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Champions should be immigrating into Noxus rather than running from it

Blood Magicks··77 votes·3,307 views

I was contemplating the other day how I feel more patriotic towards Noxus than towards any of the countries I've lived in when I realised many people probably share this sentiment.

When a country offers immense opportunities and freedom proportional to how much one has achieved, well, people flock to that country. When it offers protection to mages banished from Demacia or a purpose to Vastayans with destroyed homes, well, you see it become more diverse than it currently is.

And yet we currently have no core Noxus champions who have come from different factions and made their way up the ladder of power. Everyone who resides in Noxus looks Noxian to the core, and Noxian armies as shown in Kled's promo look distinctly Central/South European, with little to no variation (before you make remarks, Morgana is no longer Noxian and Vlad is looks like a standard Noxian, but bleached. Riven looks different, but she left).

We have deserters like Riven and Taliyah who left the "war machine". Their personal journeys are intriguing in their own ways **but I feel Riot should tell the other type of story too: of a persecuted or power-hungry mage or warrior who came from somewhere else, felt they belonged in Noxus and built a life they loved in the heart of the empire. **

This is just a suggestion, of course, I just feel introducing a character like that would flesh out the Noxus Riot is trying to build better.

108 Comments

Melledoneus39 votes

Noxus has freedom and opportunity, but it just means it is more brutal. If you start climbing political ranks, assassins will be sent after you. If you become an amazing soldier, your superior will feel obliged to place you on the frontline to be killed. Success means you paint a target on your back if someone powerful doesn't take you in. Talon is a perfect example of this.

Noxus is a place of great promise, but also great risk. It's like Russian roulette and the lottery in one.

Rozzeta6 votes

Yeah... about that... doesn't that actually mean that Noxus promotes weak politicians to stay in power? I mean If you are supposed to have gained ranks through your strenght alone, then having assassins sent after you, or being sent to the front lines directly actually means that whoever is in power is rather weak. It should be a place of challenges, rather than somewhere in which you get some power, and then be a wuss over your desperate ways to get a hold on it.

Melledoneus17 votes

That's why Darius and Swain took over. The top were weak and cowardly.

But occasionally, there are those so strong nobody can stop them.

Chembaron Yamada8 votes

Not necessarily. If I understand it correctly, Noxus is a place that embraces every form of power. It doesn't matter how you overcome your rivals, as long as you succeed.

Intrigues, assassinations, magic... everything is allowed as long as you defeat your enemy. And that means that someone who is able to delete his competition with these methods is actually strong. At least that's how I would interpret it.

Krabohod2 votes

I totally agree.

I think Noxus have 3 types of commanders and people in power. 1. Wise and smart leaders that got the power by doing well. 2. People that used blackmail and assassins and these kinds of methods to gain the power (that is also strength). 3. Blokes that are just "If you don't obey me I will cut you in half with this big f-ing axe. And if you'll send assassins I will mail them back to you in pieces". And percentage of each kind of power-holders is exactly 33%

Blood Magicks2 votes

Some of these things balance each other out. True patriots make sure to protect people who serve the state well. The thrill of success is too alluring to overconfident young people everywhere for them to be scared of rivalry.

I mean Wall Street is basically the same, make millions and live like a king, but you might get a heart attack or overdose on cocaine at 29. And yet the competition is sky high and people flock there.

An Undead brat1 votes

I think mindset is important, as this is noxian culture - in Swain's lore they say that generals abandoned their ranks if it meant they could serve under Swain. So I believe if actually there was someone powerful, people would clear his path, because it's better for Noxus and thus better for them.

Sulghunter2 votes

How much of that is "I want what is best for my country" patriotism, and how much of it is "Do as he says or he will have me purged" patriotism?

An Undead brat2 votes

This question is why Noxus is so interesting unlike that fascist bigot Demacia.

Sulghunter2 votes

The new Demacia really reminds me of WH40K Imperium of Man, specifically in the facet of "suffer not the witch to live". Garen,JarvanIV Ultramarines Lux Psyker Poppy Squat Vayne Inquisitor Quinn Catachan guardsman

I would not be surprised that much if WH40K inspired Demacia's intolerance towards magic users.

