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Our Identity As Summoners

Shatterlight··7 votes·946 views

Currently, most lore that has been developed has focused on the Champions. The world of Runeterra is told through their stories, and they are currently our only way to identify with the world and story. After nearly four years playing the game, I have to ask myself - how often do I even remember that I'm supposedly a summoner? I've got some runes, some masteries, and a Ranked bracket. None of these make me feel like I'm a part of this world. I'm supposed to be a part of the League - a League that feels unsubstantial and just an excuse for why all these Champions are fighting.

I feel like an important thing to throw on the To-Do list at some point is to make us feel like individuals in this world. I don't really know what direction to go in to achieve that - perhaps being capable of aligning with one of the city-states, and having a more dynamic interaction between those city-states dependent upon player participation?

Do others feel this is as large an issue as I do, or is the general feeling that the champions should remain the entire focus of the lore and storytelling?

7 Comments

Ixinar4 votes

The Freljord patch tried to 'fix' this lack of immersion by allowing us to side with one of the sister tribes. I personally didn't like it, because it clearly did not matter (aside from nice icons) to anyone. Also, from storyline perspective if every single Summoner could support one side, how did it look like to the people that watch League as main entertainment across Valoran? I mean, think about how many questions it brings. Are League Summoners divided? Does this mean the support for major city-states is lacking? Why are they even concerned by some barbarians from tundra? The addition of Ice Witch into it so suddenly would mean more conspiracy theories? Is Institute of War losing it's grip on controling violent magics if such a being is willingly joining them? Is Institute corrupted?

Also, Twist of Fate didn't even adress Summoners. They were substantial to first LoL cinematic, and shown in action, cooperating... then nobody cared.

I like the fact, that the championship cup has supposedly Summoners on it, that's a nice touch and I would like to discuss this with the artist who made this login screen...

EDIT: Offtopic, I seem to be unable to upvote this thread ;(

Shatterlight1 votes

My issue with it in the Freljord event was mostly that our choice had no consequence. We got an infographic after half a year later, and I just didn't feel like that was enough. I thought our choice was going to lead up to something big, but we got our icons and that was that!

I also think that having summoner alignments might make things a bit more meaningful there - are the Noxian summoners supporting the Winter's Claw, or the Frostguard? The players would decide that - and then that could lead into future alliances for future conflicts.

You're absolutely right that we need a lot more things clarified in how it all fits into the world.

Additionally, the point you brought up about Lissandra is something I feel very much in agreement to. Since League Judgements are gone, the new champions joining the League seem to have no reason to. Why is Syndra here? Why did Thresh come out of the Shadow Isles? Elise is a selfish creature with no purpose in the politics, what is she here for?

Sternbery3 votes

I kinda always thought that the summoners themselves would be aligned with one faction or another. They might even be hired/supported by certain city-states just as some champions are.

The point of the League is to settle disputes through sport rather than war right? Then wouldn't it make sense that either side in a dispute would try to find summoners that agree with them? An independent summoner would be less pressured to accept certain matches but would be less backed by the city-states.

I'm interested to see Riot take this somewhere.

Shindo Shuichi3 votes

I absolutely agree. The only time I remember I'm a "summoner" is when I play Lux or Sona and they address me as such. They SHOULD implement a city-state alignment system, along with a faction-based matchmaking system where players choose a faction or set of factions before searching for a match and fight against summoners who have chosen opposing ones.

StarrySongstress3 votes

I seriously love this idea. I've always wanted to know more about Summoners and how they're viewed in Runeterra. Considering we randomly make champions fight for us at will, I can't imagine we're all that popular.

Also, as much as I love this game, I have to agree that the backstory behind it all just feels like an excuse for the champions to fight each other. Any expansion on all of this stuff would be really, really welcomed.

BulkHead122 votes

I agree with this. We need some sort of...Idk Maybe Avatar? A way to help connect us into the game that we are not the champ but the hand that guides the champ. The Angel...(Or troll) Devil on his shoulder telling him what to do. OR. Crazy idea.......and I mean crazy as going tank teemo with sunfirecape, Roa, Rliyas and Mogs......Make...a Summoner...Champ. In the Lore of Lee Sin he was a person perparing to become a summoner. Showing that Summoners Can indeed become champions. I mean the only really Summoner of minions champ we have is Yorick with his Omens but think about it.

bérnkastel1 votes

The nature of the institute of war is, ironically... peace. Lorewise, summoners are neutral and the institute is a neutral organization. Although Swain's reflection and such hints that there is a strong Noxian influence.

Honestly, I agree with Bulk that in order for this to be done, we'd need an avatar (a representation of us to connect us to the LoL world). Since that's not really an option considering the nature of the game, short of making guilds to be social in I really can't see anything giving people more of a connection. I say guilds because thye help foster an attachment not only to others but the game as well, while giving people something to work for (maybe there are guild influence points that buy them different things like ward skins).

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