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Riven's ideals and "the pure noxian vision" ?

FulkoTheTroll·8/9/2019, 10:15:57 PM·1 votes·6,971 views

Riven's old lore mentioned her being "on a quest to seek atonement and a way to save the pure Noxian vision in which she believed". A Rioter also mentioned in a thread from about a year ago that Riven still represents "the best of what Noxus is and could be". https://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/story-art/6JWHilrN-rivens-faction-should-be-ionia-now?comment=0003 As far as I know, Noxus always had this "might makes right" mentality, it's why they have been trying to expand their borders since the inception of their empire and even noxian society itself follows social darwinist and meritocratic principles. Anyone who is strong and skilled enough can simply work their way up. Riven today however seems to have an entirely different set of values, with quotes like "So much death.", "A necessary strike." and "Violence to end violence." implying that her ultimate goal is peace rather than the vision of might and glory that Noxus represents. Her quote "My hands are stained." also implies that she regrets her service to Noxus rather than "just" disapproving of the chemical warfare they employed (which was NOT her fault and therefore couldn't have "stained" her hands). So does this change in her lore imply that there is no "pure noxian vision" that she would support and that she severed her connection to the ideals of Noxus? And if not, what kind of "noxian vision" would she support?

16 Comments

RiotWAAARGHbobo8/12/2019, 7:27:34 PM4 votes

I think Riven discovered Noxus wasn't really a meritocracy. What it professes to be and believe in and its behavior don't always line up.

Believing in strength and merit based advancement has to be balanced (hint) with a level playing field and honorable conduct.

IlyaK19868/10/2019, 1:57:21 AM3 votes

Not sure what the Rioters are on about. As of her 3-part short story (Confessions of a Broken Blade), she's adopted by an Ionian couple and wants to build a new life for herself in Ionia. There'd be no way she'd leave the people that adopted her as family, and promised the judge she'd live to rebuild Ionia.

Heck, Kayn is listed as an Ionian. As of her latest lore, I don't think Riven wants any part of Noxus anymore and seems to like her new life of helping build rather than destroy, though she'll still gut someone if they threaten those she loves.

As of now, as far as I'm concerned, Riven's 110% an Ionian, and about as goody goody as they come.

Apocalypsic8/10/2019, 12:58:30 AM1 votes

Riven viewed the true Noxian way as honor and glory through power and combat. Proving ones skill and strength through hard work and determination was her way of life, and what she tried to share with her men. However the chemical bombing that Swain authorized Singed to perform on the battlefield was a total opposite of what she held as her core beliefs. Hence why she regrets her actions, in her new perspective the true honor and Noxian way is lost to a Noxus under Swain. A Noxus that sacrifices both her men and the enemy forces through chemical warfare is cowardly and vile to her. Consider that as well she lost all of her unit before her eyes, as well most likely in quite the ugly fashion and then you have the makings of some serious self hating and regret.

I wouldn't say she regrets her service to Noxus, she clearly still loves her homeland, but at the same time she has some misgivings about it's current leadership and the part she unknowingly played into their power struggles. As well she's been living integrated with the Ionans for a while and has learned other ways to view life in her self imposed exile. I imagine that her world view has shifted quite a bit since then and could have affected her vision of "the ideal Noxus."

tamaya8/11/2019, 7:48:53 PM1 votes

She helps the regeneration of Ionia, but it is meaningless if destroyed again by Noxus. To do that she needs to change Noxus. Isn't her ideal Noxian principle common good? I think this applies not only between Noxus and Ionia, but also inside Noxus. Riven is a Noxian and a Ionian daughter, That's not contradictory. I think there are things that only she can do.