Question: What Exactly IS The Void?

Merxamers·Dec 2, 2014·12 votes·2,184 views

This thought came to me recently, probably from the Rek'Sai reveal, that we all just kind of take the Void for granted, while not knowing anything about it. What i mean is, we have several creatures that have come from there; the world-devouring Chogath, the evolving hunter Khazix, etc., but what is this place that these creatures have come from?

Kassadin needs a special suit to move around in it; is it outer space? Is it a black hole? Khazix is a jungle-dwelling predator; are there forests in the void? Is it a space forest? Is it just like Runeterra but gassy and purple? Rek'sai is the 'largest of her species'; are there other chogaths, khazix's, or velkoz's? (Which brings the even more uncomfortable questions of how Velkoz reproduces)

Just wondering what the Lore Team considers to be 'The Void', and would also welcome any discussion :)

32 Comments

RebonackDec 3, 201410 votes

You ask a question which is, on a fundamental level, difficult to answer. A Flatlander such as yourself simply lacks the context to conceptualize the looming vastness that lies just beyond the edge of your limited perception and the grasping tips of your dimensionally shackled fingers. Imagine for a moment trying to explain the concept of the grandeur of the material universe as you know it to a shoebox full of moths who can only comprehend smells and you would have an analogy that is, at the very best, ironically flawed.

The Void is.

Though, perhaps, I could describe what the Void isn't?

It is not a dimension. A dimension is little more than a degree of freedom that blind, crippled little motes of consciousness and hunger such as yourself blunder about within heedlessly without meaning or purpose. You are likely familiar with three, plus a fourth you so quaintly call time. The Void is not these things. The Void transcends these things.

It is not another universe, parallel or otherwise. A universe would be simply that, another universe. Another chaotic jumble of slowly cooling matter, wandering photons, arbitrary physical constants, and information inexorably decaying under the touch of entropy. Another soupy panoply of stuff winding down toward the ignoble demise of heat-death. The Void is not so bound by such laws or restrictions.

It is not simply 'the space between dimensions', a useless phrase if ever the was one. Space has no context within the Void. Time has no arrow. Malzahar does not see the future by gazing from the present into distant aeons, he sees the future because within the Void such distinctions have no meaning. There is only what IS.

The Void IS.

The story is already written.

And the Runeterrans, in their blissful ignorance, in their infantile blindness, have not yet read the final lines of the final act.

By the by, do enjoy playing with that new Void Portal item. You can rest assured that there is nothing nefarious about it to speak of.

MerxamersDec 3, 20142 votes

And Kogmaw came from this place? He must have a hidden advanced philosophy degree XD

TheKingDodoDec 2, 20148 votes

void = space non-void = runeterrans Velk came here on his spaceship, everyone else just fell from orbit and survived due to GA malz is actually an astronaut, he got mutated by solar radiation fantastic 4 style, and can now give people space aids.

MerxamersDec 2, 20142 votes

this confirms all of my fevered suspicions

2nd FiddleDec 2, 20145 votes

"There is a place between dimensions, between worlds. To some it is known as the Outside, to others it is the Unknown. To those that truly know, however, it is called the Void. Despite its name, the Void is not an empty place, but rather the home of unspeakable things - horrors not meant for minds of men."

But now there aren't really worlds for the void to be between...so who knows?

MerxamersDec 2, 20141 votes

yeah, and that doesn't really explain what's IN the Void. I get the whole lovecraftian angle they're going for, but i'm really curious now about what it is, and what one would see if they went in there.

CozarkianDec 3, 20141 votes

yeah, and that doesn't really explain what's IN the Void.

There is NOTHING in the Void. That's what makes it so scary. The void is the absence of matter where nothing should exist, and yet there are creatures that live and travel there.

MerxamersDec 3, 20141 votes

but isn't that a bit contradictory? you can't say 'there's nothiing there' but also say 'it's full of monsters that burrow, evolve, study things, and devour worlds'. But hey, if the Void's some kind of black hole with things living in it somehow, that would be interesting.

CozarkianDec 3, 20141 votes

That's the point. The Void is a contradiction. It's existence isn't possible, and yet it does exist.

MerxamersDec 3, 20141 votes

OBJECTION my good sir, and SHENANIGANS i say!

This is the answer of laymen and layabouts; claiming that the Void 'defies comprehension' is not a suitable excuse for a lack of description or clarification!

I furthermore OBJECT to the claim that the Void is incomprehensible. Why should it be, when the creatures from there are, while frightening, are well within the realm of human comprehension?

I SUBMIT that rather than the Void itself being the contradiction, it is the DEFINITION of such that are at odds with one another. NEXT WITNESS!!!

CozarkianDec 3, 20142 votes

OBJECTION my good sir, mistates witness testimony.

You might not be able to comprehend the Void, but I never stated it is incomprehensible. It simply doesn't exist within the laws of physics. The creatures you think you comprehend are those that have left the Void and become bound by the laws of physics of our universe. Do not assume they would be so restricted were you to meet them in the Void.

I move to have counsel's entire argument stricken from the record.

MerxamersDec 3, 20141 votes

Motion DENIED, and again i respectfully state OBJECTION!

The defense claims that the Void is 'nothing', yet the numerous creatures from that location bear witness to its existence! Furthermore, multiple human beings (See EXHIBIT A: KASSA-WIN and EXHIBIT B: MALZ x KASS 4 EVR) have ventured to yon Void and returned alive! THEREFORE, one could presume that any alteration of physical laws and constants would apply to those ENTERING the Void, as well as those LEAVING it! (at the very least allowing creatures to travel from one to another with some magical or technological assistance)

AS SUCH, we move that the Void is in fact both COMPREHENSIBLE and, more importantly, DESCRIBABLE, and the lore teams assigned to the narrative creation of this place are reasonably expected to supply an explanation of such!

