The lore of League of Legends takes place in a sprawling high-fantasy universe called Runeterra, a world filled with gods, mortals, magic, and monsters. What began as a simple backdrop for a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) has evolved into a rich, interconnected narrative spanning diverse regions, each with its own unique culture and conflicts.
Runeterra: A World of Diverse Regions
Runeterra is a fictional planet whose history is shaped by ancient cosmic beings and magical cataclysms.
The world is divided into distinct regions, each with its own compelling story:
- Demacia: A proud kingdom of honor and justice, famous for its military might and a deep-seated suspicion of magic. Champions from this region include Garen and Lux. Click here to read about who is the most popular champions in LoL.
- Noxus: A vast and brutal empire built on strength, ambition, and meritocracy. Champions like Darius and Swain embody its ruthless philosophy.
- Ionia: A land of peace, spirituality, and martial arts, profoundly changed by a devastating Noxian invasion. Yasuo and Irelia are key figures in its ongoing struggle.
- Piltover and Zaun: Two interconnected cities representing a stark contrast: Piltover is a shining city of progress and innovation, while Zaun is a polluted undercity of chaotic invention and reckless abandon. This is the home of champions like Jinx, Ekko, and Viktor.
- Freljord: An unforgiving icy tundra where powerful tribes battle for dominance. This region’s fate is tied to champions such as Ashe, Sejuani, and Lissandra.
- Shurima: An ancient desert empire that once fell into ruin but is now reawakening. Its lore is centered on the emperor Azir and his struggle to reclaim his kingdom.
- Shadow Isles: Once a beautiful island paradise, it was corrupted by a magical cataclysm and is now a realm of spectral horror. Champions like Thresh and Viego haunt this cursed land.
Other regions like Bilgewater, Ixtal, and Bandle City add further depth and a unique flavor to the world.
Champions: The Heart of the Story
With over 160 champions, the lore isn’t a single, linear story but rather a vast collection of intersecting character arcs and regional narratives. Each champion has a detailed backstory, personal quests, and relationships that weave together to form a rich narrative tapestry.
Key events like the ancient Rune Wars and the ongoing conflict with the Watchers in the Freljord drive larger plot points, while personal rivalries, such as that between Jayce and Viktor, provide compelling character drama.
The narrative is continuously evolving, with Riot Games expanding the lore through various mediums, including short stories, comics, cinematics, and the popular animated series Arcane. These modern updates allow players to not only play as their favorite champions but to also become invested in their struggles and triumphs within the world of Runeterra.
In-Game vs. The Lore
It’s important to note that a match on Summoner’s Rift is considered a non-canonical, “what-if” scenario where champions from all regions can clash. The official lore is curated through the official League of Legends Universe website, which offers an in-depth look at champion biographies, stories, and the world map. For fans, it’s a treasure trove of information that helps bring the game’s universe to life.
Written by:
Christian