LoL Lore: The Story of Elise, the Spider Queen

Elise HD no skin
What was Riot thinking when they created Elise? | ©Riot Games

We make our way off the mainlands of Runeterra, away from Demacia and Shurima. No, this time in our champion lore, we are headed to the spookiest place in League of Legends lore — the Shadow Isles. Elise’s character lore will introduce us to a whole new world in Runeterra.

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.

More League of Legends Lore:

Who is Elise According to LoL Lore?

Elise was born centuries ago to the prominent Noxian bloodline Kythera. She realized quickly that she could manipulate others by using her beauty. As she grew up, she married into another influential bloodline, the house Zaavan.

Even though her husband was the face of their home, it was clear that Elise was in charge from the shadows. This got to him and in an act of fury, he poisoned her drink. Elise managed to get the antidote and swiftly killed her husband.

Helia flooded city
Helia was once a prominent city. | © Riot Games

Though she had gotten the antidote, she was still bedridden due to the poison. There, she was approached by none other than the pale woman — the enigmatic mistress of the ‘Black Rose’. The pale woman did not care who led the prominent houses of Noxus, all she cared for was to have control over them.

  • Another prominent character from Noxus is Draven. Check out his champion lore as well!

Elise was quick to accept the pale woman and the Black Rose into her life, believing this to be a path to greater power. She met with others of the Black Rose and began to weave her web of influence, mastering the art of persuasion.

Eventually, she heard of the skull of an ancient warlord known as Sahn-Uzal. She set out to the Shadow Isles where this powerful artifact was said to be held to try and win the pale woman’s favor. Once she landed in Helia, she did not manage to find the skull, though.

No, instead, she was faced with something much stronger and more frightening. Beneath the city housed Vilemaw, the spider god. When Elise encountered him, he erupted from the darkness to devour those who trespassed.

He bit Elise, his venom spilling into her. Pain erupted as her body convulsed, spine rippling as her whole frame changed shape, turning into an arachnid beast herself. As she looked at the spider god, silent understanding moving between them

Vilemaw Lo R
Vilemaw the spider god! | © Riot Games

Elise scurried back to her ship and sailed back to Noxus. During the trip, she regained her human form, yet at a cost. She was the only one to return from the journey, everyone else on her ship having been devoured by her.

  • Check out everything you need to know about the next Champion, a mid lane mage, Vex!

The pale woman realized that even though the skull was never found, she had a new means to great magical artifacts hidden on the Shadow Isles. So while Elise would scour the beaches of the Shadow Isles for powerful artifacts, the Black Rose would provide her with endless sacrifices for the spider god.

Elise has lived for centuries, continuing to feast and seduce her victims. Yet, every once in a while, the call of her master would bring her back to the Shadow Isles.

Who is the Pale Woman According to LoL Lore?

According to champion lore, LeBlanc is the one known as the Pale Woman. She is able to use magic to mirror herself and appear before anyone she needs, and is one of the most powerful sorceresses in Runeterra.

She runs the Black Rose from the shadows, hoping to seize power over Noxus from the hidden darkness. She has recruited multiple other champions like Cassiopeia and Elise, while others have escaped her clutches like Rell.

Why did Elise Turn into a Spider in her Champion Lore?

After she was bitten by Vilemaw, the spider god, she gained a second form and a longer life span. She is able to switch between the shape of a beautiful young woman and that of a monstrous spider after the venom took hold of her.

She uses her beauty to sway helpless souls to do her bidding. As is stated in her champion lore, she makes her way to the Shadow Isles whenever Vilemaw calls her, usually in tow with some lost soul. But do those sacrifices ever make it off the Shadow Isles? Never.

That is everything about Elise for now. We wonder what else Riot has in store for us regarding the Black Rose and their plans for Noxus. We will be back next week to check out another beautiful demon and her champion lore, Evelynn!

Do you want to play League of Legends like a pro? Well, check out our Guides and Builds. Like this Sett Champion Guide or maybe just this Stridebreaker Item Guide. We have it all here on EarlyGame!

Sabrina Ahn

Sabrina Ahn is the League of Legends and Riftfeed Lead. During her time at Concordia University in 2014 she fell in love with LoL and is playing it since – how she hasn't lost her sanity is still unclear....