Future Lore Events
So now that we have some proof of a Noxus lore event with the update of ol' Birdy Boy, I was thinking about not only what the Noxus lore has to offer, but also what to expect from any future events! Now note this; Riot has stated that they actually aren't too big of fans of these types of Big Lore Bundles as they take an excessive amount of time, stating on a Reddit post that they weren't planning of doing anymore anytime soon. However, seeing as we are probably getting something with Noxus, that doesn't exactly seem to be the case! Though I don't expect a new Demacia-sized/Shurima-Sized Lore Event every 2 weeks or whatever, I hope we still get them, just at a slower pace to let Riot kinda work things out!
https://cdna.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/004/017/112/large/sperasoft-studio-icons2.jpg?1479485142 https://cdnb.artstation.com/p/assets/images/images/004/017/127/large/sperasoft-studio-icons1.jpg?1479485276 https://i.pinimg.com/originals/8c/f6/db/8cf6dba136489fde38def09fb63acda2.jpg
Now firstly, these lore events were most likely planned way back, as you can actually see some of them in these pieces of concept art for Summoner Icons! Here you can see the VERY EXACT icons for Zaun, Piltover, Demacia and now Noxus! Holding the exact same details! However, looking closely you can also notice OTHER LORE ICONS, specifically ones that appear to be for Shurima, Bilgewater, Shadow Isles, Ionia and Freljord, which I am guessing (AND HOPING) are for any future plans for these specific regions P.S: Icons for Mount Targon, the Void and Bandle City are absent, so I'm unsure on Riot's plans with those. The icons shown below are cropped off of the concept art above, and YES, I am aware that some of the regions shown already had their events but hear me out.
https://i.imgur.com/vAZPMkI.png IONIA Now this is, in my opinion, most likely the next 'lore event' we can expect, and for several reasons. Firstly, it's a possibility that it can ship with the Irelia VGU, who is now revealed by other Champion interactions to actually be one of the major forces responsible for pushing back the Noxian invaders (She cut off Swain's arm!). Though that makes it seem a little too early considering Riot's work on the Noxus update, it can be just as possible that it ships alongside an AKALI rework instead, as she is very high on the Update list and a lot of people really want to see her reworked! Secondly, (like Noxus) we've actually been getting a lot of development and 'fleshing out' of Ionia from other lores, such as with the Vastaya update, Kayn's reveal, Jhin and even the Varus lore update, despite the fact that we haven't had any 'Official' Ionian lore.
https://i.imgur.com/EJCaH8B.png FRELJORD Recently, the Freljord actually already had it's spotlight, as Ornn's reveal gave a bit of insight on the neutral tribes of the Freljord and their religious practices, beliefs and mythologies. Along with that, Lissandra's reveal basically helped jumpstart the Freljord lore into what it is today, it was practically a Bilgewater-sized event, as we got icons for each of the three Freljordian tribes in the civil war, yet not 'official' Freljord icon. The past event, however, was admitably pretty old and way before Riot really focused on a specific format for their lore, so a lot of Freljord champions still need a bit of work. My guesses; it will ship with either a NUNU or an ASHE rework. Nunu is definitely in need of a rework, and certainly more than Ashe, but it seems more fit to ship with Ashe as she is the leader of the most influential Freljordian tribe, yet has a very lackluster theme in-game.
https://i.imgur.com/3U55PLz.png BILGEWATER So this one's a little strange, we already GOT a Bilgewater event, right? And it was one of the best lore events in League history! Why would we need a lore icon for Bilgewater? Well my theory is that it can ship (ehehe, ship) alongside a New Champion. This new Champion however, will probably be more AQUATIC in nature, as to make them fit with NAUTILUS AND FIZZ, two 'Bilgewater' Champions that I think can go with a small Bilgewater-focused update.
https://i.imgur.com/urhf2TO.png SHADOW ISLES Now the Shadow Isles are a strange one, they've probably had the most spotlight for a while now! First Elise, then Karthus, Kallista and more recently Yorick have lead some form of 'Shadow Isles update' in the past, and from the looks of it ALL SHADOW ISLES Champions have their lore update, so I'm honestly not too sure how they can ship this icon. It's strange that they had all these updates, but we never got to see this icon, or any of these icons actually! But if I were to guess, maybe it can ship with a New Champion, or a MORDEKAISER rework, maybe even both?
https://i.imgur.com/yGgdy9D.png SHURIMA Now lastly Shurima. So Shurima's a strange one for me, and I was even more baffled that we never got to see this 'official' Shuriman icon in-game, we even got a WHOLE LOAD of new lore alongside Taliyah's reveal! So, I'm a little lost with this one. Maybe a new Champion? We've been getting some small pieces of Shuriman development with some small tips talking about the 'Baccai' as well as the famed Daughter of Setake. Maybe it can ship with some Shuriman development? Where we get to finally see Azir fight Xerath, or a story where Nasus meets Renekton? Or maybe it can ship with an AMUMU or RAMMUS rework? Who knows?