HeimerLmao2 votes

Dunno why but reading your comment, first thought was this Bad Luck Brian meme: Played Russian Roulette. . . . . With semi-auto glock

abdul56913 votes

We don't have a proper noxian support. I'd like a reverse ivern in terms of how s/he came to be. Maybe like a travelling preacher. At first he's cheerful/optimistic who thinks wars can end via love and affection. But due to being in the wrong places at the wrong time, like going to ionia during the chem battles, then travelling to zaun/piltover and seeing how corrupt they are, going to bilgewater during the fight between gp + mf then finally rejected from demacia due to his affinity with magic, his heart becomes hardened.

His final destination is noxus and after all he's been through, his personality has changed. He never loses sight of his dream to bring about peace but his actions are now distorted after all he's been through. Love and affection doesn't do anything and so he now thinks the only way to bring about peace is through war. Noxus accepts him. He rises through the ranks, teaching his magic and becoming a great leader (his speaking power is immense from his time as a preacher). His can inspire his men to victory through his words and magic.

Who is he?

The Noxian drill sergent.

macromite13 votes

Freedom is only half the story, the other half is safety.

Noxus represents a soceity without safety, but with infinite freedom.

Demacia is the reverse, with no freedom and infinite safety.

Whyte Lyon2 votes

To be fair on Demacia, there is freedom for like 90% of the population. That other 10% would be divided between the dishonorable law breakers (who aren't executed) and the very few times a mage is born, like less than 5 every generation. Otherwise it should be pretty sweet living under their very prosperous monarchy.

Furor Nexis10 votes

I could easily see someone like Olaf travelling to Noxus. Since power in every form is valued there, a man who's fated not to die in battle but as an old man would intrigue many, and would also give rise to the classic Noxian assassination attempts on his life, only to find out he just shreds everything Noxus throws at him. It'd be the ultimate test of spirit for our Freljordian badass.

Placentas9 votes

"When it offers protection to mages banished from Demacia or a purpose to Vastayans with destroyed homes, well, you see it become more diverse than it currently is."

Ifffyyy - Taliyah was offered "protection" and knowledge, but ended up being used as a pawn and she luckily realize this and got the hell out.

Arakadia8 votes

I don't think she was going to be used as a pawn like you put it. They wanted to use her, but they wanted to make her stronger, teach her, and utilize her power.

And she did not leave because she realized she was being used but because she didn't want to use her powers for destruction or war.

Dextix LT2 votes

They wanted to use her, but they wanted to make her stronger, teach her, and utilize her power.

So, a pawn?

Blood Magicks6 votes

In every corporation, hell, in every hierarchy juniors, no matter how talented, don't get to be in charge. If she wanted to not be a pawn she would have worked harder until she had the power to decide for herself. It was really the war and violence she had a problem with.

Placentas5 votes

But within this context, she is a pawn. Yes they would strengthen her, but not the way Taliyah wants to be strengthened. She would only be strengthened in the art of combat, she would be a soldier, a pawn. I don't care if it isn't politically correct to say, but soldiers in any form are pawns, it's their purpose, to protect the more important subject.

Pawn is seen as a derogatory term, but that's only due to people's preconceived perception of the word. A nun or priest could be seen as a pawn of God, and then the individuals view of religion would then be a big factor in deciding if pawn is good or bad.

I really don't think she would be able to suddenly go, "Hey guys, thanks for all the time you spent training me, but geee, I'm really just not feeling this" and would be allowed to leave. If I recall correctly, she pretty much was like that but before her real training and mission and she almost died escaping.

It's like if the mob does something for you, you then owe them. And if you don't repay, they break your legs.

You can't separate the fact she was being used and the use she was for - war. And not to mention she is a child who had a fairly sheltered life from much of the outside world. She lived in a small community that was even separated from other Shurimans. For all we know, she wasn't okay being a pawn, and didn't realize that's what soldiers are and what she was getting into.

Asayake 5150glow8 votes

[{quoted}](name=Blood Magicks,realm=EUW,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=ilFnzegs,comment-id=,timestamp=2017-06-11T00:02:08.033+0000) We have deserters like Riven and Taliyah who left the "war machine". Their personal journeys are intriguing in their own ways **but I feel Riot should tell the other type of story too: of a persecuted or power-hungry mage or warrior who came from somewhere else, felt they belonged in Noxus and built a life they loved in the heart of the empire. **

Hmm... so... maybe... just maybe... like... Syndra ????????

That's literally her lore.

Blood Magicks21 votes

Well if only she wasn't busy fangirling after a certain wearer of a toaster-shaped mask.

Asayake 5150glow1 votes

[{quoted}](name=Blood Magicks,realm=EUW,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=ilFnzegs,comment-id=00000000,timestamp=2017-06-11T00:40:25.536+0000)

Well if only she wasn't busy fangirling after a certain wearer of a toaster-shaped mask.

