Shurima — official Riot artwork

Regional history

Shurima

A desert empire of ascension, fallen glory and ancient power returning.

Artwork · Riot Games

Shurima · official regional illustration · Riot Games

Watch before you read

Shurima in motion

Official films · play here

Cinematic · Riot Games

Shurima: Descent into the Tomb

An expedition into Shurima’s buried past; pairs with the present-day return to ancient ruins.

Cinematic · Riot Games

Shurima: Rise of the Ascended

The return of Azir and Shurima’s capital. Place after the ancient collapse, not beside the original founding.

Cinematic · Riot Games

Taliyah: Homecoming

Taliyah’s return home connects living Shurimans to the restored empire.

Riot Games · complete regional overview

Shurima

The empire of Shurima was once a thriving civilization that spanned an entire continent. Forged in a bygone age by the mighty god-warriors of the Ascended Host, it united all the disparate peoples of the south, and enforced a lasting peace between them.

Few dared to rebel. Those that did, like the accursed nation of Icathia, were crushed without mercy.

The rebuilt sun disc over the streets of NashramaeRiot Games

However, after several thousand years of growth and prosperity, the failed Ascension of Shurima’s last emperor left the capital in ruins, and tales of the empire’s former glory became little more than myth. Now, most of the nomadic inhabitants of Shurima’s deserts eke out a meager existence from the unforgiving land. Some have built small outposts to defend the few oases, while others delve into long lost catacombs in search of the untold riches that must surely lay buried there. There are also those who live as mercenaries, taking coin for their service before disappearing back into the lawless wastelands.

Still, a handful dare to dream of a return to the old ways. Indeed, more recently the tribes have been stirred by whispers from the heart of the desert—that their emperor Azir has returned, to lead them into a new, wondrous age.

End of this reading

A lived-in world

Places & life in Shurima

Zoantha CascadeRiot Games

Zoantha Cascade

The shifting tides of the desert has been known to carve paths through bare rock, tumbling over the cliff faces in massive sandfalls. Traditionally, Shurimans toss beloved objects into the sands as gifts to the Ascended. As a result, such falls are often lucrative spots for treasure hunters.

Riot Universe · regional archive

The Valley of the SongRiot Games

The Valley of the Song

This remote pass takes its name from the disorienting whistling that results when the wind blows hard enough through the hollow rock structures. Many unwary travelers have found themselves at the mercy of the deafened marauders who prowl the valley by night.

Riot Universe · regional archive

RaidersRiot Games

Raiders

The raiders of Shurima survive not through trade, but through violence. These bands of marauders often attempt to blend into the environment in order to lure unsuspecting travelers into traps before killing them, taking their belongings, and (in very rare cases) eating them.

Riot Universe · regional archive

The ShakkalRiot Games

The Shakkal

These nomadic raiders are known for their agility, using hardened bone-braces and polearms to vault towards their victims at terrifying speeds.

Riot Universe · regional archive

Dormun RidersRiot Games

Dormun Riders

Dormun-riders use claw grips to traverse the complex series of ropes that connect the mobile village's dwellings. Once a rider becomes too old or infirm to “run the ropes”, they are lowered to the ground to live out the rest of their days as a land-dweller.

Riot Universe · regional archive

ScavengersRiot Games

Scavengers

Shurima's scavengers live by looting food, valuables, and trade goods. Mostly, they venture into the ruins of abandoned, sand-wrecked cities. Scavengers are prime targets for raiders when moving on foot, so will often ride sandswimmers to avoid ambush.

Riot Universe · regional archive

The history of the region

Follow what happened here

  1. Shurima & the Sun DiscBefore Icathia's rebellion
  2. The fall of ShurimaAfter the war at Icathia
  3. The darkin warsAfter Shurima's collapse

Personal stories

Champions of Shurima

Stories connected to Shurima

Associated through the archive’s characters; some journeys continue beyond this region.

The source archive

Sources & further reading

Riot’s regional overview and place descriptions are preserved with attribution. Regional accounts describe their publication period; later stories can change the situation.

  1. Shurima · Riot Universe ↗
  2. Shurima: Descent into the Tomb ↗

Official publication

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