Riot hints at new jungler with Malzahar lore update

TL;DR

  • Riot’s ‘Feast of the Prophet’ story introduces a terrifying female Void entity consuming memories
  • Malzahar serves as prophet guiding cultists to sacrifice their experiences to the emerging being
  • The mysterious ‘she’ appears to be the upcoming Void-themed jungler champion for 2022
  • Evidence suggests a champion that grows in size and power throughout matches
  • Strategic warding and positioning will be crucial against this memory-consuming threat

Following the monumental success of Arcane, Riot Games continues to expand League of Legends’ narrative universe through compelling short stories. The recent release ‘Feast of the Prophet’ provides crucial development for Malzahar’s character and the overarching Void narrative that has long needed deeper exploration.

Community speculation has intensified around a particular entity featured in the narrative, with many believing this mysterious being represents the Void-themed jungler Riot previously announced for upcoming release. This represents a significant evolution in Void manifestation, suggesting this corrupted transformation may soon haunt Summoner’s Rift’s strategic fog zones.

The narrative centers on Meir, a refugee escaping Noxian retaliation after resisting their imperial expansion. To evade capture, Meir infiltrates a desert cult in Shurima that practices disturbing sacrificial rituals to a massive, energy-filled chasm.

https://twitter.com/TBSkyen/status/1463764886098427907?s=20

What happens in Malzahar’s story?

Meir finds himself escorted to a ceremonial gathering at the edge of the colossal pit, its dimensions comparable to a small country. Cult members inquire if he has arrived to encounter their prophesied leader. From this pivotal moment, the celestial bodies above Shurima’s barren landscape appear to approach menacingly closer, creating a claustrophobic, Lovecraftian atmosphere as space itself seems to contract around him. While Meir attempts to navigate around the massive cavity to reach coastal safety, the prophet Malzahar makes his dramatic entrance.

Malzahar presents as a barefoot mystic draped in Icathian ceremonial garments, with unsettling dark movements visible beneath his skin. A single look from the prophet allows Void energy to penetrate Meir’s consciousness, granting him terrifying visions of realities beyond mortal comprehension. Meir peers through the stars to witness Void horrors existing behind reality’s veil, including an unimaginably massive form he intuitively recognizes as female, though he cannot explain this innate knowledge.

The prophet elaborates on memory’s fundamental importance and how the Void will cleanse worldly corruption. This feminine presence expands increasingly within Meir’s psyche and the night sky, her scale defying rational understanding. Malzahar explains the Void is adopting a fresh incarnation, an alternative method of manifestation, and he refers to this form using feminine pronouns, mirroring Meir’s perception. The prophet reveals he has guided the cult members to this location to offer their memories, experiences, encounters, and all components constituting mortal existence to the consuming entity.

As Malzahar declares: “She wants everything. And, she will have it.”

The terrain gives way beneath Meir and the cultists, plunging them into the Void’s enormous cavity. During his descent into annihilation, steadily dismantled by the Void’s corrupting influence, Meir experiences his memories being extracted from his being. He simultaneously witnesses all sacrificed elements from the cultists being deconstructed at their most fundamental level, torn asunder by that new, horrifying, feminine presence.

In his final conscious moments, Meir comprehends they are all being processed into this terrifying new Void aspect developing at the pit’s depths. For numerous enthusiasts, this appears as an unambiguous reference to the forthcoming Void jungler champion.

https://twitter.com/TBSkyen/status/1463775784452210689?s=20

Who is the new jungler?

While the jungler’s specific identity remains unconfirmed, substantial evidence indicates this female Void-born creature that feeds on mortal memories constitutes the upcoming champion. This wouldn’t mark the initial instance of new champion introduction through seemingly unrelated narratives, as Sylas originally appeared in a Mageseeker-focused short story before his game introduction.

Riot appears to emphasize repeatedly this entity’s massive scale, suggesting players might encounter another champion whose physical dimensions increase alongside power progression during matches. With merely months remaining until the champion’s anticipated launch, it would prove unusual for Riot to publish such a specific narrative red herring.

Should this enigmatic being arrive on Summoner’s Rift, players must prioritize effective warding strategies unless they wish to experience consumption by this new phase in Void evolution similar to unfortunate Meir.

Strategic Considerations for the New Jungler:

Based on the story’s descriptions, players should anticipate several key gameplay elements. The memory-consumption theme suggests potential ability mechanics that might interact with enemy resource systems or cooldown states. The emphasis on growth mechanics indicates scaling potential that could mirror champions like Cho’Gath or Zac, where size increases correlate directly with combat effectiveness.

The Lovecraftian cosmic horror elements might translate to area denial abilities or vision manipulation mechanics. Players should prepare for potential jungle pathing that maximizes scaling opportunities while minimizing early game vulnerability.

Action Checklist

  • Review current vision control strategies and warding patterns in jungle routes
  • Practice champions with scaling mechanics to understand size-growth gameplay dynamics
  • Analyze Void-themed champion abilities for potential synergy patterns
  • Study Lovecraftian horror elements in gaming for thematic understanding
  • Monitor official Riot announcements for champion teasers and ability reveals

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Riot hints at new jungler with Malzahar lore update Unveiling Malzahar's Void narrative and the mysterious female jungler emerging from Riot's latest lore expansion