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The Freljord is a harsh and unforgiving land. Proud and fiercely independent, its people are born warriors, with a strong raiding culture. While there are many individual tribes within the Freljord, the battle lines are being drawn in a three-way civil war that will determine the future for them all. One tribe unflinchingly honors the traditions that have ensured its survival; another follows the dream of a united future, as foretold by a young idealist; while the third worships the power of an enigmatic sorceress.
Champions[]
Lore[]
Freljord Detailed Crest
- "The Freljord; a home to some, a grave to countless more. Lesser clans have scrambled for the right to rule this frozen land for millennia - all have failed. Now, finally three great leaders have emerged to rally the smaller tribes beneath their banners. The storms of war will cloud when their paths cross, but once this battle is over, the people will find just one tribe left, to rule the land."
The Freljord (pronounced /'fɹɛɫjɔɹd/ 'frell-yord) is a region located in the northern part of Valoran. The Avarosan tribe have formed The Kingdom of Freljord and are the main governing body of this land. It is currently in a civil war with the Winter's Claw and Frostguard tribes. Ancient beings called the Iceborn originate from this area.
Freljord is an unforgiving place. A mountainous land covered in snow and ice, it is home to many vicious ice storms. Travel, especially in the winter, can be very dangerous. The elements often claim even those who have spent their entire lives there. Only one storm exceeds the ones found in Freljord: the Gelid Vortex - a swirling, icy maelstrom which circles the northern hemisphere of Runeterra.
The Howling Abyss
"The Howling Abyss. A bottomless crevasse surrounded by an ancient fortress carved into a glacier. No one remembers who built this place. No one knows its purpose. No one, but me."
"Long before Ashe and Sejuani, before magic shattered the broken peaks, before the desert swallowed Shurima, it was the time of The Three Sisters. We were so young back then; Avarosa, Serylda, and me, Lissandra."
"Back then the Frozen Watchers lived here. I do not know where they came from, but I know they were powerful. They gave us gifts, shared their magic, made us immortal. They named us, "Iceborn". In return, we gave them whatever they desired. This mighty fortress, a vast empire, our loyalty, these were a small price to pay. Avarosa did not see it that way. Like a spoiled child she cried out for freedom. She demanded choice. She sowed the seeds of rebellion and betrayal."
"This place is where it happened. On one side, the Frozen Watchers, on the other, Avarosa and her Iceborn horde. Many Iceborn died that day, but in the end, the Watchers fell. Avarosa drove them howling into the abyss. I never forgave her. . . I had my revenge — but that is another story."
The Three Sisters and the Frozen Watchers
Freljord was once ruled by humans. They were led by three sisters; Avarosa, Serylda and Lissandra. The Frozen Watchers approached them offering gifts, magic and immortality in exchange for their services and loyalty. Lissandra became the Seeker and voice of the Watchers, secretly betraying her sisters in exchange for her masters' power. Their people were forged into weapons and titled the Iceborn. They served the Watchers willingly at first, winning them a vast empire and building them the fortress now standing over the Howling Abyss.
The Final Stand on the Bridge
In time Avarosa grew tired of their servitude and united the Iceborn, rallying them against their masters. The final stand against the Watchers took place on the bridge crossing the Howling Abyss. Many Iceborn died, but in the end the Watchers were overrun and thrown howling into the abyss, giving the crevasse its name. An Iceborn was chosen to guard the place in case the Watchers returned; Avarosa encased Gregor in ice so his spirit could stand vigilant eternally, sounding the horn if their former masters returned.
Death of Avarosa
Lissandra engineered the death of her sister Avarosa, the true queen of Freljord, although what transpired is known only by the Ice Witch herself. She was buried beneath a cairn with her true ice bow. The grave was marked with a single rune: Avarosa. This grave and legacy would later be discovered by her descendant and play a very important part in shaping the current Freljord.
Forgotten History and Frostguard Corrupted
Even after their fall Lissandra stayed loyal to the Watchers. In preparation of their return Lissandra spent centuries purging all knowledge of her masters from history and secretly warped the Frostguard Tribe to serve her and her goals.
