First light after the Harrowing - Bilgewater / Shadow Isles lore development?

Pyro·Nov 5, 2014·10 votes·5,783 views

First light after the Harrowing

Right now it seems more like sketch than a story, but there's a series of allusions and hints:

The Drowned Anchor - that's Nautilus alright
A Blue Flame leviathan is goaded to the surface by a serpent caller to face the Harrowing - Ao Shin?
Mentions of Hecarim and Mordekaiser in the further past

Thoughts?

I still don't see why the Institute of War had to get retconned, but hey, at least they're trying

51 Comments

Melancholy ExileNov 6, 201410 votes

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a little on the fence about this because it feels like they've taken what was a relatively quiet and light-hearted place, more focussed on internal politics and pirate tropes than anything, and immediately shoved the needle all the way to grimdark without an ounce of preamble. The Black Mist has gone from a vague and mysterious threat in the earlier video, with something of a dark fairytale feel thanks to the framing, to something positively apocalyptic which is almost powerful enough to overcome a union of the two most influential figures in Bilgewater.

That isn't to say that it can't make for interesting stories - it definitely can - but the relatively weak characterisation of Bilgewater before this point, and the sheer scale and power of the threat, makes it feel as though The Harrowing is pretty much the sole focus of the region now.

brusqueNov 6, 20145 votes

This is a pretty good point. There was a bit of debate when the puppet show video came about whether or not that was actually lore or if it was just for marketing purposes (the argument was something like: "Skins aren't canon so events that bring in new skins aren't really canon either"). I see this as an official stance that "The Harrowing" is a real thing that has magnitude in a lot of champions' lives.

Keep in mind too that there has been a new champion revealed with very little background information about her other than Fabulista's possession. Now we have a map with a timeline and a vid. It tells us more about other champions (very little, though) while revealing that Kalista might somehow be connected to them. This map begs the question of how Kalista plays a role in all of this.

I guess it is still possible that they will deliver the preamble, but I don't know for sure.

Gentleman GastonNov 6, 20145 votes

Two things to keep in mind:

The Harrowing is seasonal, and correlates with Halloween IRL. It only makes sense that the Mist and Harrowing itself would receive focus, while Bilgewater played a more supportive role. I don't doubt that during the rest of the year the Mist is not the only thing present in Bilgewaterians' minds.
You're right. Bilgewater distinctly lacks characterization, which we're only going to get through focus. That'll come when we have a Bilgewater specific event or champion release/update, but likely that'll only show glimpses. Foundations has been working to solidify the world and locations, but so far that has merely been used as a seasoning for other things (champions, events, reworks) rather than acting as the full meal. The Black Mist stuff has been a bolder move by Riot than usual. In the past lore would have never likely been tied to a holiday event like this, at least not in any meaningful way. That kind of stuff is for champions only, because those bring the biggest bang for their buck (generally more people care about champion releases/reworks than holiday events with a few skin releases/sales, pretty sure I can make that claim). That's nice, and it shows that Riot's going "Hey, we can use lore for more than just this one thing. We trust there's a large enough audience to be able to do that."

As always there's more room to grow, and that growth is Riot willing to focus on the cities themselves and devote that focus to them. I think/hope that's what we're moving towards, at any rate.

Earl EulrichNov 6, 20145 votes

As always there's more room to grow, and that growth is Riot willing to focus on the cities themselves and devote that focus to them. I think/hope that's what we're moving towards, at any rate.

yea, delete a whole world and give a few cities in return...great trade.

DiahaneNov 7, 20143 votes

Maybe it's just me, but I'm a little on the fence about this because it feels like they've taken what was a relatively quiet and light-hearted place, more focussed on internal politics and pirate tropes than anything, and immediately shoved the needle all the way to grimdark without an ounce of preamble. The Black Mist has gone from a vague and mysterious threat in the earlier video, with something of a dark fairytale feel thanks to the framing, to something positively apocalyptic which is almost powerful enough to overcome a union of the two most influential figures in Bilgewater.

That the retcon steered the route towards "dead srz biz boyz" was pretty much announced... nothing we can do about it. I mean, at least in my case I've already complained enough on the boards, but to no result xD

That isn't to say that it can't make for interesting stories - it definitely can - but the relatively weak characterisation of Bilgewater before this point, and the sheer scale and power of the threat, makes it feel as though The Harrowing is pretty much the sole focus of the region now.

I completely agree.

XulsigaeNov 6, 20149 votes

So...since the Black Mist is so powerful and such, how's the story going to actually progress? If this is going to be a yearly thing then...what are the stakes? Can the Shadow Isles be conquered? Can Bilgewater be destroyed? Will Gangplank kill Hecarim or Thresh kill Graves? Can anything really change?

