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Ionia's possible storylines and the Noxian problem

Falrein·7/11/2019, 8:37:12 AM·12 votes·11,080 views

Hi everyone! Today I’d like to talk about Ionia and some of its issues, especially regarding Noxus. I’ve been sitting on that thread for quite some time and finally decided to finish it.

So first of all, disclaimer – I’m not saying Ionia’s stories are bad or anything. I’m just pointing out some issues I’ve seen people talk about a lot. Also, this isn’t as good a post I’d like it to be, so don’t judge me please. D:

Without further ado, let’s get into it!

######Introduction

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/571291646080188427/598793785043976212/image.png

The Noxian invasion was the event that exacted a deep change on Ionia, both in mentalities and other stuffs. It allowed things like Varus’s release, as well as Syndra’s awakening. Storywise, the Noxian invasion was a good thing, as it gave us conflicts within Ionia, and new possible storylines. However, the Noxian invasion, despite being a good device to bring change for Ionia, also comes with its lot of problems. Noxus has way too much importance on Ionia’s stories right now.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s entirely normal that Noxus occupies an important part for Ionia right now given the impact it has had on the region. However, it somehow feels like Ionia is being defined by Noxus invading them. Awaken’s events even imply that Noxus will be coming back, even if we don’t know the context.

I’m not here to argue about why I think Noxus has too much presence in Ionian stories, but rather to offer other things that I’d like explored. I’d like to note that some of these thoughts are from long discussions with my friends from the Lore of League server, so naturally, some credit goes to them as well!

######Ionia’s History and the Ionian Wars

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/571291646080188427/598791535907176457/image.png

We know, from the map and some Rioter comments, that in ages past, Ionia went through great wars, and that there are remains of these wars in Ionia, even if people don’t know what these remains mean. We are told Ionia’s history is rich and has much longer than any living soul could claim to know. However, we know almost nothing of this history. I have no doubt it’s interesting and very rich, but there’s very little on it.

Why were there wars? Who where the peoples fighting? What were they fighting for? How? For how long?

I know it’s a bit more complicated to explore because most Ionian champions live in the current era, but I believe someone like Karma could give us some interesting bits about Ionian History, even if it’s just a sentence she says in her yet-to-be color story.

######The Civil War

So that one is a bit odd. We know there’s some sort of civil war stirring in Ionia… But we have little to no idea who are the people fighting. The Order of Shadows? Great, but we have very little info on them (we’re getting the Zed comic soon-ish so that should help). The Navori Brotherhood? Who are these guys anyway? Is that it? Two groups? Who else is there? What do they want to do?

I’m being exaggerative of course, but you get the point. We’ve been told there are conflicts emerging in Ionia, but we have little to no idea what’s going on with that, it’s all very vague. What are the forces at play? What do they want? What are the champions’ place in all that? Unlike other regions where we know what shit’s gonna go down, there’s little appeal right now for Ionia’s potential storylines, unless you’re very interested in the region.

######Spirit Magic and the Spirit Realm

Last time I said I’d like to have more Spirit Magic and Spirit Realm related stuff with Ionia, I got shut down so hard. But still, Ionia is the place with an important connection to the Spirit Realm, and thus to Spirit Magic, and I’d love for that to be explored as well. Champions like Shen (and his Kinkou) and Karma are probably very knowledgeable about it, so they can be used to explore that further. We have vague ideas of what Spirit Magic does, and what the Spirit Realm is, and while it doesn’t need to be explained in detail, some bits about it would still be very interesting.

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/571291646080188427/598793425445453834/image.png

######Some other stuff

Disclaimer, this is what I personally think could have a great scale impact/storytelling, not that it necessarily will, so take this with a grain of salt.

The Vastaya

So, apart from Xayah and Rakan who are playing rebels, I wonder how the relation between humans and Vastaya will evolve. They need magic to live, but this magic is constantly harnessed by humans. However, if the magic was once again allowed to flow freely like Xayah want it to, then humans couldn’t live. So, what’s the right thing to do? How will things play out?