The Yeti Rider
The Frostguard held a menagerie of the Freljord's wildlife. The centerpiece of their collection was the Yeti: an uncommon creature with mystical qualities and raw physical strength. As the beastmaster's helper 
Nunu befriended the Yeti, named Willump. He secretly helped restore his new friend to good health. One day he found the Yeti's cage shattered, with only a crude drawing inside signaling the Yeti's farewell. Without hesitation, Nunu rushed into the wilderness in search of his friend. When Nunu caught up his tribesmen had Willump cornered. Nunu threw himself to aid the Yeti. As the whip was raised against Nunu the Yeti swelled up with fury he would not invoke for himself. The Yeti left the man bloodied in the snow and the remaining Frostguard fled. With no going back Nunu joined Willump in his great escape.
The Raider's Massacre
Raiders ambushed a young 
Tryndamere's clan in the dead of night, and though his warriors initially were able to push the attackers back, The battle changed when a 
dark figure stepped forth, inspiring an unearthly bloodlust in the invaders. Tryndamere's tribe was overrun within moments. With no hope of survival Tryndamere threw himself at certain death. The dark figure swatted him aside, mortally wounding the young barbarian. Dying, Tryndamere gave in fully to his wrath. His blood boiled and his anger consumed him, banishing his mortality. But instead of confronting him the shadowy figure gave Tryndamere a knowing smile as he withdrew into the shadows. That was the last time the barbarian ever saw his nemesis.
Avarosa's Chosen Heir
As a child, 
Ashe was always a dreamer and an idealist, who heard and liked the stories of the ancient queen Avarosa. Her mother's untimely death forced her to lead her tribe at a mere fifteen years old. However, her peaceful ideals angered some tribesmen who plotted to dispose of her. Their attempt was thwarted by a mysterious hawk who led Ashe to Avarosa's legendary bow, with which Ashe disposed of the insurrection and gained the respect of her tribe. Her tribe, now named the Avarosan, soon grew bigger than any other behind her newfound power and visions for unification.
Note: The 
Ice Witch's original name is Lissandra. When taking over Princess Mauvole, she named Mauvole's daughter Lissandra so when the Ice Witch took her identity, she reclaimed her own name.
One of the rulers of the three tribes that controlled the region, Princess Mauvole of the Frostguard, was found dead in her quarters in the city of Rakelstake. The elders of her tribe determined the cause of death to be natural, which cleared the way for the new Princess, Lissandra, to claim her throne and the title of Ice Dervish. In Princess Lissandra’s first act after her coronation, she stunned her new subjects as she swore fealty to another of the three Princesses of Freljord: Ashe of the Avarosan. In her coronation speech, Lissandra pleaded with her people that the time had come to unite Freljord under a single banner. Lissandra’s words swayed her kin: her coronation speech was warmly received by her tribe, and her tribe’s elders signaled their solidarity with their Princesses’ desire for unification. However, the third of the Freljord Princesses – 
Sejuani of the Winters Claw – remained fiercely adamant in her opposition of the other two. Sejuani retreated to isolation with the elders of her tribe. This caused concern among the members of the other tribes, who believed she may be readying for war.
Alliance with the Northern Barbarians
As weeks passed, the modest population of Freljord were shocked as hundreds of barbarians - including Tryndamere, the Barbarian King - arrived to pay their respect to the late Princess Mauvole of the Ice Dervish tribe. Ashe was present for the barbarian procession, and she met afterward with Tryndamere and Lissandra for a private dinner. The arrival of the barbarians, some predicted, was due to an invitation from Ashe to Tryndamere in order to deter Princess Sejuani from taking any aggressive action. It later became clear that Tryndamere's visit was not entirely a selfless venture, but for the negotiation of a mutually beneficial opportunity. After weeks of meetings and discussion, Ashe accepted Tryndamere's offer to join forces with the barbarians. Her decision was met with resounding support by the members of the Frost Archer and the Ice Dervish tribes.
The New Queen and King are Crowned
Immediately following Kolminye's address, the united tribes crowned Ashe the Queen of Freljord. Ashe was the first princess to ascend to the throne since the Three Sisters War divided their people. According to Freljordian tradition, the Queen selects the King to rule by her side. Ashe selected Tryndamere, solidifying her arrangement with the barbarian tribes. On the topic of her choice, Ashe stated that her actions are guided by the needs of her people, not by romantic notions. The union was a pledge to reinforce their commitment to the alliance.
