the capitals walls with a forbidden character
#P Patrician family - Noble house families that have existed since the first walls were raised around Noxus. They lead a life of privilege. The noble houses play a key roles in politics. They believed that their proud heritage was the nation’s greatest strength. However, many hungered for greater influence, plotting against Darkwill with a secret cabal united by nothing more than the symbol of a black rose. Old noble families still wield considerable power at the heart of the empire.
#R Red banners - Banners signifying Noxus rule.
Reckoner - gladiator warriors who face one another in vicious arenas where blood is spilled and strength is tested.
#S Shrine of the Wolf - A tall, multi-tiered tower with open sides, butting up against the old southern bulwarks of the Immortal Bastion. Each level of the tower is held aloft by three pillars of dark stone. In the center of the tower, looming almost fifty feet high, was a massive obsidian statue of a seated wolf.
Sion's Memorial This memorial and tomb is dedicated to Sion, a Noxian war hero celebrated as the killer of the Demacian King Jarvan I. It was later used to contain the resurrected form of Sion before Swain, with the aid of the Black Rose, was successfully able to control him through the use of Jarvan IV's blood. The current state of this memorial is unknown.
Slums - The sprawl of dwellings built beyond the battle scarred walls of the Noxian capital where many people live in abject poverty and death is commonplace. Tally-men of Kindred often notch their staffs and bare bodies from the almshouses.
Stairs of Triumph - A long unbroken flight of stairs leading to the Audience Chamber, guarded every twelve steps by a pair of Legionnaires.
#T Tallymen - An order of people dedicated to taking care of the sick and dying. When a member recognizes someone’s suitability for their order they are inducted into their ranks, first as a digger of graves and pyre-builder, before ascending to the rank of corpse collector. The tools they use include iron-rimmed wheel corpse carts, and a knife for cutting death marks on a staff.
The Black Rose - Remnants of secret cabal order that has existed far longer than Noxus itself. Initiates of the Black Rose have schemed from the shadows for centuries, looking to gain power in any way they can, drawing the rich and powerful; mages, nobles, and politicians to their ranks. They dabble in the darker powers of magic, manipulation, assassination and deception and share hidden knowledge and secrets, in order to grow their areas of influence, and personal power. Areas within the Black Rose’s domain are discretely marked by a Black Rose sigil, etched onto shadowed archways. Only an elite few learn the “origins” of their matron, though many have uncovered legends of a pale sorceress who aided the broken barbarian tribes, in their struggle against the infamous Iron Revenant. The Black Rose exists now to further the clandestine interests of those who can wield magic—with its rank-and-file composed of mundane nobles, drawn to rumors of miracles, kept in thrall and ruthlessly exploited. Even the most powerful military commander could only ever serve the cult’s true masters, as they fight one another for influence in games of intrigue and conquest, both in the Noxian capital and beyond its borders.
The Fleshing - a public spectacle Noxus is renowned for. A gladiatorial event with a cruel twist: as a fighter won matches, his number of opponents (generally prisoners of war) fought simultaneously would increase. This meant eventual death for every contender.
The Fleshing Area - location of the The Fleshing
The Immortal Bastion - AKA Immortal Bastion proper: Situated at the heart the empire, the Immortal Bastion was the first citadel to fall to the Noxian tribes. It is said to have been constructed by the order of a dread revenant sorcerer, Mordekaiser, in a distant age far more ancient than the empire itself. The Noxians made the captured city their capital. Parts of the looming, dark, threatening citadel have been razed and rebuilt over the centuries, such that there are layers to its streets, and some districts now lie below ground. Few dare walk these streets after dark without guards to protect them. The darkness of the Immortal Bastion conceals many dark secrets such as demons, sources or dark magics, and meeting places for the Black Rose and its headquarters. Many noble houses are located in the capital, such as the Du Couteau. The city is the visual representation of the empire's might, power, and strength.
#Political Structure The Trifarix 1.) The three core Principles of Strength that guides Noxus—Vision, Might, and Guile—implemented by Swain. The idea is that Noxus needs to be strong in all these areas, and if they are weak in one it could bring the empire down.
2.) The Tri-Leadership ruling council created by Swain as well. It features three leaders together, each representing one of the core Principles of Strength. Where a single individual could doom Noxus through incompetence, madness or corruption, now there will always be two others to hold any rogue third accountable. Their leadership cannot be deadlocked, when only two of them need agree on anything to get it done, ensuring that no individual can rule unopposed.
