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Shyvana players, what do we want for Shyvana's new lore from Riot?

Embertine··9 votes·6,355 views

Shyvana was the first champion I bought, and she's my main, and go to gal for whenever I jungle or top lane. To me she is simply awesome.

Her lore is good right now, but as Riot is slowly working on and expanding lore for champions as well as Runeterra, I hope that they will flesh it out much more and answer some questions I have in reguards to her past. As she is my favorite character to date in literally all the games I have played over the years, it's only natural that I want to know more about her.

To be clear here, this is a discussion about what we want of Shyvana's lore. It is not meant to be a demand for anything, nor is it for ideas for changes to her kit. This is only to discuss her lore and what we hope it will become.

Her lore as it is now is here,

A half-breed born from the union between dragon and human, Shyvana searched all her life for belonging. Persecution forged her into a brutal warrior, and those who dare stand against Shyvana face the fiery beast lurking just beneath her skin.

Dragonkind considered Shyvana's impure blood an abomination, and she spent her youth pursued relentlessly by one cruel drake. Constantly on the run, she and her father, an outcast dragon, never knew a lasting home. A brutal reflection of countless battles, Shyvana grew hateful and savage. After years of strife, her father finally fell to the other dragon, but not before gravely wounding his foe. Furious with grief, Shyvana pursued her father's murderer as he fled north to recover. There she encountered a group of humans on the trail of the same drake. Though the men looked upon her in fear, their leader approached Shyvana peacefully. He introduced himself as Jarvan IV, the Prince of Demacia, and offered to aid Shyvana in her quest for vengeance. Together they hunted down and confronted the vicious dragon that had slain her father. Shyvana did not expect the men to survive, but in the clash of fire and steel, Jarvan and his men fought with strength she had never believed humans to possess. The ironclad warriors drove their foe into submission, and Shyvana struck the final blow, tearing the beast's heart from its body. Inspired by her ferocity, Jarvan offered her a place in the ranks of his elite guard. Shyvana could still see fear in the eyes of his men, but she longed for a true home. Trusting Jarvan's word, she accepted his offer and now serves as a Demacian warrior. Though her human allies admire her power, they keep their distance. Shyvana strives to repay the prince's kindness with the power of the dragon within, but she cannot help but wonder if the humans are right to fear her.

''I have proven my might to dragonkind - what challenge shall humans pose?''

First I'm going to break down her lore into segments. This way it's will be easier to place the questions I have rather than simply piling them all into a big block.

A half-breed born from the union between dragon and human,

Okay, so here's first bit I want to know and hopefully have expanded upon by Riot. Shyvana's mother.

Who was she? What was her name? What happened to her? How did she fall in love with Shyvana's father? How was her life after she became pregnant with his child?

To me that is a HUGE gap in Shyvana's lore. I do understand why it isn't really part of the lore, as it would be an entire story in and upon itself. However, I feel that Shyvana's mother should be important enough that we atleast know what happened to her and how she met the dragon she would fall in love with.

Shyvana searched all her life for belonging. Persecution forged her into a brutal warrior, and those who dare stand against Shyvana face the fiery beast lurking just beneath her skin.

This is understandable, as the country folk would be very fearful of her appearance and she couldn't go anywhere near a city without a platoon of soldiers coming out to attack her. She would often be chased away by humans and dragonkind alike. And because Shyvana is the only known halfbreed she would likely never see another of her kind. Despite how much she loved him and his acceptance of her, Shyvana couldn't truly feel any belonging as long as she knew she was as different from her father as she was to everyone else she may come across.

Dragonkind considered Shyvana's impure blood an abomination, and she spent her youth pursued relentlessly by one cruel drake.

I can understand that the rest of dragon kind saw Shyvana as such. Dragons are normally in most legends and myths, very proud creatures. To have something as powerful and great as them, muddied down by lowly human blood, would be an insult to them akin to a human having a child with a frog would be to us. However why was only one dragon pursuing Shyvana and her father? Did this dragon happen to have some sort of grudge that made him hate them more then the other dragons did?

