[LORE DISCUSSION] The Black Rose

Lore Discussion Omni-Post

PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS Who built the Mercury Hammer? Are the Watchers Void-Beings? What happened in Shurima? Shurima Part 2 Who killed the man Yasuo was guarding? Who is C?

Happy Friday everyone and welcome back to Lore Discussion! So this week's topic was a pretty close one with over 100 votes and several neck-and-neck topics. By a mere three votes, this week's topic won out. So today, we'll be diving into the trecherous and deceitful world of Noxus to ask about the organization who's name is whispered in even the highest ranking households of the city...

http://i.imgur.com/V1OXYZ8.jpg?1 #The Black Rose

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http://i.imgur.com/FzfhqyF.jpg #What is the Black Rose?

The Black Rose is an organization that has it's ties back before many of the cities we know today were even villages on the outskirts of an ancient Runeterra. Not much is known for a solid history, but it's clear we have very few key facts to cling onto:

• The Black Rose has it's ties to the Noxus hierarchy and as such, Noxus itself.
• Many of the Black Rose and it's allies are versed in magic.
• The key goals are unknown, but it's clear that the Black Rose wants to establish itself as the puppetmaster behind the scenes.

In the original lore (Pre-retcon), the Black Rose waited until the League of Legends (Institute of War) was created and had firm, cemented power in it's wake before sending the esteemed LeBlanc to it's doorstep. Apparently they were waiting for a global authority to emerge before showing themselves and making their presence..."known". Still, the goals in the new lore are not clear outside of the ties they have with the Noxus hierarchy.

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http://i.imgur.com/25GOZA3.png #The Organization of the Black Rose

Thanks to the "Reborn" teaser, we gathered some key facts about the actual organization of the Black Rose. Mainly, the fact that there are (at least) three key members among them.

• Thorn- Thorn references the base of the petal, where there are thorns (Shocker). My personal theory is that Thorn represents the physical worker of the Black Rose. He or She is the one who partakes in assassination missions or otherwise murder, assault or other things of a physical nature. He/She is the one who is primarily the cause of stabbings and murderings that go unanswered.

• Petal- Again, more flower symbolism (In the Black Rose? Shocking again!), the Petal strikes me as the "beauty" of the Black Rose. Perhaps a beautiful female or a handsome man, the Petal is the person who whispers sweet poison in the ears of the Black Roses' manipulatee. Through favors of the romantic or the sexual, the Petal twists the words of the Black Rose into honey and makes their will known through more subtle means.

• LeBlanc- Finally, the "Face" of the Black Rose, LeBlanc is the leader and overall matron of the entire organization. There are some more things to ask about LeBlanc, but we'll wait until the next section.

So of those roles, are any still around? Well, I have my theories. For one thing, while we don't see the petal/thorn show up in later examples, I'd hazard a guess that the lore might shift. I, for one, could see Cassiopeia have the role of the "Petal", as she is (well, "was") a beautiful consort who wove her words with the venom that she now uses to stab people in the face with. For "Thorn", I'm still a little up in the air about it. Normal signs point to Talon being a possible suspect thanks to his stab-happy dagger flinging ways, but it's possible that Katarina or even her father could have ties. Heck, I could be wrong and NONE of these people are even remotely with the Rose.

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http://i.imgur.com/qKJQCOS.jpg?1 #LeBlanc

Now, LeBlanc is an interesting figure for a few reasons. For one, she is present in the Reborn saga throughout the ages. From Sion's death to imprisonment to rebirth, LeBlanc is center stage. Following this, LeBlanc is both mentally sound and more than magically capable. She's able to hold her own in these League matches and can take a punch just as well as any other magus. (Not that great but bear with me).

So the question is: Is LeBlanc a title passed down through the Rose or is LeBlanc somewhat immortal?

Now, the title being passed down is the more likely of the two. LeBlanc is not a person but an ideal of the Black Rose. LeBlanc can be male, female, anything in between. It also plays into the style of play LeBlanc has in League. She is deceptive, tricky, impossible to pin down and always fooling you. This right here leads to the idea that whatever you think of LeBlanc is entirely false. Oh, she's the leader? Naw, she's just a magus. Oh, she's really old? Nope, only sixteen. So on and so on.

However, looking at the idea of Immortality...could it be possible? For one thing, LeBlanc lists Elise as a friend on the champion page, implying that they're somehow buddies. Now, this could just be the likeminded aspect of two manipulative leaders, but what if it's more than that? What if LeBlanc is tainted by the magic of the shadow isles and has been alive through means that are quite unholy? Following this train of thought, it'd also explain the power of Sion's resurrection: Shadow Isles magic. Further digging into this, LeBlanc's appearance is hinted at changing quite a bit. As previous hinted that she changed to resemble Jarvan IV, who is to say LeBlanc isn't really thousands of years old and a hideous hag, magic making her the devious and beautiful woman she appears to be?

Perhaps this is exactly what LeBlanc wants? Wild theories and accusations flying around, the truth hinted at but always behind a fog or veil to keep everyone guessing and wondering just who or what she is? If that's the case, amazingly well done. A hat must be tipped to the mistress of manipulation.

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With all this said and done, what do you think? Is the Black Rose still strong and alive in Runeterra? Perhaps it's just LeBlanc left after hundreds of years? Maybe there's some counter group they hope to thwart or defeat? Either way, be sure to discuss, keep it civil and remember to vote for next week's topic!