LoL Lore Re-Imagined: The Legend of Shurima

So I've been browsing the forums and I latched onto the discussion about the lack of LoL's lore and how a lot of it has been side-lined. I personally love where Riot started with their new lore; case in point, the Shurima event connecting all these champions to one another and the Sion rework promo where I really got the feel of Noxus. Now, I do agree that the lore is still lacking and it needs some updating. That prompted me to think about the stories that Riot started to tell, and how they could have played out. Maybe, I could share my take on those stories. So enjoy this first section of my take on the LoL lore, centered around Shurima and its Ascension. We begin with a snake and a mercenary...

A blazing sun beat down on the desert. The golden dunes shifted as wind blew the sand and altered the very shape of the landscape. Seldom does the desert remain still; like a sea of crystal, the sand ebbs and flows, only ever giving a glimpse of what may be hidden beneath. Though few believe it, this harsh wasteland in the heart of the Valoran continent, was once the thriving and powerful empire of Shurima. Vast cities and monuments dotted the now empty sands. People walked along streets that have long since been swept away. Its power was unrivaled. Shurima. A reign of golden power. And at the center of that power was a relic known as the Sun Disk. This ancient symbol preceded even the first founders of Shurima, who worshipped it as a gift from the gods. Glowing with an ethereal radiance, as brilliant as its namesake, the Sun Disk gave new life to the desert, and created from the arid sands an oasis with water that seemed to be infused with the essence of life itself. It was the very symbol of Shurima’s legacy. With a power like this, no one denied that Shurima had taken its rightful place in the world. Its followers erected monuments and structures to house the Sun Disk and give it a dais worthy of its magnificence, the Dais of Ascension. Thus began the rise of Shurima and at its helm, an emperor, chosen by the Sun Disk. It is said that the first emperor was engulfed in an orb of light and granted unimaginable power. His body had been forever changed, his human form given way to something un-human, a fearsome being with undeniable strength, but with wisdom and intelligence beyond that of mortals. With his guidance, and the Sun Disk forever shining upon his empire, Shurima ascended to sit on high as the greatest civilization. Long did it last, and it seemed like it would last forever. However, as time marched on, its brilliance faded. No one is entirely sure what happened, and any who lived to witness its fall have long since been buried along with it. According to legend, the change was abrupt and crippling. Suddenly, the Sun Disk began to shake, as if it were channeling the rage of the gods. The tremors were felt throughout the empire. Structures collapsed, waves of sand buried the people, and fissures erupted to engulf everything. Then, a bright flash of light and a shockwave. In the wake of this disaster, nothing remained. Nothing, except the Sun Disk, but even that eventually succumbed to the changing sands. It’s said what remained of the royal palace that housed the Sun Disk sank into the dunes, an act by the gods to prevent the misuse of their gift ever again. Years became decades, decades centuries, centuries millennia, and the legend of Shurima remained just that; a legend shrouded by the sands of time and remembered only by name, the Shuriman Desert.

On the fringe of the Shuriman Desert, those crazy enough to stay found a way to thrive and soon whole villages and towns began appearing. A miraculous feat to some, and a way of life to others. In one such town, the market was bustling, per the norm. People rushed by on their way to any number of places; the fields to gather food and water, the animal pens to care for their steeds and choose the next slaughter, the taverns to gossip and wash the day away in drink. The streets were filled with artisans and bazaars, shouting at the top of their lungs to be heard over the din, latching on to anyone who gave them even a second of attention. Jewels, fruit, satins, weapons, relics, even medicine. Whatever one needed, one could find here, if he’s lucky to walk away with all his money in hand.

In such a chaotic and crowded environment, no one gave much thought to outsiders. They came and went, sometimes stopping to browse wares, but eventually leaving on their own agendas. To the vendors, they were just another source of revenue, and another chance to swindle from the inexperienced. To the inhabitants, they were just passing shadows. Unless one started an upset or committed some felony, they weren’t worth the attention and effort that could be directed towards surviving is this harsh land. Maybe that’s why no one bothered to take notice of the lithe figure that weaved its way through the market place. Dressed in a simple traveler’s cloak, the hood concealed most of their face, and to the passing eye, they would seem completely ordinary. But she was far from ordinary. With piercing green eyes, she scanned the stalls and people. Being surrounded by so much poverty and strife left a bad taste in her mouth and she hid her face even further in her cowl. The sooner she found her target, the better. After all, Cassiopeia always gets what she wants.

