League of Legends: The Noxian Conspiracy

by **kst933** Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:51 pm

After reading through the Journal of Justice and some background on LoL champions such as Swain and LeBlanc, it is not hard to decipher the fact that Swain has in fact been manipulating the events going on in Valoran. Swain is on a mission to kill Jarvan IV and his actions suggest he is here to also claim power in Noxus. Often next to him is LeBlanc, the Deceiver. She is Matron of the Black Rose and joined the League in order to, "restore [her] people's birthright" (source). Judging by the latest Journal of Justice, Swain has succeeded in his mission to claim power. There is plenty of evidence to support this, but it is possible that Swain and LeBlanc may have some other plans in the future. (Disclaimer: JoJ has been discontinued so it is unknown if lore-related "current" events will continue to be revealed)

Swain, the Master Tactician & LeBlanc, the Deceiver

Swain, the Master Tactician is a champion in the League of Legends affiliated with Noxus, and had joined in order to become ruler of Noxus and to kill Jarvan IV, the Exemplar of Demacia and the Prince of Demacia. As reported in the last Journal of Justice issue, he had challenged Keiran Darkwill for the position of Grand General of Noxus. This ended in his victory and the execution of Keiran Darkwill by General Darius, the Hand of Noxus. Swain is of unknown origin. He had first appeared as a boy with a broken leg and a crow who refused treament and only requested a crutch. His next appearance was in the Noxian military but even that information is incomplete. It is known, however, that he advanced through the ranks very quickly and, as stated in his title, that he is an excellent strategist. He later joined the League when Demacia was also sending more champions to the Institute of War.

LeBlanc, the Deceiver is also of a mysterious past. She is the leader of the Black Rose, a somewhat secret organization of illusionists who manipulated much of the aristocratic power in Noxian history. The Black Rose has eventually lost its influence due to the change in how leadership is gained in the Noxian hierarchy. Her original name is Evaine, although she is now referred to as Emilia LeBlanc. This is believed to be a Legacy Character. The previous leader of the Black Rose is also referred to as LeBlanc, and it is possible that the appearance of all the "LeBlancs" are alike (source). Her reason for joining the League is simple: to make sure the Black Rose reclaims its power. Whether or not she also intends to manipulate the League will be discussed later.

Now, as noted in fan "shipping," Swain and LeBlanc are fairly close. In LeBlanc's judgement, they are having tea together and discussing their future. This is not in a romantic sense. Swain's involvement with the Black Rose is not entirely clear; he could be a member but his eyes are set on different objective.

Generals Du Couteau & Boram Darkwill

What is interesting to see is that General Du Couteau (Katarina & Cassiopeia's father) had visited LeBlanc in her judgement. It is possible that he had met Swain there as well. The general had mysteriously disappeared after being last seen with an entourage and heading to the Ivory Ward district of Noxus (source. Due to his disappearance, General Boram Darkwill had no choice but to choose a replacement on the advisory council: Swain. This further progresses Swain's rise to power. Later that evening, LeBlanc was seen accompanying Swain.

Boram Darkwill is another general of Noxus who plays a key part in all of this. According to LeBlanc, he was the one that had stripped away the Black Rose's influence. Considering his position, he is also the one who stands in the way of Swain's advance through the ranks. He is assassinated during the events in Kalamanda (source). Swain pointed the blame at Demacia, whom Noxus was in conflict at the time regardless of their rivalry, despite the lack of actual evidence. THe assassination is far too convenient for it to truly have been a Demacian act.

Considering Swain's want to rule Noxus and LeBlanc's "grudge" against Boram Darkwill, it would not be unusual if the two were involved in the disappearance of Du Couteau and the death of Boram Darkwill.

The Events in Kalamanda

After the discovery of many resources in this region, Demacia and Noxus raced to collect them, with some assistance from their allies. Tensions were very high during this time as both sides fought over their claims. Much of the early events are irrelevant to the topic. Please refer to the Journal of Justices if you want further information.

When the king of Demacia arrived in Kalamanda to grant Demacia mining rights, Jericho Swain came forward with a prisoner from Demacia. He claimed that the prisoner had confessed that Demacia was behind the murder of a Noxian citizen in the mines and that they had attempted to frame Noxus for it (source). The situation was further escalated when the prisoner claimed that Jarvan IV had ordered him to commit the act.