Queen Ashe later offered Princess Sejuani a seat on Freljord’s new Royal Advisory Council. Sejuani emerged from her reclusion to respond, stating that she would never accept Ashe as her Queen, and that anyone who did so was contributing to the perversion of their culture. However, her opinion was not echoed by her people, as hundreds of Winter’s Claw tribesmen journeyed to Rakelstake to attend Ashe’s coronation. There, Nunu accepted his appointment proudly, and the largest contingent of yetis ever witnessed by humanity was present for the celebration. Hordes of barbarians also migrated to their new home, many arriving to view the second crowning of their King. Tryndamere welcomed his people with an inspiring declaration, stating that they finally have a voice in Valoran, and could now be seen as they truly were: proud and noble warriors.
The Rabble Rouser
Gragas' quest for the ultimate brew brought him to the Freljord. While lost in an unyielding blizzard, Gragas stumbled upon a great howling abyss. There he found a flawless shard of ice. It imbued his lager with incredible properties and kept it at perfect serving temperature. Intoxicated by his new drink he blundered into a deteriorating negotiation between tribes discussing joining Ashe. Setting off a legendary brawl ending with drinks, he unwittingly saved the negotiations. Although hailed a hero, he set off into the tundra once more in search of means to the perfect pint.
War Comes to Freljord
When she was last reborn, 
Anivia witnessed the rise of a mighty and united human tribe. She guarded their lands with pride as they prospered, but such unity could not last forever. The great tribe fractured into three, and after that upheaval, Anivia watched the people of the Freljord become embroiled in battle. As she strove to calm the turmoil tearing her home apart, Anivia began to sense a greater threat: an evil presence turning the pure magic of the ice blackened and corrupt. Anivia knew if such evil took root in her home, that same darkness would find its way into her heart. The cryophoenix had to act. Anivia soon found an ally in Ashe who she offered her aid.
Visions from the Vortex
Before ascension as the lone chieftain of the Ursine, 
Volibear was the revered shaman of the tribe. He saw that peace had made his people soft and weak, forgetting the sacred art of war. He felt that the fire of their souls was soon diminishing. He told the triumvirate of chieftains of his misgivings but he was ignored.
Seeking wisdom, he went to the top of their sacred mountain, a place shrouded by the Gelid Vortex. The maelstrom is said to be magical, and it was the one who chooses the chieftain of the Ursine. Upon reaching the summit, Lightning struck him and when he awoke he saw a vision of the Ursine being mercilessly slaughtered by ice monsters. When the vision ended he hurried to the tribe and there the chieftains lie in wait for him. They battled him and before Volibear fell, he summoned the maelstrom's power and defeated them. Because of this, the triumvirate appointed him as the new chieftain. He immediately then began to arouse his tribe from complacency, revived their battle-hardened traditions, and finally forged his alliance with Sejuani, the warrior who would fight with them against the coming evil.
Hero of the Freljord
The frozen peaks of the Freljord have for centuries punished the weak. But as these feared glacial lands host the graves of the frail, for the mighty, the land is a cradle, a place that elevates mere strongmen into true champions. 
Braum's story started here, and as his strength and fortitude grew, so too did his legend. Today, his feats inspire all from the poorest of peasants to the fiercest of raiders. And as he prepares to bear his shield into battle once again, he goes knowing he carries the hopes and adoration of the Freljord’s people with him.
Civil War
War erupts between Ashe's Avarosan tribe and Sejuani's Winters Claw over who would truly rule the Freljord. Though unbeknownst to them, Lissandra has secretly been preparing her tribe for the return of the Watchers. She betrays Ashe and reveals herself as the Ice Witch of legends. Now with the plan in motion, only one shall stand as Freljord's ruler after this bloody conflict.
Related Lore[]
- Braum: Tomb of the Troll Boy
Stories of the hero of the Freljord. 
Ornn: The Lost Tales of Ornn
Stories of the Forge God.- Ornn: The Voice from the Hearth
I have said enough. 
Ryze: An Old Friend
Take care with this world. What is made can be unmade.- Braum: The Feats of Braum
In the mead halls of the Freljord, Braum's great feats are immortalized by murals painted on the walls. On many a frozen night, the locals gather to recount his tales amidst merriment and drink! 
Quinn: Journey Into The Freljord
Report made by Quinn and Valor about their expedition in the Freljord.
Locations[]
Visions of Freljord[]
Freljord is located in the Northest part of North Valoran. The currently well known locations encompassing Freljord are:
Avarosan Iceflow Glacier[]
Map of Freljord
The Avarosan Iceflow Glacier is located somewhere beside the Gelid Vortex in the Ironspike Mountains.
Frostheld[]
Located in the Avarosan Iceflow Glacier, it serves as the Capital of the Avarosan Tribe.
