Few regions in League of Legends carry as much myth, tragedy, and grandeur as Shurima. Once a glorious empire ruled by sun magic and divine kings, Shurima now lies buried under sand and legend. At the heart of its story are the Ascended beings—warriors and leaders transformed by the Sun Disc into demigods.
By exploring Shurima’s history and Ascended beings, we uncover a tale of ambition, betrayal, war, and the desperate struggle to reclaim lost glory. This article delves into the rise of the empire, the power of Ascension, the fall into ruin, and how Shurima’s legacy lives on through its champions in League of Legends lore.
Chapter 1: The Rise of the Shuriman Empire
Shurima was once the most advanced and dominant civilization in Runeterra. Its empire stretched across vast deserts, connected by trade routes, military conquest, and the divine authority of the Sun Disc.
Key Elements of Shurima’s Rise:
- The Sun Disc: A massive construct channeling celestial power, capable of transforming mortals into godlike Ascended beings.
- Prosperity and Unity: Shurima’s influence created stability across the desert, uniting tribes under one banner.
- Divine Leadership: The Ascended ruled as god-warriors, revered by the people and feared by enemies.
Shurima’s empire wasn’t built on brute force alone—it thrived through culture, architecture, and powerful magic that turned barren lands into fertile regions.
Chapter 2: The Ascension Ritual
At the center of Shurima’s legacy lies the Rite of Ascension, a ritual performed under the blazing power of the Sun Disc.
- Purpose: Transform chosen mortals into Ascended champions capable of protecting Shurima.
- The Chosen: Only the most loyal generals, priests, or rulers were granted Ascension.
- Transformation: Bodies reshaped with celestial energy, granting immense strength, immortality, and animal-like forms symbolizing their new divine nature.
Notable Results:
- Nasus: Transformed into a jackal-headed demigod, a wise general and scholar.
- Renekton: Ascended as a crocodile-headed warrior, unmatched in battle.
- Azir: The emperor himself, who sought Ascension but whose ritual was sabotaged.
The Ascension was both a gift and a curse—bestowing power, but often corrupting its recipients.
Chapter 3: The Golden Age of Shurima
During its height, Shurima was a beacon of order and dominance:
- Its Ascended warriors crushed enemies with divine might.
- Cities like Nashramae and Zerethi prospered under imperial rule.
- Trade routes flourished, carrying gold, spices, and knowledge.
The empire was nearly unstoppable—until ambition and betrayal brought it crashing down.
Chapter 4: The Fall of Shurima
The fall of Shurima is one of the most dramatic stories in League of Legends lore.
- Azir’s Ambition: As emperor, Azir sought Ascension for himself, believing he could unite Shurima forever.
- Xerath’s Betrayal: His trusted mage-servant, Xerath, manipulated the ritual, seizing power for himself.
- The Cataclysm: Instead of rising to godhood, Azir’s Ascension collapsed, causing the Sun Disc’s power to devastate Shurima’s capital. The empire crumbled into sand and ruins.
For centuries, Shurima lay forgotten, its cities swallowed by the desert and its legends reduced to whispers.
Chapter 5: The Ascended Beings of Shurima
Nasus – The Curator of the Sands
- Once a brilliant strategist and scholar, now a demigod with a jackal’s form.
- Known for his wisdom and tactical mind.
- Haunted by his brother Renekton’s corruption.
Renekton – The Butcher of the Sands
- A once-noble general, driven mad after centuries of entombment with Xerath.
- Embodies rage and violence, consumed by vengeance.
Azir – The Emperor of the Sands
- Betrayed at his Ascension, reduced to dust for millennia.
- Recently resurrected, he seeks to restore Shurima to its former glory.
Xerath – The Magus Ascendant
- A slave who craved ultimate power.
- His betrayal shattered Shurima and transformed him into a being of pure arcane energy.
- Immortal but consumed by ambition and destruction.
These Ascended are central to Shurima’s lore, representing both its glory and its downfall.
Chapter 6: Shurima’s Legacy in the Present
Though the empire is gone, Shurima’s history still echoes across Runeterra:
- Azir’s Return: With his resurrection, the dream of a reborn Shuriman empire stirs once more.
- Renekton and Xerath’s Rampage: Their presence threatens chaos in the desert, clashing with Azir’s vision.
- Taliyah’s Connection: As a mage tied to Shurima, Taliyah represents the new generation caught between the empire’s past and its uncertain future.
Shurima is not just ruins—it’s a battleground for legacy, power, and redemption.
Chapter 7: Symbolism of the Ascended
The Ascended aren’t just characters—they symbolize deeper themes in League lore:
- Nasus and Renekton: Brotherhood torn apart by madness and corruption.
- Azir: Hubris and redemption, the struggle to reclaim lost glory.
- Xerath: The danger of unchecked ambition.
Together, they represent the dual nature of Ascension—divine power that can either uplift or destroy.
Chapter 8: Shurima’s Place in League of Legends Gameplay
- Champion Designs: Shurima’s champions embody their lore — Nasus stacking infinite knowledge, Renekton thriving in rage, Azir commanding soldiers, Xerath unleashing pure magic.
- Shurima as a Region: Featured in game events and cinematics, emphasizing its mythic atmosphere.
- Esports Influence: Picks like Azir and Xerath often dominate pro play, bringing Shurima’s lore into the competitive stage.
Conclusion: The Eternal Sands of Shurima
By exploring Shurima’s history and Ascended beings, we uncover a story of power, betrayal, and resilience. Once the greatest empire on Runeterra, Shurima’s downfall serves as a warning about ambition unchecked. Yet with Azir’s return and the ongoing struggle between the Ascended, its legacy is far from over.
Shurima is not just a desert—it is a reminder that history, like sand, always shifts, but never disappears.
