Zaahen's voicelines commentary - Part 1: The Ascended
Zaahen's voicelines are very interesting, be it to learn more about him or the lore around Shurima, the Ascended and the Darkin.
Because I am too limited in time to do it all in one sitting, I'll make that commentary in parts. We're starting with the relationships displayed by the voicelines, and what we can learn from them about Zaahen as a person. These voicelines also raise more questions from me, which makes me want to see more lore content about Zaahen, because he is fascinating like that.
Zaahen has voicelines with the Ascended of the game, Azir, Nasus and Renekton. It was expected for him to have them, considering he used to be Ascended himself until fairly recently (by Ascended standards).
Let's start with his voiceline for Azir which, I feel, is very much misinterpreted.
Rise, Hawk Emperor. I pledge no loyalty to an unfit leader. (First encounter)
First thing first, this is NOT a diss towards Azir. If anything, it's the contrary, and Zaahen is rather elegantly but firmly telling Azir to get his shit together and walk his talk. It is important for two reasons, because it tells us about what Zaahen wants to see for his homeland, and how Zaahen perceives himself when it comes to political power.
For those who aren't familiar with the lore of Shurima, basically, the end of the Shuriman Empire happened under Azir. The Empire culturally ran on slave labour, and a young Azir befriended a slave named Xerath. This friendship was as inequal as one would expect, because while Azir would never have mistreated Xerath, he still had power over his bery life and Xerath was keenly aware of it. Over time, Xerath still became Azir's right-hand man and would scheme in the background to eliminate any concurrent to Azir's accession to the throne. When Azir took the throne, a dispute between them regarding abolishing slavery caused Xerath to resent Azir, as he felt betrayed by his inaction. This led to Xerath plotting secretly to organise a coup.
One of the steps for this coup was to suggest Azir undertake the ritual of Ascension. Remember what I said in a previous post, about how this ritual became rarer over time? Well, at this point in Shuriman history, it had been ages since the ritual had been performed. See, the Void War had been settled, and there wasn't much justifying this ritual anymore. Still, Azir listened to Xerath, against the opinion of the Sun Priests. It was, however, a front on Xerath's part, as he was readying his betrayal.
Now, some people will think that Xerath was unfair towards Azir, who'd treated him so well and who wanted to abolish slavery. That is ignoring Azir's own arrogance, as the reason why he accepted to undertake the ritual of Ascension was to gain undisputed power and get his name on the act of abolishing slavery. Xerath may have been very bitter himself, but he wasn't entirely unjustified in his resentment of Azir, although it pushed him to commit the worst act of betrayal in the history of Shurima, that still echoes in the present. As Azir was proceeding to the rites, he embraced Xerath and promised him to end slavery. This promise came too late for Xerath however, who blasted Azir out of the way with a spell to take his place and gain the power of an Ascended. This action had catastrophic consequences, as it led to the fall of the Sun Disc, and the Empire as a whole.
The Ascended brothers, Nasus and Renekton, tried to imprison a now transformed Xerath - the rite had failed and he had become a formless Baccai, but remained powerful nonetheless. The battle to imprison Xerath led to Renekton's own sacrifice as he got imprisoned with Xerath in the Tomb of Emperors.
Zaahen was around when these events unfolded. He was around when consequences happened: the Empire crumbled, and leaderless Ascended began the infighting for power that would be known later as the Darkin Wars (with the especially horrific events surrounding Aatrox vs Xolaani).
Now, moving the clock forward for over a millenium, and a mercenary named Sivir got betrayed by her companion while they were uncovering the Tomb of Emperors. This betrayal led to a chain of events in which both Xerath and Renekton found themselves released, but also the return of Azir, presumed dead but stuck in a state of stasis as his Ascension had been incomplete. The awakening happened as Sivir, who happened to be a long-time descendant of Azir, had her blood spilled on the tomb when she got attacked. Azir came back, not as a man but as an Ascended Hawk-Emperor, ready to reclaim his throne and restore his lost empire.
How does it relate to what Zaahen says to Azir? Well, it confirms that he tells him to go and reclaim his birthright. Zaahen is an imperialist and would very much want to see the rightful heir take the reins and revive the Shuriman Empire.