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/571291646080188427/598792413800300565/image.png

~~Zed and the Order of Shadows ~~

Zed is meddling with dark forces which are destructive and corruptive. His use of Shadow Magic quinlons steal and disturb the natural magic of the land. How does that affect the balance? Why does no one give a shit, apart from X&R so far?

Syndra

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/571291646080188427/598794159024766986/Syndra_Dreaming_Pool.jpg

I know, I know. Call me biased, but I think Syndra’s a big deal and could (and should!) have a great impact on nowadays’ Ionia. She’s in a vacuum currently, and I’m not talking about her own character development or her learning about her powers here, I’m talking about the general impact she could have on Ionia. She was shown to be a force to be reckoned with, and I think Riot should use her to bring some change in Ionia. Won’t make her evil/bad (relative notions, I know), because that’s something I don’t want, but she can still cause a lot of trouble.

~~Ionia’s place in the world ~~

This one bit is a bit weird, so don’t give it too much attention. But Ionia is very isolated, and has had little to no interactions with other regions/countries (barring Noxus). I know it’s normal given the geographical isolation, but I’d still like some interactions with the outer world at some point. Or rather, we know of some (Gangplank/Zed, as well as the Black Mist reaching southern Ionia), but we know nothing about those. Although who knows what’s East of Ionia…? :p

So that’s it. Excuse me for the low quality post, I eventually realized I didn’t have that much things to say, so I added some pictures to make it so it's a cool post :'). In all honesty, I just like the region, but I’m not a diehard fan of Ionia, so that’s probably why. Anyway, let me know what you think, what you’d like to see! Have a wonderful day/afternoon/evening!

12 Comments

mrmeddyman7/11/2019, 10:24:00 AM8 votes

It's not really a Civil War that is brewing in Ionia but just a social discord that wasn't there before. Kind of like before and after with American politics after the last election. It wasn't perfect before but at least people could live in peace with one another and at harmony with the land and now everyone is pulling the nation in different directions. Resistance groups like Irelia wants to fight Noxus, The Navori Brotherhood want to militarize Ionia, zed is willing to use any means to defend his home even resorting to dark spirit magic, dark cabals move in the shadows releasing Jhin and the like. All of this discord has changed the flow of the land permanently and the Ionia has lost its' innocence and can't go back. That's what the core theme is. Not really that another fight is going to break out. Which is why I'm against Noxus coming back for round 2. It wouldn't really accomplish anything.

alekzu7/11/2019, 5:14:47 PM2 votes

I don't know how to feel about all this as well. The first invasion that happened was fine(imo). It does tie Noxus too tightly to Ionia but it's no one's fault considering what Ionia was before that invasion. Layered out pacifism, peace, meditation...it was a boring paradise island. They lived in their own bubble and refused change...absolutely pure stagnation. When you have such pillar/s to start the story of the region what else is there to be expected?

Now, the second invasion may or may not be a good thing. I personally have no problem with it as long as it's just not invade, conquer and expand 2.0! It may also be what most people are concerned with as well. Repetitiveness is a bad thing. But the thing is that we don't have enough insight on what is the purpose of that invasion. It leaves us with no answers and very little to debate, very little to craft our own theories(since there isn't much about Ionia).It just leaves us under suspense.

The Ionian Wars

I think that they may be a good thing to explore but as long as it wields some kind of importance or consequences/aftereffect in the present. Why bother wasting time telling stories which are just a relic of the past, only to return back to the present, empty handed? I don't think that it will be 100% useless to explore those wars, no, I myself am excited to learn what they were. It's just...that it would be such a waste not to take advantage of them.

