Xerath lore update
Goodbye Interesting character, hello usual power-mad villain
Also, on side note, how do you hurl a being of pure energy?
(Apologies for not being pictures, first post on the boards.)
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Still looks and sounds like the same Xerath to me.
From a man whose life got literally consumed by his obsession for magic to a villain who betrayed his emporer for his obsession of magic. Similar, but suddenly Xerath is only a villain, instead of also a man. This weakened his story.
Also, the whole city being swallowed by the desert seems a bit... underwhelming in this medium (edit: I mean it seems a sidepoint, it doesn't really convey very well).
Obviously, it's a part of the whole puzzle, told through the point of view of someone loyal to Azir.
It could be that Xerath was, literally, the Jafar of the Shurima Empire... (The Ascension VO would suggest as much)
or, it could be that Xerath was trying to stop Azir from taking the Ascended's power for himself.
We won't know more until the rest is released, but at least it's SOMETHING from the Narrative team besides empty apologies and unwanted excuses.
I dunno about you all, but I kinda have more respect for 
now and am actually thinking about buying him because of this update.
I really like the idea that he was so heroic, he was unflinchingly willing to sacrifice himself to protect the world from Xerath's power; saving his people and eventually succumbing to madness while trying to contain Xerath feels like a greater tragedy than him eventually going mad because he dealt with a lot of evil people on a daily basis.
So basically, you are telling me...
Azir is actually a good guy, just kinda greedy. He is actually not all that bad of a guy.
Nasus is Azir's servant hero type guy along with Renekton. He is, however, still sane since he was not trapped in a tomb for... a long time.
Renekton is actually a good guy gone mad, being extremely angry at Nasus for selfish reasons and insanity. He probably doesn't remember the part where he TOLD Nasus to seal him in with Xerath.
Xerath is a power happy priest that wants to behold the power of a god. He successfully did so, but was trapped in a sarcophagus, slightly weakening his power to moderate levels. He was then thrown into a tomb with Renekton where probably horrific events occurred for an EXTREMELY long time.
Reminds me of The Road to El Dorado.
Please, let's not take something and extrapolate it to the point that we don't like; solely to continue a hate train. Wait until something is finished before judging it.
Here are more lore changes for the next patch from the PBE.
"Amumu Amumu is a diminutive, animated cadaver who wanders the world, trying to discover his true identity. He rose from an ancient Shuriman tomb bound in corpse wrappings with no knowledge of his past, consumed with an uncontrollable sadness.
Ezreal The intrepid young adventurer Ezreal has explored some of the most remote and abandoned locations on Runeterra. During an expedition to the buried ruins of ancient Shurima, he recovered an amulet of incredible mystical power. Likely constructed to be worn by one of the Ascended, the enormous talisman nonetheless fit snugly upon his arm, amplifying his raw sorcerous skill to such an extent that he's gained the reputation of a hero, much to his embarrassment.
Cassiopeia Cassiopeia is a terrifying creature - half woman, half snake - whose slightest glance brings death. The youngest daughter of one of Noxus' most influential families, she was once a beautiful and cunning temptress capable of manipulating the hardest heart. Transformed by the venom of an ancient Shuriman tomb guardian, she continues to serve Noxian interests as she always has, just in a more... visceral way.
Nasus To some, Nasus is a demigod who walks among the ruins of an ancient civilization; to others, he is nothing more than a myth. Legend speaks of his dominion over death and time. Millennia ago, he stood at the apex of Shuriman society as curator and guardian. He now roams the arid wastes, seeking to release his brother Renekton from the grip of madness.
Rammus The mysteries that surround Rammus are numerous. How did a simple creature of the desert suddenly become able to reason? How did he craft his vaunted suit of armor? What is he searching for as he crosses the Shuriman desert? One thing is for certain: trying to stop the inexorable Rammus is a fool's mission.
Renekton Renekton was once a staunch gatekeeper of ancient Shurima, but in the centuries since the fall of that once-glorious empire, he has been consumed by madness. Now, he is little more than a rage-fueled beast who seeks to kill his brother Nasus, who he believes is to blame for his current state of mind.
Sivir Known as the Battle Mistress, Sivir is a mercenary with a ruthless reputation. Combining unflinching bravery with endless ambition, she has garnered great fame and fortune. Faced with the revelation of her mysterious heritage, Sivir must weigh her desire to continue on her own path, or accept the burden of a greater legacy.
Skarner Skarner, the crystalline guardian, defends the entrance to a realm deep beneath the Shuriman wastes. The few who survive trespassing his domain describe a creature of terrifying intelligence, anger, and precision. What this merciless creature protects, no one knows.
Xerath Powerful beyond reckoning, the ascended being known as Xerath was once a mortal of flesh and blood. He is now something vastly different - a being of writhing arcane energy. Having emerged from millennia-spanning imprisonment, he is now ready to unleash his power upon Runeterra, and utterly destroy any who oppose him."
These are not even full paragraphs! This is not even a joke, this is horrible and I am appalled that they think this is good enough.
Yeah, I can see how you're using your freedom there. Lowering a character who fell folly to his own relentless pursuit of knowledge to Jaffar.
Clearly, this could only have happened if the IoW was completely retconned from the story altogether.