Does Swain rule Noxus?
The answer is not a simple yes or no. Jericho Swain, the Grand General, leads Noxus with an iron hand, but his rise to power was meteoric and shrouded in controversy.
The Ionian Wars
Exactly 350 years ago, Noxus invaded Ionia. The empire’s seemingly endless warhosts savaged the land, taking a heavy toll on the land and its people. The Ionians did not go down without a fight; they fought back with all the might they had. The war lasted many years, and the cost was immense, making it one of the most remembered and brutal conflicts in the realm’s history.
The Fall and Rise of Swain
Some years after the Ionian War’s conclusion, the Grand General Boris Boram Darkwill was overthrown by none other than Jericho Swain. Swain himself was once a loyal servant of Darkwill, but his ambition and cunning pushed him to take control of the empire. For years, Swain worked underground, building a network of conspirators and manipulating events to his benefit. When the time was right, he unleashed his plan, and Darkwill found himself overthrown and crippled – literally.
The New ruler of Noxus
With Boris Darkwill defeated and crippled, Swain seized control of Noxus single-handedly. He ruthlessly crushed any opposition to his rule, solidifying his claim to the throne. The empire rallied behind him, and Noxus became a more centralized and militarized polity. Swain’s rule cemented the empire’s expansionist views, and he became known throughout the realm as a master strategist and a terror on the battlefield.
The face of Noxus
Swain’s rule has been marked by intense militarization, with the empire emphasizing strength and conquest above all other virtues. Noxii, the people of Noxus, are known for their martial prowess, intelligence, and cunning. They are born and bred for war and pride themselves on their ability to shape the world to their will.
Competitors and Counterparts
Swain’s rule has not gone unchallenged. Other nations and institutions have risen to counteract his expansionist ambitions:
- Ionia: The Ionian people, still recuperating from the devastating war, saw Swain’s rise to power and know that they must be vigilant to protect their country from further aggression.
- Demacia: The kingdom and its people have long standing rivalries with Noxus but have managed to maintain a fragile state of peace. However, tensions are kept high, and skirmishes are not an uncommon occurrence.
- The Zephyr: A group dedicated to stopping Swain from spreading his dark influence across Valoran. They are a secretive alliance of mages, warriors and inventors who work together to counter-curse Swain’s dark mana.
Countering Swain
If you’re pitted against Swain, you’ve got a tough opponent ahead of you.
- Best counters:
- Sylas
- Heimerdinger
- Zyra
- Soraka
- Milio
= Worst counters:- Leona
- Nautilus
- Rell
- Pantheon
- Alistar
Conclusion
Swain rules Noxus now, but his rise to power holds many secrets and controversies. His ambitious nature and cunning have allowed him to come out on top, but the stability of his rule is uncertain. Aspiring champions will need to be wily and resourceful to counter such a formidable foe.