On Noxians, Death, and Temples

Thanks to Kindred, and to Karthus’ new long-form biography, we know that there are temples, or at least a single temple that houses a great many things pertaining to death, the dead, and the dying in Noxus. From the text, we can assume that these individuals, called “the tally-men of Kindred”, take care of the dead and dying in Noxus to some degree. They are in charge of gathering the dead bodies of the slums, and possibly those that are not rich enough to have elaborate ceremonies for their losses. Even still, as it is also part of their duty to build pyres for the deceased, one may also assume that they may also be paid to arrange such final rites for the deceased for the middle classes as well, and tend to the graveyards of Noxus.

These strange individuals don’t seem to truly have a deity of sorts, but rather, seem to revere death itself, and pay respect to Kindred through their workings. While Kindred takes the souls of the dead, this order tends to their earthly remains. And, due to Karthus gaining a position of tending to the sick and dying, we may assume that this temple acts as a place for people to go to die, a place of waiting for the end. So, what does this really say about Noxus?

Well, what it says is that Noxus, as a place and culture, is not as simplistic as one might think when it comes to death and dying. They have spectacles of death in Draven’s performances. They flock to see him perform, and kill off prisoners in new and interesting ways. The Fleshing, while it’s canon status is somewhat up in the air these days, is also representative of a culture that values strength as much as the struggle against the inevitable demise.

This would seem to suggest that Noxians seem to embrace the idea of Wolf. To fight and stave off death through one’s strength, ability, or craftiness and cleverness. This is also true, considering that Noxus is one of the few cultures on Valoran to make use of necromancy and blood magic, as shown with Sion (and to a lesser degree Urgot). To fight against death, to defy it through your own capabilities and skill is something that an ideal Noxian would look to grasp. If death is the enemy that all men must face eventually, then to defy it, to rise above it, to overcome it would be a pinnacle of strength.

However, we also have part of the populace who are not of that mindset. And this is what is highlighted by Karthus tending to the dying in their final moments at the temple. Some in Noxus, instead of trying to fight death, have come to the temple to accept it. We are given no insight into how this kind of choice would reflect on the family of the dying individuals, but we know that it is an option, and a choice. Perhaps this order also sends the tally-men out to homes that have called for them, perhaps when doctors can no longer help them, or perhaps even in lieu of doctors all together.

Would a family denounce one that accepted death so readily? Would they be shamed at an act that one may see as weakness, as giving in, as surrendering to fate? Or, would it be seen as simply bowing to the stronger force? Only the strong survive, after all, and Kindred outlives all.

I don’t see this as a sign that Noxians are superstitious folk, wearing trinkets to stave off death or prolong life, not like in Bilgewater, where spirits and fortune are more readily found and tales of spirits and monsters are commonplace. Karthus’ lore again gives us insight into a Noxian woman intent on not giving in, and in fighting against death until she has no choice in the matter. These are a people that are defiant in virtually any end, unless a small few make the choice to accept it.

These are the sorts of insights I really love about the new lore directions, and I'd be happy to hear what anyone else has to say about what they think of this situation as well. That said, I hope people will forgive my theorycrafting and worldbuilding ramble.