After hours of searching and being jostled by passerby, she laid her eyes on one merchant in particular. He was a large man, with a gut to prove it, but hefting his swords and shields around showed he did have strength. He had all but lost the hair on his head and sported a peppered beard groomed to a point. What got Cassiopeia’s attention though, was the tattoo on his right shoulder, a circular pattern with four extensions. She approached his stall as he continued to shout. “Come now, you won’t find better crafted gear anywhere else! Out there in the desert, who knows what you may encounter. You’ll need a trusty blade to fight back, or maybe a stout shield to cover you back! I have a special deal going only today, buy one long sword and I’ll sell the next piece of equipment to you for half the price! Ah, good day to you traveler. Interested in a weapon, are we? Then feast your eyes on this. One-of-a-kind this blade. Forged right here and crafted to withstand even the harshest of sandstorms. Perfect for an intrepid traveler such as yourself.”

“Thank you, sir, but that's not why I'm here.” Her voice trailed out from her ruby lips. It was clear as day despite all the noise and had an innate charm to it that immediately demanded attention.

The vendor took a moment to compose himself. Such authority, and from a woman no less. “Forgive me, my lady. I didn’t realize such a fair angel had graced my humble stall. Forgive my forwardness, but you do not seem to be the type that would wield something as cumbersome as a sword. Surely a maiden of your stature did not come all this way to buy equipment?” Despite his initial surprise, the vendor had noticed an air about this woman that clearly belonged to someone of power. He also noticed the earrings she wore, black winding teardrops with ruby centers.

“You’ve guessed correctly, my good man,” she replied. Her words flew around his head and nearly had him seeing stars. They were just so intoxicating. If he were to die right now, he wouldn’t mind if the last thing he heard were her words. They caressed his ears and whispered enticing breaths. “In fact, I am here because of a local rumor that has piqued my interest. Word has it that, somewhere in the great Shuriman Desert lies an ancient power that has been dormant since time immemorial.” Still in his hazy stupor, the vendor nodded dumbly. It did sound familiar. The stories he had heard from travelers, the ramblings of supposed prophets, and his own research all suggested that long ago, the Shuriman Desert was actually once a proud country. “I’ve heard tell, that someone has actually seen it and that she is somewhere in this town. Might you tell me where I can find a mercenary named Sivir?”

At the sound of that name, the vendor snapped out of his trance. His mind was on high alert. “Sivir? I’ve heard the name, but I hardly know where she might be. She’s a wanderer, you those mercenary types. Never stays in once place for long, always on the hunt for the next big job. Forgive me, my lady, but I’m afraid you’ve been given false information.” This was all a ruse, of course. He certainly knew who Sivir was and he knew where to find her. He had, after all, sold her the weapon that was in part responsible for her notoriety.

“Come now, dear,” Cassiopeia charmed, “we both know you know where to find her. That tattoo on your shoulder gives you away all too easily.”

“What this thing?” He briefly touched the tattoo. “It was just meant to be an eye-catcher. Graceful, no? Yet emanating a certain strength.”

“Not unlike yourself, I’m sure.” Her sweet words began to invade his mind again, but he resisted as best he could. Something was definitely off with this woman, and he did not trust her interest in Sivir. “Such a chiseled face. You may have become more lax in your old age, but I can tell you were once a man of repute, respected by all. Surely the name Sivir must mean something to you?”

He swallowed. His mouth had gone dry and he began to lose focus on what he was doing. All he could hear was her voice and its alluring tone. He wanted to please her any way he could, give her anything she wanted, as long as he could hear that voice over and over again. “Well, mi’ lady…” Every fiber of his being was saying to keep quiet, but her voice…he voice… “Sivir is currently setting base in a nearby tavern. I couldn’t tell you which one though. My deepest apologies.”

“Oh, now you can do better than that, surely.” She lightly pressed her fingertips to her lips and blew a small kiss towards him. Now, he was completely under her spell.

“Why, yes I can. Head east from here and you’ll find a building with a red sign. She and her bandits have taken over the place for now. But I don’t know for how much longer, so you had better hurry, mi’ lady.”

“Thank you kind sir. I’ll be sure to return the favor.” She winked at him before slithering away through the crowd. The vendor stood there dumbstruck by what had just happened. When he regained his senses, he couldn’t quite remember where he was. He looked around and saw the other vendors, the people passing by, and his wares spread out in front of him. Was he talking to someone just now? He seemed to recall someone talking to him, with words like honey. He just couldn’t remember. Soon the customers took his attention again, and he was left with naught but a faint image of emerald-green eyes.