- 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 a plane of existence composed of the physical realm: an oblate spheroid planet[1] and the Spirit Realm. It is also the fictional world where most of the lore of the 
League of Legends intellectual property takes place. Runeterra is part of 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, the Serpent Isles, and the Shadow Isles). The planet orbits around a G-type star while a natural satellite moon orbits around the planet. Runeterra's sun and moon also even mirrored equivalents in the spirit realm.[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 wondrous.
History
- Main article: Timeline
The Rune Wars
Centuries ago, magical artifacts called the 'World Runes' were rediscovered. Over the following decades, 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 related to these magical artifacts began to occur, 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, had 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. The origins of magic on Runeterra can be traced back to the creation of the world when the World Runes shaped the planet and gave it life.
There are several types of magic that exist in the universe, primary and combined magics (unofficial names). The 
Void has no magic at all since it is nothingness.[3] This information is not concrete canon and subject to change.[4]
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.
The people of are known for mastering elemental magics.
Primary Magic
Currently there are 3 primary types of magic known:
- Celestial: Magic coming from celestial concepts known as Aspects and world runes. No mortals are innately born with celestial magic and can only achieve by drawing from other sources (like celestial bodies, aspects, and constellations) through priesthood, blessings, or by stealing it. Known traits are gaining abilities tied to said aspects (like sun, moon, and war), prolong lifespans, harness cosmic energy, distort reality and entering the celestial realm.
- Elemental: Magic that allows the control of the elemental power of the material realm. There are numerous base elemental magics, ranging from more basic and raw elements to unique and rare abilities. Known types include: Air, Electricity, Fire, Ice, Magma, Metal, Nature, Light, Rock, Sound, Time, and Water.
- Air: A form of elemental magic that manipulates air and other forms of gaseous matter. Users are able to create large gusts of winds, tornadoes, or enhance their own speed.[5]
- Electricity: A form of elemental magic that manipulates lightning, sparks, and other forms of electricity. Users born with these magical abilities can generate electricity naturally within themselves, which can disperse uncontrollably without proper training, and/or a discharge device.[6]
- Fire: A form of elemental magic that manipulates flames. Users born with fire abilities need to control their emotions and focus, otherwise they will disperse flames uncontrollably.[7]
- Ice: A form of elemental magic that combines the manipulation of water and low temperatures. Users are able to manipulate ice as similar to rock magic. This type of magic is very common among the Iceborn from Freljord.
- Light: 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[8][9][10][11][12], heat, and project light into the vision of even the blind.[13] The illusory capabilities of this magic are unknown, though it is possible LeBlanc uses it this way.[14]
- Nature: A form of elemental magic that is able to manipulate flora and fauna. It is unclear to what extent its users are capable of manipulating nature itself, or to what extent its used in combination with spirit magic. In Ixtal, this is one of the many schools of magic.
- Magma: A form of elemental magic that combines the manipulation of fire, rock, and magnetism. Users are able to draw precious metals from the earth, crafting them into exquisite shapes with the merest gesture. In Ixtal, this is one of the many schools of magic.
- Metal (Ferromancy): A form of elemental magic that manipulates metals and metal alloys. It is also potent against revenants whose spirits are attached to their armors.
- Rock: A form of elemental magic that manipulates stones, earth, and most other solid matter. The Stoneweavers of Shurima like Taliyah are able to reshape rock with little effort, from stone to sand. The thaumaturges of Icathia were known adepts of this type of magic.
- Sound: A form of elemental magic that manipulates sound waves. Users can enhance their capabilities by the use of musical instruments or devices. With combination of spirit and/or emphatic magic, sound magic can also manipulate the emotions of individuals depending on the type of music being played.[15][16]
- Time (Chronomancy): 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.[17]
- Water: A form of elemental magic that manipulates water and most other liquid matter. Users of are able to combine it with healing magic to create healing waters.[18] In Ixtal, this is one of the many schools of magic.
- 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.
- Shadow: A demonic offshoot of spirit magic, which is primarily used by the members of the Shadow Order and demons such as Nocturne. Syndra can leech off spirit magic and cause a "magical fallout" but is it unknown if this ability is related.
- Soul: A type of spirit magic able to manipulate soul energy of living, dead, and undead beings. Species like the Vastaya (especially the Vesani tribe) are able to use soul energy to empower themselves as well as empower objects of power. Users like Viego and Thresh twist this form of magic in the form of the Harrowing and the The Black Mist. Mordekaiser is able to create an entire pocket death realm by using energy of countless souls to build and maintain it. The Buhru priests of Nagakabouros are able tap into the soul energy of people in order to test their resolve and willingness to live active lives.
