The Dichotomy of Ashe and Sejuani - their Philosophical Views on Freljord and Valoran

**Preface: **I've been writing some fanfiction that focuses on Ashe and Sejuani and I wanted to share some ideas I had behind their philosophies and my headcanon.

To start, I wanted to brief what we do know about them.

**What we know: ** _Ashe and Sejuani are two tribal leaders of Freljord and leaders of two of the three major factions vying for control of the northern reaches of Valoran. _

Ashe commands the largest faction, the Avarosan, descended from Avarosa. They are mainly farmers, based in southern Freljord and enjoy - presumably - strong diplomatic recognition by other states and an alliance with various other factions of Freljord such as the Barbarians under King Tryndramere. Their approach to Freljordian unification is through diplomacy and economical interests (shown when Ashe offers grain to the Winter's Claw).

On the other hand is the Winter's Claw Tribe led by Sejuani. We know the Tribe itself does not farm - but they may have tributary tribes who do farm - and most of their manpower and supplies come from raids. Sejuani herself is presumably a master of this style of warfare and famine is not uncommon to the Winter's Claw Tribe as Sejuani's own family has suffered through it leaving her as the sole sibling to survive to adulthood.

So this is what we know. I am now going to discuss some commonalities in their current philosophies I've extrapolated from this lore.

Common philosophical standpoints: Both Ashe and Sejuani wish to see a united Freljord that can stand by herself on the world's stage. A world class power the equivalent of Demacia, Noxus, Piltover or Zaun. This requires unification of the vast and deeply divided nation that has rarely known peace.

Now for the philosophies for the two leaders.

Ashe's Philosophy (Purely headcanon): I believe Ashe's approach to unification will be one guided by realpolitik and utilitarianism (happiness for the many even at the expense of the few). What I mean by that is Ashe, possessing perhaps the least barbaric government compared to Sejuani's warchief-centric raiders or Lissandra's cult - there's an expectation that Ashe's government may comprise of more familiar Western/First world markings like bureaucracy, agencies, ministries, etc... after all, she does engage in some diplomacy with Demacia at the very least if that hasn't been retconned yet.

I also believe Ashe may be forcing Freljord through a period of industrialization.

Ashe is much more worldly than Sejuani. Ashe sees Freljord as a nation capable of great things but also behind. Every other country has organized farmlands, armies, and governments. Piltover and Zaun in particular are heavily industralized and despite Piltover's small population they are still a world class power through sheer technological advancement.

As such Ashe is opening up Freljord to foreign investors, businesses, merchants, and industralists who see the Freljord as a land of untouched natural resources, cheap labor, and readily agreeable government.

This provides Ashe a much more 'civilized' Freljord - one that looks more like Noxus or Demacia than a purist Freljordian culture. Ashe may hold more secularist opinions, giving more weight to economists and a 'brain trust' than an advisory council of astrologists and tea-leave readers.

I also believe Ashe would tolerate slavery - seeing as how it is implied Bilgewater engages in it, and Noxus almost certain does (to sustain the gladiator pits). Ashe may view this as a necessary evil - similar to how economies are so dependent on slaves that she would allow it - especially given that foreign factory owners would have few qualms about using enslaved tribes or child workers.

"I'm creating a Freljord where no little girl will watch her siblings starve ever again." - Ashe to Sejuani

Sejuani's Philosophy (Purely headcanon): On the other hand Sejuani's philosophy can be described as deontological. Sejuani believes there is a clear right and a clear wrong. Sejuani's upbringing suggests she is certainly much more traditional than Ashe. She possesses a belief in Freljord Exceptionalism (similar to American Exceptionalism - that Freljord is simply superior through grit, determination, and cultural principles).

I envision Sejuani as one who believes tribes should stay on their ancestral lands - that hunting grounds and lodges that have belonged to certain tribes for generations shouldn't be demolished or their people forcibly evacuated to make room for foreign businessmen, their factories, and pollution they bring.

Also Sejuani would take a disgust towards foreign collectors who buy Freljord artifacts as the treasures of Freljord should stay in Freljord.

I also believe that Sejuani would take a viciously opposition stance against slavery in that she would be a staunch abolitionist.

"You evict tribes from their ancestral homelands so these foreign pigs can build factories that pollute our air and water and burn our ancient forests. All for what? A want of a little more gold? You call me a beast - that I am a naive and ignorant little girl - but I am not prostituting my people and lands to southern barbarians. If I am a simple-minded beast then you're the real monster." - Sejuani to Ashe.

**Historical Inspirations: **Revolutionary France/Europe/Industrial Revolution, China's Open Door Policy, Trail of Tears, Utilitarianism v. Deontology philosophies, Nanban in Japan

Random commentary: This is pure speculation but I really enjoy the contrast between the potential that Ashe and Sejuani bring. Both of them are leaders of different caliber and strengths. I think the concept of Freljord undergoing radical change - especially in the context of it becoming a world power like how China's going through it's economic rise - is a powerful analog.

I'm especially inspired by this quote:

"I can't listen to this anymore. I can't accomplish a goddamn thing of any human meaning or worth until we cure ourselves of slavery and end this pestilential war, and whether any of you or anyone else knows it, I know I need this! This amendment is that cure! We're stepped out upon the world stage now, now, with the fate of human dignity in our hands." - Lincoln from the 2012 film Lincoln

The concept of human dignity is one that I think Ashe and Sejuani will both differ on. For Sejuani, I think life would be one worth living if it is done on one's earn term - living a life worth a ballad or saga or a song on the wind played by muses and s. Ashe, however, is more concerned with quality of living - making sure every soul is afforded an equal chance to live even if that means they remain in relative poverty and their heritage/culture/traditions that have persisted for thousands of years prior is destroyed. There's also the possibility that a lot of native Freljordian tongues are becoming extinct under Ashe's leadership like the current language mass extinction currently underway.

**So yeah, tell me what you think. **This is just my personal thoughts on the potential rivalry between Sejuani and Ashe that reaches philosophical grounds on government, economics, and the proper way to rule.