Runeterra

For the eponymous Universe, see  Runeterra Prime. For the game, see  Legends of Runeterra.

“	"Runeterra? I mean the name of this world literally means 'magic earth'."
	— Aurelion Sol

Runeterra (meaning magic earth) is an oblate spheroid planet^[1] and the fictional world where most of the lore of the  League of Legends intellectual property takes place on. Runeterra is currently the only known physical realm located in the larger  Runeterra Prime universe. The currently known continents the planet comprises are Valoran and Shurima. It also boasts several large bodies of water, such as the currently known 18 Seas (like the Conqueror's Sea and the Guardian's Sea), and 2 Oceans with several archipelagos and islands around them (like Ionia, Serpent Isles, and Shadow Isles). The planet revolves around a G-type star while a natural satellite moon revolves around the planet. Runeterra's sun and moon mirrored equivalents also exist in the spirit realm which is connected with Runeterra through numerous gateways.^[2]

Lore

Composed of both the material and spirit realms, Runeterra is all that separates the celestial powers of creation from the abyssal threat of all undoing. This is a magical world unlike any other-inhabited by peoples both fierce and wondorous.

History

The Rune Wars

Centuries ago, magical artifacts called 'World Runes' have been rediscovered. Over the following decades after such event, knowledge of the Runes began to spread as more were unearthed. The world's brightest minds studied the ancient glyphs, attempting to determine the powers they possessed. Few could even begin to understand the importance of their origins, or the sheer power held within them. Some surmised that the Runes were integral to the creation of Runeterra itself. The first use of these mysterious artifacts proved catastrophic, as they reshaped the landscape of entire nations. Mistrust quickly grew as those who knew of the Runes imagined such “Makers' Might” being used as a weapon. Conflicts later related to these magical artifacts were known as the Rune Wars.

Open warfare raged across Runeterra. The first horrors of the Rune Wars sparked fear and aggression among those who now realized the power at their command. Ryze and his master, Tyrus, have sought out to lock away every World Rune beyond the reach of man for the protection of Runeterra. Some complied with their pleas, others dismissed them due to their new found powers and influence. After an incident with Tyrus, Ryze later on continued his journey alone in gathering all Runic artifacts so as to prevent another Rune War from starting and possibly destroying the world.

Magic

Magic plays an important part in the history and formation of Runeterra, much like the meaning of the world's name. There are several types of magic that exist in the universe, primary and combined magics. The  Void has no magic at all since it is nothingness.^[3]

Beings born or created with magical power have different levels of power. They are able to channel their innate magical power, though their level of control and mastering it varies between individuals. Magical power non-native to the individuals can still be accessed and channeled by using special techniques or magical artifacts.

Primary Magic

Currently there are 3 primary types of magic known:

• Celestial: Magic coming from celestial concepts known as Aspects and world runes.
• Elemental: Magic that allows the control of elemental power of the material realm. There are numerous base elemental magics, such as Magma, Nature, Water, Light, and Time. The people of  Ixtal are known for mastering elemental magics.
  • Chronomancy, or Time magic, is a form of elemental magic considered so advanced as to only be theoretical. Zilean and Ekko make use of this to manipulate the flow of time near them in different ways.^[4]
  • Light magic appears to encompass the ability to manipulate or create Visible Light and perhaps other parts of the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The full extent of it is unknown, but it has been shown to have protective qualities, the ability to create immense force^{[5][6][7][8][9]}, heat, and project light into the vision of even the blind.^[10] The illusory capabilities of this magic are unknown, though it is very likely LeBlanc uses it this way.^[11]
• Spirit: Magic coming from the spirit realm. One of its known traits is that it is able to distort reality, the perception of reality, and harness the energies of a soul. An demonic offshoot of spirit magic is Shadow, which is primarily used by the members of the  Shadow Order and demons such as Nocturne.

