Shurima, Noxus, Demacia all have architectures created by the Riot artists thanks to famous architecture in real life.
1. The Noxus Empire – Germany
The Noxus Empire is one of the most powerful and brutal nations in Runeterra.
This is an empire that considers war to be alive, they actively attack the enemy and expand the border. These characteristics are very clear evidence that Noxus was inspired by Nazi Germany in the past.
Noxus is a very barren city difficult to cultivate, they consider war as a fulcrum just as with Nazi Germany taking the second world war as a stepping stone to conquer the world.
It was Hitler who initiated the Second World War. Conquests across Europe were also incorporated into stories about the war between Demacia and Noxus. About the feud between these two countries.
Besides Adolf Hitler with the personality of a Jewish brutal and racist is also the idea for Riot to create Swain, an equally brutal person along with the arrogance in his sentence. Swain: “I have enough knowledge to despise all humans. Only new countries deserve honor.”
Not only that Noxus had a fortress called the Immortal Fortress built long ago by Modekaiser containing dark magic. It is exactly the same as the impenetrable German fortress built in the Second World War to avoid enemy fire and the unbreakable last line of the German army to fight the invaders.
2. Demacia – United Kingdom
As a prosperous social development area and a glorious military history, it is one of Valoran’s most powerful forces and possesses the Most Warlike Runeterra army. In Demacia there is still a culture of its own that is the noble world along with that of King Jarvan’s rule over generations.
Demacia’s domination power was very similar to that of British rule in its heyday. Before the First World War, England was a country with no economic rival but the gradual decline of imperialism and conflicts with Germany led to the First World War.
It is also a similarity of feud between the two countries Demacia and Noxus.
Regarding the people and culture of Demacia with the symbol of aristocracy, it was also the inspiration of the nobles who took power in ancient England. Besides of King Jarvan’s generations, there are points that are very similar to those of Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom.
Sylas – a rebel who led the resistance army against Demacia inspired by Britain’s own civil war in the years 1642 to 1651. And that was the revolt of the people and King Charles and the Natial Assembly.
Besides, Demacia castles also have the same structure and size as places like the British Royal Palace or masterpieces located in the port city of London.
However, the Great Square of Demacia where the soldiers took office was not the same as any other British place, but it was exactly the same and coincided with the heroic square in Budapest with a vertical pillar with Its architecture makes people think of the square of Demacia immediately.
3. Ionia – Japan and Asian Countries
A continent with the most interesting culture and history among continents in the world. “A land of primitive beauty and spells from nature has many associations and factions in Ionia and each association follows its own orientation and ideals.”
Japan and other Asian countries are a place of convergence of natural beauty, where nature has bestowed upon its inherent beauty.
Ionia’s biography also clearly portrays a characteristic part of Japanese sects. In Ionia, the main feature is that the will is also the extremely brave spirit of the Japanese people when they are extremely brave people when confronting the difficulties coming from nature but still strong growth.
Besides the denominations such as Ninja, Samurai or Japanese Swordsmen are also clearly portrayed by the Ionian champions.
From the Ninja with the ability to work alone has its own ideals such as Zed, Akali, Kennen or the Samurai always stand in neutral to maintain the balance of the world like Shen.
Masters like Irelia, Yasuo, or Master Yi with typical Japanese kendo. Asia is also the place where ancient magic was cooked from the will of the human being, also depicted with Karma, Syndra.
Besides, the legend of the nine-tailed fox or Wukong is also portrayed by Riot on the champions like Ahri or Wukong with the strength and the shape of hybrid between humans and animals.
Not only that, the Asian martial arts culture of Chinese Shaolin monks is also sent to Lee Sin – a hairless champion, but his martial arts ability is high.
The great monasteries were also sketched by Riot similar to ancient Kung Fu legends. Along with that is Muay Thai Lee Sin, which is a complete idea from Thai Muay.
The architecture of the buildings in Ionia is also inspired by the temples with curved roof tiles in Asia. These temples also have a very similar structure to the 4-seat temple located in Kyoto – Japan.
Dragon is a summoned beast that shows the power of Asia and also shows a lot in the champions or skin of Ionia or Lee Sin champions who borrow the power of the dragon’s essence into their martial arts.
4. Shurima – Egypt
This is the area that most people recognize when they first get acquainted with Summoner’s Rift. The features that the Shurima Empire has are clearly depicted based on the details of ancient Egypt in thousands of years.
Egypt or Africa is considered the cradle of the world because it is a place of both economic and cultural development since ancient times before the emperors died and Africa gradually declined. Runeterra was once a civilization that lived in a vast desert.
After a period of development and prosperity, the collapse of this land destroyed the empire. After thousands of years, the stories of Shurima became myths and religions for posterity of survivors.
The architecture of Shurima street is also inspired by the Egyptian city of Cairo with pale yellow towers of characteristic sand. The symbol of Shurima is also taking ideas from the Egyptian Pyramid. The costumes of the Egyptian people, camel rides. It was also a source of inspiration for Riot to create the skin of the Shurima empire as well as the Skalasshi creature here.
Coming to the champions, Riot will certainly not ignore the culture of ancient Egypt. Nasus is undoubtedly the most familiar name when recognizable from the beginning. Nasus is the embodiment of the god Anubis – the god of judgment and the mummy of the wolf head – symbol of justice.
Just like the story of Nasus. Azir the desert emperor was also inspired by Ash. Or Renekton is also inspired by the god Sobek who sponsored the army of Egypt. Egyptian mummies are standard models for building ideas for Amumu. And finally, Sivir was inspired by the ancient Egyptian princesses.
5. Targon – Greece
It is portrayed as a place where nobles live. There are many legends on the top of Targon Mountain, and like any other mysterious land, it is like a lighthouse with dreamers, madmen, and adventurers.
The details of the supernatural beings like people change to an unrecognizable level, when they are possessed by a Supreme Being who has unparalleled strength, far beyond what mortals can understand.
Completely alluded to the ancient Roman gods in Greek mythology and the legends of the ancient gods residence on Mount Olympus.
There is not much to say about architecture in Targon because only snow mountains are thousands of kilometers long. The champions here are like Egypt based on the plot of the ancient Roman gods.
Pantheon symbolizes the god of war Ares. Leona symbolizes Helios – the god of the sun. Diana is given the name of the goddess Artemis of the hunting goddess and the moon.
Besides, with his infinite power Aurelion Sol is also portraying the power of Zeus the supreme person who explores the world just like the god dragon is capable of controlling the universe.