Braum Q&A - Creative [Completed]

This might sound like a strange question, but it's been on my mind for a while. Recently, Riot seems to be taking pains to not ever mention the League or Summoners — some Champions have even had their VOs modified to delete such references. Braum continues this trend. I think that's a bit of a shame: the League provides a fun and versatile "excuse plot" to explain why these Champions are fighting each other. And if you think about it, it's actually got some depth to it: I like the idea of Champions being heroes who sign up to fight, whether to test their skill, win glory, gain favor with those in power, or represent their homeland. You can imagine all kinds of political machinations going on behind the scenes. It also gives players a role in the story, as Summoners. And it allows for conflict without world-obliterating warfare. Some of us have built an entire community-run game mode out of this.

In Braum's case, it seems perfectly natural that he'd want to go fight in the League to help out his village. For example, if he wins some big matches for Demacia, then he might be able to call in favors if his village needs medicine, or protection from Sejuani's raiders, or whatever else. Or maybe he just thinks it sounds like good fun to go brawl with the mightiest heroes of Valoran.

I don't know if you're under contrary orders or not, but if you can, could we just get a post confirming that the League still exists and that Braum is part of it? That request perhaps seems so obvious as to be absurd in a game titled League of Legends, but a lot of people on the lore forums feel like there's some conspiracy underway to retcon what little lore remains and make LoL nothing but all eSports all the time.

I understand that the new initiative is to focus on characters over plot. But I think the League of Legends "excuse plot" actually works well that way: it's a lightweight, simple plot that has a place for virtually any Champion you can imagine. It allows for constant conflict between states without requiring that anyone ever really "win", so it keeps the backstory that new people need to pick up to a minimum.

EDIT: Gentleman Gaston has discovered this Twitter post from Kitae on the topic.

Was it a concern that Draven's stache now pales in comparison to Braum's?

Will Braum ever get a Alex Armstrong From Full Metal Alchemist related Skin?

Could Braum melt a Frozen Heart? And is it true that he’s shirtless in the Freljord because his warmth comes from the inside?

No question at this moment. Just wanted to thank you for giving us the greatest champion ever conceived and giving me a reason to change my summoner name <3

What's the name of Braum's shield? Does it have a name?

Side note - Best duo bot? Dat Ashe and Dat Stache

Hey Riot Opeli!

I've got a number of questions about Braum, but I'll just open up with the main one:

In Braum's character piece the grandmother telling his story claims that her own grandmother told her stories of Braum. Given the necessary generational gap this would place Braum as a very elderly figure, which is certainly not the case in-game! Is Braum significantly older than he seems (how mysterious!), or is this legend being told in the distant future after Braum's accomplishments have become merely folklore? Really curious about this one!

Thanks for hosting this and I'll drop more questions that I hope are worth answering/asking! Also, drop by the Lore Discussion forums sometime. We <3 you guys!

Does Braum have any "love" interests?

I believe that Braum and Draven should have like an interaction about who has a better mustache. It would be beautiful like Draven could be jealous of him.

We all know Braum is bros with Ashe (Angus was too, after all) but what does he think of the other Freljord champions, especially allied rage-machine Tryndamere and the enemy's own tanky brawler Sejuani? Along the same lines, does he just sort of get along with everybody or is there anyone in particular outside the Freljord he dislikes?

Also, did you know you don't show up in the Red Tracker?

What inspired the Poro video? It's a stroke of genius b/c so many in the community love him already for having saved the poro from certain doom (<3<3<3). Along with a display of how he can block projectiles.

Does Braum actually use his shield? Or is it just for show, and his manly mustache is what truly blocks attacks?

What would Braum do for a Klondike bar?

What's Braum and Ashes relationship like? <3

What inspired all the interactions with other champions?

Also, since Braum interacts with certain expected items he purchases, will this become a feature for reworked and future champions as well?

I'm curious, why was the decision made to go with a troll child specifically in Braum's lore? Is it to imply the troll is Trundle? Or to form some sort of connection between Braum and Trundle? Or some other reason entirely? Just seems like a curious emphasis was made on the child's species, especially considering my assumption was that the trolls were not well-liked by other Freljordians. Or was that itself the reason, to show that Braum is friends with everyone?

Why isn't Braum also a chef.

What made you decide that Braum's weapon would be a shield? Most other Freljordians all have very offensive weapons, so why break the mold with Braum?