CozarkianDec 3, 20142 votes

Oh, we get to be the judge too? In that case, objection overruled, motion to reconsider the motion to strike is granted, upon review, motion to strike is granted. Motion to disqualify Merxamers and Cozarkian as judges based upon potential conflict of interest is granted, so no more shenanigans.

Let's look at Malzahar. Malzahar tells us "We are timeless." This indicates that time does not exist in the Void, which means the laws of physics as you know them don't apply.

What about Kassadin? Kassadin's lore tells us that he is one of the few to survive. How did he survive? He let the Void inside himself and was changed. So yes, in fact, entering (or even looking upon the Void) makes you subject to the physics of that world. Most try to resist the Void and cease to the exist, as there is no matter in the Void. Kassadin, however, let the Void inside him so that he could survive in the nothingness.

Gentleman GastonDec 2, 20143 votes

The Void is a location, either a plane or dimension or planet. We know it is otherworldly. We know it is dark. We know that it is incredibly dangerous and savage, even to its own inhabitants. We know that the beings from the Void live to consume. We know that the Void has been in contact with Runeterra for some time through the city of Icathia, to some degree.

That's the extent of what we know for sure.

BixitsDec 3, 20143 votes

This discussion reminds me of when I was a kid and watched Yugioh....you are banished to the Shadow Realm! Like I said earlier...I think of the Void as a nightmare realm in a world that "mirrors" our own. Also kinda reminds of me of "The Forbidding" from Terry Brooks novels.

BLU MedicDec 3, 20143 votes

For all we know, it could be really nice in the Void, with rainbows and unicorns and stuff. It's just that the Voidborn beings see it all differently.

GreenLoreDec 2, 20142 votes

Overall the void seems to be a different dimension filled with monsters. While most of these monsters seem to be intelligent enough to speak we also have rek'sai,which might mean that some of them are more like animals(chos lore also speaks how the voidborn command armies of lesser voidlings,these are probably non-intelligent as well)

I think the atmosphere of the void is simply harmful to non-voidlings

LegostrikeDec 2, 20142 votes

Void: Twisted Nether Voidborn: Burning Legion

At least that's how I think of it.

MerxamersDec 2, 20141 votes

is this a reference to Warhammer? Haven't quite heard of these

LegostrikeDec 3, 20141 votes

World of Warcraft.

TheMontrealBagelDec 3, 20141 votes

You face JARAXXUS

LegostrikeDec 5, 20142 votes

ERADAR LORD OF THE BURNING LEGION

NveriyothDec 3, 20142 votes

It is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space, and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call … the Void.

All jokes aside, it's pretty much what it sounds like. A void; a harsh, barren realm without any of the comforts we hold so dear, like oxygen, gravity, light, warmth, and senses except for taste. And hunger. Nothing but an endless, ravening hunger that seeks to consume everything. EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH. It is a living entity, in which smaller entities come forth from the dark and twisted mirages and visions in its fitfully dreaming mind, sharing its hunger and seeking to devour whatever it can. Mostly this entails other smaller entities, but some are lucky and escape from their "home's" grasp to a new world filled with wonders. Particularly … edible wonders. Sometimes, it grabs hold of an unlucky mortal, and heeds them to take up the Void's cause, but slowly consuming them from the inside out and finishing with them when they've outlived their use; sending torturous visions, insanity, and ravenous hunger to others unlucky enough to try to shun it. But you can't shun or fend off the embodiment of man's deepest fears, his deepest inner demons and the ever-consuming fear that one day…you will descend to such depths as being a servant of the Void, a slave, a tool to further its dark purposes.

Basically, it's like Tartarus but without any of the nice stuff like deadly rivers, poison air, and monsters that will kill you quickly.

NveriyothDec 3, 20142 votes

^ Truly, truly magnificent, my good sir. Beautiful writing and an excellently worded and argued idea.

Also, there is just one little thing about the Void Portal item that is nefarious … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzMbeqzoK6E&list=UUyEdrOHxpSGXVD1xHKQkl2A

MerxamersDec 3, 20141 votes

that item is going to be so fun to use. Jungle Nautilus, with an army of voidlings! Wars of voidling attrition between teams!

BixitsDec 3, 20142 votes

Perhaps the Void is a mirror of the world...like a nightmare realm.

MerxamersDec 3, 20141 votes

that would be cool; it would open up the possibility of a Summoners Rift Void-skin for sure

Toru ItaiDec 3, 20141 votes

nightmare relm? guess nocturne is a void being too -shrugs-

RebonackDec 3, 20142 votes

Nothing is indescribable. Being indescribable is a contradiction in terms, as 'ineffable' is itself a description. Analogies are always possible, even if they'll be flawed.

The route Riot seems to be taking right now with the Void seems to amount to Voidborn = Burning Legion, Void = Twisting Nether. Which is a shame, really. If I'm wrong here and what they've been saying with regards to Rek has been misunderstood I would love to be corrected.

catravenDec 3, 20141 votes

it's something you don't need to know. if you saw it you would probably think nothing of it, so don't ask. that's why it's the void. Otherwise it would be named more descriptively.

MerxamersDec 3, 20142 votes

that leaves a pretty amusing picture in my head;

<if you saw it you would think nothing of it> "Oh hey, i've been sucked through a portal and now everything's dark and purple, and full of monsters wanting to eat me. No big deal, i guess. Not much to see here." XD

Kassadin "You are null and void!"