- Yordle: A type of spirit magic mostly exclusive to the yordle species of Bandle City. It is known to be random, chaotic, and playful.
- Shadow: A demonic offshoot of spirit magic, which is primarily used by the members of the
Combined Magic
Primary types of magic can combine to become many other basic types of magic, of which, the following are known:
- 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.
- Blood (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.
- Golem: Elemental and spirit/celestial magic (sometimes combined with technology); Used to animate anthropomorphic and bestial beings entirely from inanimate matter.
- Heal: Elemental, spirit, and/or celestial magic; Used to recover, regenerate, ease pain, and heal minds of living beings. It can take different forms depending on the primary magic source or combination of primary magics.
- 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.
Other / Uncategorized Magic
These are unique and/or rare magical abilities and techniques. It is unclear what type of magic these fall under (if they are primary or combined magic types). These are: Alchemy, 
Empathy Magic, 
Dream Manipulation, 
Illusionism, 
Magic Absorption, and 
Magic Sense,
- Alchemy: Possible combination of both elemental and spirit magic through chemical processes with the use of technology;
- Dream Manipulation: Possible form of spirit magic (possibly even a combination of other primary magics); Users are able to infiltrate other beings minds and manipulate the events and outcomes of their dreams.[19][20]
- Empathy Magic: Possible form of spirit magic; Users are able to detect and feel the emotions of other beings. With combination with other forms of magic, they can manipulate the emotions of individuals.
- Illusionism: Possible form of light magic (possibly even spirit magic); Users are able to manipulate peoples visual perceptions by creating imaginary objects or beings.
- Magic Absorption: Possible combination of both elemental and spirit magic; Users are able to absorb the innate magical abilities of beings, as well as magical properties of items and wield them as their own power for a period of time.[21] Some magical species like Petricite Trees are able to do this naturally. By harnessing their stone-like wood, a form of magical absorbing items can be created. In some rare instances, petricite objects can even animate into living beings with enough magic absorbed, such as the case with the Sculptures of Durand and the creation of Galio.
- Magic Sense: Possible combination of both elemental and spirit magic; Users are able to detect magic from objects, places, and/or beings. The users with this ability see magic in the form of an aura, with different types of magic emitting different coloured and shaped aura, with greater or smaller size depending on the quantity of magic within the observed unit.[22]
Species
- Main article: SpeciesThere are many different species on Runeterra and the other connected realms. Most are divided into sapient, sentient, and non-sentient species.
Unlike Earth, Runeterra has a large number of sapient species. These sapient species can range from being able to use primitive tools to one's advantage to god-like feats like forging literal stars.
Some sentient species are monster-like and aggressive while others less aggressive or tame. While most sentient species are animals, there are instances of plant based sentient species.
Most known instances of non-sentient species are found with plants.
As rich and diverse as Runeterra is, not all species are well documented. From the Shuriman Jungles to the magic wilds of the Ionian Archipelago, known only by names or by visuals, these numerous species are an enigma.
Locations
There are many regions and settlements on Valoran, Shurima, Ionia, and Oceania. The current known locations represent the 1/4 of the entire map of Runeterra, mostly comprising areas in the Northwestern quadrant, the rest of Runeterra remains largely unknown. The known areas are:
- Bandle City (numerous gateways)
- Freljord
- North Freljord