The possibilities of how to explore these wars are many. We have Karma from whom we can learn a lot. If those wars were very violent and scarring, it could also explain why she is such a traditionalist and pacifist? But then she could be too young to have any idea of what they were. We know that no one knows anything about them...or is it just what some people want everyone to think? What if there are some kind of ancient(forbidden) books and documents about these wars? Some people could potentially try really hard to hide them and prevent anyone from learning anything. Could that knowledge be something disastrous? We can have someone steal that reading mater. But who? The Kinkou? The Shadow order? The last being most likely. Or it could be some random people/group. If all of the above doesn't work, we can have a very old spirit tell the stories to curious kids/people to frighten them? Okay, this probably is not going where I want it to :D.

The Civil Wars

To me these "wars" feel very unsatisfying. They don't have enough "meat", enough reason, to make you feel that they may result into something big. It's a couple of insignificant groups and Irelia is on cleaning duties...since she has nothing else to do anyway. It doesn't feel problematic enough. Maybe they are, but I personally do not feel like they offer any real threat. Or is it intentionally looking like that? We have Ionia being about unity. On the other hand it's divided into provinces. So what is it? If we can have the continent divided into provinces with different ideals then why did it become such a big problem after the invasion?

Spirit Magic and Spirit Realm

I don't quite understand who tried to shut you up? If they were fans, maybe they can share what they think on the matter and offer ideas how to progress? And if they were Rioters then idk why they would do such an unprofessional thing. Everyone should be open to ideas and discussions! I personally really want to learn more about the Spirit Realm. I know that we got a little bit of insight with Lulu's lore update but I want more(also about the celestial realm). Shen is a such good candidate! We had enough of his drama with Zed and following him after his every footstep(and trying to fix his shit). Give the man a break with a relaxing spiritual vacation.

Vastaya

I was thinking...humans harness spirit magic but does that magic disappear forever? Isn't it like energy? People can soak magic but when it's used and released, can't the land reabsorb it back somehow? Like in Rakan's/Zed's/Xayah's video, Zed is absorbing the magic in a quinlon(?) but after Xayah destroys it, it spreads the magic around and the land reabsorbs it. I may be interpreting it wrong but ah well. If someone can shed a bit more light?

Zed and the Order of Shadows

It depends on how corruptive his doings are? For the Vastaya it may be really bad but for humans it's indifferent? I haven't read Zed's story/ies much but can he use his magic to corrupt other humans? On what scale? I would probably ask why Shen doesn't sense anything but I have already listed my opinion about Zed + Shen.

Syndra

To me Syndra is in a very, very weird place. If she is written to be a "villain" we have no one to oppose her unless you make armies and then in the end it just means she may be killed or imprisoned and never mentioned again(there are other options but are unlikely to happen). If she is imprisoned we can have "a la Jhin, gonna use you for my benefits 2.0" and that is already unoriginal + we know that Syndra is in a such "negative" state only because someone tried to use/control her. Doesn't work. Having her killed is also a wasted opportunity. Now, having someone die is not something I am against. But why have her killed when you can have her live twice longer and thus do twice more and bigger stuff? You literally write a character with enormous/limitless potential only to have her killed after she awakens from her enchantment? I know Riot won't kill her right away but I think that is the less beneficial route to take.

But then keeping her alive and sway her on the good site(hello goody two-shoes!xD...not) she has nothing to fight against. Who? The Navori Brotherhood and the Noxians who are humans? Bitch, Syndra will wipe the floor so clean with them that the Immortal bastion will start shining in comparison to their faces.

Foreign Lands

I will admit that it does look interesting...but(yes the but)...I don't feel like it will happen in a very long time. We just had a new region and it was received poorly. There is no enough information about the region, others judge it unfairly because of Qiyana. And the thing is, releasing a new region means that the narrative team has to work harder and provide enough material for all the regions and when those region increase...and increase...it will just reach a point where they have to stop and maintain what they have, simply because they have limited time. We also have other potential places to explore...to the south of... Runeterra(I forgot the continent name, I am sucker for names ;/) or north of Freljord. I guess you get the idea.