Not only does this line tells us that Zaahen is an imperialist (as in, he certainly sounds like he'd be on board for a revival of the Shuriman Empire led by Azir), but also that he doesn't see himself as a leader - rather, he respects the hierarchy in place and accepts his status of follower/servant to the emperor and the Shuriman Empire. This, in itself, could partially explain why he didn't go full Darkin during the Darkin Wars (aside from, you know, not partaking in hemomancy/being on the receiving end of Xolaani's hemomancy), and how surprisingly well he's been doing despite the corruption getting to him. Contrary to other Ascended, he never aimed to seize power for himself and put himself to the service of others instead, to put an end to the atrocities committed by his brothers and sisters. Zaahen is a particularly principled man with a spine of steel, and this alone shows it well. He may perceive himself as a God because of his status as Ascended, but he is righteous enough to know it doesn't mean he gets to be above everything, and he holds himself and others accountable to his and their responsibilities.
He is not a mindless follower, and has a clear idea of the type of leadership he finds acceptable, according to his own principles. Keep that type of thinking in mind, because it will be talked about again later in regard to Zaahen and his notion about consequences.
We cannot bar ourselves from the world any longer, scholar. (First encounter)
Of course, Zaahen has a line for Nasus as well. Nasus, even before his Ascension, was a famed general and strategist, a true scholar who would curate and spread knowledge through libraries around the Shuriman Empire, to provide access to education to a greater number. After the fall of the Empire and the loss of his brother, he became an hermit, avoiding the sun and keeping to libraries getting lost to time.
I am not surprised Zaahen has such a line for him, because they are quite similar. Both of them exiled themselves from the world to avoid further pain and heartbreak. However, Zaahen is definitely a man of action despite his own trauma - his decision to face and take his brothers and sisters down to stop their madness, his decision to protect the world from himself, and his decision to come back to the world, certainly indicate so (even though his release was reluctant, he still committed to it), so this line really shows both his compassion and his ability to take a step forward, because he understands that action needs to be taken now and neither of them has the luxury to avoid the rest of the world anymore - the world won't give them that grace. It also echoes beautifully what Xin Zhao said to him, how things would happen with or without his permission, and thus taking action is a way for one to keep a hold of themselves, instead of remaining passive and letting things happen.
I find this line lovely, as it displays Zaahen's determination well without making him judgemental, his tone is firm but kind. Nasus is a chill and smart guy, Zaahen is a chill and smart guy, they very likely knew each other before everything fell apart. I'd love to see them interact more through more lore content (but it's Rito we're talking about hahahaha hahaha haha ha my expectations are below 0 and I'll still probably be disappointed).
Such nobility... Turned to butchery. (First encounter)
Zaahen expresses open regret towards Renekton, who has been driven mad while imprisoned with Xerath. Similarly to Nasus, there's a high chance he knew Renekton, especially since he acknowledges his past behaviour, qualifying it of highly noble: Renekton was, after all, a famed general alongside his brother, and both had enough credentials to directly serve the emperor, on top of being the first to act during the coup, with Renekton sacrificing himself in the process (something that certainly resonates with Zaahen's own sacrificial tendency).
It must indeed be painful for him to see an Ascended brother so lost to madness. It must also push a sensitive button, as such a state is precisely what Zaahen fights against within himself. And while Zaahen is definitely fine with using force, he only seems inclined to do it only when necessary, and finds no joy in needless violence (see: in The Truth, he uses force against his brothers and sisters to seal them, but the moment he finds himself at risk of causing unnecessary bloodshed, he demands to be sealed in turn to protect others). Again, it shows how profoundly principled he is, and yet he isn't really judging Renekton over his own behaviour, he sounds rather sorrowful instead.
This line makes me honestly feel bad for both Renekton and Zaahen. It's just sad and Zaahen is lamenting Renekton's state.
Our allegiance must still be proven, God-Warrior (First encounter, any Ascended)
This line shows quite well how Zaahen perceives his role as that of a servant to something greater.
God-warrior, rest beneath the sands (Kill, any Ascended)
This line demonstrates quite well the respect Zaahen has for his brethren. Such behaviour aligns with his generally honorable attitude as well, on top of providing a little hint at the way Shuriman expressions are informed by the geography of the land.