Council of Three - A meeting of the Trifarix to hear petitions or discuss the future of Noxus
Grand General - One of the leaders of the empire and the Visionary of Noxus
Hand of Noxus - The leader of the elite Trifarian Legion, commander of the empire’s armies, and one of the leaders of the empire. The representative of the Might of Noxus.
The Faceless - A mystery. The Third member of the Trifarix, a co-leader of Noxus. The exemplar of Guile. No one knows who they are. They remain cloaked in secrets and deception. It is rumored that they control the dark underbelly and politics of Noxus through manipulation. It suits the purposes of the Trifarix and the individual representing the Principle of Guile that their identity remains unknown outside the Trifarix. It would likely sow fear/ suspicion/ unease/ paranoia among the enemies/rivals of the Trifarix, which could well suit their purposes, and it allows the figure of Guile to walk more freely among those who might have their guard up if they knew that person was part of the Trifarix.
Patrician family - Noble house families have existed since the first walls were raised around Noxus. The noble houses play a key roles in politics. They believed that their proud heritage was the nation’s greatest strength. However, many hungered for greater influence, plotting against Darkwill with a secret cabal united by nothing more than the symbol of a black rose. Old noble families still wield considerable power at the heart of the empire.
#Military Structure Noxian Army - The lifeblood of the empire allowing the expansionist nation to conquer fertile lands to supplement its lack thereof. The largest ground based fighting force on Runeterra/Valoran with hundreds on individual warbands. Noxus employs a loose style of set up within the organization foregoing a strict rigid standardized order, in favor of allowing their forces to specialize in what they do best and directing them to tasks or areas where they're strengths can serve the empire best. Regimentation and uniformity are anathema to the Noxian way of life. Within the Noxiam army there are equal chances for anyone, everyone starts on the same rank. On the front lines, a foreign slave could be the equal of a highborn noble. The break down of the Army is: Legions, Warhosts, Warbands. Conquered peoples that swear loyalty to Noxus become part of its armies and add their unique strengths to the empire’s war efforts. Each warband is celebrated for the many and varied methods of war it brings to bear.
Navy - Noxus' collection of warships and trade ships
Legion - A large collective of warhosts, usually organized to stage the conquest of a large region.
Trifarian Legion - The most elite, respected, and battle-hardened military force within the Noxian empire. Their appearance causes some nations to bend a knee peacefully upon sight. They are not only the best soldiers in Noxus, but also the most loyal, utterly devoted to the empire and its leaders.Their armor is heavy and utilitarian, and often features three indentations hammered into the right of their breastplates, representing the Trifarix. Like the rest of the army, even within the Trifarian Legion, there is little uniformity within the ranks.
Legionaries - Soldiers of the Trifarian Legion. They walk with the authority of the Hand of Noxus. To defy them was to defy the Trifarix itself. When not at war they play the role of guards wearing dark red cloaks and tabards, for important locations and people
Warhost - An organized group of Warbands to conquer small regions and city-states or combat rival armies. Within a legion, warhosts will be assigned to simultaneously attack different regions in order to take control of a large region more effectively.
Warbands - Individual, localized units of Noxus’ army. Usually organized by citizens of conquered territory these units are led by their own chieftains, marshals, and captains. Each warband is unique, with its own culture, hierarchy and favored way of war. They fulfill specific roles as part of a much larger warhost, perhaps fighting as frontline shock troops, heavy infantry, scouts, assassins or cavalry—whatever best suits their skills.
Commander - Leader of a legion
General - Leader of a warhost
Captains - Leader of a warband. AKA: chieftains, governors, or marshals depending on the region
#Specialized Troops of the Military of Noxus Bloodrunners - Fast, dark, magical warriors with hooked blades. Shuriman assassins.
Iron Warriors - Soldiers with thick armor
Marauders - Armored berserker warriors, let loose to wreak havoc on the battlefield
Xamari Redblades - Warriors of the The Xamari tribes renowned for their skill with long blades of blood-quenched steel. Xamari swordmasters take vows of silence, becoming the bane of enemy commanders, as they evade bodyguards and life-wards with ease.
Ironsides - slang term for strong warriors with great power or endurance.