Frostguard Citadel[]
The Frostguard Citadel is where Lissandra and her Frostguard keep Freljord's artifacts, treasures and records of its history. The Beast cells are where Nunu found Willump and freed him. It is separated from the mainland by the Howling Abyss and is only reachable by a bridge that spans between the two sides.
Gelid Vortex[]
The Gelid Vortex is a powerful, unceasing storm located north of Freljord, surrounded by mountains.
Glaserport[]
Glaserport is a settlement with a harbor, known for its chained wolfships.
Howling Abyss[]
The Howling Abyss serves as the divide between the mainland and the glacial that contains the Frostguard Citadel. A bridge above it serves as the main entrance to the Frostguard Citadel. It is also a landmark where the Iceborn overthrew their oppressors.
Ironspike Mountains[]
The Ironspike Mountains are a large mountain range that stretches in a half circle, from just north of Noxus to Freljord at its northernmost point. It is also the location where Anivia has made her home.
Lokfar[]
Lokfar, the peninsula where the Berserker, 
Olaf, lived, located north of Sejuani's territory.
Rakelstake[]
Rakelstake was once a village where the Tribe of the Ice Dervish lived. Now it serves as a pilgrimage site Freljord Avarosan. A statue of Avarosa guards the entrance to the pilgrimage site. It is here where Ashe and Tryndamere proclaimed the formation of the Kingdom of Freljord.
Ursine Village[]
The Ursine Village can be found just below the Gelid Vortex's mountains. It is the main settlement of the sentient bear like race from which Volibear comes from.
Culture[]
General[]
The Freljordians were once a divided people known as Iceborn (a race once thought to be extinct) with "The War of the Three Sisters" having left the denizens splintered for generations. The region was divided and dominated between three nomad tribes: The Tribe of the Frost Archer, The Tribe of the Ice Dervish and The Tribe of the Winter's Claw, now known as The Avarosan, The Frostguard, and The Winter's Claw respectively. Over the years the tribes would have occasional skirmishes with one another, though the reasons for why they continued fighting had been long forgotten by most. The tribes are ruled by the three Princesses: Ashe, the Frost Archer; Lissandra, the Ice Witch (under the guise of allegiance with the Avarosans); and Sejuani, the Fury of the North.
The Path to Hearth-Home[]
- In the echoes of the mountains and the crackling of the embers, a legend once forgotten is remembered with a song older than any tribe.
And wind blows through hollow dells
Skies clear as day, shall soon turn gray
And you'll know, you're nearing Ornn
Barring your path is a chasm wide
Howls rise from fathomless pits
But close stands a bridge, frozen by time
And across, you'll soon find Ornn
River of fire, that scorches the earth
Belies his kingdom of stone
And steel sings its tone, as a god stands alone
The shaping hand, we know as Ornn
Sparks leap and fly from the star-fallen ore
Forging his works, divine
Bellows erupt, with unbridled force
Government[]
The Freljord is mostly structured in a non-hereditary matriarchal fashion. Tribes are lead by a warmother each if of which has: bloodkin, steelskins, claw leaders, sisters (a rank), icewalkers, thralls, champions (several husbands who are the toughest in the tribe), allied shamans, lost tribe relatives, related clans and more.
Regular barbarian tribes have various systems and customs different from the main structure. Tryndamere's tribe, for example, is patriarchal.
Freljord has become a land of endless conflict since the "War of the Three Sisters" broke out. Even though Freljord already has a sovereign, tribal leaders still fight for it bringing with them their tribes
Avarosa[]
- "It is our duty to speak of unity, here among the ruins of our past. Now our people stand divided, torn apart by ancient hatreds. Brothers and sisters, our enemy is not our neighbor. Our enemy is a land without law and a long winter's night. It is hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Look around you, these monuments from a bygone age, each older and grander than anything wrought by our hands. These are the works of a united Freljord, a fractured land that we can repair. From these ruins, we can raise a great nation. We are the people of the Freljord, and this land belongs to us all."
- - Ashe
- -
The Avarosan are those whom are loyal to Queen Ashe. While others war, Ashe works day and night to establish a single alliance throughout the Freljord. Though her methods are peaceful, she is still backed by a powerful and committed army. Champions that have allied themselves with her are: Anivia, Braum, Gragas, Nunu and Tryndamere.
