Biography:
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Born into a patrician family, one of many to exist since the first walls were raised around Noxus, Jericho Swain seemed destined for a life of privilege. The noble houses had played a key role in Boram Darkwills rise to power, stoking rhetoric that their proud heritage was the nations greatest strength.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]However, many hungered for greater influence, plotting against Darkwill in a secret cabal united by nothing more than the symbol of a black rose. Uncovering their intrigue, Swain personally executed the most prominent conspirators. Among them were his own parents, whose whispers of a ?pale woman had first alerted him of the danger to Noxus, which he valued more than house or kin.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]They sought a power, a shapeless voice cackling in the darkness of the Immortal Bastion.[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]Something like a ravens caw[/font][/i][/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]For exposing the cabal, Swain was granted a commission in the Noxian army, far from anything he had ever known. There, he learned firsthand that the empire was not strong because of Noxians, as he had believed, but because of the way it could unite[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]all[/font][/i]men in spite of their origins. On the front lines, a foreign slave could be the equal of a highborn noble.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]But still, Swain found only darkness in the wake of each battle.[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]Clouds of carrion crows[/font][/i][/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]After securing the western borders, Swains own reputation was secured in Shurima, where his forces raised countless[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]noxtoraa[/font][/i]above the desert sands. Yet, in time, it became clear that greed was the sole purpose driving the empire forward. Fighting wars on too many fronts, lusting over magical relics, the aging Boram Darkwill was clearly growing unhinged.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]When Noxus invaded Ionia, Darkwill began to move even more brazenly, retasking entire warbands to scour the land for anything rumored to extend a mortal lifespan. With Swains forces depleted, it became nearly impossible to engage the enemy. Finally, at the Battle of the Placidium, after luring the local militia into what should have been a trap, Swains warhost was overrun. His veterans were routed, and Swain was gravely wounded, his knee shattered, Ionian blades cleaving through his left arm.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]As he lay on the verge of death, a raven approached to feed, and Swain felt an old, familiar darkness press upon him again. But he would not let it take him. He[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]could[/font][/i]not. Staring into the the birds eye, he saw reflections of the evil strangling the heart of Noxus.[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]A black rose. The pale woman... and her puppet emperor.[/font][/i]Swain realized that he had not defeated the hidden cabal, and they had betrayed him to what should have been his death, after seducing Darkwill, the man they failed to overthrow.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]All this was glimpsed, not in the mind of a raven, but something[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]more[/font][/i]. The power his parents had been seeking, the demonic eyes blazing in the dark[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Cast out of the military for his ?failure, considered nothing more than a cripple, Swain set about uncovering what truly lay within the Immortal Bastionan ancient entity, preying upon the dying and consuming their secrets, as it had attempted to consume his own. Swain stared into that darkness, seeing what even[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]it[/font][/i]could not: a way to wield it.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Though his meticulous preparations took many years, Swain and his remaining allies seized control of Noxus in a single night. Physically restored by the demon, he crushed Darkwill in full view of his followers, leaving the throne shattered and empty.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Swains vision for the future of Noxus is one of strength through unity. He has pulled back the warhosts from Darkwills unwinnable campaigns and, with the establishment of the Trifarix, ensured that no individual can rule unopposed. He embraces any who will pledge themselves to the empireeven the Black Rose, though he knows, in secret, they still plot against him.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Gathering knowledge as the demon did before him, Swain has foreseen far greater dangers lurking just beyond. However, many Noxians secretly wonder if the darkness they face will pale in comparison to the dark things Swain has done[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]The sacrifices are only beginning, for the good of Noxus.[/font]Story:
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]He arrived at the camp only moments before the strategy council was to begin, flanked by a small honor guard, each handpicked from the Trifarian Legion. They remained at the entrance as I watched him approach.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Some men cast a shadow greater than themselves, but few could bring a darkness such as this, one that circled above us and hungrily cawed. In a way, the ravens that seemed to follow him around the camp were a grim reminder of every warriors fate, the tattered cloth in their beaks a match for the state of our own banners. Yet, as he strode into the remains of the war tent, I realized I had not prepared myself for how truly[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]mortal[/font][/i]he looked.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]There was grey in his hair, framed by a crimson sky choking on ash. His battle-worn armor gave way to a functional coat, and he kept his arms tightly within its foldsas I imagined one of his lineage might. I smiled, for he was still, at his heart, a gentleman. He wore no signs of rank beyond the telltale scars of a soldier who had seen his share of bloodshed. There were many gathered now for the council who demanded more fear and respect, swaying their warhosts with powerful displays of strength. Each of them seemed more than capable of breaking the man before us.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]But, somehow, this was the man who led us all. The Grand General of Noxus.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Looking at him, I could feel there was something I could not place, no matter how closely I looked. Something truly unknowable, perhaps? Perhaps it was[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]because[/font][/i]there was something unknowable about this man, that so many flocked to his side. Whatever the draw, Jericho Swain stood before us now, and it was far too late for me to turn back.