Boards›Story, Art, & Sound

A Map of Valoran and (Most) of Runeterra

Alchemist Prime··21 votes·12,486 views

So I decided I am going to draw a map for Runeterra, because the current one in the old lore is outrageously outdated (its a f****** circle) and desperately needs updating. So I'm going to try my best and hand draw (Yes I'm seriously doing it by hand) and its going to take a while. I'll post it here to show how you guys how far along I'm going. Everything is a WIP until I say so.

http://pre07.deviantart.net/9095/th/pre/f/2016/229/e/2/runeterra_base_by_strikerprime27-dae7xw4.png

This is the base for the Map so far... I want to make this as detailed as possible and its going to be a challenge. I have have split the map into 4 quadrants So I can detail it much better. Also...Thinking of Making the Blue Flame Islands a bit bigger and shifting it more to the right...

Mountain Concepts: IronSpike, Tempest Flats, The Great Barrier, and Mt. Targon

http://pre02.deviantart.net/a899/th/pre/i/2016/229/b/8/mountain_lmc_by_strikerprime27-dae80pv.jpg http://pre00.deviantart.net/0194/th/pre/i/2016/229/1/e/mt_targon_lmc_by_strikerprime27-dae814u.jpg

Very Early Concept of the first Quadrant: Freljord, Piltover, Zaun, and the Ironspike Mts. http://img04.deviantart.net/975e/i/2016/229/d/3/piltzaun_lmc_by_strikerprime27-dae81bv.jpg

Here's the Location for All Major Landmarks. I've put in a lot of thought on where everything is and also using logic: http://img11.deviantart.net/86fe/i/2016/229/7/f/landmark_locations_by_strikerprime27-dae89or.jpg

[Tu ~7:00 ish AM]I am using this specific sheet as my final sheet, obviously still a WIP. Each square you see is 2inX2in. Drawing Freljord hurts like hell especially since I splitted in quadrants. Who can spot Rakelstake from the map? http://img01.deviantart.net/ceed/i/2016/229/5/a/pzf_map_by_strikerprime27-dae89jh.jpg [Tu 9:45 AM]Seriously I'm hoping that the current illustration of Freljord is still canon, at least I have that part of the map to work with...

[Tu 11:52 PM] Ok guys, heres my game plan from everyone's feedback. I will add a 4x24 in area down straight through Valoran, giving me room to expand the Runeterra, and especially the S. Valoran on the way. This will also give me some clarity, of the divide spreading the Supercontinent in half. Expanding this will also allow me to shift Ionia a few inches south.

[We 2:57 AM] Update made Ionia 35% bigger, and central Valoran larger :) here's the current map. Low quality as I don't want to use the scanner atm. http://img11.deviantart.net/e12a/i/2016/229/8/a/expanded_runeterra_map_by_strikerprime27-daec9bd.jpg Here's relative size, and that's a large notebook. http://img09.deviantart.net/2974/i/2016/229/9/5/map_size_by_strikerprime27-daecajm.jpg

[We 4:30 AM] I'm using this texture for the The Great Barrier which consists of Mount Targon, Tempest Flats, and Morgon Pass! Probably not that color for Mt. Targon though... http://pre08.deviantart.net/cdbf/th/pre/i/2016/230/4/5/gb_color_scheme_by_strikerprime27-daeck8h.jpg

I'm taking a bit of a break for a bit..

[Th 4:45 AM] A friend recommended I use a program to render the artwork, I'm playing around with it with some scans. Its going great!

[Th 7:52 AM] Progress being made, I have most of Runeterra drawn, Ionia has its landmarks, the city of Shurima has been drawn! Need to add more stuff though... like the damn jungles, Bilgewater, and the Shadow Isles. I felt like I could have done more for Noxus though... Well most if them live in the Immortal Bastion anyway... More to come!!!

http://img12.deviantart.net/2741/i/2016/231/4/3/runeterra_outline__1_by_strikerprime27-daehfg0.jpg

[Fr 6:54 AM] Sorry, a bit slow on the updates... I AM MAKING PROGRESS... I'm busy coloring some areas

51 Comments

RiotBioluminescence13 votes
Alright so I'm dancing with danger here. I probably shouldn't be here, in this thread. Plx don't kill me.