Winter's Claw[]
- "They plead for mercy when they hear our drums, but the wolf owes no consideration to the prey. We do not sow seeds and till earth like the Avarosan. We do not stand watch over shattered ruins like the Frostguard. We do not pity the meek, for courage is the true salvation of the Freljord! We are the war cry of the wind, we are the strength of the mountains. We are the claws of winter!"
- - Sejuani
- -
The Winter's Claw tribe is led by the ferocious Sejuani. Sejuani wishes to conquer the Freljord through absolute strength. In her eyes, the Freljord is a place where only the strong deserve to prosper. As she raids, her warriors allow the stalwart to live under her banner while they pillage the weaker tribes, leaving them without the means to sustain themselves. Once her work is done, only the mighty will be left in the Freljord. Champions that have allied themselves with her are: Olaf, 
Udyr, and Volibear.
Frostguard[]
- "We are the chosen, destined to receive the gifts of the Watchers. Our faith is tested by bitter cold and endless winter. A crucible that separates the worthy from the unworthy, purging doubt, and leaving purity behind. The others fight like neglected children, petty squabbles that will amount to nothing in the end. We have purpose, to prepare this land for new masters. The Watchers return. Our ascendance is at hand."
The Frostguard dwell hidden beneath an eternal winter, deep in the ruins of the ancient Freljord. The Frostguard obey their leader; LissandraSquare Lissandra. Concealed from the world in the far North of Freljord, the Frostguard archive of all Freljords archaic history. Though seemingly peaceful, the truth of the Frostguard's allegiance is far more disturbed. The world had forgotten the terrible enemy that ruled the Freljord long ago and was cast into the depths of the Howling Abyss following a long and brutal battle. And now, whilst the ignorant sleep, Lissandra plots to return her masters to their former glory. Only the trolls and their king, 
Trundle, have allied themselves with her.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Officially, Rioters explained that Freljord means "frozen ground" in unspecified Nordic dialects; however, the expected Old Norse forms would've been frosin jǫrð & frosna jǫrðinn, from Proto-Germanic fruzanō erþō.
- Unofficially, Freljord better resembles unattested Old Norse frjáls jǫrð & frjálsa jǫrðinn from proto-form frijahalsō erþō, lit. "free(-halsed) earth".
- The history of Freljord is heavily featured on The Journal of Justice Issues 2 to 5. It narrates the crowning of Ashe and Tryndamere as Queen and King of Freljord and the general background of the area.
- The tribal division among the three best-known matriarchal ones mirrored tripartite occupational division in Proto-Indo-European society:
- The peaceful, agrarian Avarosans embodied the workers;
- The rugged, belligerent Winter's Claw embodied the warriors;
- And the mystical Frostguards embodied the priests.
- The three legendary sisters' names are Avarosa, Serylda and Lissandra.
- The Lissandra of the three sisters is now The Ice Witch who hides behind the identity of modern-day Lissandra the Ice Dervish. She is therefore an ancient relative of Ashe and Sejuani.
- The Lissandra of the three sisters is now
- The
Frozen Mallet,
Guardian's Horn,
Iceborn Gauntlet,
Frost Queen's Claim,
Remnant of the Watchers and
Seeker's Armguard are artifacts of the Iceborn.- The Guardian's Horn was made to warn Freljord when the Frozen Watchers returned.
Orb of Winter,
Frostfang,
Spellthief's Edge,
Frozen Heart,
Glacial Shroud,
Poro-Snax are in some way thematically linked with Freljord.
- True Ice is a phenomenon that exists only in the coldest depths of the Freljord. A magical matter so cold it can never melt, master smiths have managed to craft this strange substance into powerful weapons and armor.
- True Ice's crystalline structure seemingly can change, owing to in-universe thermochemical processes, producing various allotropes to make different weapons: from Avarosa's elastic bow to Trundle's rigid club; much like real-life carbon, whose two best-known allotropes are the soft graphite and the hard & brittle diamond.
- Ashe's bow, Braum's shield, Sejuani's bola, and Trundle's club Boneshiver are made from True Ice. Gragas uses True Ice in his brews.
- Olaf's axes were tempered with true ice.
- "Battle for Freljord" is an in-game event between the three Freljordian leaders, Ashe, Sejuani and Lissandra.
Gnar lived in Ancient Freljord when the Watchers attacked his area.
Bard might have intervened the battle of the Watchers and the Iceborn.
- True Ice never melts. Dark Ice is True Ice that has been corrupted.
- The Frozen Watchers are believed to be trapped in the Howling Abyss.