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Xin Zhao Story/Character Discussion

Umbral Regent·4/23/2017, 3:01:31 AM·8 votes·1,680 views

To preface: I'm posting this primarily to open discussion about the place Xin Zhao has in League of Legends from a lore and a character perspective. The reason for this is that, Xin Zhao is a potential candidate for a Rework some time after Urgot and Evelynn, and, as I love Riot's reworks, I hope that through posting this, I (and the community at large) can help play some small part in Xin Zhao's rework by giving Riot a resource for his character.

That said, this will be a tad long, so let's jump into it.

To even begin this discussion, we need to take a look at who Xin Zhao is and what his story is currently in League of Legends lore; interestingly, he was one of the few who didn't get updated lore with the Galio Release/Demacia Lore bomb, which probably means that Riot has something unique planned for him that can only be handled when his time comes.

At the moment, Xin Zhao's story is (roughly), he was a pit-fighter in Noxus (it's not readily known how he got there, but it's assumed he's a Prisoner Of War (POW for short, will be using the shorthand for the rest of the post)) who, during his final match of one-versus-three-hundred, was rescued by King Jarvan Lightshield II. Afterwards, he became the Lightshield Dynasty's steward, silently protecting the current King of Demacia, Jarvan III.

He also is stated in the story to be enigmatic, causing the populace of Demacia to raise innumerate rumors about how he came to stand at the King's side - some saying he could be a Zaunite double-agent, or an indebted rune mage, or something of the sort, though he offers no hints as to his liberation from Noxus, which (the way the story paints it) seems like it would be a terrible thing for the people of Demacia to know.

While that is a solid enough story to run on, I think some will agree that there is plenty of room to add some more to it. Below will be my suggestions, which I think would help cement Xin Zhao's place in Runeterra:

1. I think it would be worthwhile for Riot to elucidate his background a little further; namely, where he was before being captured by Noxus, and how he was captured. My personal assumption for his background is that he was an Ionian Guard of some kind, who, through some unfortunate means, became captured alive by Noxians during their invasion of Ionia.

2. A good opportunity for a color story could be his time spent in the pit, "the Fleshing", since this terrible bloodsport would doubtless express Xin Zhao's skill in battle, lending to his being a Champion in Runeterra.

3. Potential other color story could be his time after his rescue; in service to either Jarvan II or Jarvan III, less to strengthen the image of his skill in battle, but more to strengthen his character and add personal depth to him.

Those are just a few suggestions, though, and I'm sure there will be people with others out there. With that out of the way, it's time to move onto his character:

Xin Zhao, as said in his story, is a quiet, vigilant warrior who (expressed through his quotes) values duty and honor greatly. He believes strongly that actions speak louder than words, and he expressed astonishment when Jarvan II rescued him from Noxus. While a sound character design, there is room for some improvement.

Though, actually improving on it requires quite a bit of thought and work, both in designing his story and figuring out how he, as an individual, interacts in the world of Runeterra - I don't exactly have the presence of mind right now for suggestions, but, I can pose some questions:

How does Xin Zhao feel about Demacia? His homeland? Or Noxus?

What are his ideals? How well does he stick to them?

Why does he remain silent about the Fleshing and his rescue from it?

What are his thoughts on Jarvan III? On Jarvan IV?

If he remains at King Jarvan III's side, does he long for battle on the front lines?

Hopefully these questions give some pretty good starting points to work from. With that, I think I've said all I can for the moment, so, would anyone else like to share their thoughts, or add to the discussion?

17 Comments

Wrathof3004/23/2017, 3:42:03 AM4 votes

I 100% agree that he should be of Ionian heritage. Another colour text would be him fighting on the front lines during J3's prime, defending Demacia against an Noxian attack, this could be used to represent him as a fighter and show his feelings (via internal thoughts) toward Noxus and the time he spent in the Fleshing.

Demacia's colour is Silver, Blue and Gold (mostly blue and silver). It was not confirmed the extent of the importance of gold but based on J4's full gold armor I assumed Warriors of higher positions (such as Generals and other important military figures) have more gold. Exceptions would be: Garen (the dauntless Vanguard could have their own uniform) and Poppy is from an era when Demacia was only just at its beginnings, this is my speculation of the importance of gold in their armor, XinZhao looks like he will look good in a lot of gold armor, being the kings guard he would hence be clad in gold.

Garentheon4/23/2017, 1:39:28 PM3 votes

This is what I feel would be cool/work

  • Ionian captured by Noxus

  • When rescued J2 was older and Xin was the same age as J3

  • At present time he has grey patch on side of hair, showing that he has been in Demacia for years and making sense of the fact that he's been alive since J2 time

  • Doing away with the giant shoulders. Doesn't make sense on his character

Nylisa4/23/2017, 1:49:10 PM2 votes

i also want to know about his connection to sona as well , if its still a thing since she isnt removed from his universe related champions list.

AbiwonKenabi4/23/2017, 1:57:16 PM2 votes

Xin Zhao, to me, is sort of like the Garen of J3. Considering he's still at the King's side, I imagine he was quite a bit younger when he was captured for the Fleshing, perhaps this is why he wasn't just killed: he was no one all that important in his previous homeland (being young and still finding a place in the world) but he was a good fighter. J2 allowed him to spend a lot of time with his son, and Xin is basically J3's right hand man because of it.

This has potential story elements to have Xin butt heads politically with the Crownguards, who traditionally fill the role of King's right hand man. Heck, maybe the Crownguards lost that generation (they mention Garen's uncle dying) or were otherwise unable to fill the "childhood friend and bodyguard" role for J3.

Another good story element I see is something they've begun to establish in these recent lore updates: Demacians take care of each other. J2 didn't have to rescue Xin, but he saw a Demacian-like fighting spirit and didn't want to lose that. Xin doesn't understand, but when he goes to Demacia, he sees how citizens care for each other, return each other's favors if you will. Through this, Xin wants to show J2 the same kindness and dedicates his life to Demacia so that others like him would get the same treatment. I picture J2 as a mentor of sorts, J3 as a close comrade (again, similar to J4 and Garen).

As for his homeland, I would say he must have nothing to go back to. Maybe he lost his family before his capture, or even his entire hometown. For whatever reason, he seems completely dedicated to Demacia as his adopted home, and either doesn't care or deprioritizes his old home. Maybe he was an orphan and never developed an attachment, where as he has very compelling reasons to be attached to Demacia.

Wrathof3004/23/2017, 4:08:08 PM2 votes

I forgot to mention, but since he was captured and used as a gladiator in Noxus, it is likely that he met Alistar. Imo I hope Alistar is written to be from a minotaur tribe from Mt. Targon, that was raided by Noxus and has been fighting in their Colosseums for generations.

Sir Poodle4/23/2017, 11:09:48 PM1 votes

I don't mean to spoil things, but his character is so flat that I think Riot could replace him with anything and it would work. I was a little unhappy with the Galio rework (even if I liked it overall) because they removed the idea that he was sad (except for some bits in the VO, yes yes). Xin Zhao doesn't really have any character. His most iconic thing is the dash, which is more "annoying to play against" than anything else.

I mean heck, they could make him NOT DEMACIAN and it would work. There was never exploration of how he interacts with Demacian ideals, he looks Ionian anyway; even "the Fleshing" though it sounds sort of cool, from what we understand of the new lore's Noxus, there are unsolvable problems with the tone, theme, and even in-universe logistics. (Where the hell are all these prisoners of war coming from? Opposing sides are either accepting Noxus, not making trouble, or "crushed without mercy" which I assume does not mean being allowed to live even a little longer in an arena.)