- Iron Finger Mountains
- Khan's Plateau
- Ridgeback Mountains
- Ursine Lands
- Wyrmback Mountains
- East Freljord
- Foundling Village
- Broken Mountain
- The Great Pinnacle
- Valley of Spines
- Mourncrow Village
- Warded Gateway
- Frostguard Citadel
- Vaulted Audience Chamber
- Howling Abyss
- Bridges of the Iceborn
- Bridge of Sorrows
- Bridge of Shadow
- Bridge of the Lost
- Spiked Barricades
- The Hall of the Nine
- Bridges of the Iceborn
- Frostguard Citadel
- Winterspike
- South Freljord
- Naljaäg
- Rakelstake
- Avarosa Monument
- West Freljord
- Da'arvong
- Frostheld
- Lokfar
- Glaserport
- Ice-locked Harbor
- Chained Wolfships
- Ice-locked Harbor
- Glaserport
- Rygann's Reach (ruins)
- Valar's Hollow
- North Freljord
Bandle City (numerous gateways)
Noxus
- North Noxus
- Kimir
- Kimir's Graveyard
- Kimir's Longhall
- Kimir's Quarries
- Morrin
- Northern Steppes
- Ironspike Mountains
- Hastur's Home (ruins)
- The Delverhold
- Ruug
- The Iron Pinnacle
- Urtis
- Kimir
- East Noxus (Valoran)
- Bloodcliffs
- Bucket Creek
- Drakengate
- Drekan
- Khom (ruins)
- Khworez
- Noxus Prime
- Black Rose
- Immortal Bastion
- Stairs of Triumph
- Audience Chamber
- Emperors Throne
- Audience Chamber
- Stairs of Triumph
- House Du Couteau Manor
- House Swain Manor
- House Kythera Manor
- House Zaavan Manor
- Old Noxus
- Well of Souls
- Reckoner Arenas
- Noxkraya Arena
- The Fleshing Arena
- Sion's Memorial
- Watchbell Gate
- Zagayah Enclave
- South Noxus (Valoran)
Bandle City (numerous gateways)
Piltover
- North Piltover
- Bluewind Court
- Clan Arvino Mansion
- Clan Cadwalder Mansion
- Clan Ferros Mansion
- Clan Giopara Mansion
- Jayce's Laboratory
- Clan Holloran Mansion
- Clan Kozari Mansion
- Clan Medarda Mansion
- Clan Morichi Mansion
- Clan Torek Mansion
- Count Mei's Menagerie
- Drawsmith Arcade
- Heimerdinger's Pyrotechnic Provisions
- Iron Sand Commercia
- Mainspring Crescent
- North Wind Commercia
- Old Hungry Clock
- Piltovan Theater
- Piltover Wardens
- Hall of Law
- Reveck's House
- Corin's Workshop
- Sidereal Avenue
- Incognia Plaza
- Zindelo's Incognium Runeterra
- Oblique Lane
- Piltover's Treasury
- The Clockwork Vault
- The Ecliptic Vaults
- Incognia Plaza
- The Explorers Guild
- The Hexgates
- Bluewind Court
- South Piltover
- Boulevard of a Hundred Taverns
- Ezreal's house
- Glasswell Street
- Horologica Avenue
- Sapphilite Row
- Zalie's Expeditionary Outfitters & Haberdashery
- The University of Piltover
- Workshop of the Horological Institute
- Rising Howl
- The Cliff
- Boundary Markets (Piltover)
- First Assemblage of the Glorious Evolved
- The Assemblage Hall
- First Assemblage of the Glorious Evolved
- Drop Street (Piltover)
- Sun Gates
- The Great Funicular of Cantexta
- Techmaturgy Bridge
- Statue of The Spirit of Wealth
- Statue of The Essence of Honesty
- Techmaturgy Bridge
- The Dock
- Piltover's Warship Squadron
- Wharfside Docks
- The Great Funicular of Cantexta
- Zaun
- Promenade Level
- Boundary Markets (Zaun)
- First Assemblage of the Glorious Evolved
- The Assemblage Hall
- First Assemblage of the Glorious Evolved
- College of Techmaturgy
- Horticultural Center
- Skylight Commercia
- Pump Station
- Rising Howls
- Boundary Markets (Zaun)
- Endersol Level
- Augmentation Parlors
- Breather Station
- "Pure Air" Market
- Shimmer Bar
- Bridgewaltz
- Chemtech Seam
- Cultivair
- Delicatessens
- Drop Street (Zaun)
- Emberflit Alley
- Viktor's Laboratory
- Rising Howls
- Sir Feisterly's Fantastical Fair
- Sump Level
- Bonscutt Pump Station
- Dredge Prison
- Factorywood
- Northside Heap
- Old Zaun
- Old Hungry
- Priggs Industries
- Priggs Industries factories
- Priggs Industries warehouse
- Sump Works
- The Slums
- Black Lanes
- Commercia Fantastica
- Hope House Orphanage
- Ekko's House
- Memorial Wall
- Black Lanes
- Zaun's Asylum for the Irreparably Troubled
- Zaun Sewer
- Firelight Hideout
- Firelight Memorial Wall
- Firelight Hideout
- Oshra Va'Zaun (ruins)
- Labyrinthine Passageways
- Vault of Resplendent Holies
- Promenade Level
- Boundary Markets (Piltover)
Bandle City (numerous gateways)
Demacia
- North Demacia