I ask because it sounds to me like a stalemate is being set up (akin to the balance of power in Warhammer 40K) where no side can make true gains against the other. For those who know Warhammer, I'd compare this to Abbadon's Black Crusades. They come out of the Eye of Terror, do a hell of a lot of damage, but ultimately fail and are driven back. Repeat. In Warhammer this is fine, as it's how it's been since the beginning. In League however, this is coming at the cost of the IoW, which apparently was too restrictive. But if (and a big if) the stories are just going to be lore stalemates...then how have things improved?

SharjoNov 6, 20144 votes

I'd say this sets up for more of a desperate situation for Bilgewater rather than a stalemate. I mean consider that Miss Fortune and Gangplank, together, with a massive fleet, kept it at bay but lost hundreds of people in the battle, people that may just end up rising again to take up arms against them, then it doesn't look good for Bilgewater. The stakes are: death for the citizens of Bilgewater. The Shadow Isles doesn't really lose anything in an ongoing conflict like this, especially considering the Black Mist is an intangible entity, so its not like you can fight against it with traditional means.

I'm kinda wondering about the implications of all of this for the Bilgewater champions though.

Miss Fortune's mum was murderer, could the Harrowing bring more to this? Will MF see her dead mum once again, as an enemy on the high seas?
Gangplank's murderer a lot of people. If the Shadow Isles are recruiting, will the Black Mist be filled with the souls of those he's killed, including his dad?
What connection does Nautilus have with this? Was his expedition (since his lore will receive changes anyway cuz no League) to learn more about the Mist and his transformation came about when the expedition went folly? And if so what does that mean for him, is he one of the undead, or is he something different, born from a combination of oceanic corruption and undeath?
Graves is someone Kalista would be happy to help. Now that they're just a few miles of ocean away from each other, will he invoke her power to get his own back?

Something in my gut tells me that there's gonna be something Graves and Kalista related in the coming weeks, but that's just me. I might be entirely wrong. Getting back on point though, I feel like the conflict between Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles won't be a stalemate. I mean looking at it, the Shadow Isles are winning, and have been for about 208 years.

GenoXxNov 6, 20142 votes

The real question is, Where was Lucian during the Harrowing? Visiting the site where senna died?

XulsigaeNov 6, 20143 votes

It's not a desperate situation for the readers though if the battle just continues without a resolution. The stakes for the characters may be high, but we as readers likely know they aren't going to be killed. I'd be very surprised for a playable character to be killed. It's a lore stalemate because the Harrowing will just keep coming back each year and Bilgewater will fight it off from what seems to be happening. If Bilgewater is actually destroyed by the Mist...then the stakes will have been high.

FinnicalNov 6, 20142 votes

If Narrative wants to make their new direction work the best thing they could do would be to turn this into a tournament event like the event with Ionia and Noxus that spawned the Ionian Boot of Lucidity. That was the pinnacle of League's storytelling.

brusqueNov 6, 20141 votes

Just gonna throw this here for funsies. http://event.lol.garena.tw/events/20140930_hellocity/index.php?media=7271

DiahaneNov 7, 20144 votes

So...since the Black Mist is so powerful and such, how's the story going to actually progress? If this is going to be a yearly thing then...what are the stakes? Can the Shadow Isles be conquered? Can Bilgewater be destroyed? Will Gangplank kill Hecarim or Thresh kill Graves? Can anything really change?

I ask because it sounds to me like a stalemate is being set up (akin to the balance of power in Warhammer 40K) where no side can make true gains against the other. For those who know Warhammer, I'd compare this to Abbadon's Black Crusades. They come out of the Eye of Terror, do a hell of a lot of damage, but ultimately fail and are driven back. Repeat. In Warhammer this is fine, as it's how it's been since the beginning. In League however, this is coming at the cost of the IoW, which apparently was too restrictive. But if (and a big if) the stories are just going to be lore stalemates...then how have things improved?

Poor Abbadon, always repelled. But, you know, Creed!

I'm worried too about the stalemate situation thing, but I think is physiologic considering they have to redo the whole setting after the retcon. In a few years we may have perhaps the table set this way with situations which will then and only then, maybe, evolve.

