Factions Tournament November 23: Bilgewater versus Ionia

CupcakeTrap·Nov 23, 2014·2 votes·1,482 views

http://i.imgur.com/CxELbfX.png

What's Factions?

For more information, visit LeagueFactions.net. Factions is a community game mode run entirely by volunteers. It is not Riot-sponsored, though several Rioters have participated in their private capacities, which we really appreciate.

Factions is a community game mode and lore initiative inspired by Riot's original Ionia versus Noxus tournament. That tournament resolved in the in-universe outcome of the Noxian invasion of Ionia with an actual match fought on the Fields of Justice: a pretty cool way, IMO, to immerse the community in the lore. Factions works in much the same way, only instead of having a single big tournament, anyone can start a scored match anytime; results are submitted online, scored, and added to a running scoreboard. All skill levels are welcome, and we use a database of factions matches to compute predicted winrates based on skill matchups and adjust the point value of the matches accordingly.

Factions is organized into arcs (a.k.a. "storylines" or "chapters"), each of which lasts for about three months and features a new set of playable factions. Summoners must declare for a side in each arc they participate in, and there are no backsies mid-arc, as we want people to really commit, but your oath ends when each arc does, leaving you free to declare for anyone you like in the next round.

So what's this about a tournament?

Although most Factions matches are pick-ups, we also have shoutcasted matches on the weekends, which are more carefully balanced and have additional story impact. Most weekends have best-of-three "Featured Matches" on Saturday and Sunday; this weekend, we're holding a full-scale tournament. Day One is complete, and the two finalists are Bilgewater and Ionia. They'll be facing off on Sunday, 23 November, 24 CLE, starting at 11:30 p.m. Pacific time.

Come watch!

You're welcome to come watch. The matches will be streamed at twitch.tv/LeagueFactions. If you're interested in participating in Factions, come declare for a faction and represent them on the Fields.

Place your bets

I also think this would be a fun opportunity for the League community at large to try their hand at guessing which faction will prevail tomorrow. Here are their Champion lineups. (There are some "odd" entries here: we give factions the chance to recruit additional Champions from beyond their core pool as the arc progresses. For example, Bilgewater has recruited Diana as part of Nami's quest for the moonstone.)

For Bilgewater

For Ionia

5 Comments

RextreffNov 23, 20141 votes

Coopcake I don't think a lot of people will be on at around midnight o.o

Kamiroo WolfNov 23, 20141 votes

Katarina is Bilgewater? Would love to hear that recruiment story.

CupcakeTrapNov 23, 20141 votes

Katarina is Bilgewater? Would love to hear that recruiment story.

From the JoJ:

Katarina, Privateer of Noxus While the League may have put a stop to Noxian hostilities on Ionian soil, Katarina's still guvner on the high seas. Ever since their campaign ended, Noxus' very own Sinister Blade has been a mainstay down at Bilgewater's Fleet Street, poking her head into the pubs and taverns along the way in search of sailors down on their luck. An even share of the plunder sounds spot on to a lad on his last dram, even if it means a short drop and a sudden stop for anyone unfortunate enough to run afoul of an Ionian vessel during the rest of his seafaring career.

While the League's bound to land their mitts on anyone foolish enough to attack a vessel in protected waters, there's plenty of jink to be had for those intrepid enough to venture out into the open seas. Trouble is, out there you're on your own... and I know at least one little missy who's sharpening a dagger with your name on it, ready to take your hard earned Valors before they're spent. Lesson learned: never give a Noxian an excuse to hang onto a grudge, or you'll be keeping a weather eye on the horizon for the rest of your natural life.

Obviously just some lore written for her skin, but Bilgewater's Champion pool was pretty teensy, so we threw her in.