I have many other questions too.

Like, whom crafted Shyvana's weapons? I can't imagine her picking up blacksmithing as she traveled around with her father. So they would obviously have to have been made for her when she arrived in Demacia.

Where was she born?

What was her father's name?

How does she interect with the citizens of Demacia's capital when she is off duty?

And more questions besides. As you can guess, Shyvana is a big part of my love for league. And I want to know everything about her.

What is it you guys all want for her lore?

38 Comments

IS1d51f7fd0f8e2764617b06 votes

NO

NO

NO

JUST ... NO

Dont touch Shyvana ... for all that is holy, Shyvana, together with Swain and Viktor are some FANTASTIC morally gray and complex personas.

Do youy really whant to transform her into "mysterious dragon lady, oh yeah and she serves Demacia ..... RAWR DRAGON ( buy her and a skin for only 1350rp)"

Do you ?

Embertine4 votes

I agree that her persona needs to remain the same. I only want to learn more about what has happened to her in the past and how she acts in the present.

SaltyToplaneGoat6 votes

There isn't much that needs change really... I'd like to have more detail tho.~~ (Especially when it comes to shipping...)~~

Embertine1 votes

I agree that it doesn't need to be changed, I just would like to have some of the empty areas filled in.

Zenthon Prime4 votes

If it was up to me, I'd keep Shyv's lore exactly as is, but make a short story or something expanding it (as opposed to changing it).

Embertine1 votes

Well that's what I was mainly wanting. Her lore to expanded upon to fill in the blanks. I don't want it to be changed all that much really.

Maximum Morde5 votes

I want her retconnect into a vegas porn star, with plenty of skins and videos released by riot to back it up. Their teams did such an awesome job on the music videos lately, we need a porn one for Shyv.

RiotBioluminescence21 votes

[{quoted}](name=Maximum Morde,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=EIYezGAL,comment-id=0006,timestamp=2015-03-21T13:56:08.962+0000)

I want her retconnect into a vegas porn star, with plenty of skins and videos released by riot to back it up. Their teams did such an awesome job on the music videos lately, we need a porn one for Shyv.

THE CONTRACT IS SEALED.

Keagn2 votes

{quoted}

THE CONTRACT IS SEALED.

Might their be some sort of contract that I could sign? I HAVE DREAMS TOO Y'KNOW T^T

A Superb Villain2 votes

Suffering awaits!

patmax171 votes

{quoted}

THE CONTRACT IS SEALED.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/005/616/qb.jpg

Embertine1 votes

Oh. . .gawd. . .I can only hope this was a joke and you were being funny. (I did laugh though.)

ActuallyArrow1 votes

Oh god...

Baron Von Bangin4 votes

I don't think knowing who her mother is is important. Shyvana's main theme is being in outsider living in Demacia, a state of humans, as a half dragon. I think she'd best be used as a lens for viewers/readers into Demacia's culture and military workings since she wouldn't have immediate knowledge like other Demacian characters would.

That said, can drahons in the League universe shape change like in Warcraft? Since... yknow... size differences.

Embertine1 votes

I agree with her being an outsider living amongst humans. It's one of the things I want explored. How do the regular citizens act around her? where does she go when she's off duty? Does she simply shut herself away and remain isolated, or does she explore the city hoping to find something to connect to in a world where she is feared?

As for dragon being able to shapeshift, I believe that only older, more powerful dragons would have that ability. Atleast that's how it is in legends anyway.

Decrit1 votes

I have no links at hand, but a rioter said in Shivana Q/A that full dragons can morph between humanoid and dragonic form. Also that shyvana for this reason can only transform in ultimate and that she hates/envies shapeshifters.

It' s not like that i am not fun at parties, but that if i want to imagine dragonxhuman actions there are better places and results to get >_>

Ebonmaw Dragon3 votes

To be fair, i never liked her third and actual lore... i would like to see a mix between the 3 lores.

