I would set the world ablaze to protect our family.
Ambessa, "The Monster You Created"
Ambessa Medarda Was a powerful warlord and stateswoman in Noxus.[1] She was also the estranged mother of Mel.
Biography[]
History[]
I will give you the world, child, if you prove you can take it.
Ambessa to Mel, "The Monster You Created"
When she was ten, her father brought her to the aftermath of the Battle of Hildenard to collect weapons from the fallen in exchange for a gold coin each, exposing her to death at the tender age.
She tried to imbue the same principles in her two known children, particularly in her daughter Mel, whom Ambessa tried to mold into a warrior and leader willing to do whatever is necessary to ensure their survival from a young age. This seemingly proved futile, however, as her son Kino preferred diplomacy over war, and Mel adapted his way of thinking and came to see war and killing only as a last resort.
Because you weakened me! I couldn't endure the look in your eyes whenever I made the decisions—the necessary decisions to keep us safe!
Ambessa on why she sent her own daughter away, "The Monster You Created"
Eventually, she sent Mel away from their home to Piltover, pointing out that her sentimentality would work well among the "soft-spined idealists", and would later use the excuse that it was for her to oversee their family's interests in the city.[2] In truth, she sent her away because she could no longer bear Mel's disapproval of her decisions.[3]
Season 1[]
Mel eventually came to power in Piltover as a Councilor and the wealthiest person in the city,[4] and she would later sponsor the research of Jayce Talis into Hextech that then revolutionized trade and travel in the world, thus having a hand in Piltover's undeniable progress.[5]
Apparently too distracted to have been able to do anything at the time, her son Kino was killed by a man who earned his ire.[2] Ambessa realized that the man was not done with his grudge and would strike again and could have enough resources to potentially overpower them.[3] To aid their victory in a potential war, Ambessa visited Piltover in hopes of getting her hands on weaponized Hextech.
Having heard news of the city's ongoing conflict with Zaun, she tried to convince both Mel and Jayce to finally engage the undercity in war and use his Hextech weapons for it. Mel determinedly refused and convinced the Council to avoid any war-inciting actions as well, but Jayce was swayed enough to attack one of Silco's Shimmer factories with Vi. When Jayce accidentally killed a boy,[2] however, Jayce completely changed his mind.
Mel confronted her about her manipulation of Jayce, and she finally told Mel about the impending conflict at Noxus. She then asked Mel to let the war happen, after which she would be welcome back home and at her side. Mel would ultimately turn down the offer, taking off her family ring as she agreed to Jayce's proposal of peace with Zaun by granting them their requested independence.[3]
Characteristics[]
Personality[]
Ambessa is a woman of unshakable confidence, displaying no vulnerability or emotional weakness. Raised in Noxus, where strength is paramount, she embraces aggression over passivity, reflecting the harsh upbringing her father instilled in her and the ruthless Noxian culture. Her cold, merciless nature toward enemies is tempered by a hedonistic enjoyment of Piltover's luxuries and the exotic foods of foreign lands, a reflection of her appreciation for power and indulgence. A master of both eloquent speech and brutal force, she deftly manipulates situations and people to serve her and her family’s interests, whether through words or actions.
Although she values violence as a means to secure her position, Ambessa isn’t entirely dismissive of diplomacy. Her decision not to exile Kino—despite his purely diplomatic approach—suggests that while aggression is favored, she recognizes the tactical value of negotiation when it suits her. However, she is selective with her violence, always considering the long-term impact of her actions. Ready to eliminate threats if necessary, she believes that killing one person can sometimes prevent a larger, more destructive conflict down the line. Above all, Ambessa is a survivor, willing to take any action to protect her family and their legacy.