Combined Magic

Primary types of magic can combine to become 4 other basic types of magic:

• Ascended: Celestial and elemental magic; Pivotal in the creation of the Ascended. One of its abilities is to reshape physical forms, prolong lifespans, greatly empower and expand the base abilities of an individual, as well as create a connection between the Ascended and Aspects.
• Hemomancy: Elemental and spirit magic; Largely used by the Darkin, later on by the members of the  Crimson Circle. One of its abilities is to reshape physical forms, prolong lifespans, absorb life essence of a living being, as well as manipulate blood.
• Hextech: Elemental and spirit magic combined with technology; Invented and largely used in  Piltover and areas of Piltovan influence, Brackern crystals are integral in creating authentic Hextech devices. One of its abilities is to animate and/or empower technological devices as a fuel source, as well as prolong lifespans.
• Runic: Celestial and elemental magic; Runic magic is often written down with special symbols known as words of power. One of its abilities is to empower the base abilities of an individual and prolong lifespans.

Races

Locations

There are many regions and settlements on Valoran, Shurima, Ionia, and Oceania. The current known locations represent the 1/6 of the entire map of Runeterra, mostly comprising areas in the Northern hemisphere, the rest of Runeterra remains largely unknown. The known areas are:

Nations

Runeterra has vast number of nations and settlements each with their own form of governing structure.

Religions

Religions in Runeterra are largely varied in every nation but several have been known to gather the most of followers:

• Church of The Glorious Evolved: The Church is celebrated in both  Piltover and  Zaun. The Glorious Evolution, views of flesh as inferior to that of steel and metal, has gathered most of the followers among the people of Zaun and has spread among other nations. An amalgamation of flesh or the total replacement of it had marked his works, incorporating techmaturgy to purge the weakness and inefficiency of the flesh. For as long as they exist, the day of the world replaced by beings of weaponized steel and metal becomes clearer with each passing day. The church gathered fragments of Viktor's philosophy and see him as a messianic figure, but Viktor couldn't care less for them, viewing their quasi-religious cult as an aberration; another reason to eliminate emotional foibles and the belief in that which could not be empirically proven.
• Demacian Pantheon: There are a multitude of deities worshiped in  Demacia. Two of which is known The Sisters of Justice. The first sister is known as ​ The Protector​ who represents the very appearance of the nation and inspired the nation's laws, traditions, and politics, and view her as a manifestation of hope, valor, perseverance, and justice. The second sister is known as The Veiled One, who embodies mercy and atonement while some view her as an embodiment of mystery and judgement: the Demacians pray the deceased find a safe passage to her shortly after death.
• Eternals: Runeterra has a whole pantheon of deities, whose influence shaped many of the religions, ideologies, and myths across all of the modern Runeterran cultures. While the truths of these deities have been lost to the ages, all are still preserved in the celestial realm, shining down on the world through constellations and archetypes.
• Freljordian Pantheon: There are a multitude of deities worshiped in  Freljord. These deities are referred to as the Freljordian demigods. These demigods are spirits who are depicted as as primal, anthropomorphic animals. Each one of them represents one or multiple phenomenon or ideas. Volibear depicts, for example, the Storm and the Wilds while Ornn depicts the Forge and the Hearth.
• Great Weaver: The worship of the goddess of fate. The Shurimans, being a nomadic and simple people, have prayed to her for guidance and help in their daily lives and needs, and give and protect those in her favor. She is said to weave the threads of each and every things' fate into a magnificent tapestry, designating what has been and what shall come to be. Taliyah, the Stoneweaver is said, by her tribe elders, to have been given her powers over earth by the Great Weaver herself.
• Lamb and Wolf: For as long as its people have known death, Kindred has stalked  Valoran. When the final moment comes, it is said a true Demacian will turn to Lamb, taking the arrow, while through the shadowed streets of  Noxus, Wolf leads the hunt. In the snows of the  Freljord, before going off to fight, some warbands 'kiss the Wolf', vowing to honor his chase with the blood of their enemies. After each Harrowing, the town of  Bilgewater gathers to celebrate its survivors and honor those granted a true death by Lamb and Wolf. Kindred waits for those locked in the undeath of the  Shadow Isles, for they know all will eventually fall to Lamb's bow or Wolf's teeth.The earliest dated appearance of the eternal hunters is from a pair of ancient masks, carved by unknown hands into the gravesites of people long-forgotten.
•  Lunari: The worship of the Moon. The religion spoke that the world needed balance between both sun and moon to live and thrive. However, it has long since been quashed from the world and history, most likely by the Solari's hand. The Lunari's return may come to pass through the crusade waged by Diana, the Scorn of the Moon and an outcast by the Solari themselves.
• Mother Serpent: The worship of the goddess of motion, Nagakabouros. Originating from the Serpent Isles, now known as the Blue Flame Islands, Nagakabouros still remains the reigning deity in Bilgewater. Her church is now led by her chosen Truth Bearer, Illaoi, the Kraken Priestess. The religion highly demands that you follow your desires, and make your own fate, one of the primary reasons why this faith's presence remains strong today.
•  Solari: The worship of the Sun as the source of all life. Solari worship is largely made up by a special sect of Rakkorians who surrender their mantles of war in favor of greater solar devotion. Their founder and leader chose  Mount Targon, being the highest peak closest to the Sun, and was blessed with the power to call down the sun's wrath. Currently, Leona, the Radiant Dawn, has taken this legend's regalia and fights to protect the helpless and the innocent.

