Boards›Story, Art, & Sound

Unpopular opinion: I don't like the Darkin

Ralanr·11/23/2015, 8:26:20 PM·4 votes·1,742 views

Aatrox: The Darkin blade. The title that tries to make him unique actually makes me less interested in the character. Whenever Aatrox pops up in lore based discussions, talk about the Darkin as a race will inevitably follow. This is what I know about the Darkin and feel free to correct me:

-There are five in total. -Only three know of each other. So two are hidden (do the hidden two know each other?) Three are known to history (Thank you Duke Anax) -They all have wings -They are long lived if not immortal.

So what does that tell us about Aatrox? Nothing. We already know he is long lived due to his appearance in several cultures and we can see that he has wings. I do not know if he is meant to be one of the three that know each other or one of the two hidden.

Let's separate Aatrox from the Darkin for a moment, what is his character like? First off, he does not see war in the same way we do. He has no real empathy, "Some fight for honor, some fight for glory, all that matters is that you fight." and treats combat as a form of art, "This is no mere massacre; This is my masterpiece!" "Nobody understands me! They call my work a hack job!". Granted these are his jokes, but then we have his taunt towards Tryndamere, "Tryndamere, my greatest creation." which can lead us to believe that Tryndamere ability is possibly supernatural of some sorts (Or he's the best conduit of Aatrox's bloodlust).

From these three quotes I interpret Aatrox as an artist of some sort, or at least he views himself as an artist. Specifically one who is obsessed with a concept and uses it in all of his works. Consider the following quotes:

Aatrox: Violence is elegance. Aatrox: Peace is the greatest lie of all. Aatrox: I know what lurks in the hearts of men. Aatrox: War reveals what is within us. Aatrox (casting ult): Witness truth! Aatrox (casting ult): Behold!

He is obsessed with war, with conflict, and with truth. His truth. But why is he obsessed with it? Is he trying to prove someone or something wrong?

Let's go to his "affect" on people. He shows up when all hope is lost (Sounds like he's needed in the rift) and turns the tide. But the people he helps are haunted by the horrors they have committed. Almost like they're suffering from PTSD. Now it's possible that Aatrox is to blame, but if he is so obsessed about his truth then he wouldn't be fully responsible for the carnage they wrought. It's more like he taught someone how to use a gun, they chose to keep firing (please keep moral debates out of this analogy). He has the experience to back up, "I know what lurks in the hearts of men." because he's seen it. Again and again and again.

All of this has to connect to the Darkin in some way, and personally I think he works better as a fallen celestial. Yes, fallen, like Soraka. Aatrox seems to be trying to prove a point, but to who? If he was a fallen celestial, then he'd be trying to prove (to things like Bard) that they are wrong. Bard's job seems to be about cosmic balance, why should he care about Aatrox's points? I honestly don't know, I'm probably grasping at straws.

As a Darkin...well we don't know what a Darkin is and Riot (no offense to you all) doesn't seem interested in exploring that path. It's a subplot that I can't see going anywhere, or even how Tryndamere would relate to it considering he's got business up in the Freljord (and those frozen watchers).

I had something, but I kinda lost my track of thought. TLDR: Aatrox works better as a fallen celestial (imo) then a Darkin. Sadly because of his title he's stuck with the Darkin race. If they changed the title (which I don't think they will since people seem to like the idea of Darkin) I'd recomend something like, "The Herald of Violence."

P.S. I haven't even tackled how his sword is alive. If the Darkin are winged beings, then what is his sword?

What say you all?

54 Comments

Pyrodinium11/23/2015, 8:35:22 PM4 votes

There is a widespread theory that posits that Aatrox is actually the sword.

Aatrox being a fallen celestial sounds a little too trite for me, as it plays too much in the Generic Demonic Guy vibe that he has been criticized for before.

LordHippoman11/24/2015, 2:26:42 AM4 votes

That's an unpopular opinion?

The Darkin were a thing mentioned once and then never elaborated on again. I pretty much consider them a non-factor in League Lore right now, TBH. Maybe if they get elaborated on more beyond theories and vague "i dunno i guess there are more of them".

GreenLore11/23/2015, 10:19:50 PM3 votes

Overall it depends on what direction they want to take with the darkins.

From the way it looks now,then the darkins could just as well be demons(I think that would be more fitting than celestials),but who knows?We simply don't have enough info about the darkins or the demons to say for sure if it makes sense to seperate the 2.

Rebonack11/23/2015, 9:01:46 PM3 votes

Everything about him screams some 13 year old's OC.

Black and red immortal god of war thing that likes violence because reasons. Even the name 'Darkin' is just awful. Mechanically, thematically, and visually there's nothing the least bit compelling about this character at all. I still can't fathom how he ever made it off the drawing board.