SharjoNov 6, 20145 votes

Some things to note that I learned from this:

There have been 12 Harrowings, the first taking place 186 years ago. This potentially coincides with the corruption of the Shadow Isles, considering that after this, Harrowings only got more and more frequent.
There's creatures called Blue Flame Leviathans and they sound cool as hell! Also since its named a "Blue Flame" Leviathan, I guess we can infer that the Island Bilgewater's situated on is still called Blue Flame Isle.
This potentially marks the first appearances of Mordekaiser and Hecarim in known/recorded history.
They found out what to do with Nautilus now that there's no more League; he's trudging around Blue Flame Isle trying to figure out his past and who he needs to get revenge on.
Bilgewater is actively trying to fight off the Harrowing, so much so that Miss Fortune and Gangplank were willing to put aside their differences to hold it back with a united force.

This has me excited. Also that Graves cameo at the end really got me for some reason, no clue why. Is it even a cameo? I mean he is a Bilgewater born man. Whatever, I actually like this a lot.

brusqueNov 6, 20141 votes

Is it possible that it's Twisted Fate's voice?

SharjoNov 6, 20143 votes

It holds a certain grittyness (is that even a word) that makes me think its Graves and not Twisted Fate. I might be wrong, but you've gotta also consider TF can just teleport outta danger. Why stay in Bilgewater if the Harrowing's on its way?

brusqueNov 6, 20142 votes

Yeah they are very similar. Graves sounds like TF after a couple of smokes, but they both sort of have similar accents imo. As for the teleporting thing, I really have no idea. I always thought TF's ability to move through space was almost an accidental skill, like a twist of fate or something. I guess it's hard to know for sure at this point.

Rew711Nov 6, 20142 votes

New champion coming?

DreamspitterNov 6, 20141 votes

Is it possible that it's Twisted Fate's voice?

Graves. Graves

brusqueNov 7, 20143 votes

Yorick Graves?

DiahaneNov 7, 20144 votes

All things apart, don't you think that such a brief static video with a voice over it is a bit poor for a lore event? We've gotten just some bookkeeping on what happened when, but we got showed nothing. We are only told of events happened. To me it's a bit frustrating that nothing seems to ever happen on-screen nor there is any written lore piece, apart Arisen and Unbound, describing something happening.

Sneak DogNov 7, 20142 votes

I just don't consider it a lore event, more of an update that Bilgewater now has a national opponent in the Shadow Isles and vice versa in Riots great new plan to put every champion in a neat little faction and have all these factions at war to create good stories about the bad-ass things these champions do in combat.

Though narrative might also be too busy with... stuff(?) to write stories right now.

DiahaneNov 9, 20141 votes

I just don't consider it a lore event, more of an update that Bilgewater now has a national opponent in the Shadow Isles and vice versa in Riots great new plan to put every champion in a neat little faction and have all these factions at war to create good stories about the bad-ass things these champions do in combat.

Though narrative might also be too busy with... stuff(?) to write stories right now.

Still, if it's just cold updates made up of lists of events, they could as well release them at a quicker pace, instead of trying to give tiny bits as festivities ensue. That is to say, why tie such updates to things such as Harrowing if there's no story to be shown? Should they, say, await Snowdown to give us something like this, a list of happenings, on Freljord?

P.S: Just an example, I do realize that Freljord getting another bit of love is not probable because they may want to touch other "factions" which didn't receive any in the past rather.

LeeDarkNov 6, 20143 votes

I like this, I really do, don't get me wrong there.

I do feel, however, that this is a case of quantity over quality. I want to know more about each of these events, and you did good making me want that. (Though, admittedly, that isn't all that hard to do.) You don't deliver more, and I have no reason to believe you will, so that's bad.

Sneak DogNov 6, 20142 votes

Sounds like Riot decided Bilgewater needed a more interesting story, so they made up a war with the Shadow Isles. Just don't look at a map of Runeterra and you'll be fine. I'm not excited one little bit, but I guess I am biased by my lack of trust in narrative (Trundle, different thread).

Seems unlikely the leviathan is Ao Shin:

The Black Mist is dispersed before it reaches Bilgewater, but the giant from the depths is slain in the process.

LordHippomanNov 6, 20142 votes

This is a lot of information to parse. I guess the most obvious thing to note is that Nautilus has fought in these battles. Never mentioned what side he's on, though...

KinjishiNov 6, 20141 votes

Actually, it says that someone in a rusted diver suit fought it to a stalemate. That would indicate that he is more likely against the Harrowing, though the black liquid (possibly black mist) that is infused in him doesn't have full control over him and he could be a rebel element.

Earl EulrichNov 6, 20142 votes

I still don't see why the Institute of War had to get retconned, but hey, at least they're trying

Just still the greatest problem right there...they could have done all (and it´s not much) they did so far without the goddamn retcon, so it just seems like they lack every understanding of why they retconed/what they´re doing in general.

tau43Nov 6, 20142 votes

They also moved the Shadow Isles to the planar opposite side of the map. I'm curious to see why, and how they'll change Hecarim's story to fit.