Not bad! Certainly closer than the old, no-longer-canon, map. There are a few things I'd change, a few seas I'd add (Gangplank boasts of his conquests) and nations I'd swivel or swap around, but still - not bad. Good work especially on the Freljord outline from the event map, though depending on your projection, it might be a little undersized.

I couldn't spot Rakelstake (I was looking for a frozen lake, but I guess at this scale it's not even going to be a pixel), but saw the Howling Abyss bridge.

Because I've had this issue myself, and worked out what I believe is a tolerable solution, have you encountered 'The Serpentine Problem' yet? Any thoughts on how you're going to resolve it? From the looks of your map, this isn't the first one you've ever drawn, but quite a few people can get tripped up by rivers. (And that's not even including Azir's shenanigans!)

(I'm really hoping we get to release a map to players some time before the heat-death of the universe, but I don't know what the dates would be on that. I know it's unacceptable - I try to convey that in meetings and such, but quite understandably it doesn't stack very high on the priority list against updated bios, new champs, the new client, and other more far reaching things. Progress is being made, I swear.)

Valaran Nara13 votes

{quoted}

Alright so I'm dancing with danger here. I probably shouldn't be here, in this thread. Plx don't kill me.

Braum Worry not brightly shining rito employee. Braum is here for you. Along with some fuzzy friends, no less.

http://pre13.deviantart.net/d30b/th/pre/i/2014/112/0/5/league_of_legends__braum_by_ariss18-d7fl98y.png

Alchemist Prime4 votes

Lol there's a reason I'm doing this for the sake of the community. I love this end of the community.

Alchemist Prime4 votes

Yeah I am having problems locating rivers... at one point I do know that the serpentine river ran through Summoner's Rift, but got reconned from the lore, now it's at Bilgewater? And rivers in the Shurima Desert are all connected from Shurima itself from the Oasis of the Dawn. I'm going to have to find where all those rivers exit though. I'll probably have the ones going south make a lake near where the Kumungu and Plague jungles are in the south...

As for the Seas... I might have to add extentions to the map. Especially in the west, probably 2x8 in extentsion, for the east a 4x8 in speaking each square is 2 inches... I'm working with sketch paper notebook here lol.

ltmetal1 votes

Thanks for commenting! I wanted to provide a friendly suggestion.

I know it's unacceptable - I try to convey that in meetings and such, but quite understandably it doesn't stack very high on the priority list against updated bios, new champs, the new client, and other more far reaching things.

I feel like the answer is staring everyone in the face while we glance away awkwardly. Assuming there would be no copyright or legality issues I'm just not aware of, you could use a fan created map. The community is full of great artists that want to make stuff for you for free without taking your artists and designers away from current projects, so why not tap them? Even if it just covers the base for a couple years, it's certainly better than putting the map completely on ice. It worked for replays, I think it would work for something like this easy peasy.

Chromatic Eagle1 votes

Not specifically asking you nor do I expect an answer, but are the Kumumumu jungles still canon?

RiotBioluminescence5 votes

[{quoted}](name=Chromatic Eagle,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=WQzalK3E,comment-id=00040003,timestamp=2016-08-17T02:10:40.149+0000)

Not specifically asking you nor do I expect an answer, but are the Kumumumu jungles still canon?

There are definitely jungles, and one area that is particularly large, exceptionally dangerous, and jungle-like.

Interesting spelling you've got there, though :)

Alchemist Prime1 votes

From what I understand, the Jungles - namely Kumungu and The Plague Jungles are located in the South Continent (S. Valoran) Because that's where Nidalee came from or at least raised, while SatanTeemo gets his Mushrooms.

Chromatic Eagle1 votes

Have we seen all three continents yet, or just the two?

RiotBioluminescence1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Chromatic Eagle,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=WQzalK3E,comment-id=0004000300000001,timestamp=2016-08-17T15:17:02.142+0000)

Have we seen all three continents yet, or just the two?

Seen? We know of places on all three continents, if that's what you mean.

Chromatic Eagle1 votes

Wait, isn't Valoran a continent? I thought Ionia was one big continent, with Shurima being a part of the third one?