Warmasons - A Distinct Noxian military branch of resourceful scouts, engineers, and warriors who design and oversee the construction of roads, bridges and fortifications before, during and after a war/battle. The first indication of Noxian expansion, is one or two warmasons scouting enemy territory for possible invasion routes, usually undercover. They scout ahead and are responsible for mapping the detailed layout of enemy territory, gaining enemy trust, identifying enemy strengths and weaknesses. Their purpose is to make the conquest of a target area as efficient as possible with the least destruction.
#Tools of War Noxian Weaponry - swords, axes, heavy axe-headed halberds, spears, daggers, war hammers, gauntlets, bows, glaives crossbows, shields and armor in vast quantities for distribution to the warhosts. The empire values function over form, their designs often incorporating additional uses, such as hooked handles to unhorse mounted enemies.
War-barques - large heavily armored animal drawn vehicle for war, usually pulled by a basilisk.
War tent - temporary set up during a campaign outside the borders for strategy councils
#Layout of Noxus Prime Immortal Bastion: Immortal Bastion Proper, Sion's Memorial, Bulwarks, Shrine of the Wolf, Catacombs, Black Rose Headquarters Old Noxus: Audience Chamber, Capital Walls, Ivory Ward District, Noble Houses Slums: Almshouse
#Conquered Regions https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/piltover/medarda-heirloom
Basilich Located on the eastern coast of Valoran is the port city Basilich. Which was integrated into the Noxus Empire quarter of a century ago, after its elders submitted to the then Captain Cyrus and his army. Nowadays Basilich is among a few cities that have foolishly attempted to rebel from the hold of Noxus. Most recently when the city's steward Quilletta Varn lost her faith in the Empire and sparked a revolution for independence. For acts of defiance the city was besieged by the Trifarian Legion and their leader Darius, who was also raised on the streets of Basilich as an orphan. The ongoing rebellion ended after Quilletta was murdered and replaced by her second in-command, Invetia Varn. The city is well known for its paintings made out of cobwebs.
Bel'zhun Located at the Northern part of Shurima. Previous rulers of the city were Hagyos Valif, and Hazir Ima'Sai. Its current ruler is a Noxian Steward known as Dorrik. The city has a large rebel insurgence against the Noxian rule, known as the Suns of Bel'Zhun, they frequently trade weapons with Clan Medarda of Piltover. Its Mwatis wool and plate are prized for felting and insulation.
Bloodcliffs Built into the cliffs near an estuary, Bloodcliff neighbors with the Immortal Bastion and Basilich on the eastern coast of Valoran. The city's current leader is Steward Hovri IV. One of its main sources of trade are rough grades, that is used for turf establishing and the ground foundations of which buildings are constructed upon.
Dalmor Plains Located at the northern edge of the Empire, many travelers have lost their lives in this unforgiving wasteland. From the dust-filled weather or even a certain Yordle and his mythic SkaarlSquare Drakalops, most Noxians will avoid travelling through this landscape. With the only populating settlement for hundreds of miles being the village of Drugne.
Delverhold South from the Ironspike Mountains in northern Valoran lies The Delverhold. A dominion prospering from the wealth of gold and iron ore being quarried from the mountains. In fear of annihilation the Delverhold king relinquished his authority and swore loyalty to the foreign Emperor. Now its people work endlessly to supply Noxus with armor and weapons from the iron they mine.
Drekan The closest settlement to Noxus Prime, which is Southwest of the capital
Drugne Nested north of the Dalmor Plains and Southeast of the Ironspike Mountains, Drunge neighbors The Delverhold and Ruug.
Fallgren Located off shore from the eastern coastline of Valoran, the island city of Fallgren has been under control by Noxus ever since the Battle of Fallgren in which Kled lead to a decisive victory. Presently the city is governed Steward Jeon. Many tubes used in Zaun have been made here by Hedicila Elastica.
Ruug The northernmost settlement of the Noxian empire is situated at the eastern side of a short mountain range on Valoran's northest coast. It neighboors Drugne and The Iron Pinnacle.
The Iron Pinnacle Built at the mouth of a northern river, The Iron Pinnacle neighbors Ruug and Khworez.
Khworez The second closest settlement to Noxus Prime, located in an inlet on the east coast.
