Hey Interlocutioner, thanks for holding this AMA!
I am quite the Pantheon fan/main, so my questions will be solely focused around him and the narrative direction riot is taking with him. I've known Pantheon as the proud Stanpar warrior who joined the league because he got offended that there was an institute of war that did not think of him or his people. Now after all these years we finally again have a Pantheon who is a mortal man who will greet battle like an old friend.
The divine Pantheon, aspect of war and so on was a completely cool idea that I really enjoyed. The issue that I feel comes from something like the god Pantheon is that there is no place for character growth or ability to relate to him. He was cool and badass simply for the sake of being badass. With the new Pantheon you reintroduced the human warrior that many of us league veterans will remember. But now he is a combination of the first and second iteration, combining humanity with godly powers. It is a wonderful narrative of a man who resents the gods but uses their powers. He is not truly just a human and I love the potential inner struggles and conflicts he has with himself. These are wonderful sources of character growth, something Pantheon direly needed in my opinion. I am happy that Pantheon is more than a jacked angry dude with a spear now. Hes finally a compelling and intricate character while still remaining faithful to his very roots.
The only issue I have with the rework is the lack of sunshine in this bread loving warriors life.
I think its obvious what I am getting at. I really liked that Pantheon and Leona were childhood friends back in the day and really was unsatisfied that they got ripped apart the way they did. From friends to being estranged and now to enemies, its the only story development that saddened me as Pantheons contempt seems to be mostly directed at Leona (and Aatrox) if voice lines are to be believed.
I can't really see why Pantheon would despise her so much. Is it not her duty to protect the people of the mountain as leader of the Solari? In Leonas short story she defended the mountain against invaders, in Pantheons lore story he defended the mountain which was besieged by Aatrox. They both clearly work towards the same goal with overlapping motives, the protection of their people. I understand that Pantheon has a great aversion towards the gods after what was done to him and is angered that Leona did nothing against the barbarians, only to later find out that Aatrox was the real threat all along. Yet in his one line towards her he insists that she is stronger than she knows without aspect and armor. Id really want to know what their exact relationship is now and how it could evolve. Would he help her for the good of Targons people? He aided the Ra'Horak, which are under her command. Where does he draw the line? Would he help her soldiers but not Leona herself if she needed his help just because she is an aspect?
Do you think that expanding their story is something we could expect in the future? With Pantheons lore now updated is there any chance for progression in their story and/or relationship? Targon is such a interesting place and id love to see its two oldest champions interact more and hopefully grow past their misunderstandings.The amount of fan art for the two of them leads me to believe that I am not the only one who liked those two teaming up. What better way to defend the people of Targon then by joining forces?
Congratulations and all the best to 10 years League of Legends! Here's to another wonderful 10 years!