Ambessa respects aggression in all its forms—be it in warfare or diplomatic dealings—but she equally values cunning, provided it doesn’t undermine the display of power. Her advice to her daughter, Mel, about embodying "both the fox and the wolf" underscores this duality: while one can favor one trait over the other, true success in her family demands mastery of both. The greatest offense in her eyes is not a lack of cunning or aggression, but the display of weakness or incompetence, which she sees as unforgivable.
Appearance[]
Ambessa is a strong, muscular woman with rich brown skin and light brown eyes. Her coily hair, ranging from grey to black, is styled loosely above her shoulders, complementing her fierce, warrior-like appearance. She wears regal Noxian attire befitting her high rank, primarily in black and red, with metallic silver accents. A red cloak with black fur drapes over her shoulder, further enhancing her commanding presence. Her face and upper body are marked with numerous battle scars, a testament to her hardened life as a warlord and her willingness to engage in direct combat.
In Season 2 Ambessa has her hair braided back into 3 braids capped in gold. She wears her battle attire which consists of tan and black garb with accents of gold and red threads, and red cloth wrapped around her arms and golden triangular earrings. In Act 1, she wears a regal headpiece that she wraps her braids with, and a militaristic black jacket with large golden shoulder pieces and accents. Ambessa has dark brown lipstick with a golden stripe on her bottom lip, and red stripes painted under her eyes. In battle, Ambessa wears a golden feline-like mask.
Abilities[]
Skilled Melee Combatant: Ambessa Medarda is a formidable melee fighter, known for her proficiency with a weapon resembling a katar. Her remarkable reflexes and agility are evident in her ability to swiftly and decisively eliminate opponents, including executing a clean decapitation with a single strike. Her combat style reflects the precision and efficiency instilled in her by years of training and battle experience.
Manipulative Strategist: Ambessa excels in manipulation and psychological warfare, using her keen understanding of others’ emotions to further her objectives. One notable example is her ability to persuade Chem-Baroness Renni to lead an assault on Piltover’s memorial for council members killed by Jinx. While feigning sympathy for Piltover’s loss, she used their grief as leverage to convince them to invade Zaun. Her success lies in her strategic use of emotional manipulation, turning the Chem-Baroness's sorrow into a weapon that served her broader goals
Trivia[]
- The word "Ambessa" means "Lion" in the Ethiopian language.
- Ambessa is the first character release after Arcane series as the official champion of League of Legends.
Relationships[]
See Ambessa Medarda/Relationships
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
| Season One appearances: 2/9 | ||
| "Welcome to the Playground": Absent |
"Some Mysteries Are Better Left Unsolved": Absent |
"The Base Violence Necessary for Change": Absent |
| "Happy Progress Day!": Absent |
"Everybody Wants to Be My Enemy": Absent |
"When These Walls Come Tumbling Down": Absent |
| "The Boy Savior": Alluded to only |
"Oil and Water": Appears |
"The Monster You Created": Appears |
| Season Two appearances: 7/9 | ||
| "Heavy Is the Crown": Appears |
"Watch It All Burn": Absent |
"Finally Got the Name Right": Appears |
| "Paint The Town Blue": Appears |
"Blisters And Bedrock": Appears |
"The Message Hidden Within The Pattern": Appears |
| "Pretend Like It's the First Time": Absent |
"Killing Is a Cycle": Appears |
"The Dirt Under Your Nails": Appears |
References[]
- ↑ League of Legends loading screen tip during the airing of Arcane.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ben St. John, Mollie St. John (writers) and Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord (directors) (November 20, 2021). "Oil and Water". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 8. Netflix.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Christian Linke, Alex Yee (writers) and Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord (November 20, 2021). "The Monster You Created". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 9. Netflix.
- ↑ Nick Luddington (writer) and Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord (directors) (November 6, 2021). "Some Mysteries Are Better Left Unsolved". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 2. Netflix.
- ↑ David Dunne (writer) and Pascal Charrue, Arnaud Delord (directors) (November 13, 2021). "Happy Progress Day!". Arcane. Season 1. Episode 4. Netflix.
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