Uhm who?

I'm thinking Jhin but her lorepage says friends with Zed.

And when I think toaster I think Balrog.

Zed would also be a good candidate, I think a downside is that they have so much lore connected with Ionia (well, Zed anyway, Syndra's is pretty simple), that they're Ionian related champions.

Velzard of Koz10 votes

He is talking about Zed. Zed's mask is like an oven cover.

Fasmodey2 votes

Syndra wouldn't kneel before anyone. And would work for only herself.

She is high likely stronger than even all high tier mages of Black Rose combined, who the fuck is Noxus? Ionia is far more rich on magic and its mages are much more talented. She wants to explore her magic and the only way to do is being related with magic. Noxus is not related with magic. They are poor magic wise, that's why they get mage migration.

SpecterVonBaren6 votes

While Noxus may advertise that you can move up so long as you are strong enough, you're making the mistake of assuming none of the people that are already in positions of power aren't knocking down people that might take their place of power.

People don't flock to Noxus because while the society rules may be that the strong can move up in the world, it also means you have to be tough and brutal in order to fight your way past all the other people that got to the top before you and most people are not in fact capable or willing to go into that kind of life if they can help it. Noxus is more like something between Rome and the mafia from what we know of it.

Warlord Dienekes7 votes

To be fair here. There were numerous cultures and peoples who tried to become part of Rome. And the mafia has a constant flow of people joining up from outside the direct family of original members.

SpecterVonBaren2 votes

And in Rome all those numerous cultures were treated poorly. Many rights were denied to the other peoples and the vast majority of Rome's population was made up of people on the lowest level of society financially and influentially. Even people that were powerful but were powerful because of money (The equestrian class if I'm remembering right) weren't "let in the club" of political influence.

And the mafia actually doesn't have a huge flow of people coming in, they actually were big on keeping their numbers at a set level (To lower the amount of potential weaknesses in the organization and rats) and most of their numbers were low level 'wannabes' and members were always at risk of getting whacked for any number of reasons from them being suspected of being rats, not paying someone something on time, not showing up to some event, or just not being liked by someone.

I'm not saying a powerful and intelligent person can't make it in Noxus but only the most ruthless or desperate would deliberately go to an environment like that unless they had no other choice.

Warlord Dienekes2 votes

And in Rome all those numerous cultures were treated poorly. Many rights were denied to the other peoples and the vast majority of Rome's population was made up of people on the lowest level of society financially and influentially. Even people that were powerful but were powerful because of money (The equestrian class I'm remembering right) weren't "let in the club" of political influence.

Not incorrect. And even the action by Caesar to give senatorial positions to the best houses of the oldest Roman allies was considered a gross break from tradition.

But that doesn't change that over time basically every culture around the area tried to become a part of Rome in some way. And we see that, especially with the barbarians. Thousands flocked to become auxiliaries so after their time in the military they could reach pseudo-citizenship. We eventually even do see barbarians reach political prominence (well, half-barbarian in Stilicho's case, but he was basically running the empire for awhile).

Rome offered protection, trade, and the illusion of opportunity. Even if, when you look at the numbers, the average life expectancy was actually higher outside of Rome than within. But, most people would never know that.

And the mafia actually doesn't have a huge flow of people coming in, they actually were big on keeping their numbers at a set level (To lower the amount of potential weaknesses in the organization and rats) and most of their numbers were low level 'wannabes' and members were always at risk of getting whacked for any number of reasons from them being suspected of being rats, not paying someone something on time, not showing up to some event, or just not being liked by someone.

A huge flow? Maybe not. But (and my knowledge of mafia practices is extremely limited) we do have people who join because they were a friend of another member from some other exploit. Lucky Luciano himself, was not from a lineage of criminality, but he ended up becoming one of the biggest gangster in the United States, and the father of the American Mafia. A person can be brought in from the outside because they view the life as glamorous or opportunistic. Even if, there are probably safer more consistently paying jobs around.

Atanchan3 votes

The thing is that strong doesn't mean omnipotent. Those at the top are powerful both physically and politically, yes, but they're still only one person who can only be in one place at a time. For something like being in charge of an entire country, especially one with interest in conquest, you're going to need underlings. And you're going to want strong underlings so that they can get the most stuff done, even if that means you always have to be on your toes to make sure that they don't stab you in the back.