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Valoran = 2 or more continents (Supercontinent -> N. Valoran + S. Valoran) Ionia = Solo continent (think Australia)

T8 Speedwagon1 votes

Is there physically a void rift which void creatures get through or these void rifts are randomly generated over shurima desert?

QuantumPanther2 votes

The major rift would be in the ruins of Icathia, which is located somewhere close to the Sai region of the Shurima Desert. Personally, I believe that it would also be relatively close to Urtistan as well, but that would be assuming that Vel'Koz came through to Runeterra from Icathia's rift as well.

Alchemist Prime1 votes

I need to look at the relative locations of how far these regions are apart, the old map depicts Urtistan and Icathia in the opposite regions of S. Valoran.

QuantumPanther1 votes

Yeah, I was piecing it together, and I came up with a Theory. Icathia is in the Sai region of the Shuriman Desert. Which could mean, presumably, that Rek'Sai came through from Icathia or very close by. We know that Malzahar and Kassadin both wandered through the Deserts of Shurima until they found Icathia. Kog'Maw spawned from Icathia as well. If we assume this trend, then the largest point of spawning is coming from Icathia in the south eastern region of The Sai, which is where Rek'Sai has marked her territory. And it appears that there are very few other places where the Void-born are spotting. They appear near Mt. Targon, but Mt. Targon was one of the peaks of the Great Barrier, which is directly north of the Shurima Desert anyway. With no other things to go on, I have hypothesized that Vel'Koz manifested in or near Icathia and was able to make it to Urtistan reasonably soon afterwards, which possibly means a few things:

  1. Icathia and Urtistan are not as far apart as the original map would have us believe
  2. The travel time for Void Creatures would somehow move differently (Rek'Sai can move underground at speeds outrunning horses by quite a clip)
  3. There's another rift in an as-of-yet undisclosed location very close to Urtistan, which means the original Rift in Icathia is getting significantly larger
Alchemist Prime1 votes

Great point! I haven't drawn those two yet, I'll be working on drawing the jungles south

TouchFluffyTaìl4 votes

I vote to get this thread sticky, at least until completion.

GreenLore2 votes

Looks good so far. Though keep in mind that apperantly Shurima sits on its own continent now(the shurima page mentions that it is located on the southern continent)

Sharjo1 votes

Aye and that land is shared with Icathia.

Also remember that Ionia is a full fledged continent in its own right, not just an island.

QuantumPanther2 votes

Icathia is somewhere within the southeastern part of the Shuriman Desert, relatively close to where RekSai 's territory is

Alchemist Prime1 votes

I already read all the relative locations of the world. It says Shurima is located on the Southern half/part **_of _**the continent (Valoran being a supercontinent, Ionia being a continent Island) below The great barrier. I'll post on where I'm putting everything on the map based on the info I've got. :)

GreenLore2 votes

Nope you are wrong about that. Here taken directly from the Shurima page:

Shurima was once a powerful empire that spanned the farthest reaches of the vast southern continent.

http://na.leagueoflegends.com/en/featured/shurima/intro

I remember that around the time of the Taliyah release a rioter actually confirmed that there are now 3 continents(Ionia being considered a continent now)

Alchemist Prime2 votes

summoner 13 summoner 13 summoner 13 I need to find the actual comment where the rioter made it... I'm trying to find more context on this. Hmmmm. Actually, keep in mind the in the real world that Europe and Asia are two continents that are seperated by Ural mountains. Because of the lack of clarity (is shurima separated by a body of water or a mt range), im using the great barrier as the divider for the continents.

GreenLore1 votes

Ok,that makes more sense. Though I'm not sure if they would really describe them as different continents in this case,considering that even in real life,the differentation between them isn't that clear(Japan and Russia for example use a continent model where eurasia is counted as one continent,while counting north and south america are counted as different ones).

But you might be right,so we'll have to wait and see.

Alchemist Prime1 votes

I go by the elementary rule of 7 continents :)

GreenLore1 votes

Yeah in the end it boils down to the question what Runeterra(or Riot) defines as a continent,since the term is kinda blurry(I mean if we'd go by tectonic plates,then europe and asia are actually the same continent,but india would be considered its own continent or considered to be part of australia)

Alchemist Prime1 votes

The reason I'm saying this is that Runeterra - Their planet - is comprised by a single SuperContinent (combined continents), and an Island Continent (Ionia - Like Austrailia). Theoretically there is a tectonic fault between N. Valoran and S. Valoran making 2 continents.