The Whamboozler11/24/2015, 8:02:29 AM2 votes

Given that Aatrox is A: a huge mess of boring champion design, and B: A huge mess of VISUAL design... I don't really see the need to care about him one way or the other. His kit is boring, his design is awful and his lore, his only redeemable aspect, is written in the manner of the "edgy" fanfic of a 14 year old boy.

He'd need a complete rework and overhaul in both kit and appearance for me to care about him in any way.

Umbral Regent11/24/2015, 3:47:06 AM1 votes

I have a slight theory about the Darkin, but it's not really likely to stand for long once people see it. My thought is that, in some way, Darkin could be something like Runeterra's "vampires", although in a much more restricted sense. Although I don't know the hugest amount of information about Vampires in reality, I know this much;

Vampires:

  • Cannot stand the sunlight, burning into ash if they come into contact with it
  • Are undead creatures
  • Require blood for sustenance
  • Are often depicted as ruthlessly fast and strong, while also sometimes being depicted as graceful
  • They are reclusive or extremely subtle, barely being known or barely appearing
  • Can dominate people to become their thralls through some means
  • Some range of thought, varying from animalistic savages to more refined and cunning, sometimes even wise creatures (Springheeled Jack for cunning, Nosferatu I think for wise; again, never quite bulked up on Vampire stuff, so don't quote me.)
  • Some Vampires, in a mix of animal forms and human appearance, tend to have wings in their depictions, while others can transform into bats
  • Those that are "often seen" tend to be depicted as frightfully pale, with narrow, bony facial features, and piercing eyes
  • With the rumors surrounding Vlad the Impaler, they can also be considered very, very brutal

Now, what we know about Darkin (rather, Aatrox in specific...)

  • He can stand the sunlight, unlike Vampires
  • He is clearly not undead
  • He drains blood and uses it as some sort of personal fuel, rather than requiring it to live
  • He is very ruthless, very fast, and very strong, even being depicted in his lore as graceful with his sword
  • He isn't quite reclusive, but he does tend to disappear when there's no wars to wage
  • He can inspire unholy bloodlust in others, which, in a sense, can be a form of domination, although he leaves them to their devices when the fight is over
  • He's very cunning, and to an unknown extent, wise about war and violence
  • He has wings that can be seen as bat-like, although they may also be something more like a mix of wings and warbanners
  • His face is pale, narrow, and he has somewhat burning eyes
  • Do I really need to compare him with the "brutality" point on Vampires?

Of course, I don't know a whole lot about vampires besides what I wrote above, so those points are moot for the most part. Though, given what they are, they do tie in pretty well to what we know of Aatrox. Whether Darkin are Runterra's vampires or what, it's up to Riot to say, though every theory out there is hypothetically correct given what little we know. What's up with his sword though, I have no clue. It could be an extension of his being, like some artists would compare their brushes to.

StealWolverine11/24/2015, 3:26:51 AM1 votes

you are aware that in the lore he was the one that led the raid that destroyed tryndameres village and killed all his people? Tryndamere saw death and destruction engulf his home as his life slipped away. No one was left standing - only the screams of the dying remained. Unable to surrender to death, Tryndamere gave in fully to his wrath. His blood boiled and his anger consumed him, banishing his mortality. He staggered to his feet - barely able to take hold of his sword - steeling himself for the decisive confrontation with the shadowy being. But the dark figure did not even lift his blade, and instead gave Tryndamere a knowing smile as he withdrew into the shadows. That was the last time the barbarian ever saw his nemesis. this is also where he first got his death immunity. that explains him considering tryndamere his greatest creation as aatrox's magic inspired bloodlust in those around him. (something thats really lacking in his kit. to me this part of his lore would have made sense for him to have kindreds ult.)

Dreamspitter11/24/2015, 1:02:54 AM1 votes

{quoted}

Aatrox: Violence is elegance. Aatrox: Peace is the greatest lie of all. Aatrox: I know what lurks in the hearts of men. Aatrox: War reveals what is within us. Aatrox (casting ult): Witness truth! Aatrox (casting ult): Behold!

He is obsessed with war, with conflict, and with truth. His truth. But why is he obsessed with it? Is he trying to prove someone or something wrong?

Let's go to his "affect" on people. He shows up when all hope is lost (Sounds like he's needed in the rift) and turns the tide. But the people he helps are haunted by the horrors they have committed. Almost like they're suffering from PTSD. Now it's possible that Aatrox is to blame, but if he is so obsessed about his truth then he wouldn't be fully responsible for the carnage they wrought. It's more like he taught someone how to use a gun, they chose to keep firing (please keep moral debates out of this analogy). He has the experience to back up, "I know what lurks in the hearts of men." because he's seen it. Again and again and again.

Aatrox "Sow the seeds of strife."

redbull papi11/29/2015, 3:05:23 AM1 votes

The Darkin are living weapons. Aatrox is the name of the sword. The figure wielding the sword is simply a vessel.