Balestrider

Balestrider
A number of frozen Balestriders.
Titles
Other name(s)	Wanderers
Biological classification
Designation	Sentient
Physical characteristics
Hair color(s)	Dark Brown Black
Sociocultural characteristics
Status	Extant
Currently inhabited place(s)	Freljord
Universe(s)	Runeterra Prime

“	"I dug myself out from the rubble to find a scar seared into the land around me. Smoldering ash lay where my companions had stood, and in the distance a looming form moved on..."
	— 4 Bjerg the Wanderer

Balestriders, also known as the Wanderers, are a Freljordian legend. A dark omen, these giant beasts are said to roam the Arctic areas around the north of the Freljord.

Physiology

“	" Unearthly light flooded the valley as a piercing wail rattled the rocks from the cliffs, my sinews from their bones, the very thoughts from my mind! Then... silence."
	— 4 Bjerg the Wanderer

10 She Who Wanders, Balestrider

Having body shapes similar to giraffes, their striking features are their giant horns similar in appearance to True Ice, their cycloptic blue glowing eyes, and humanoid arm like protrusions scattered across their bodies like fur. Depictions of these creatures can be seen on the numerous bridges of the Howling Abyss. They were once magnificent and terrible beings before being twisted far beyond their original form and moved at the command of the Three Sisters thanks to the bargain with the Watchers.

Relations

Bjerg

“	▶️  "Will no one listen?"
	— 4 Babbling Bjerg

"Y-You've gotta believe me! It was huge, I tell you, HUUUGE!"

4 Bjerg the Wanderer was the only traveler that believes he has sighted these creatures in recent memory, though his experience seeing these, along with Yetis, has left him babbling and insane.

Anivia

“	▶️  "As I feared. They've returned."
	— Anivia

According to Anivia, they are her ominous "strange enemies" who have dark, corrupting magic from the past. Legends say she sacrificed herself against a march of towering Balestriders : "Anvia knew she could not slay these colossal creatures, and so she plunged into the ice beneath their feet, shattering her own body in order to entomb them".

Trivia

• Balestrider designs were originally concepted to be used for the Watchers. This concept was later altered and used for this new race and introduced in the Legends of Runeterra card game.
  • It is possible that many intepretation of the Watchers was based on the visible Balestrider. Ancient Frejlordian may have seen the creatures as Watchers, so they build the statues based on them.
• The 3 Balestriders currently known are 10 She Who Wanders, 8 It That Stares, and 6 They Who Endure.

Media

• Gallery

Balestrider Constellation

Balestrider Concept

Freljord "Legends of Runeterra" Concept 1 (by Riot Contracted Artists Sixmorevodka Studio)

Freljord "Legends of Runeterra" Concept 2 (by Riot Contracted Artists Sixmorevodka Studio)

She Who Wanders "Legends of Runeterra" Splash Concept (by Riot Contracted Artists Sixmorevodka Studio)

It That Stares "Legends of Runeterra" Illustration (by Riot Contracted Artists Grafit Studio)

She Who Wanders "Legends of Runeterra" Illustration (by Riot Contracted Artists Sixmorevodka Studio)

They Who Endure "Legends of Runeterra" Illustration (by Riot Contracted Artists Sixmorevodka Studio)

Baley "Legends of Runeterra" Promo (by Riot Contracted Artists Kudos Productions)

Towering Balestrider Statues, Howling Abyss, Freljord

Towering Balestrider Statues, Howling Abyss, Freljord

See also

• Anivia
• 10 She Who Wanders
• 6 They Who Endure
• 8 It That Stares
• Baley
• Howling Abyss

Sapient Species

Sentient Species

Non-Sentient Species

Alternate Universe Only Species

Other Species

Mentioned Species	These species were only mentioned, but were never elaborated on. Carnotaun · Cougar · Croxagor · Devilfish · Grelmorn · Lippertick Apple · Mewlark  · Razorhide · Rhoksha · Salamander Dew · Unnamed Species
Species Alterations	These alterations are characteristics that multiple different species can have. Chemical Alteration · Cyborg · Iceborn · Magical · Magical Alteration · Void Touched