- Rocky Highlands
- Amberfel
- Bloody Wall
- Fossbarrow
- Fossian Crownguard's Tomb
- The Tower of a Lightbringer
- Goldweald
- High Silvermere
- Knight's Rock
- House Crownguard Manor
- Raptor Aerie
- Knight's Rock
- Zeffira (ruins)
- Petricite Grove
- Demacian Vault
- World Rune Chamber
- Demacian Vault
- Uwendale
- Quinn's Home
- Rocky Highlands
- East Demacia
- Brashmore Fields
- East Wall
- Eastweald Mountains
- Greenfang Mountains
- Cloudfield
- Wardens Wall
- Silverrun River
- South Demacia
- Andras (ruins)
- Evenmoor
- Lower Demacia
- Cloudwoods
- Jandelle
- Jandelle Castle
- The Golden Round
- Terbisia
- Needlebrook
- South Wall
- Wrenwall
- Wrenwall Castle
- West Demacia
- Sentinels Bay
- Demacia City
- North Demacia City
- Memorial Road
- Galio Monument
- Memorial Road
- Noble Family Residences
- House Buvelle Manor
- House Crownguard Manor
- House Laurent Manor
- House Vayne Manor
- East Demacia City
- Sepulchral Halls
- Infirmary of the Sisters
- The Circle of the Illuminators
- Temple of the Lightbringers
- Silverwing Aviaries
- Sepulchral Halls
- South Demacia City
- City Harbor
- West Demacia City
- Dregbourne
- Mageseekers Complex
- Arcane Registry
- Military District
- City Barracks
- City Penitentiary
- Central Demacia City
- Alabaster Library
- King's Rock
- The Citadel of Dawn
- The Hall of Valor
- The Citadel of Dawn
- The Grand Plaza
- Palace Gardens
- City Sewers
- North Demacia City
- Ehrenmount
- Havenfall
- Serpentrion River
- Westerley
- Storm's Fang
- Whiterock
Bandle City (numerous gateways)- Gray Claws River
- Forests of Tokogol
- Tokogol Village
Shuriman Jungle
- North Jungle
- Kalduga
- Kalduga (ruins)
- Kalduga Outpost
- Kumungu
- Mudtown
- Serpentine River (north)
- Serpentine Delta (north)
- Venaru
- Pillar of Sorrows
- Venaru
- Serpentine Delta (north)
- Kalduga
- South Jungle
- Amarantine Coast
- Harelport
- Ixtal
- Ixaocan
- Cardinal Arcology
- Magma Arcology
- Water Arcology
- Kiilash Village
- Serpentine River (Ixtal)
- Ohmka
- Peslan
- Semchul
- Taarqen
- Tikras
- Vale of Silver Mist
- Xolen
- Ixaocan
- Plague Arbor
- Serpentine River (south)
- Serpentine Delta (south)
- Nidalee's Cougar Pack
- Gardens of Zyr
Icathia (ruins)
- Bai-Zhek
- Icathia City
- Zilean's Tower (time displaced)
- Saabera
Targon
- Mount Targon
- Ring of The Mountain
- Rakkor Caves
- Ancient Thresholds
- Sunward Temple
- Prayer Shrine
- Temple of the Lunari
- Temple of the Solstice
- Rakkor Caves
- Upper Slopes
- Astral Grove
- Ottrani Tribe
- Star Spring
- Divine Carvings
- Frozen Lake
- Marus Omegnum
- Patterns of The Dead
- Astral Grove
- The Peak
- Ring of The Mountain
Shurima
- North Shurima
- East Shurima
- Great Sai (east)
- Astrologer's Tower
- Temple of the Sun
- Marwi
- Mother of Life River (east)
- Vekaura
- Sun Disc Replica
- Vekaura
- Kenethet
- World Rune Archives
- Astrologer's Tower
- Great Sai (east)
- South Shurima
- Antathir
- Sai Kahleek
- Kahleek (ruins)
- Kahleek River
- Marrowmark
- Marrowmark Market
- Marrowmark
- Xolan
- Renek River
- Sai Faraj
- City of Gardens (ruins)
- Faraj (ruins)
- Zoantha Cascade
- Lost City (ruins)
- World Rune pedestal
- Lost City (ruins)
- Southern Dune Wanderer Tribes
- Valley of Song
- Zuretta (old)
- West Shurima
- Great Sai (west)
- Mother of Life River (west)
- Amakra
- Nerimazeth
- Sun Disc (ruins)
- Saikhal
- Path of Dust
- Shurima City
- Sun Disc
- Emperors Way Road
- Steps of Ascension
- Cycle of Ascension
- Steps of Ascension
- Great Library of Nasus
- Library of the Sun
- Oasis of the Dawn
- Palace of Ten Thousand Pillars
- Scholes Palace
- Tomb of the Emperors
- Temple of the Sun
- Emperors Way Road
- Sun Disc
- Tomb of Ne'Zuk
- Mother of Life River (west)
- Great Sai (west)
- Bandle City (numerous gateways)
- Ionia
Bandle City (numerous gateways)
Ionia
- Mainland Ionia
- Navori
- Noxus (east)
- Azure Farms
- Dalu Bay
- Garden of Forgetting
- Dreaming Tree
- Ghost-Willow (ruins)
- Ionia City
- Lasting Altar
- Lhradi Forest
- Omikayalan
- God-Willow (ruins)
- Placidium of Navori
- Temple of Koeshin
- Temple of Thanjuul
- White Cliffs Inn.