Stars ShaperNov 6, 20141 votes

They didn't... Planets are spheric-like...

tau43Nov 6, 20142 votes

The map is a plane. I was looking the 2 dimensions of the map and not the 3 of the planet.

Stars ShaperNov 6, 20141 votes

Well in that case is a perspective point of view depending on what is centered on. Since we are talking about something that connects Bilgewater and the Shadow Island it would have been awkward to have them split.

tau43Nov 6, 20142 votes

On the original map, the Shadow Isles were on the NW corner above Demacia, and Bilgewater was in the SE corner next to nothing really.

Stars ShaperNov 6, 20143 votes

I'll give you some examples:

This is the planisphere as you usually see it http://tpek2005.free.fr/Pages/planisphere.jpg

This one is centered on the American continent http://a402.idata.over-blog.com/1/40/38/18/Mercator-Projection-North-America-Centered.gif

As you see Russia is quite close to Alaska, this wasn't really exposed in the first one.

Sneak DogNov 6, 20142 votes

So then logically the Shadow Isles would be right next to Ionia.

tau43Nov 7, 20143 votes

http://img2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100821100304/leagueoflegends/images/thumb/c/cd/MapofValoran.jpg/1000px-MapofValoran.jpg Anyway you look at they are on opposite sides. And with the current (probably about to be retconned) lore it says Hecarim marched through Demacia to get to the Institute. If the Isles were near Bilgewater, Hec taking that path would have been pointless.

Stars ShaperNov 7, 20141 votes

Man.. really.. I did even try with other maps.. if you don't get it please go back to primary school.

brusqueNov 6, 20141 votes

A Blue Flame leviathan is goaded to the surface by a serpent caller to face the Harrowing.

Gyrados confirmed.

Seriously though, this is really cool. What is it? So the years are supposed to represent how long the Black Mist lasted ... I want to know who captained the Conqueror and where Grey Harbor is located!

SharjoNov 6, 20142 votes

I believe the years are the amount of time between Harrowings. As said later on the Harrowings are getting more frequent, pretty much yearly in the most recent three. Also Grey harbour is located at the six spot on the map, right next to the main part of Blue Flame Isle and Bilgewater!

brusqueNov 6, 20141 votes

Yeah, I just meant more that this map doesn't seem to reflect the old Valoran map's locations. Bilge and The Shadow Isles were separated by the continent of Valoran and now they seem to be much closer in distance. I am gonna assume this means that the map of Valoran has changed quite significantly? We also do not have distance measurements just yet. Unless it is showing a wrapped-around view?

GreenLoreNov 6, 20141 votes

It is interesting to put these 2 island states at odds with each other. I mean up til now the undead rarely had any problems with any other city states,despite the fact that the SI are the most evil faction of the game.

So now we probably know what has corrupted Nautilus,it was the black mist from the shadow isles.Nautilus drowned that day,but thanks to the black mist he probably returned as an undead.

The mention of a fleet captain possibly being taken by the black mist could hint at a future champ,I mean it sounds oddly specific,but then again I'd actually like to see the archetype of a fleet captain going to a bilgewater champ(but maybe we could get an undead pirate?)

SharjoNov 6, 20145 votes

So Nautilus's expedition to discover black sludge becomes an expedition to try and explore areas claimed by the Black Mist, with the Harrowing coming later on? 15 Years ago was the Harrowing that caused "The Southern Beacon" To fall in to the sea, maybe that's where Nautilus drowned and died.

Of course that asks another question; What makes Nautilus different? Why is he autonomous enough to fight for the sake of Bilgewater 14 years later? Is there something in the water itself that would counteract the power of the Black Mist?

And finally, because I'm curious and she, along with Nautilus, are my favourite champions; Is the Black Mist the reason why Nami had to take charge and become the Tidecaller, and why there was no chosen hero waiting for her arrival?

The last point there only applies if they make all ocean stuff occur in the same ocean.

Also when they do the inevitable Kalista Q&A, I'm gonna ask what sea this takes place in, the Conquerer's sea or the Guardian's sea. Or if a Rioter could stop by and elaborate, which sea does this all take place in, considering the Shadow Isles and Bilgewater used to be in different seas?

GreenLoreNov 6, 20145 votes

I guess Naut might be different because he was more or less overlooked. The black mist swooped in and his crew retreated,Nautilus was captured by the black mist,but not by the undead themselves. They didn't notice that naut was down there and thus no one took him to the shadow isles,which might be why Nautilus still has his own free will.