Tereshni Located at the Northern part of Shurima. Previous Shuriman and current Noxian ruler of the city is Steward Ta'Fik. The cities most well known trade good are Shuriman Azirite (Blood glass), named by the current Shuriman Emperor, Azir.
Glorft Established on the southern coast of Valoran. It is unknown if this city is under control of Noxus but it was the location for the Assault on Glorft, led by Kled.
Trannit Located on the tip end of a peninsula in the south-east of Valoran, neighboring with Ironwater. Grannit is currently governed by steward Eranolaj Smik. Its most well know trade good are dried Bolbo fish, which can be made into a dish known as Boiled Bolbo-head soup.
Ironwater Located on the tip end of a peninsula in the south-east of Valoran, neighboring with Grannit. Ironwater is currently governed by steward Arron. Its most well known trade good is Beet-wine.
Kilgrove Located in the very south of Valoran at the mouth of an estuary, its current leader is Steward Dauvin (previously Thomark). Its most well know trade good is Kilgrovian cloudcedar.
Krexor Located east of the city-state Piltover at the top of a bay, Krexor is an independent settlement surrounded by Noxian aligned neighbors. It is governed by steward Lisabetya (previously Liliann Ema Herrbel). The city is known for its Minotaur smiths who make Krexorian blades.
Ironspike Mountains - Mountainous realm rich with natural resources of precious metals and iron ore. The realm had been conquered by Noxus and incorporated into the empire as a major supply for their armor of Dark Steel.
Northern Steppes - Located at the northern edge of the Empire, the tough plains of rolling hills, iron buttes, boulders, poison grass, and scrub grass are currently occupied by Kled. With harsh dust-filled windy weather, many travelers have lost their lives in this unforgiving wasteland. From the weather or from a certain short angry man and his mythic pony, most Noxians avoid travelling through this landscape. Some use the lands to herd Elmarks with Drake-Hounds.
Qualthala Located further inland from the southern coasts of Valoran. It is unknown if this city is currently under control of Noxus but it had been the location for the Siege of Qualthala, led by Kled.
Rokrund Located upon the Rokrund Plain in the southern regions of Valoran, and neighbor to Qualthala. Rokrund is currently governed by steward Katye. Its most well know trade good are the vegetables known as Naaps.
The Drakengate Located on the eastern coast of Valoran, the city's current leader is Steward Algor Nimchi. It was in control of Noxus ever since The Draken campaign, lead by Kled. It most well known trade goods are its fine mudpacks, as well as popular adulterants such as: peach slugs, nacre powder, Nirpooti skins, Freljordian grain milk, Honeyfruit seeds, and Ionian silver pomace.
Trevale Trevale is one among many regions comprised of rocky hillsides and highlands. Occupied with various villages and farms trying to survive off the harsh landscape on the outskirts of Noxus Prime. Birthplace of Riven
Vindor Located south from Basilich and west of the Fallgren islands, it is currently governed by steward Amenesce. The city is well known for its Light Vindoran horse breed bred for desert use. The Noxian Dark Riders are said to specificly only ride breeds from this area. Other similar horse breed found here are Destriers and Coursers.
Urzeris Located in the northern coast of Shurima, its currently occupied by the empire. Its current ruler is Steward Vin. Its most well known trade good is the Urzeris Salt. Its one of a number of ports and cities in northern Shurima which were voluntarily assimilated into the empire. The original inhabitants of these settlements live in relative peace with their Noxian counterparts, seeing the exchange of food and preferential trade as a price worth paying for military protection from raiders.
Ionia - Git Gud Scrubs
#Culture Lamb or Wolf? - Regarding Kindred those of Noxus revear Wolf of violent ends and vow to fight to the death. Wolf was honored with more rigor and panoply than Lamb
Salute - slamming armored fists to the breastplates
#Language The Empire boasts a vast number of different languages, due to it conquering different lands. Ur-Noxian is the most common tongue used in Noxus.
Ur-Nox - is the modern dialect of the Noxian language
Va-Nox - is the bygone dialect, no longer in practice except by those few who are ancient enough to remember it.
Ur-Noxian - A type angular writing and spoken laguage native to Noxus
#Phrases Butcher's bill - Number of deaths
Noxtoraa - Ur-Nox for gateway to Noxus
Stom Ur Got! Stom Ur Got! - An Ur-Noxian chant sung by the Sons of Ur.
stom - Ur-Noxian for son
