Shyvana and Xin Zhao Parallel Characters
Xin Zhao and Shyvana share some cool parts of their story. Xin Zhao’s story is, in a way, the origins of Jarvan IV’s beliefs and personality. Demacia has some insular, xenophobic, magiphobic social problems, but Jarvan III plants a seed in his son with Xin Zhao.
A refresher on Xin Zhao’s story Xin Zhao was an Ionian working as a cabin boy on a fishing boat. Then everything changes when the Noxians attacked (Noxian involvement in Ionia is a turning point in recent history). They captured the ship and was enslaved. He fought in the gladiatorial contests of the Reckoning in Noxus. The cabin boy had to fight in battles to the death to survive, all for the entertainment of the mob called the audience. He became the number one Reckoner, never losing a fight. Then one day Noxus needed more meat for the frontlines they decided to repurpose their slave fighters into slave soldiers to fight in their wars. One on one fights are very different from organized warfare, they had no chance, and the Noxian officers knew it. Crushed by Demacia’s forces, but the slave-soldiers were spared by King Jarvan III. At his side was young Prince Jarvan IV. Each slave-soldier is given a bit of money and set free. Jarvan III and Xin Zhao discuss Xin’s life and eventually Xin proves himself against Jarvan III’s guards. Xin pledges service to King Jarvan III as a bodyguard. In the moment that Jarvan III accepts Xin he makes sure his son, Jarvan IV, takes a note of the moment.
His gaze falls on the prince, who looks back, amazed. “My son, my life’s joy,” the king says, “how happy I am that you are here to witness this moment. To >see for yourself why we must uphold our virtues, so others may aspire to do the same. Do you understand?”
This is where Jarvan III plants the seed of acceptance. Jarvan III is accepting a foreigner who fought for his enemy. He understands that Xin Zhao is a victim of circumstance. He recognizes that his foreign origins are irrelevant, Xin Zhao competent and worthy of the royal guard position. Jarvan III even references Orlon and his followers, the founders of Demacia, who like Xin Zhao, where victims of war. The origin of Demacia is a community of refugees.
A quick refresher on Shyvana and Jarvan IV. Shyvana was hunted by her mother Yvva, who was disgusted by Shyvana’s half-dragon nature and wants to kill her. Shyvana lives on the run, and eventually comes across an injured Jarvan IV because he overreached in a military operation to try and save some civilians. Shyvana carried Jarvan IV from the wilderness beyond Demacia’s borders to a Demacian outpost. Jarvan IV learned that Shyvana is being hunted by Yvva. Shyvana intended to move on to avoid dragging Demacians into the battle. Jarvan IV insisted that he help Shyvana since he owed her his life. With Jarvan IV’s leadership and Shyvana’s supernatural power they are able to kill Yvva. Jarvan offers Shyvana a place by his side and she accepted. In previous versions of her backstory she was specifically made his bodyguard.
The seed Jarvan III planted has grown in Jarvan IV. Jarvan IV even exceeded his father’s act. Jarvan IV accepted someone that isn’t just a foreigner, but not even totally human. Worse yet in the eyes of Demacia, she is a magical being. Jarvan IV, like his father, looks past this and sees Shyvana for her merits.
Xin Zhao and Shyvana both foreigners with difficult childhoods that force them to grow into highly competent warriors. The Jarvans look past their differences, show empathy and in response to this Shyvana and Xin Zhao are inspired by this kindness to join Demacia. These two are so great and have so much in common. They are connected by the Jarvans and by their positions. They have connections with other champions which is good, interactions between champions are the most interesting because we play them and are most attached to them. With Jarvan III’s death and Xin Zhao’s now serves Jarvan IV. For whatever reason Shyvana is missing from the Lux comic, but Xin Zhao and Shyvana would be colleagues and I think could bond over their shared experiences. I hope they will interact in the near future.
