#winter's claw

[ohnoitstbskyen]

The beauty of Traditional Sejuani's splash art (art by Bo "chenbowow" Chen)

Traditional Sejuani is by far a worse character design than her updated form. Like, it was silly to have her riding around in a leather bikini. All the same, this splash art is maybe one of the best storytelling pieces in the game. 

To start with, the light falls squarely on Sejuani, and secondarily on Bristle, as a member of the Winter’s Claw, in shadow, has entered, and is offering Sejuani her helmet. 

And look her posture. She’s not striking an action pose, ready to ride to battle, her flail hangs limp up on the wall, and in her state of undress she looks a little... vulnerable. Her body is turned towards Bristle, hand on his snout and caressing his tusk, and her expression as she regards the helmet is almost doubtful, or a little sad, as though this thing is not a symbol of glory but a burden that is being presented to her. 

Sejuani is a character that does not often get to be tender. She has a few vulnerable moments with Ashe in the Warmother comic, but 99.9% of the time we get to see her, she is in Warmother Mode, she is all warfare and leadership all the time, but this splash art shows her in a vulnerable moment, a moment of intimacy with her best and probably only friend, a moment of uncommon softness. And that which interrupts it is not only the helmet, the symbol of her martial power and leadership, but also her tribesmen, the people who depend on her, who need her to be brutal in their leadership. And when you look at that expression… the overwhelming sense that I get is that she doesn’t really want to.

Sejuani and Bristle are in the light, together, but the flail and the messenger and the helmet are all in shadow or out of focus. This splash art isn’t about Sejuani the Warrior, it is about Sejuani the Person, and the one relationship she has that doesn’t revolve around some form of violence.

And I really can’t think of another splash art in the game that even tries this kind of storytelling. It is beautiful to me.

---

If you liked this, I have a video essay on beauty in League of Legends splash arts HERE.

[aurelion-solar]

Visions of the Freljord: Winter’s Claw

[leagueanthem]

Runeterra Playlist: The Freljord.

Here you’ll find a collection of diegetic but predominantly non-diegetic sounds and songs designed to transport the listener (as best as I can hope) into the respected region of Runeterra. Taking into account my knowledge of the lore including its themes, aesthetic and world-building to frame the style of this playlist. If interested, use the guide below to follow which track I associate to a specific facet of the Freljord region.

Travel across the sweeping tundra, up & over frigid peaks, and through blizzardous climate.

Freljord (general)

We Will Go Home: A celebrated rhyme performed by the humble tale-tellers of the Notai, who were taught its symphony by the Frostbringer- Spirit of Anivia. #Nunu #Anivia

Frozen Tundra:

Baldur:

Avarosan Host

Across the Snow: “Together, we are strong. Together, we are ... Avarosan!” #Ashe

Trøllabundin:

Raganu Nakts:

Winter’s Claw

Dark Medieval Blues:

Helvegen:

Epopeja Wandalska: #raiding party!

Norupo:

Frostguard

Gwennilied: #Draklorn

Runatal: #Iceborn

Primordial: #Howling Abyss #Frozen Watchers #The Dream Thief

Ursine

Thundertribe: #God of the tempest #God of the wilderness #God of the Ursine

Invocatio: #Summoning #The Volibear

Starless Dark: #Silence For The Damned

Berserkir:

[More to come, further additions to the playlist- will keep this post updated]

[frostbitten-seeker]

The Watchers Shall Return - Watcher Headcanon

After Avarosa’s Iceborn rebellion, the Watchers were cast into the Howling Abyss and believed to be defeated by all but Lissandra. The story is long and complicated, but we know that Lissandra, after murdering Avarosa and corrupting several Iceborn into the Frostguard, has set about preparing for the Watcher’s return. 

But what if they...never left? What if they have been biding their time at the bottom of the Howling Abyss? Waiting...Trying to restore their power?

The Watchers never really left. They were simply weakened. They remain, to this day, at the bottom of the Howling Abyss, feeding off of magical artifacts and people in an attempt to restore their powers and their physical forms. We see this watcher shoot tendrils from its icy prison (black ice, perhaps?) and it doesn’t just try to kill him outright. 

Its trying to drain him. The Watchers need a source of highly concentrated magical energy to regain their true forms after their defeat in Howling Abyss. Lissandra could be working to gather powerful artifacts (like the World Rune) to expedite their return. 

From what we know about the Watchers, they had a physical form and a “void form”. All other images of the watchers look very similar to this. We know they were a cyclopean race with large horns, like this:

They haven’t been gone all this time...They’ve been waiting. Lissandra has been feeding them, and they’re growing beneath the tundra, biding their time to return. 