1 Lore:

There are those few dragons in Runeterra who have mastered the intense magical energies that course through their unique anatomies, evolving into an elusive Celestial Dragon. These powerful and enigmatic creatures spend most of their time hidden away from the lands of men. However, there are those who find themselves drawn to civilization and who take on human forms to immerse themselves in the world of humans. Occasionally, one finds itself drawn to the spirit of a human and they have relations. Sometimes, in the slimmest of odds, the union will bear fruit and that offspring will be one of the few half-dragons to have graced Runeterra. Shyvana is one such creature, born to a simple Demacian farm-girl and her Celestial Dragon father. Left to be raised by her mother, her oddities were something that couldn't be hidden from her community, though she was protected by her family. Once her family had perished in disaster, she was left alone for the first time - truly alone. Shyvana quickly became an outsider and it wasn't long before the community's fear began to put her in danger. Facing mortal danger at the business end of an angry mob, she was rescued by the traveling noble, Jarvan Lightshield. The noble was a man who strangely knew exactly what she was and took her under his wing. It wasn't long before she was offered a chance to use her natural skills in the service of Demacia, as Jarvan initiated her as one of the elite guard. Following Jarvan into the League of Legends was only natural.

Shyvana is a fierce warrior, with the blood of one of the most powerful magical predators in all creation flowing through her veins. Unlike some of her fellows, she is a subdued personality - somber, cool, and collected. However, when the moment strikes, her draconian heritage manifests and there are few that can stare her in the eyes and not feel the primal urge to flee.

"By the blood of my father, I will end you!" ― Shyvana

This lore explains more about the dragons and her family, her mother was a "simple Demacian farm-girl" and the father a "Celestial Dragon" (Master of magical energies)

2 Lore

Half-Dragons are the forbidden scions of humans and shape-shifting dragons. There have been few in the world, as they are typically hunted down by their draconian relatives. The scarce and reclusive dragons left on Runeterra find it disgusting to mix their blood with the frivolous and violent lesser races. However, there are those who become fascinated with humans, such as Shyvana's father. It was to Prince Jarvan IV's surprise when his hunt led him to a legendary young half-dragon. She wept over the dead, mutilated corpse of her father, murdered for her existence. Something in Jarvan was moved by Shyvana's plight. Together they plotted revenge against the mighty dragon responsible. The assault cost the Demacian Prince many men, and nearly his life, but ultimately Shyvana and he prevailed.

The experience changed the both of them. Shyvana lost her place in the world, left alone to be hunted by those dragons who discovered her existence. Because of what he'd seen, Jarvan lost his taste for the hunt and wished to return home as protector of his people. Jarvan IV, as Crown Prince of Demacia, offered Shyvana a place as a noble warrior in the ranks of the elite guard. Out of gratitude and necessity, she accepted. Since their return to Demacia, Shyvana has proven herself to be a fierce and powerful soldier. She blends her fiery draconian blood with her adopted principles of justice. She revels in the power she now feels in the human world and there are few who do not quake before her in combat. However, by and large there remains only one place for glorious battle. When Jarvan joined the League of Legends, it wasn't long before Shyvana answered the call as well.

"I have the blood of dragons in my veins. I am fear to all who oppose me." ― Shyvana

I like this lore because it says how hard was to kill the dragon that killed her father... "The assault cost the Demacian Prince many men, and nearly his life, but ultimately Shyvana and he prevailed."

Even in the JoJ was mentioned that when Jarvan returned to demacia, he returned with only 2 survivors aside from him...

cshakes2 votes

I'm a bit "eh" about the first lore, since Shyvana's just sitting there like a damsel in distress until Jarvan rescues her. I feel that her current lore with some expansions from the first and second lores would be the best. (Something on her mother and youth, say, "Shyvana was first raised by her mother, a Shuriman peasant, until Rek'Sai ate her family"; then something on the taking down of the dragon, say, "The experience changed the both of them. Shyvana lost her place in the world, left alone to be hunted by those dragons who discovered her existence. Because of what he'd seen, Jarvan lost his taste for the hunt and wished to return home as protector of his people.")