Runeterra also has a few cults:

• Cult of the Spider: The Cult has most of its followers located in  Noxus and  Demacia. The champion, Elise, serves as its High Priestess, traveling to and from between the two nations and the  Shadow Isles, bringing her followers to live with the Spider God, Vilemaw, for eternity, or so they believe.
• Cult of the Void: It is a cult that first began when Malzahar claimed that Runeterra will be salved by the Void. It's followers do sacrifices to the nothingness below, hoping that this keeps the holy fury of the Void in check.
• Disciples of the Armordillo: It is by far the only cult that does not have any detriments. The cult revolves around the champion, Rammus, whom they believe to be a god, Ascended, oracle, or something along those lines. Disciples yearly conduct ceremonies wherein they will imitate his famous roll, and somersault across their respective cities in droves. Many pilgrims roam the desert, in the hopes that they will find him and answer a single question. Knowing his cravings for sweets, they often fill all of their caravans with treats and sweets, usually finding their caravans exhausted of it all first thing in the morning.
• Frostguard: It has most of its followers located in Northern  Freljord, with the Frostguard Citadel being its main center of worship. Followers pray and worship the three Iceborn sisters of old: Avarosa, Serylda, and Lissandra. Yearly, three warriors of the Frostguard are chosen to the Climb down the Howling Abyss to check in the runic prisons holding back the Watchers of any signs of melting and giving away.

Trivia

• The shape of the Runeterran continents were inspired by the real life Greek Peninsula. The names of several nations were also taken from the Greek language.
  • The name Demacia possibly puns on Greek δῆμος demos "people" and Latin decem "ten".
    • Demacia's namesake seems to be a Pre-Greek toponym, Δρυμαλία Drymalia, a former municipality of the island of Naxos.
  • The name Noxus resembles Pre-Greek toponym Νάξος.
    • There is a real life island called Naxos, which is part of modern-day Greece.
    • Noxus also references Latin noxa "harm, injury" or nox "night > darkness".
  • The name Ionia comes from the Ancient Greek Ἰωνία, after the tribal name Ia(w)ones Ἰά(ϝ)ωνες, with unclear etymology, possibly from:
    • PIE noun *wiH-s "force", whence Greek (ϝ)ī́s (w)is;
    • PIE verb *h₁eysh₂- "to push, to strengthen", whence ῑ̓ός īós "arrow".^[12]
  • The real-life namesake is Ionia, after Ionian Greek colonists, located in Anatolia, now in modern-day Turkey.
    • There are also the Ionian Islands located at the western part of modern-day Greece.
• There are numerous types of elemental magic, some named while others unknown.  Elementalist universe mentions several elemental magics, some of which correspond with those of the  Runeterra Prime universe while others are currently unique to that Alternate Universe. Those mentioned are: Air, Dark, Fire, Ice, Light, Magma, Mystic, Nature, Storm, Water.

Media

See also

• Official Map of Runeterra
• Runeterra Universe Page
• Realms of Runeterra
• Large map of Runeterra

References