May the gods help us when they do.

----------

((So this might not be a watcher, but that’s my personal take on it after watching the cinematic!))

[frostbitten-seeker]

Freljord Headcanons - Territories

Avarosan

Much of the Avarosan territory lies in the temperate southwestern part of the Freljord. Using the mountains as a “buffer zone”, the Avarosan are able to protect their sacred site, Rakelstake from the Winter’s Claw. Skirmishes and raids often occur where their borders meet those of the Winter’s Claw in the west.

Winter’s Claw

The Winter’s Claw settle in some of the harshest environments in the Freljord. Winter’s Claw controlled port towns along the Freljord’s northern border are quite common.

Lissandra

Lissandra makes her home in the treacherous far east of the Freljord. Very few venture into this area due to its proximity to Noxus and its distance from many of the major Freljordian settlements. 

[frostbitten-seeker]

Predators and Prey

Kathe crouched low against the sprawling hills of the Freljordian tundra. It had been some time since she had been this far north, and she had almost grown too used to the calming embrace of the great fir and pine trees of the Avarosan forests. Her hunts rarely brought her out onto the open plains anymore, what with the war escalating with each passing week. It was becoming too dangerous to venture much farther than the treeline. Now, however, she had a job to do.

Her fingers brushed the snow beneath her, settling into a soft impression of a footprint. She had been lucky to track them this far, what with the winds blowing the falling snow over her quarry’s trail. It was a relief to see that it wasn’t all lost.

After a few moments of studying, she let out a soft whistle. A bird arced from the sky above her, and she held out her arm for it to perch on. A few whispered commands later, and it was off in the direction of the trail, its keen eyes searching for anything out of place. Satisfied that the animal would alert her to any anomalies, she turned back and began retracing her path.

Her camp was not far, and her companions would no doubt want an update from their scout.

“King Tryndamere.” She spoke as she approached the massive man, bowing her head slightly as she placed a fist over her heart “Our target has just crossed onto the open tundra. He doesn’t appear to know we’re following him yet, so we may be able to catch up with him soon. His prints are still fresh.”  

Tracking Winter’s Claw scouts was tricky, but she supposed that was why the King has asked for her aid. Humans and animals shared many of the same traits when fleeing from their predators. You just had to be able to see what they left behind.

@blue-eyes-barbarian

[frostbitten-seeker]

Freljord Headcanons - Places of Note (1/2)

Frostheld - The Glacial Harbor City - Avarosan

Frostheld once served as the capital for all of the individual Avarosan tribes, but is now a center for trade and and the central city of their unified people. Its location allows for trade with Demacia and Piltover, as well as possible trade with the continent of Shurima. Thanks to its southern location, the journey to Frostheld by boat is much less dangerous than most journies further north, where travelers may encounter the wrath of Freljord’s native sea beasts.

Rakelstake - Sacred Site - Avarosan

Controlled and guarded by the Avarosan people, Rakelstake is seen as a site all must journey to in order to fully reach adulthood. The trek is long and dangerous, with only a small valley allowing safe passage through otherwise treacherous wilderness. Despite Ashe’s hesitation on the matter, all warriors and hunters travel there to swear their loyalty to her and Avarosa at least once in their lives.

Glaserport - Harbor Settlement - Winter’s Claw

The great Freljordian wolfships are a testament to the power of the Winter’s Claw. Though sheltered from the elements, travel to and from Glaserport is only made by the bravest of captains. Its location allows for supplies to be transported throughout Winter’s Claw territory free of threat of Avarosan interference, since the mountains that separate the two factions act as a natural buffer. Trade with the Ursine people also occurs from this port, as the wolfships are some of the only vessels hardy enough to sail upon the Ice Sea without fear of sinking.

The Frostguard Citadel - Ancient Freljordian Stronghold - The Ice Witch

Due to its location, travel to the ancient Frostguard Citadel is nearly impossible. Weeks of travel through the stormy north-eastern Freljord is usually seen as suicide, and its close proximity to Noxian forces does nothing to quell fear of the area. Its location provides the ultimate protection, and allows Lissandra to let her plans unfold in secrecy.

The Delverhold - Mines - Noxus

Though this mine is located just on the border of the Freljord, Noxian forces are known to patrol into the tundras. Most Freljordians stay away from this place, knowing that death is dealt swiftly should they cross swords with Noxian forces.

[woe-to-the-conquered-blog]

“Those who oppose me,”

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graphic credit to  laakva