P.S. I see no problem with your thread, it's so nice and constructive. If the boards could only be filled with such nice and amazing discussions/threads it would be wonderful. So worry not! All is good. Thx for the invite btw!

AbiwonKenabi7/11/2019, 8:50:14 PM1 votes

I don't really think Noxus is too involved in Ionia's story. The Noxian Invasion was just the catalyst for a lot of Ionian Champions. It'd be like saying WWII affected Europe too much: WWII changed the world forever, and affected literally every individual in Europe in some way, and many others in pretty much every part of the world. So I don't think its out of place that the Noxian Invasion was that for Ionia. The events following it are in reaction to that danger, and everyone has a different idea as to how to prevent things like that from happening again. Irelia is more militant, Zed is using unruly shadow magic, someone thought it was a good idea to release Jhin, Shen and the Kinkou want to maintain the balance through all of this. I think the potential conflict from this will be focused on how this Ionia that's been forced to change will deal with that, and how a land so sensitive to magic and balance will be able to maintain that balance through these huge political shifts.

Ionia's History and the Ionian Wars - Hearing more about this would be great, but I don't think its strictly necessary. Information on the past could inform the changes happening in the present, but I think there's more than enough story fodder and conflict in the present. We do get a hint about what these wars could have been about in Varus's bio: the Queen that sealed him in his bow wielded him through the last of her wars, and at the end ordered others to seal her away at the Temple of Pallas in Ionia. Some of her wars could have been fought in and over Ionia, though we don't know much more than that.

The Vastaya - This is actually one example of a different kind of conflict not necessarily stemming from Noxus. What I like about this is that I don't feel like either side is particularly the "good" side. Rakan's line of "to humans, magic is fire; to us, it is water" is a good way of summarizing what the conflict means for the Vastayan. But at the same time, fire isn't exactly this superfluous thing for humans, its not as essential as water but its a tool for fulfilling our needs, like cooking food and providing warmth. Combine this with Xayah's hard-ass somewhat racist stance against working with humans, and we have a spicy conflict. I'm interested to see what direction this goes in, and I'd like to see more viewpoints to this particular side of Ionia.

Zed - I'm not sure what the comic will focus on, but I think we're about to get some juicy details. We'll probably be discussing this in much more detail a month or two down the line. I definitely think Shen also cares about Zed, both his wrongdoing and Zed as a person.

Syndra - I still feel like the "putting her to sleep" thing in order to bench her from the Noxian Invasion feels awkward and weird. The "land itself" doesn't typically intervene in these stories, so why now? Just make Syndra a bit younger. Regardless, I agree that she will definitely be a force in Ionia's change. While she's somewhat sympathetic, she represents how tradition can twist individuals into something bad. They tried to balance her, and by trying so hard to do so, they lost her trust. Now she basically believes in the opposite of balance: go as far as you can in one direction, essentially. Hopefully she gets to do something, feels like they keep coming up with excuses to icebox her.

Ionia's Place in the World - This isn't a uniquely Ionia problem, feels like most factions, with a few exceptions, are a little too isolated from one another. This could, in part, be attributed to their isolationist nature; Ixtal, Demacia and Ionia are all somewhat isolationist. The ones that interact a lot with others aren't so much (like Noxus and Piltover). I think, depending on the outcome of Ionia's current troubles, we could see them branching out a lot more. But I always enjoy when more Champions from more places interact with one another, so I'm all for more stories about visits to and from Ionia. Ezreal still needs to visit there (basically the only place other than the Shadow Isles he hasn't been) and I'd love Yasuo and Taliyah to see each other again someday.

Reverse Oceans7/14/2019, 6:28:41 AM1 votes

If Noxus was to conquer Ionia, it would be better for them, Ionioans sit on a land full of potential and they do what with it? Build artistic structures? Ionians are too proud and linear minded to do anything grand enough to matter outside Ionia. Noxus can take Ionia and turn it into an empire that brings shame to Shurima.