Of course, you could be cowardly and only hire those that have little change of usurping you, but being too transparent about that would put you at risk of losing the respect and good-will of those above you ...

CasterGilgamesh5 votes

well riot keeps painting noxus and the stereotypical bad guy.....even though i really love Noxus Noxus is best city state then its the freijlord and ionia

Arakadia11 votes

Thats the exact opposite. It used to be the stereotypical bad guy and their trying to give it shades of grey. Its just we haven't got a Noxus event or a new champion besides Kled who can show us this.

Blackstone0112 votes

Don't forget Demacia is no longer the shining beacon of freedom either, riot is moving both of them towards shades of grey.

CasterGilgamesh4 votes

to be fair though demacia hardly changed besides now being magic user haters (its a good step in the right direction but still not a big one) though they did make Vayne very morally grey demacian champion which is good to a degree

Supreme Senpai692 votes

I don't even see Vayne as morally grey, I see her as straight up evil. She doesn't kill those creatures to better the world, she kills them because she enjoys it. Even when her mother figure turned out to be one, in order to save Vayne's life, she waited all of two seconds to murder her without any regret and just hummed right along.

This is why I ban Vayne tbh. Scumbag Vayne

CasterGilgamesh2 votes

yah...riot did kinda drop the ball there i hate vayne now as well even more so.I still cry a little thinking about how vayne just killed the one person who helps her.Vayne literally became what she hated the most...

Wrathof3004 votes

No, the fact that you feel this way about means they did good, not everyone will accept Vayne as a person and for those that don't, as long as you still express some sort of disagreement with her decision means they wrote her well.

CasterGilgamesh2 votes

morally i would think killing the only person to help her is wrong also she takes a little too much pleasure in killing...even if it is "monsters"

Wrathof3003 votes

Except she the person she killed was the kind of people/ things she was being trained to kill. Its a morally grey area where there is no right answer, how could you swear to avenge your parents yet dabble in the very thing that took their lives, how could you kill the person that took you under their. wing. There was a reason Frey didn't show Vayne her form until they were in danger, because she knew she was just as wrong for using that power, she was weak. Even if she enjoys killing monster she's still way better than Thresh.

sanjiluv4 votes

Thats stupid. No one wants to move to north korea. For the same reasons no one wants to move to noxus. NEXT

Arakadia20 votes

North Korea and Noxus are not at all comparable...

sanjiluv1 votes

{quoted}

North Korea and Noxus are not at all comparable...

yeah. Not at all. Not in any way whatsoever.

So you either dont know anything about north korea, or noxus.

Which is it?

Skins Project16 votes

How about rather then just saying that someone doesn't know anything, why don't you who is SO EDUCATED in the ways of north korea and noxus explain to us "uneducated" people how they are similar?

Please, explain how Kim Jung un is the strongest fighter in north korea, and that's why he is top of the chain.

An Undead brat5 votes

Please, explain how Kim Jung un is the strongest fighter in north korea, and that's why he is top of the chain.

That's what they teach people there tho

Atanchan6 votes

There's a difference between fooling people that they have freedom and opportunity and actually providing it to them.

Just look at America!

Skins Project7 votes

Before I go on a long rant about the illusion of america that so many people have, I gotta say I can't tell if this is /s or not.

ModKnightsKemplar4 votes

On the other hand, several Noxus champs came from nothing. Darius and Talon's lore hint at them being brought up from nothing to a position of power and influence. I feel like you're selling that short just a bit.

But yeah, someone who immigrated later in life to Noxus could be interesting. A traitorous Demacian mage has potential here, I think.

Sexy Jack Rabbit3 votes

Hoenstly as NICE as Noxus might sound in that regard, people still walking around murdering and kidnapping people as Slaves. Not too mention a giant half-snake lady. Noxus SOUNDS like a real nice place to live in retrospect, but I'm not sure you would not have much mental security living in a place like that.

Emell1 votes

Why do you assume Noxus believes diversity is a strength? Diversity is a weakness and Noxus hates weakness.

Want proof? Look at Europe.

SEKAI8 votes

{quoted}

Why do you assume Noxus believes diversity is a strength? Diversity is a weakness and Noxus hates weakness.

Want proof? Look at Europe.

Or you can look at how strong USA is, how strong Mongols and Romans were, if you want "proof" on how strong diversity can make a place/group to be.

Or,

You can suck your bigotry up your ass and realise it has nothing to do with diversity. In the case of Europe, it has everything to do with political instability, war, crisis, and some tards ruining the day for everyone.

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