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Magic in Runeterra- expectations and theories

Falrein·1/10/2019, 9:19:22 PM·10 votes·10,467 views

Hi everyone! I'm Caithresh, part-time lore-nerd and fervent Syndra main. I'm here today to talk about magic in Runeterra, what I expect from it, and some theories.

Now, let's put some context... In this thread, the wonderful Ariel Lawrence, aka Thermal Kitten, gave us a recap of 2018 lore, and some insight on what's to come for 2019. In this thread, you can note that:

No, we haven’t forgotten about them. In fact, we’ve been thinking a lot about them, and how magic works in Runeterra, as we prepare for 2019 (hint, hint).

I'm taking that as a promise for some revelation about magic in Runeterra. The only real explanation we had on magic was in From the Ashes

It is the same with magic. You want it, believing it can be owned. You cling to it, forgetting that you are merely a channel through which it passes. You choke it in your heart, and in your hands. And so the magic is strangled in your grip, because you see it as something to bind to your will. It is not, and never will be. It is like air. You must draw in what exists around you, use it for a moment, then let it free.

However, this is Ryze's way of doing it, his own point of view about his own magic. Thanks to Scathelocke, who's the one that inspired me to write that thread, we can safely assume that Ryze's way might not be the only efficient way to use magic. But I'll come back to it later on. Let's skip to the main course!

Magic has always been one of my favourite worldbuilding subjects. So let's see what I'd like to see in 2019!

  1. The different branches of magic. In From the Ashes, Kegan asks a very interesting question. Does magic have a source? A very intriguing question, that I think won't be answered this year -if ever. But we might get some hints, after all! However, does magic have a or does magic have source_s_? That's pretty much linked to my next expectation!

  2. We know that there are several types of magic. Cosmic, spirit, elemental, runic, arcane, and many more. Question is, do they all come from a same source, or are there different ones? I think this is a question Riot could answer to. Like, what's the difference between Ryze's and Syndra's magic? I mean, there are obvious ones as they have different effects, but why?

  3. Kinda related but, what makes that people are attuned to one type of magic rather than another? Environment? Why is Lux a light mage, why is Taliyah an... earth mage(?)? Why does magic manifest differently in each mage?

  • Another thing I'd like explored, is power level. Let's put it that simple: why are some mages born overpowered (like Syndra), while others aren't as strong (like Ezreal)? We know this isn't linked to the genetic (Syndra's powers were a surprise to her family for example, proving that you can be OP as fuck even if it doesn't run in the family), so what is it linked to?

  • The ways to use magic. According to Ryze, the best way to use magic is like breathing: take in the magic, use it, release it. But is that true for everyone? Look at Syndra (I know, I'm using her a lot but heee sorry), she's using her magic instinctively and it's still super strong (and she uses it constantly, because running flying away with half a fortress requires constant use of magic). I'm not really expecting this one to be dealt with, but it'd be cool to know why it might be different for everyone!

  • Scathelocke asked how could such stuff be discussed (in what kind of story, and by whom). I don't know if a story is the best way to explain this kind of stuff. Something like Santangelo's field journal or this Rek'Sai's creative spotlight might be a better format (Santangelo's journal is a story but... You get my point)! A grimoire from the Black Rose, or an ancient scroll from Shurima... These might be interesting to see! Now, as to who... I have a couple champions in mind. I'm thinking about LeBlanc, who has a lot of knowledge about magic in general since that's what her cult is about, Lissandra, who's been around for far longer than any other human, and Xerath, who's studied magic a lot before jeopardizing Azir's ascension. These are the ones that come to mind when I'm thinking explanations on magic. Shen is also a good candidate for spirit magic, as he probably has some knowledge about that (personal plus, he could provide some juicy stuff on Syndra's weird powers :'))

I think that'll be all... Most of my other questions would be champion-focused anyway. So! Tell me, what are you expecting from magic explanations this year? Is it something you'd like to see, or would you like it to stay a total mystery?

9 Comments

Pale Mask1/10/2019, 10:22:23 PM1 votes

Ryze is stubborn and afraid to admit that he's clinging to his faith because he has no other explanation.

Like any other aspect of existence, "magic" is a manipulable asset that needs to be wielded by a strong hand. That it has not been done before (debatable, look at Xerath and Mordekaiser) doesn't mean that it cannot be done now. Lust for power is not intrinsically a flaw, so long as it is tempered by research and caution.

Everything can be bent to your will. Magic, spirits, demons, gods, and any other pseudonatural detritus that clings to the terrestrial plane. You just need talent, ambition, and immortality. Speaking of which, did you hear about this group of like-minded individuals who study the arcane? I believe their symbol is some sort of flower...?

Breezy Boyy1/11/2019, 1:08:41 AM1 votes

I hope the Magic update will also shed some light on "spirit" champions, such as the Yordles, and beings like Janna and Tahm Kench, as well as explaining the connection between the Spirit Realm and the rest of Runeterra.

Jaspers1/11/2019, 11:05:29 AM1 votes

Here are my thoughts on your numbers points:

  1. No, and we don't need to know, magic is magic. It's magic. :P

2 and 3) There seems to be 2 forms of magic outside of spirits.

Learned magic, so Ryze, Veigar, Vlad. And innate magic, so Lux, Annie, Taliyah.

The first set are comparable to Dr Strange, the magic they have learned is from texts, incantations and spells. They can presumably learn a lot more magic than the innate users as they learn the spells, not just use them on instinct. The latter is more like mutants of the 616, they have these powers because they are born with them and then they learn and use those powers in unique and creative ways, yet they don't learn other mutants powers, they just have their own.

Sylas is basically Mimic. :P

Both exist in the MU as separate things but in LoL I think they'll be the same just in different forms.

  1. Marvel analogy again, Marrow of the X-men vs Storm of the X-men. Marrow creates bones from her body, can form armour or weapons from the but she's hardly going to destroy the world any time soon. Storm could potentially do so much damage that life could end. This isn't linked to anything it's just chance. There are even levels of power in those who have the same powers, one telepath is the most powerful know, able to influence, control and manipulate beyond anyone else (Xavier), others are weaker have need support as their own powers even cause them pain (Mentallo), then there are specialists who could control minds like the formers but because they only control minds are better at that then the other 2 will ever be (MU Karma, not Leagues). League characters don't really have similar powers so we'll never know if someone is more powerful than the next.

  2. Ryze is right and with Syndra, Lux and co, it is 'breathing' because it's as natural as that. This is what Ryze means, surely? It needs to be second nature, not strive to concentrate to get something to work, you just need to do it.

  3. An interesting point, how do you discuss it. A Ryze like journal would be good as he's been around a while seeing numerous forms of magic and meeting many people. But I don't think they should ever explain how many works just that it does.

EDIT: After typing all this I just realised that Nami ruins my things above. She is a Vastayan, born of magic and humans, who wields an artifact which has the powers, did she learn that magic or is it innate just uses the staff to channel it? Or without her staff is she just a 'fish out of water'?

Stars Shaper1/11/2019, 11:11:39 AM1 votes

If we have a cosmological origin like our's Big Bang then it's most likely that Stars are the first form of magic and serve both as a source for it (like the sun) and planets too are impregnated by it like they are of magma and... natural gases.