River C Lake1 votes

I think it's a great idea and it should be featured as the new one

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Thanks! I take that as a compliment. This is going to be a while, I'm in the middle of making concepts for the landmarks and experimenting in colors atm.

River C Lake1 votes

it does not matter how long it takes but if you work hard i can see it being amazing just keep us posted i want to see it in development

JayHog19921 votes

Hope it gets finished, we could use ANY enlightment on locations that Riot ain't giving.

Alchemist Prime1 votes

I'll do my best I have most of the NE quadrant outlined, I'm about to post it...

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Guys, I'll take a break for a couple of hours. I'm heading out. I'll post updates later :)[slayer-jinx-catface]

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Ok guys I must sleep... no suprises... till I wake up 10 hrs later.

Ryugi Kazamaru1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Alchemist Prime,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=WQzalK3E,comment-id=,timestamp=2016-08-16T07:59:26.226+0000)

As someone who also made a map of Runeterra a while back, please allow me to give you a suggestion or two! =)

Firstly, though we're not sure of sizes, Jaredan has confirmed there are at least (meaning there are likely more) three continents on Runeterra. The ones we know about are Valoran, Ionia, and the "Southern Continent." Valoran contains most of what we're familiar with on the top half of the map from the old "Pancake Map" as I call it. The "Southern Continent" contains Shurima, and likely things from the southern half of the map we're familiar with. Ionia is probably larger than it once was, and is its own continent now as well to some degree.

Honestly, the biggest thing I can suggest is that you should do your own thing!

Don't feel constrained by the old pancake map, and let your creative juices guide you. Take chances, break from the established mold, and do things your own way. Runeterra is a world, with continents, seas, and all kinds of huge geographical areas and features. These things are your playground to do with as you please! There are lots of hints hidden in newer lore, especially the Shurima lores, that give away how the area is put together, and you can use those to help guide you too.

In any case, I wish you the best of luck. And remember to have fun, even when the damn Serpentine River makes you want to tear your hair out!

Fillai1 votes

This map is cool but it seems like in your map Ionia should be frozen at least like half of the cotinent, it's as high as the Freljord. Good job anyway

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Ok guys I'm up! Thanks to all the current feedback. I might shift Ionia a little down or expand the Island a little bit. Due to "frozen location".

The Earth is about 7,100 in diameter... Runeterra was never specified, I might make the diameter from 1 end larger or smaller due to the size of the map and uncharted territories...

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Will anyone believe me if I say that majority of my topographical texture ideas come to me when I am in the shower? or at the Gym? I remembered that since RyzeRyze came out, the rune wars is still canon, so I used more jagged terrain that the ones posted above. I think you guys will like the new drawings of it. Think of that one edge in top plane of SR.

Tesla Effect1 votes

I wonder where the massive hole near a sea is where Ryzes village was once ?

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Thinking since that was a thousand years ago, and by the ocean... thinking of filling it with water.

Tesla Effect1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Alchemist Prime,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=WQzalK3E,comment-id=000d0000,timestamp=2016-08-18T12:00:12.027+0000)

Thinking since that was a thousand years ago, and by the ocean... thinking of filling it with water.

Obviously, but where is that location?

Alchemist Prime1 votes

There's no known location, I'll put it somewhere :)

Alchemist Prime1 votes

I NEED FEEDBACK GUYS!!! I want this map to be not just my own creation but the community's as well!!! As far as feedback goes, unless its a MAJOR mistake I've made I prefer to move forward, adding something, and not changing anything major. Landmarks may of may not be to scale!

monofazna sruja1 votes

dude are you still working on this??? PLS TELL ME YES!! IT LOOKS AMAZING!!! GREAT JOB

Alchemist Prime1 votes

Its shelved at the moment, its because i'm getting a feeling Riot is making a map as we speak because of recent Lore Changes

Tesla Effect1 votes

Welp, time to remake the whole map :C

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