Kerrigan 4 PrezNov 6, 20141 votes

This needs to be turned into a TV show. No doubt. But, seriously there is a pattern i noticed. And that is that until it gets to a year after year point, the harrowing has one short pause than one long one, as well as the distance covered by it getting bigger every time. So this means that something is controlling the mist to me, and it gets stronger every other time. But that leaves one question, what changed that allowed this to happen? What variable made it that these harrowing's grew larger every time, does it have something to do with the ionian fleet? Was it carrying some sort of relic?

GenoXxNov 6, 20141 votes

Actually what it is, the story is progressing. The harrowing just happened and now Narative are starting to show lore on Bilgewater...After the harrowing. You see they have named parts of Bilgewater. So this is what Narrative were talking about. Although I wonder whats they are going to give us for Bilgewater. Pirates are always a fun topic. And that leviathan was a sea serpent, not Ao shin. The serpent died.

FinnicalNov 6, 20141 votes

Unless Ao Shin is intended to be reborn as the next threat from the shadow isles after Kalista!

GenoXxNov 6, 20141 votes

Hm, no Ao Shin wouldn't be able to beat that place on his own. Lucian have the weapons for this, carved from some stone.

Stars ShaperNov 6, 20141 votes

My thoughts:

Confirmed to be a victim/spawn of the Black Mist
I hope they don't change his "neutrality" towards the Islands and the chance that he might go against the Heralds of them. My theory about him is that he was the first container for the Black Mist and now he is searching to get it back.
The Blue Flame Leviathan.. quite reminds me of the SI crest (the avatar that could be purchased).
The Serpent Caller... quite a peculiar individual. I really hope that is not related to Ao Shin.

DreamspitterNov 6, 20141 votes

My thoughts:

Confirmed to be a victim/spawn of the Black Mist

I hope they don't change his "neutrality" towards the Islands and the chance that he might go against the Heralds of them. My theory about him is that he was the first container for the Black Mist and now he is searching to get it back.

The Blue Flame Leviathan.. quite reminds me of the SI crest (the avatar that could be purchased).

The Serpent Caller... quite a peculiar individual. I really hope that is not related to Ao Shin.

Blue Flame Leviathian doesnt sound that new to me.

I swear I have heard it before.

Stars ShaperNov 7, 20142 votes

Well there was The FLame Leviathan in WoW (Ulduar raid first boss)

KinjishiNov 7, 20141 votes

The harrowing seems like it was always relatively powerful. Part of the frequency is due to those that sailed near it as the harrowing expanded (i.e. incident at 33 yrs. ago, then Morde attacks the following year). It seems really peculiar that nobody has learned anything about it in the 49+ years that the harrowing has been happening. Thus, it keeps extending and becoming stronger.

I - 1 Year. The Battle of Knife Straits. An armada from Bilgewater, led by Miss Fortune and Captain Gangplank – sailing together under an uneasy truce – meets the Black Mist head on. Heavy casualties sustained. Fleet scattered. n MissFortune

II - 1 Year. The Drowned Anchor. One element of the Harrowing stalled. Reports of a large figure encased in a rusted diving suit seen in the heart of the fighting. Nautilus

III - 1 Year. The Reaping of Smuggler’s Cove. No survivors.

IV - 3 Years. The Battle of the Serpent. A Blue Flame leviathan is goaded to the surface by a serpent caller to face the Harrowing. The Black Mist is dispersed before it reaches Bilgewater, but the giant from the depths is slain in the process. ^ this could be Nami Nami

V - 9 Years. The Shadow Falls. The Black Mist overcomes the defenses of the Southern Beacon, and it sinks beneath the sea. Its guiding light is now lost to Bilgewater.

VI - 14 Years. The Wild Hunt. Hecarim marshals a spectral host and lays waste to the port of Grey Harbor. Despite valiant resistance from the fishing fleet anchored there, all souls are lost. Grey Harbor remains uninhabited to this day. Hecarim

VII - 17 years. The Crimson Armada. A Noxian war fleet is caught in the Black Mist. Over 30 vessels lost. No survivors.

Perhaps more Noxian lore to come out of this.

VIII - 21 Years. The Death of the Conqueror. The mighty galleon Conqueror is lost to the depths, along with 30 battleships. Some have claimed to have seen the Conqueror riding the Black Mist in subsequent Harrowings.

Potential for the Captain of this ship/fleet to be GPs or MFs teacher/predecessor.

IX - 32 years. The Battle of Port Mourn. The revenant Mordekaiser leads the Harrowing on a night of slaughter, and Port Mourn falls to darkness. It is said that specters now haunt its empty streets.

X - 33 years. The Flower of Ionia. An Ionian fleet of unknown size lost to the Harrowing.