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Theory about Swain's demon: Raum.

tendo625·6/23/2018, 6:59:40 PM·37 votes·16,766 views

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10119181/Transform.jpg

I am obsessed with the demons in League. They're my favorite characters and I love the lore and abstraction that surrounds them, the contracts, the connection to humanity, it's all so interesting to me.

So in my quest to find out as much as I could about Swain's demon who riot have revealed minimal detail about I came across something very interesting which I think could provide insight into it and it's nature.

So there are a few things we know about Swain's demon:

  • It takes the form of a giant Raven

  • It collects and feasts on human secrets

  • It was kept in the Immortal Bastion prior to being found by Swain

According to some hints from Rioters we know that Swain conquered the demon of secrets by making a 'Faustian bargain' like Tahm Kench would do but Swain came out on top and subjugated the demon, gaining its power. We were also told that the True name of the demon was somehow involved in this.

In folklore, the 'True name' of something is a concept that states knowing an object or entities' 'true name' or the name given to it by god/magic grants you absolute power over it and due to the abstract nature of demons in runeterra it can easily be assumed that the ultimate secret for a demon that deals in them would be its name.

I came across what I believe to be the bases of Swain's demon and thus it's name; Raum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raum

Raum is a classic demon from folklore that was said to hold great knowledge, command legions (of birds) and take the form of a crow that can also shapeshift into human form at the request of its summoner. Sound familiar?

In addition to this, there are multiple other links between Raum and the demon that solidify their connection. Here's a passage from Wikipedia on the characteristics of Raum.

"Raum steals treasures out of kings' houses, carrying them where he wishes, and destroys cities and dignities of men (he is said to have great dispraise for dignities). Raum can also tell things past, present and future, reconcile friends and foes, and invoke love."

This can easily be applied to swain's demon if you read between the lines.

The 'treasure' that is stolen from kings' houses could very well be secrets as a royal secret could lead to the loss of a throne. So it could definitely be seen as a treasure.

Destroying cities and dignities of men sounds like a riddle. And what thing could destroy a city or someone's dignity? Secrets.

The last line 'Raum can also tell things past, present and future, reconcile friends and foes, and invoke love.' is also applicable to a demon that has lived so long and collected so many secrets. It'd have vast knowledge on all manner of things and could use that knowledge to manipulate people or events.

The final connection is the Etymology of the word Raum. In German 'Raum' means space/room/chamber, and as we know the demon was held in a large chamber beneath the Immortal Bastion before Swain found it.

I know this may very well be a big coincidence but the connections are pretty apparent. I think Raum was the base for Swain's demon and as a result, he will be named Raum or a variation of this when he's finally revealed by Riot.

30 Comments

Malicious Metal6/23/2018, 11:01:41 PM12 votes

I'm still annoyed we didn't get this Swain https://78.media.tumblr.com/9b70a68dea825c270f158baee66d5482/tumblr_pahqh3OSFi1vpm6who1_540.png

Having him actually be able to unleash so much of the Demon's nature while still being able to revert to his human form would've been so much cooler than those pansy Sephiroth wings.

Chembaron Yamada6/23/2018, 7:19:06 PM10 votes

Since secrets are the whole shtick of this demon, I highly doubt that we are ever going to get his true name verified.

Nice theory, I enjoyed the read and can definitely imagine this to be true. Unfortunately, we will most probably never be able to tell if this is right or not.

Bootleg Gay6/23/2018, 7:29:41 PM7 votes

I'm just gonna go out on a limb and say that the demon's name is Beatrice, both in homage to his original pet's name and because it's a very old fashioned name.

Plus, we don't get real world stuff in Runeterra like specific names. That being said, it's just a fitting little headcanon I came up with. Probably not true, but nobody can call me out on it until the name is truly revealed.

Pale Mask6/23/2018, 7:37:07 PM6 votes

Interesting. I thought that the demon of secrets was reminiscent of Malphas, but this could work as well.

That said, I'm not exactly sure that this is intentional. I'm never one to doubt Riot's lore team, but a reference to Weyer's works seems too obscure to make.

Camille Ferrøs6/23/2018, 10:44:36 PM3 votes

Great Job on the research and connections you found !

Hupsis6/23/2018, 8:44:38 PM2 votes

Interesting theory. Makes me think what names other demons have. "Evelynn" is obviously a fake name and part of her play. "Tahm Kench" sounds kinda demonic but he could have a demon name.

If knowing a demon's name gives power over it, that's certainly a plus for Swain. He owns the demon of secrets... what are the chances that he will someday learn the names of other demons and gain control over them?

It would be super cool to get more info on demons as a race. Are they even a race? There seems to be so much variance in their existence.

ModCaptainMårvelous6/23/2018, 7:59:42 PM2 votes

That's a really interesting theory!

Thefrostyviking6/23/2018, 8:30:56 PM1 votes

Even if Beatrice is inspired by the one you found.......isnt gender an issue here?

Riot will probably throw a loop and just name that demon subspecies Raumians or demons of Raum if they ever feel like making it official somewhere x)

3TWarrior6/24/2018, 6:13:28 AM1 votes

question, why'd he go from a badass with his pet beatrice to a demon thing?

taketheLLOL9/24/2019, 12:48:07 AM1 votes

Another question, maybe riot is linking galio to swains demon due to this art https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwj1u8SfnejkAhWLqp4KHR1tCBkQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fnecrit94%2Fstatus%2F1107770282062827522&psig=AOvVaw166zvSU6XNTjfRoXb4WCnh&ust=1569372183644627 Maybe galio's sculptor is trying to fight swain? Also one of swain's quotes says "His secrets died with his sculptor." Got some ideas from necrit. Check out his channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiUHGAbtjCrLO3ZPrTfle3Q

AbiwonKenabi9/24/2019, 3:52:33 AM1 votes

I don't know if its just a cultural thing but seems like crows/ravens are typically associated with knowledge/intelligence? They are rather intelligent birds, so maybe it stems from that.

I haven't read/watched the whole thing, but I'm pretty sure Song of Ice and Fire uses raven symbolism as well for prescience and omnipotence. Its possible Martin drew from the same inspiration. Interesting to study how some similar symbols may appear in multiple places.

I think its unlikely they will use the name Raum though, if they reveal any name at all. Even if they drew inspiration from something, Riot doesn't typically name things after the thing that inspired them. Like how most Ascended are inspired by Egyptian Gods (like Nasus and Anubis) or the Star Guardians aren't just called "Magical Girls". The weird exception is Wukong, however. Kind of bothers me, but they can't really change his name now, can they?