- Siatueh
- Thanze
- Weh'le
- Breathless Bay
- Weh'le Market
- Weh'le River
- Yasuo's Village
- Shon-Xan
- Navori
Bandle City (numerous gateways) Ionia
- Zhyun
- Huroi
- Kashuri
- Kashuri Armories
- Nanthee
- Raikkon
- Raishai
- Temple of Raishai
- Swirl Rocks
- Temple of the Jagged Knife
- Tuula
- Tuula Prison
- Yasuo's Village
- Zhyun Highlands
- Ghajan River
- Holn
- Kotha
- Olgathee Forest
- Shual
- Sotka River
- Thonx
- Kwol Tavern
- Zhyunia
Ionia
- Autumn Valley
- Bard Mountain
- Floating Villages
- Lighted Lilies Lake
- Shi Canyons
- Shimon Village
- Shojin Monastery
- Temple of Lily and Lotus
- Guardian's Sea
- Azure Ways
- Black Mist
- Shadow Isles (Blessed Isles, ruins)
- Helia (ruins)
- Blessed Isles Bridge (ruins)
- Library Keep (ruins)
- Helia Library (ruins)
- Vaults of Arcana (ruins)
- Grand Gallery of Ancient Artifacts (ruins)
- Celestial Vault (ruins)
- Lunatropic Demisphere (ruins)
- Hall of Conjunction (ruins)
- Radiance of Alignments (ruins)
- Athenaeum of Light (ruins)
- Radiance of Alignments (ruins)
- Undead Wilds
- Twisted Treeline (ruins)
- Helia (ruins)
- Serpent Isles
- Bilgewater
- Bilgewater Bay
- Black Market Grottos
- Diver's Bluff
- Fleet Street
- Brazen Hydra Bar
- Freeman's Aerie
- Grey Harbor
- Rat Town
- Butcher's Bridge
- Temple of The Mother Serpent
- Butcher's Bridge
- Slaugher Docks
- Bloodharbor
- Gangplank's Warehouse (ruins)
- MacGregan's Killhouse
- Dead Pool Ship (wreckage)
- Syren Ship
- White Wharf
- Buhru
- Buhru Temple of The Mother Serpent
- Bilgewater Bay
- Noxus
- South Noxus (oceanic)
- Glacial Prison
- World Rune Pedestal
- Ursine Lands
- Ursine Hunting Grounds
- Marai Village
- The Great Deep
- The Rift
Nations
Map indicating the locations of each of the significant nation's capitals.
Runeterra has vast number of nations and settlements each with their own form of governing structure.
Consists of all the nations that control large amounts of territory as well as a number of cities, towns, and villages. These nations may or may not have a centralized or a unified government.
Consists of all the nations that mostly control a city and some small land around it. These nations mostly have centralized and unified governments.
Consists of all the nations that have no form of government or are previously governed nations that have since been left in ruin.
- Bandle City
- Blessed Isles (Former Meritocracy)
- Camavor (Former Feudal Monarchy)
- Icathia (Former Feudal Monarchy)
- Shadow Isles
Religions
Religions in Runeterra are largely varied in every nation but several have been known to gather the most of followers:
- Bluebird of the Sea: The worship of the spirit goddess of wind and change, Janna. This religion is largely celebrated in Zaun and its followers wear bluebird medallions. This religion likely gained force after Janna saved a great part of Zaun citizens from the excavation gone wrong, and is most popular among the poor denizens of the city.
- 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 Demi-gods. 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 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 crest of Runeterra symbolically showcases the spheroid planet, with the stylized lines creating the visual representations of the Valoran and Shuriman continents.
- 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".
- The name Noxus resembles Pre-Greek toponym Νάξος.