Embertine1 votes

HOLY CRAP! Thank you very much for posting her first two lores! Until now I've never had the chance to read them!

Personally I like her first one a lot. However I think that her father being an all powerful celestial dragon was a bit too much, which may have been the reason they changed her lore the first time. EDIT: I also don't like how much she seems like she's helpless until Jarvin gets there. It just goes agaisnt her character as it is now.

Her second lore really does better at telling about the death of her father.

And I agree with you that there needs to be a blend between the three of them. Something like her being raised first by her mother, and her father visiting only once a year in attempt to keep Shyvana's existance from the rest of dragonkind. But one day he was secretly followed by another dragon, and upon discovering Shyvana and the taboo relationship between her mother and father, the dragon attacked. In the resulting battle Shyvana's mother was lost, and her father was mortally wounded, but not before gravely wounding the other dragon as well. The other dragon flew away to recover, while Shyvana wept over the loss of her parents. But then the sorrow turned into rage and her dragon's blood awoke for the first time. She set out to avenge her parents, meeting Jarvin IV on the way. At this point I think is when they should continue with the rest of her current lore.

I think that would be a good way to do her lore.

Ebonmaw Dragon1 votes

{quoted}

HOLY CRAP! Thank you very much for posting her first two lores! Until now I've never had the chance to read them!

Personally I like her first one a lot. However I think that her father being an all powerful celestial dragon was a bit too much, which may have been the reason they changed her lore the first time.

Well, as "cshakes" said, her first lore was changed because:

"I'm a bit "eh" about the first lore, since Shyvana's just sitting there like a damsel in distress until Jarvan rescues her."

Embertine1 votes

I have to agree with you there, her being a damsel in distress just doesn't match her character.

Narasimha2 votes

I...don't think they're going to change Shyvanna's lore. While going into backstory is great, it also means they'd have to flesh out every single champion's story, and I don't think even the old lore team would be capable of that. You'd have to answer questions from "How did Jarvan meet Garen?" to "Who was Xin before the Fleshing?" and even "Could Talon really be Quinn's brother?" Right now, its imperative that Narrative (heh, I rhymed) focus on the present, rather than worrying about the past. I'd prefer to know "What is the current state of Runeterra?" more than "Who is Shyvanna?"

Embertine1 votes

They did change the lore for a few champions already, mostly to get rid of any mention of summoners or the institute of war due to the retcon. And they are already fleshing out each champion's lore, albeit very slowly. I also agree theat they need to finish up the present before they delve into the past events of runeterra. After all the current state is the foundation of all the lore. Everything else merely explains how it got there.

Narasimha1 votes

They did change the lore for a few champions already, mostly to get rid of any mention of summoners or the institute of war due to the retcon.

My point exactly, that's already been done for Shyvanna. Notice the lack of the IoW in her latest lore?

Embertine1 votes

The institute of war was never mentioned in her lore even during season 2 when I first got her. Maybe it was mentioned in season one, or pre-season, but it has never been a part of her lore for as far back as I've had her.

PapaGreg212 votes

[deleted]

Nameless Hero1 votes

Nah, Dragon likes Shyvana but Shyv just wants to be friends.

Meanwhile when Jarvan smite kills Dragon he shouts "I am the only one for her!"

Irate Owl2 votes

Shyvana, the mutant, flightless wyvern with no stat boosts, and even less in dragon form? The CC-less item-reliant not-tank, cant-catch-up-to-anyone, am-I-ap, damage-less, sub-par-jungle? Yea shes fine, leave her alone. Shyvana

lightdragoon882 votes

http://i.imgur.com/HvHlUtO.jpg

Embertine2 votes

That was funny. I enjoyed it a lot.

lightdragoon881 votes

Glad you did. Now in response to your post, I just want to know what/how she lives in Demacia. Especially around Jarvan IV, Garen, and Lux.