Following this, the prisoner was held off for interrogation for a several weeks. During this time, Jarvan IV was not seen outside of the Royal Tent. Some suspect that he may have been killed or captured at this point. Soon after, the prisoner who had "confessed" about the framing was found dead. He had been killed by a poison that would have been difficult to be forcibly drunk due to it having quite noticeable physical symptoms when taking it. (source). The mystery here is exactly how the prisoner had managed to take the poison and why would he willingly do so.

Following the prisoner's death, Boram Darkwill was assassinated. As stated before, Swain had pointed the blame at Demacia, and LeBlanc had reason to eliminate the Noxian general. This caused turmoil to develop within the Noxian High Command. The seat for Grand General was open and Darkwill's successor, Du Couteau, had gone missing. Keiran Darkwill, Boram Darkwill's son, was one who contested for this seat, the other being Swain. (source)

Some time after the assassination, war broke out between Demacia and Noxus. It was said that Jarvan IV had been near a Noxian camp and ambushed Swain. This was Jarvan IV's first appearance for several weeks, and he was believed to may have been killed or captured due to his absence. The contested region grew larger and the League of Legends finally began making a decision on how to handle the situation. (source)

The League finally stepped in to intervene in the conflict between Demacia and Noxus in Kalamanda. It claimed the region for its nexuses and turned it into a Field of Justice: the Crystal Scar. (source)

There was a small incident in the Kalamanda prison where an intruder was found in the former cell of the Demacian prisoner. He left a mysterious note and unfortunately escaped. (source) There is not enough evidence to support that Swain or LeBlanc may have been involved with the break in.

Aftermath

The Ivory Ward district was also host to a battle after the events in Kalamanda (source). One of the merchants, Vexus Nirac, disappeared after the battle. It is unknown as to who or what caused the incident. Perhaps it is just more fighting due to the increase in violence following Boram Darkwill's assassination. However, it should be noted that this was also where General Du Couteau was last seen heading.

Jarvan IV then arrived in Demacia with some prisoners in tow (source). He had very little to say even to his friend Garen. Once more, he was not seen outside of the Demacian palace for a while after returning.

Evidence was later proposed by Jarvan IV and Katarina Du Couteau that the Institute of War may have purposely started the war in Kalamanda (source). It was soon discovered that a summoner (?) and a Journal of Justice editor was behind the conspiracy (source). The reason for the conspiracy was that the League wanted to gain a hold of the nexuses in Kalamanda.

The seat of Grand General of Noxus was finally decided after Keiran Darkwill and Swain hosted a duel. Both were well supported by other members of the Noxian High Command. Swain defeated Keiran Darkwill who was then beheaded by General Darius. The Master Tactician finally obtained the highest position in Noxus. (source).

Jarvan IV, the 'Exemplar' of Demacia

Jarvan IV's appearances throughout these events have been rather interesting. One of the many questions surrounding him is, "why would he start the war with Noxus?" Even other champions, like Tryndamere, were surprised that the prince would ambush Swain. The answer is simple: Jarvan IV's absence meant he really was captured or killed and that he has been replaced by LeBlanc. The Matron of the Black Rose is known to be a powerful illusionist and this is not just any claim.

An image of the War in Kalamanda is within the twenty-fifth issue of the Journal of Justice (picture). When zooming in on Swain's breastplate, you can see that Jarvan IV's face is not reflected on it but rather LeBlanc's. This has caused suspicion among the summoners that the war was really started by Swain's and LeBlanc's quest for power. It is also possible that they have been manipulating some of the League's action as well. Another curious thing that should be noted is that both champions share a very similar idle posture (picture).

Conclusion

Swain, the Master Tactician and LeBlanc, the Deceiver have evidently been plotting something for quite a while now. The former has successfully accomplished his goal of becoming ruler of Noxus. LeBlanc may still be trying to return power to the Black Rose, but the death of Boram Darkwill has been a victory for her. Both are very likely to be also influencing the League's actions. The current Jarvan IV might actually be LeBlanc trying to aid Swain to gain power and for her to assert her organization's power on the League itself.

Although much of this is really just theory and guessing, there is no doubt that the two are up to no good.

-Summoner Hahnukest