Protesters in Türkiye have turned to Sylas, a League of Legends champion whose story centres around opression and resistance.
With civil unrest recently breaking out in Türkiye, some protesters have turned to a League of Legends (LoL) champion as a symbol of resistance. Images of Sylas the Unshackled have been showing up in posters, with slogans such as “break the chains”, during protests. Many people in support of the protest have also changed their social media profile pictures to an image of Sylas alongside images of people joining hands.
According to a report by the BBC, more than 1,100 people – including journalists and left-wing leaders – have been arrested in recent days following the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges.
The crackdown has sparked a widespread movement across the country, with many showing their support through Sylas-themed posters.
Images of these posters spread on X and Reddit. The posters include a photo of the champion, and some of his most famous in-game quotes. "Break the chains," one poster read. "Stand up, brothers and sisters. They can't hang us all."
Who is Sylas, the Unshackled, and why is he a symbol of rebellion?
Sylas is one of LoL’s 170 champions and his lore is deeply tied to themes of rebellion. A Demacian mage, Sylas grew up in the kingdom’s strict anti-magic society. He was born into a poor Demacian family and showed the ability to sense magic at a young age. This talent attracted the attention of Mageseekers. At first, he was used to detect hidden magic users, however, he was deemed dangerous and imprisoned after he accidentally absorbed and unleashed a young mage’s power.
Spending years in a dark cell, shackled with chains that suppressed his magic, he grew resentful of Demacia’s hypocrisy — nobles secretly harboured mages while commoners were ruthlessly persecuted. Eventually escaping by absorbing the magic of Lux Crownguard, a noble mage who secretly visited him, Sylas broke free and went on a rampage by killing High Mageseeker Eldric and inciting a revolution. He then gathered a group of rogue mages, determined to overthrow Demacia’s oppressive system.
In The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story, Sylas' rebellion takes centre stage. The game explores his journey from escapee to revolutionary leader, The game also delves into his relationships with other mages and his internal struggle between vengeance and justice.
Now a fugitive leading a mage uprising, Sylas continues to wage war against Demacia. His ultimate goal is to dismantle its anti-magic laws and expose its corruption, but his path remains one of destruction and rebellion.
Sylas' influence in Turkey
Beyond the demonstrations, Turkish LoL players have been picking Sylas more frequently in ranked and normal matches. On patch 15.6, his pick rate in Turkey has surged, with Sylas appearing in 3,389 matches, according to Lolalytics.
Sylas’ rebellion isn’t just confined to the world of Runeterra — his unshackled spirit has found a place in Turkey’s protests. As his presence grows both in-game and in the streets, he stands as a reminder that resistance, whether virtual or real, is a battle fought with unbreakable will.
