In this LoL Lore Article, we’re going to take a look at Noxus and one of the strongest fighters all of Runeterra has ever seen – Darius. His background and story make him one of the toughest fighters the world has ever seen, but was he always such a brutal soldier?
Every League of Legends champion has their place in Runeterra, the home of those fighting on Summoner’s Rift. Through their in-game voice lines, champion lore, and other Riot Games like Legends of Runeterra, we get a closer look into who these champions are and what motivates them to battle.
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Who is Darius According to LoL Lore?
Darius and his brother Draven grew up as orphans in the port city of Basilich. All his life, he would fight against older gangsters, trying to provide for himself and his younger brother. According to his champion lore, he had more scars by the age of 12 than most soldiers did.
Eventually, their hometown was seized by the Noxian army in the Noxian expansion. A commander of the Noxian army saw great potential within the two brothers and took them in. They were raised within the army, to grow into soldiers who would lay down their lives for Noxus.
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Within the empire, anyone could grow to power and Darius embraced this philosophy wholeheartedly. He rose through the ranks of the army, putting duty before anything else. He refused to back down, fighting any battle – and winning.
His triumphs gained him his own senior command, of which he only accepted the strongest and most steadfast soldiers. Villages would surrender at the mere sight of Darius’ banners, his strength and aggression becoming notorious wherever he went.
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Thanks to his victories, Darius was named the Hand of Noxus by Boram Darkwill – the emperor of Noxus. Darius accepted this title, but he didn’t wish for power and adulation, only for Noxus to triumph over all.
Hence, why he took his army to the Freljord to bring the rebel tribes to kneel before Noxus. The fighting went on for years, neither side yielding. Eventually, Darius had to go back to Noxus to demand more troupes be sent to them.
What awaited him in Noxus though wasn’t the emperor Boram Darkwill, but rather the sight of a coup at the hand of Jericho Swain, as well as his own brother Draven.
Darius, being the hand of Noxus, was shocked, but he didn’t serve a single emperor, but rather the nation of Noxus, so he chose to join forces with Swain, accepting his invitation into the Trifarix, a court of three individuals who would rule Noxus together.
Darius created a new legion, the Trifarix Legion, filled with the most prestigious and loyal soldiers in the realm, leading Noxus to another age of glorious conquest.
Darius' Lore: Is Darius the Leader of Noxus?
As stated in his champion lore, Darius has achieved a high rank in the Noxian army. He is known as the Hand of Noxus but isn’t the emperor. He is sent to help widen the reach of Noxus all over Runeterra.
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After the coup by Swain though, Darius did accept his place on the Trifax council, becoming part of the ruling class in Noxus. Darius isn’t one for politics though, preferring his spot on the battlefield.
Darius' Lore: Is Darius a Bad Guy?
Some would believe Darius and all of Noxus to be evil, judging by various champion lore available, but it isn’t all black and white. Every nation in Runeterra has some dark and light sides to them, so stating that Darius is a ‘bad guy’ is completely wrong and doesn’t do the complicated lore any justice.
Darius is a fighter, fighting for his nation. He believes his cause is right and that Noxus is the nation that should expand into other nations. From his point of view, he is doing what he feels is right. You judge for yourself whether he is a ‘bad guy’ though after reading through this champion lore article.
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