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Theory: Volibear is the Freljord's Swain

Moody P·1/22/2019, 1:17:45 PM·3 votes·3,814 views

"The thunderous demigod known as the Thousand-Pierced Bear is the battle-spirit of the Freljord. Thousands of years of constant and bitter wars, fought in the coldest winters, have hardened Volibear into a truly indomitable force, hurling bolts of lightning from the highest peaks—and when snowy tempests rage down, it can only mean that he is on the attack once more. Any who dare to face him may find themselves joining his fierce army of Ursine warriors… assuming they do not fall victim to his savage claws."

There must be a reason that Volibear is gathering warriors and turning them into Ursine. I have a hypothesis that he's aware of the pending threats to the Freljord with the Watchers etc. and so puts himself in constant battle, both to keep his own battle skill sharpened and to find warriors worthy of recruitment. I'm assuming that the transformation into an Ursine comes with benefits like increased strength or living longer; the latter seems much more important, as otherwise there wouldn't be much value in turning people into Ursine until the return of the Watchers is near, and Volibear could at least gain an army of cannon fodder to defend the Freljord. Obviously, a horde of skilled warriors that can live for a very long time is the ideal and would make him a force to be reckoned with, and he can continue to add more warriors as the constant battle the Ursine and Winter's Claw bring to the Freljord churns out more strong warriors.

This strikes me as a nod to his old lore of being a sage and seeing vision of the future, expanding on that idea in a more contemporary way, and - I guess fittingly enough - being quite subtle about it. It also makes me think of Swain; while Volibear doesn't (apparently) have the idea to expand his reach, he seems to have the same goals of keeping "his" stake safe. Like Swain, Volibear isn't too concerned about the little details like "freedom" since the transformation into Ursine is seemingly involuntary and likely comes at some cost of the victim's mind. He wants to have the most firepower he can possibly have for when his preparation can finally pay off. I think these traits, combined with his general thirst for constant battle, make him come off differently to humans and other demigods like Ornn, and may be why his efforts aren't as appreciated as he thinks they should be.

What do you think?

15 Comments

The Ecdysiast1/22/2019, 3:31:16 PM1 votes

Volibear, being a demigod who was alive during both, would likely have knowledge of the Watchers and the war in Icathia. It's not so much a theory as it is completely obvious. He would know the Void wasn't stopped, only delayed, just as anyone else that old knows. He doesn't need any kind of foresight besides inference from the experience.

The only way his situation is similar to Swain is that he's gathering an army. Swain's story doesn't imply the coming threat he has been shown was the return of the Void-- it may be an entirely separate demon uprising.

If anything, the right comparison to make would be to the Aspect of Twilight.

Warlord Rhinark1/22/2019, 4:46:45 PM1 votes

It is definitely plausible and would be a nice callback to his old lore.

It also makes Volibear a more sympathetic character, because right now, he doesn't really have anything going for him except "big meanie that killed all of Ornn's followers and pisses lakes".

However, most of all, I want his role in the Winter's Claw explained further. As we know, he has decided to throw in his lot with Sejuani in the War of the Three Sisters, but why? Does he believe that Sejuani is the only one who has the strength to stand against the Watchers when they return? Is Sejuani aware of what he is trying to do? Is he telling her? Is this why Sejuani is so focused on war and despises the peace the Avarosans bring? Because she fears it would leave them too weak to stand against the comming threat?

QMighty1/22/2019, 5:26:13 PM1 votes

Do you think these people that turn into bear monsters have anything to do with a man that turned into a dog monster? Warwick thinking Warwick

mrmeddyman1/22/2019, 7:54:02 PM1 votes

You left out his connection to Lissandra being the one who blinded her, he must know who she is and what she's done. Aware that she is the one manipulating history.