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Five warhosts had marched onto the Rokrund Plain, but it had been only a matter of weeks before the locals had shattered our positions. They blasted through our hastily-constructed berms with explosive powder, mined from hills that seemed even more barren than those of home. Disaster had built upon disaster, until Swain himself had no choice but to intervene. I had made sure of that.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]For months, I had prepared. I had sent warmasons deep into the mines. I had mapped every detail, every conceivable twist of the land and the fates upon which Noxus now balanced, the whispers that gave each moment shape[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]My ear itched at the memory of the pale womans words. Of the moment she first commanded me, and gave voice to our plot.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Everything was in place. I had accounted for it all. Here, where the earth opened into a maze of canyons impossible to escape, I and I alone would determine the future of the empire.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]After all, was that not what Swain had called upon this council to do?[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?My trusted generals, Swain said finally. The power in his voice rang out like the drawing of a blade. He paused, as if giving us a moment to test ourselves against its keen edge. ?Tell me how Noxus may prevail.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?There are twelve war-barques here, in the hills, Leto began, pointing to a spot on the map already worn white by his attention, ?each drawn by a basilisk. Send them before the warbands, and well be marching over the enemy dead. Those beasts would rut with a hedge of rusty spears if we let them.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]He smiled, pleased at his own cunning, but Swain was more concerned with the wine being poured into his glass.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]Will it be poison?[/font][/i]his eyes seemed to ask, as he peered around the table. I stared at my reflection in his armor. I would betray nothing of my intent.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?We can scarcely control the basilisks ourselves, Swain finally murmured, carefully regarding the fine Ionian vintage. ?Imagine even a[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]single[/font][/i]explosive, dropped by a sapper within earshot of the beasts. And then tell me, in your imagination, who runs firstthe basilisks with their tails between their legs? Or your vaunted warhost?[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?We scorch the earth then, Maela petitioned before Leto could respond, the words flying wildly from her mouth. ?Set fire to the pitch theyve laid to burn on our advance. Drive them out of those damn mines.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Swain sighed. ?We came here for the very earth you would burn. Though I suppose it is too much to expect you to know the uses of saltpetre. He swirled the wine in his glass, betraying a hint of disappointment. ?All you have done so far is bury your own men with it.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?The redblades are still sharp, Jonat spat impatiently from the shadows where he lurked, the darkness seeming almost bright against his Shuriman skin. ?Well enter the mines after dusk, take out their leaders. Clean or messy. Doesnt matter.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?An admirable strategy, Swain laughed. ?But those leaders are not soldiers. Not yet. Our enemy here merely follows whomever bellows the loudest. Kill one, and there will be[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]three[/font][/i]bellowing by morning.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]I laughed, nodding to the frowning leader of the redblades. ?For a moment, I was afraid youd find a way for us to actually win, Jonat.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Silence fell around the table. The candles were burning low beside the maps.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]This was my moment. The pale woman would be pleased. I would say her name as I sent our Grand General to oblivion.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?The truth is, you cannot win this battle, I continued. ?No one can fight death. Not even the ruler of Noxus. Darkwill showed us that.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Swain and the others watched as I carefully drew the flint striker from my tunic. The fuse line was already in my other hand. Leto, aging hero of the Siege of Fenrath, bristled.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?Granth, what are you doing? he growled, glancing down at the crude demolition charge I had carefully positioned under the table, barely an hour before. ?You would threaten the Grand General? This is treason.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Still, none of them dared approach me. I held the striker over the fuse, ready.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Except someone was laughing. It took me a moment to realize who it was.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?And there, General Granth is the only one who has the right of it, Swain chuckled, smoothing the wrinkles from his coat. ?He alone understands. The rest of you, you see a battle and ask what you must do to avoid defeat. But some battles cannot be won. Sometimes, the only strategy is to burn. To charge into the flames, knowing full well you will die, but that twenty thousand march behind you. And that behind them, there is a greater power.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]He let his coat fall open, to reveal To reveal[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?Granth and I, he said with a cruel smile, ?we always look for what must be sacrificed in order to[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]win[/font][/i].[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]Maela lunged for my trembling hands. Leto too. But it was Swains inhuman grip that clamped around my throat, hefting me from the ground, the unlit fuse forgotten.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]?If only you could tell her yourself how you failed, the Grand General whispered, his voice rumbling with the wrath of eons. ?If only she, too, could heed the wisdom of the dead.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]I tried to scream then, to confess it all. To somehow beg for forgiveness.[/font]
[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif]But there is nothing now, save for the soft murmur of whispers. I spill my secrets, this tale, into[font="Beaufort for LOL", Arial, sans-serif][i]your[/font][/i]ears. Fading like the rustling of wings, as the raven cries its carrion caw[/font]Opinions?