Also, and this is a shameless plug, I made stories during the weekly sales about Shyvana helping Jarvan on his blind dates: http://boards.na.leagueoflegends.com/en/c/fancreations/zLAEmrBJ-jarvan-iv-blind-date-stories

Embertine2 votes

That is something I would like to know as well. Perhaps Riot can do a side story type thing that has little slice of life moments or something for the champions?

Gixia1 votes

All I want from new Shyv lore is to preserve her current sense of place within Demacia. That is to say, she doesn't actually have much of one, and I like that about her. Shyvana is allied with Demacia, and yet she's an outsider there. Even amongst Demacia's populace, she's sort of regarded with fear and trepidation, and her attitude is one that's bloodthirsty and violent, with an emphasis on strength. In other words, she's a character that would fit better in somewhere like Noxus, and yet through circumstance has found herself allied with Demacia. I don't want to see stories about her fitting in, i want to see stories that emphasize the conflict there, how she doesn't belong and would be fully justified in just peacing out, but sticks with it out of a sense of comraderie and friendship with Jarvan.

As for what I don't want to see? Any budding romance between her and J4. Far too often, relationships between male and female characters in fiction end up devolving into either a familial one or a romantic one, and I'd much prefer to see more relationships that are just plain old good friendships. Especially considering I don't see Shyv and J4 being a good couple anyways.

{quoted}

Like, whom crafted Shyvana's weapons? I can't imagine her picking up blacksmithing as she traveled around with her father. So they would obviously have to have been made for her when she arrived in Demacia.

This is actually another thing I'd rather just not see. Things like how Sivir's boomerang just happens to randomly be a magic key to a Shuriman tomb just bother me. Weapons don't always have to have special meaning, sometimes you just use whatever's convenient or feels natural. In Shyvana's case, she literally just fights with fist and claws, like an actual dragon would. Dragon-magic, bam, there's all the explanation for her equipment we need. Considering that her armour actually seems to merge with her flesh and become a part of her body when she transforms, something which would be highly unlikely for any man-made weapons, it's also honestly probably the most logical explanation as well.

Thanotos Omega2 votes

Sivir's weapon was likely a heirloom, Nasus probably gave it to the only remaining relatives of the royal family to keep safe, over time that duty became legend until Sivir used it to start her mercenary carrier, Shyvana's armor was most likely a gift from Jarven, I like the idea that she lacks human concepts of modesty, and if you want her to wear clothes they have to be cool or she will prefer her own natural form due to her ego, they are also enchanted to morph with her, there explained,

Embertine1 votes

I fully agree that her current place within Demacia should be preserved. To me it really sets her where she needs to be within runeterra lore. And you're right, she would fit more naturally with Noxus than she does with Demacia, but that's one of the things that makes it just right in regards to that part of her lore. It would be good to see some kind of confliction between herself and others of Demacia, rather than everyone just being scared of her and her serving in the military. Though I still want that to be a part of her lore.

I also agree that Jarvin IV and Shyvana should just be respected friends. It urks me everytime someone mentions the two being in a romantic relationship in fanfiction. I always think, "No. They are just friends, stop trying to make them into more than that."

While I do agree that whom made her weapons is not really important enough to go into the lore, I would still like to know. Maybe Riot could do some kind expanded lore thing, where you can choose to read the simple short lore, or to read a more expansive and detailed lore. That way they could have both the current style lore, as well as a much more meaningful one for those of us whom want it.

About her armor though. If you look at it you will see that not all of it is actually part of her. Some of it is actually being worn.

Whitakker1 votes

{quoted}

I also agree that Jarvin IV and Shyvana should just be respected friends. It urks me everytime someone mentions the two being in a romantic relationship in fanfiction. I always think, "No. They are just friends, stop trying to make them into more than that."

While I see your point of view, you can't deny that it's a well used trope that a lot of people latch onto easily due to its broad storytelling appeal.

Embertine1 votes

Yeah I do admit that a lot of people like the idea of them together. But to me the man and woman in a story falling in love happens way too often, and I enjoy the stories where they simply become trusted friends whom would go through hell to save the eachother.

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