With the release of DJ , I thought that now would be a good time to post a work-in-progress character analysis of our beloved maven.

Keep in mind that this is strictly theory crafting and my opinion alone. This is not a be-all and/or end-all description of Sona but rather to provide food for thought and a place of discussion for those who love Sona as a character.

With that said, let’s get this show on the road.

Part 1: Who is Sona Buvelle?

Let’s start by laying down what we know. • Sona is of Ionian origin and was left at the doorstep of an Ionian adoption center. • By whatever means and for whatever reasons, Etwahl, a special kind of musical instrument, is seemingly bound to Sona and refuses to leave her side. • Despite being well-behaved and mute, Sona remained in the adoption center until her teenage years. • Sona was eventually adopted by Lestara Buvelle, a noble of Demacia who learned about Sona's exotic instrument. • In her League Judgment, it is hinted that Etwahl can act on its own and may have killed Lestara Buvelle but now that the Institute of War is no longer canon, I question if everything associated to it is valid. • A member of the band Pentakill, both old and new. (Again, canon?) • Is officially friends with and . • Is able to use her music to physically affect people and things around her. • Loves to float. • Some telepathic capabilities?

If I have missed anything, let me know. Like I said, this analysis is a WIP.

Part 2: 's abilities.

This is the meat of my analysis and where I poured the most of my effort. I’ll just say the bottom result outright.

Despite being mute, is a full-fledged spell caster. She may not be a dedicated caster like (the ‘c’ in the end is silent btw) or but does use magic.

Now, let’s analyze what is a ‘spell’ (and I’m using this word a bit loosely here). In standard fantasy setting, you say a few words, maybe a body gesture, and something happens like Avada Kedavra or Fus Ro Dah.

I chose those two because they are easily recognized. The word part of the spell is called the verbal component of the spell. There are mages that can use spells without needing to speak the words but generally speaking, no words = no spell. But Sona is mute so she must be a non-verbal caster, right? I’m not going to say that she is or isn’t but I have a theory that gives the maven another workaround, one that technically includes using the verbal component of spells.

Etwahl’s music.

Now. In order to explain what I mean, I need to point out something first. What is speaking (as we know it)? Well… it’s really, at its core, us making a bunch of specific sounds and in a specific order with our mouths so that we can understand each other. Here is the key word; Sounds!

Despite being mute, has with her at all times, something she can use as an alternative to ‘activate’ the verbal component. That is not to say she can’t use or even master silent casting but my theory gives more tools to work with to use magic.

In order for my theory to work, will have to be smart and/or cunning enough to translate words to music or just use music and things happen. But hey, that’s what she been doing since day 1 of her release; using music to cast spells. Hell. Even Scott Pilgrim vs the world did this. An electric gorilla vs two ice/ghost serpentine dragons being a big example.

As for being an aura mage with QWE, it makes sense. Sound is omnidirectional and given the kinetic nature of sound energy, if one has the skill, it can be built up and unleash a combined effect (aka her passive). I’m no physics expert though, so I could totally be wrong about this.

Of course there is the iconic ultimate, Crescendo. For now, I’ll ignore that it’s a linear skillshot but I will instead explain how I view it works. Augmented by magic, the music forcibly activates the part(s) of the brain that regulates dancing of those who hear it. If no such thing exists or isn’t developed enough in the listener’s brain, the brain shuts down its functions to protect it from the foreign stimuli. The potency needed to cause such a reaction is nothing to sneer at. Only those with special mental or spell defenses can protect themselves.

On the subject of In-game abilities, I find that the main reason why only has four abilities and a passive is purely for gameplay and balance reasons. If Sona, or LoL for that matter, were a living, breathing person (or world) then the sky would be the limit on what she (or it) can do and learn. Sona even floats, which suggests some telekinetic capabilites and we don't even need to press a button. It's already there.

Part 3: Etwalh.

Now. We can't discuss Sona without mentioning her instrument. They will always be a package deal. And that is what I'd to discuss. Why are they linked and what is the nature of said link? All that we know that where Sona is, so is Etwahl. Despite it seemingly is capable of acting on its own, it always goes back to Sona's side.

For a lack of a better term, I found that Etwalh is **soulbound **to Sona... or it could be the other way around or it goes both ways. Like I said, what is the nature of the link and how strong is it? At this point, I don't really know. Riot left it open either for potential story development, a little ambiguity (nothing wrong with a little suspense), or both.

Some of you suggested that Etwahl may be its own entity, and that is fine, but I have another theory. What if Etwahl is SO in tune with Sona's thoughts, wishes and desires that it may pick even the hidden ones. Ones that Sona may not consciously aware of. More on this in the next part.

Part 4: Personality.

This is, by leaps and bounds, the most subjective part of this analysis. Not simply on my end but for everyone. On Riot's end, Sona's personality is defined by her splash arts, her quotes, and how she behaves in the game (body language and all that). We, the players and the reds not on the narrative/art department take what we have and, knowingly or not, add our own creative license. This is what I meant about Sona's full personality is subjective. Eye of the beholder kind of thing.

Oh. For those saying that Sona is bloodthristy... the same can be said about the entire roster. If one wants to take part in glorified gladiatorial combat, one must possess an amount of bloodlust to even set foot in there. Sona is no exception. It is with that I transition back to my theory in part 3. What if Etwahl can even pick up on Sona's hidden emotions and whatnot. If my theory holds true, Sona may be thristy for blood but that's not the be-all and end-all.

Let's take a look at her gameplay. What does she do? A little bit of everything. Q can be seen as part of her aggressive tendencies. W would represent her defensive tendencies (heal and protect). E can symbolize her supportive tendencies. And when I see her ultimate, I can't help but get a 'mess is mama bear and you get the claws' vibe.

So if Sona wants to prevent Etwahl from going rampant, she must master herself. If she does, Etwahl will behave like Sona wants it to.

EDIT: added parts 3 & 4. This is still WIP. I still have other parts to adds.

EDIT2: Continued in a quote...