The 12 regions of Runeterra and their place in League of Legends lore

Syed Mujtaba Naqvi Published 14/01/2020

The League of Legends universe is vast and full of lore. There are almost 150 champions and each one has their own backstory that fleshes out the world of Runeterra.

Runeterra includes 12 regions, two of which are hidden from the map. From Bilgewater’s port of outlaws, to the prestigious kingdom of Demacia, to the highest peak of Targon where celestial beings reside, League draws from almost every fantasy subgenre to create a sprawling universe.

It’s worth taking a look at all 12 of its regions, going over their stories, and highlighting which champions reside there.

Demacia

Once a prestigious military kingdom, Demacia has been in a state of turmoil since the death of King Jarvan III. Jarvan IV, his successor, hasn’t been accepted as king by many nobles. Those who reside within its heavily guarded walls wonder if Jarvan IV is capable of protecting them.

Champions of Demacia: Jarvan IV, Sylas, Garen, Sona, Lux, Lucian, Morgana, Kayle, Fiora, Poppy, Quinn, Shyvana, Vayne, Xin Zhao, Galio

Noxus

Opposite to Demacia, Noxus is a brutal place where the strongest rule. Social status means nothing to Noxians, who believe that might makes right. Though this has made for a hostile culture, the champions of Noxus do not typically cross each other and instead seek to preserve their fearsome culture by expanding their country’s borders.

Champions of Noxus: Cassiopeia, Darius, Draven, Katarina, Kled, Leblanc, Riven, Sion, Swain, Talon, Vladimir

Freljord

An unforgiving, frozen land of demigods, Freljord is the home to three great tribes.

Avarosans, led by Ashe, hope to unite Freljord. Sejuani’s Winter’s Claw is content in the battle to survive the cold. Finally, Lissandra leads the Frostguard and hopes to end the two tribes her sisters have built.

Champions of Freljord: Ashe, Lissandra, Sejuani, Tryndamere, Braum, Nunu & Willump, Olaf, Anivia, Trundle, Udyr, Volibear, Ornn, Gnar, Gragas

Ionia

Ionia was a peaceful region where people have lived in harmony with nature for generations, but this was threatened when they were attacked suddenly by Noxus. This sewed the seeds of discord among the people, with some wanting to strengthen the military and others turning towards pacifism and old Ionian values.

Champions of Ionia: Kayn, Rakan, Xayah, Ahri, Akali, Irelia, Jhin, Yasuo, Karma, Ivern, Kennen, Lee Sin, Master Yi, Shen, Syndra, Varus, Zed, Wukong

Piltover & Zaun

The city-states of Piltover and Zaun are two sides of the same coin. Piltover has amassed great wealth as a well-positioned trade route, which has led to rapid cultural and technological progress. This comes at the expense of Zaun and its inhabitants, who have kept step with Piltover thanks to a sprawling black market and a number of mad scientists.

Champions of Piltover: Camille, Caitlyn, Ezreal, Jayce, Orianna, Vi, Heimerdinger

Champions of Zaun: Jinx, Ekko, Twitch, Blitzcrank, Dr. Mundo, Janna, Singed, Urgot, Viktor, Warwick, Zac, Ziggs

Bilgewater

Bilgewater is a lawless port city where anything, or anyone, can be had for the right price. This has attracted all sorts of seedy characters, who are looking to make a fortune by any means necessary.

Champions of Bilgewater: Fizz, Gangplank, Graves, Illaoi, Miss Fortune, Nautilus, Pyke, Tahm Kench, Twisted Fate

Shadow Isles

Far across the sea stand the Shadow Isles, a previously beautiful realm overtaken by the Black Mist. The mist sucks the life force out of those who still live there, turning them into wraiths. With the Black Mist’s power growing, the Shadow Isles have become a cursed place, with the wraiths now reaping souls from across Runeterra.

Champions of Shadow Isles: Hecarim, Karthus, Thresh, Kalista, Mordekaiser, Yorick, Maokai, Elise

Ixtal

Ixtal is a region that has seen a number of civilizations rise and fall. Its cities are hidden within a deep jungle, and its populace seeks to protect it from outsiders. This isolation stems from a xenophobia brought about by attacks by the Void and the Darkin, with the survivors seeking to protect the little that remains.

Champions of Ixtal: Qiyana, Malphite, Neeko, Nidalee, Rengar, Zyra

Shurima

Shurima was once a prosperous empire in a wide desert but today, its cities are buried deep in the sand and only live on in legends. Though this has been the case for millenia, Shurima Azir is looking to fix this by returning the civilization to its former glory.

Champions of Shurima: Azir, Amumu, Nasus, Rammus, Renekton, Rengar, Sivir, Skarner, Taliyah, Xerath

Targon

The highest peak of Runeterra, Mount Targon, is home to celestial beings that follow the ancient religions of Lunari and Solari. Far out of reach for most, Targon is a mythical place that only the bravest try to reach. Even those that survive the climb are rarely able to comprehend the cosmic entities that dwell there.

Champions of Targon: Leona, Diana, Soraka, Pantheon, Zoe, Aurelion Sol, Taric

Bandle City

Bandle City is the home of the yordles, but no one really knows where it is. Though there are storytellers that claim to have seen it, each has their own description of what it looks like. It’s believed to be a utopian place, where the water is clear, harvests are plentiful, and all colors are bright. For non-yordles, however, the sensation of Bandle City’s environment is often too much.

Champions of Bandle City: Corki, Lulu, Rumble, Teemo, Tristana, Veigar, Yuumi

The Void

As the name suggests, The Void is a place of nothingness where the puzzling Watchers reside, ruling over cosmic horrors. These creatures have only one goal, which is to destroy the entirety of Runeterra.

Champions of The Void: Cho’Gath, Kassadin, Kha’Zix, Kai’Sa, Kog’Maw, Malzahar, Rek’Sai, Vel’Koz

Syed Mujtaba Naqvi

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