- The name Ionia comes from the Ancient Greek Ἰωνία, after the tribal name Ia(w)ones Ἰά(ϝ)ωνες, with unclear etymology, possibly from:
- 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.
- In the Arcane universe, the planet of Runeterra is significantly smaller in size compared to the suggested one in main canon. The continents of Valoran and Shurima take up the entire northern and southern hemispheres, as oppose to only taking up the northern hemisphere in canon (the current canon map is only 1/6 of the size of the entire world).
Media
Exploring Runeterra dev diary - League of Legends
- Related Videos
See also
References
- ↑ Runeterran planet shape
- ↑ Official Map of Runeterra
- ↑ Scathlocke on Runeterra's magic
- ↑ Scathlocke on Canonicity of Magic types
- ↑ The Storm's Fury
- ↑ The Spark of Zaun
- ↑ Annie: Origins
- ↑ Lux: Issue 2 Page 21
- ↑ Lux: Issue 3 Page 5
- ↑ Lux: Issue 3 Page 10
- ↑ Lux: Issue 3 Page 15
- ↑ Lux: Issue 5 Page 19
- ↑ Last Light
- ↑ Thorns of the Black Rose
- ↑ The Starry-Eyed Songstress
- ↑ Maven of the Strings
- ↑ Scathlocke on Chronomancy
- ↑ The Tidecaller
- ↑ The Dream Thief
- ↑ The Dreaming Pool
- ↑ Lux: Issue 3
- ↑ Lux: Issue 2
- ↑ Beekes, R.S.P. Etymological Dictionary of Greek, p. 594-595, 609
Runeterra| Physical Realm | ||
|---|---|---|
| Continents |  | |
| Conqueror's Sea | ||
| Guardian's Sea |
Fallgren · Ionian Archipelago · Serpent Isles · Shadow Isles | |
| Ice Sea | ||
| Marai Territory | ||
| Other | ||
| Spirit Realm | ||
| Celestial Realm | ||
| Beyond | ||
Sapient Species| Main Sapient Species |
Ascended · Brackern · Celestial · Dragon · Golem · Human · Minotaur · Spirit · Titan† · Troll · Undead · Vastaya · Vastayashai'rei† · Voidborn · Watcher · Yeti | |
|---|---|---|
| Lesser Sapient Species |
Azurite Eagle · Bubble Bear · Cat · Chirean · Coral Creature · Dredge Dredger · Fish Folk · Molediver · Pengu · Plague Rat · Poro · Shellshocker · Squill · Vellox · Whump | |
| Sapient Sub-Species | ||
| Ascended |
Aspect Host · Baccai · Darkin · God-Warrior | |
| Celestial | ||
| Dragon | ||
| Golem | ||
| Spirit |
Demon · Faerie · Fae Fawn · Luonn Kon · Nixie · Spirit God · Treant · Yordle | |
| Undead | ||
| Vastaya |
Besheb · Canghapi · Chyra · Fauhwoon · Juloah · Lhotlan · Khonlui · Kepthalla · Kiilash · Makara · Marai · Ophelis · Ottrani · Oovi-Kat · Raylu · Shimon · Skard · Sodjoko · Strig · Vesani · Vlotah | |
Sentient Species
Non-Sentient Species| Non-Sentient Species |
Blast Cone · Blue Stargazer · Calasa · Cavernberry · Citrus · Daisy · Duskpetal · Freljordian Grain · Grass · Honeyfruit · Kiwa · Lilie · Lotus · Medicila Elasticas · Mushroom · Naap · Night-Blooming Zychid · Nightbloom · Nirpooti · Parethan Corpse Tulip · Pearl of the Moon · Petricite Tree · Poppy · Raikkon Berry · Rose · Scryer's Bloom · Serpentleaf · Spirit · Sun Apple Tree · Tola Vine · Vlonqo Flower · Xaolan Tree | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Sentient Sub-Species | ||
| Citrus |
Bilge Bitter · Demacian Tangor · Ionian Citrus Fruit · Noxian Orange · Piltover Shaddock · Shadow Citrus | |
| Lilie | ||
| Mushroom | ||
| Spirit | ||
Alternate Universe Only Species| Sentient Species |
Bantha · Chicken · Firelight · Forest Chameleon · Porowl · Yonkeies · Unnamed Species |
|---|
Other Species| Mentioned Species |
These species were only mentioned, but were never elaborated on. |
|---|---|
| Species Alterations |
These alterations are characteristics that individuals of multiple species can have. |
