A Different Take On The Jax-Man
With the big changes coming to the lore, some champions will be affected more than others. Those associated with large-enough factions will remain safe, and probably won't change that much, when and if they get updated―others heavily rely on the League's existence, among the most prominent being Jax. One of the oldest and most recognizable characters in the game, Jax is something of a poster-boy for League: he's both visually distinct and mechanically powerful. But his story has always been lacking.
Apparently, he was a run-of-the-mill mercenary or soldier, who racked up an impressive victory count once he joined the League. While certainly bodacious, his motives are anyone's guess, and since the League itself no longer exists in the lore as we know it, it's safe to say that Jax needs a new lore. So... what can we do with him? Well, refer to the above image. Jax could be a forester.
A forester is a person who practices forestry, the science, art, and profession of managing forests. Foresters engage in a broad range of activities including timber harvesting, ecological restoration and management of protected areas.
The new Rift is a beautiful and dangerous place. Inhabited by dozens of animals and creatures that could easily kill a man, the law of the land seems to be "Improve or die." That being said, anybody who stays there has to be sharp... which neatly fits Jax. He's incredibly skilled, and excels as a jungler in the game, so he probably knows his way around the brooks and underbrush of the Rift. Anyone who can truthfully lay claim to actually living in the Rift would have a doctorate in badass.
Still not convinced?
A forester was also a title used widely during Medieval times. The forester usually held a position equal to a sheriff or local law enforcer. He was responsible for patrolling the woodlands on a lord or noble's property . . . His duties included negotiating deals for the sale of lumber and timber and stopping poachers from illegally hunting . . . Often foresters held titles of prominence in their local communities . . .
League is a fantasy game, so it often takes cues from medieval history. Being a forester would essentially make Jax the law of the land. It would also explain his in-game powers, and as to why he doesn't carry an actual weapon. Why? Because he's a ranger, not a technical warrior―he carries a lamp to light his way when it's dark in the Rift. But we also saw in "A New Dawn", Jax is no normal man, inhuman physiology aside; in a display of artistic interpenetration, his W made his lamppost burst into flames.
http://th00.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2014/203/7/d/a_new_dawn_wallpaper_11_by_tomok2404-d7rrqgl.jpg
Is Jax magical? Possibly. But his lamppost could very well be. But who's every heard of a magical lantern that can burst into flames? And how does that possibly explain why Jax is a hyper-carry who attacks quickly, can take a hit, excels in the jungle, and deals magic damage with his basic attacks? It's not like his lantern is 
and 
.
http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/1418411/dr-evil-o.gif
Here's some viewer feedback that further expand upon what I wanted to convey.
Pikmints:
Hermit, maybe not. But** I do imagine he'd be the kind of guy to prefer a quiet abode or some solitude** opposed to a city environment. A lamppost would not only be a metal pole that would hurt anyone he swung it at, but also serve a practical purpose when he wanders about outside with only the light from the moon and stars. He could certainly hold his own in the wilderness, and it would preserve some of the mystery about his back story that will need to address his inhuman characteristics sooner or later. He's more or less practical, strong, skillful, mysterious, and perhaps a tad proud. Those mixed with what I said previously make me think that changing his back story to go more in a vaguely similar direction to this would be ok.
RandomTShirt:
I'm a big fan of Jax, and the old lore itself, even though its sad to change it, this direction is acceptable. This probably shows more of his character then the original lore ever did. I do wish to keep this new Jax's image of being a Brawler intact. That's what defined his old lore. I** saw him as the kind of guy who wasn't afraid to fight anyone, and to show his fighting prowess**. He was seen starting bar fights with Gragas in the JoL. He can be a forester, its a manly occupation for someone such as Jax, but he should be protecting the woods from bandits and poachers, something that lets him frequently use his talents, as a fighter, most importantly something that will maintain his reputation as the number one fighter in Runeterra.
TaciturnGenocide:
Well, it's not really about protecting the environment: all this guy cares about is his environment. It's all about ownership. The forest belongs to Jax, so whatever goes on in it-- whoever goes in, maybe even whoever comes out-- needs his permission. While you're there, he's your host, and he dictates what you can and can't do for as long as you're in there. The laws that he enforces are his laws, and if one day he decides that he wants to set everything on fire and turn Summoner's Rift into Summoner's Lava Land, well, that's his prerogative.
At the same time, though, he can't exactly live life beating the shit out of people over every little misdemeanour, or burning down his home just because it's his right to. He has to restrain himself, reining his own passions in as he reins in those of his visitors, so that he doesn't just wreck everything he owns like an idiot.
http://loldominance.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1011.png "Imagine if I had a real lore!"
"Imagine if I had a real lore team."
