[LORE DISCUSSION] Where is General DuCouteau?
PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS Who built the Mercury Hammer? Are the Watchers Void-Beings? What happened in Shurima? Shurima Part 2 Who killed the man Yasuo was guarding? Who is C? The Black Rose
Wow, another close one this week, with this discussion beating out the second closest by one single vote! Welcome back everyone to [Lore Discussion]. Before I begin, just know I'll be running an interactive on the GD Boards, so if the Shadow Isles is your thing and you like a little bit of creepy fun, be sure to try that out!
However, the topic of this week is as far from the isles as we can get. Following up from the Black Rose, we turn our gaze to Noxus once more, investigating the matter of one General DuCouteau. Specifically: Where did this man go?
http://i.imgur.com/QsXgdH3.png #Who is General DuCouteau?
Not much is known about General DuCouteau. In fact, we don't even have his first name! However, we know some key facts, both from what we've been told of him and what we can infer:
- DuCouteau is a family man, having two daughters in both Cassiopeia and Katarina. While it's possible they were adopted, I'm more inclined to think that they're flesh-and-blood children. While we've never seen Madam DuCouteau, I'd haphazard a guess that she's likely passed away. Either by giving birth to one of the DuCouteau sisters or possibly from an attempt on DuCouteau's life that struck the wrong target.
- He is a master of bladed combat. Not only did he train his own daughters (Katarina far moreso than Cassiopeia. I'd even say that Cass got the basics down while Katarina displayed the knowledge and dexterity to be a master of it) but he defeated Talon, a natural with a blade, in one-on-one combat. While his age would likely be around 40-70 years (Considering Kat and Cass are both around 20-30), age seems to have not dulled DuCouteau's skill one bit.
- DuCouteau is a General of Noxus and, as such, a high ranking member of the military. It's entirely likely that Noxus is 100% comitted to pure strength, which means DuCouteau rose through the ranks thanks to his blademanship. Carving out a place in the Noxus hierarchy, DuCouteau has groomed his children for future Noxian diplomacy and positions since they were born.
So this is what we know about DuCouteau...well, almost everything. In the lore, a few short months ago, DuCouteau suddenly vanished without a trace, leaving Katarina, Talon and Cassiopeia alone. So the question remains: What happened?
http://i.imgur.com/mFyLKhC.jpg?1 #"I'm five steps ahead of you.": Swain's Rise to Power
The first and most obvious theory relates directly to the (current) most powerful man in Noxus. Jericho Swain easily rose through the ranks and (confirmed in both the old lore and 'Reborn') is the current High General of Noxus. However, interestingly enough, not all of Noxus was pleased with the sudden shift in leadership. In the Journal of Justice, we learned that Swain was indeed at odds with the DuCouteau family. Perhaps it was a case of ideology, perhaps the family did not believe that Swain was the right man to lead Noxus. Regardless of the circumstances, they weren't happy with his change.
Now, the DuCouteau family isn't exactly a small fish in the pond that is Noxus. Originally, (Regarding the old lore) Katarina was one of the very first Noxian champions to be inducted into the League. Even without the old lore, Katarina, Cassiopeia and by extent Talon are three of Noxus's greatest assets when it comes to their war with Demacia. However, that does not mean the DuCouteau family would be exempt from Swain's ruling. Still, they would be a problem to the grand general...and so we come to the first theory.
- Foremost, General DuCouteau was either kidnapped by Swain or Swain had him assinated without knowledge of Noxus/the reader.
- In one possibility, Swain likely hopes that Katarina or Cassiopeia will take the family leadership, being a little more easily malleable and open to suggestion than DuCouteau himself.
- Alternatively, with no known male heir, Swain could hope that the DuCouteau family would lose some of it's standing in the hierarchy of Noxus, withering away. (This implies Noxus of sexism but it's just a possibility, personally I don't think it's too likely.)
- Finally, with Swain's ties to the Black Rose, a stealthy removal of a problematic family head would be easy as pie. Especially considering the win-win that the Rose has in terms of keeping Swain in power.
Along with this, we shouldn't discount the idea of things DuCouteau could know about Swain. Perhaps he knew about Sion's resurrection. Maybe he was aware of the link that Swain had with the Rose. Either way, DuCouteau was a problem that needed to be taken care of.
http://i.imgur.com/dNkJWRu.jpg?1 #"Demacia! Get some!": Demacia's Gambit
So let's rule out Swain for a moment. Who could possibly be DuCouteau's other enemy? The answer is quite simple actually: Demacia. While Noxus politics would require this to be an under-the-table type of venture, performing this would basically be as subterfuge as it gets for Demacia. Still, there is a LOT to gain from this on the Demacia side...
- DuCouteau, as stated, is both a member of Noxus elite and the father of two (mentor of one) of Noxus's greatest champions. Kidnapping him would be a serious blow to morale.
- While unlikely, it's possible DuCouteau has secrets of Noxus hidden in his head that could lead to some Demacian victories. Oh, you're planning to take Durand's Pass or to assault Fort Aldurian? Cool, we'll keep that in mind.
- An incredibly powerful bargaining chip. Even if Noxus is not willing to negotiate, Katarina, Cass and Talon might be a little more welcoming when it comes to offering some items in favor of DuCouteau's release.
- Finally, DuCouteau being out of Noxus could easily stir political ramblings. Think about this scenario being true...now imagine you're a Noxus citizen. Swain had a beef with DuCouteau. He's in power now. DuCouteau goes missing. Hmmm...it's rife with issues snaking all throughout Noxus's hierarchy, leading to accusations and inner-fighting rampant.
The easiest way to argue this would be that Demacia isn't exactly an "in-the-shadows" city. They don't do that backwoods stuff, they mostly fight honorably and with respect. Still, who is to say that Demacia is as rightous and pure as we think it is? Only time will tell, to be honest, and when that time comes it could shake up everything we know about Demacia...
So what do you guys think? Was DuCouteau a victim of Swain's politics? Did Demacia pull a fast one? Or maybe DuCouteau had a little different change? Maybe for all his bravado, he just got killed on the side of the road like any other man...
And remember, be sure to vote on next week's discussion!
