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Rakan doesn't feel like a full character without Xayah.

Fine Ionian Silk·5/4/2018, 1:31:57 AM·27 votes·12,620 views

As someone who has mained Rakan since release and absolutely loved lores, I've had issues with the aspect of Rakan and Xayah being in a relationship that I wanted to share.

TL/DR; The relationship takes too much away from Rakan and Xayah. In particular, Rakan feels more like a character outside of the main character, especially in his lore. By removing the relationship, it gives more focus on Rakan back to him and allows for the characters to work more beyond a love-based relationship into more of comrades beyond that, who fight for their race.

1. How much of each other exists in their lore. While I get that characters have ties with each other, and that it helps connect the world (I think it is even a good thing) why does Xayah take up so much space in the Rakan lore, and vise versa? In particular, I feel like it is the worst with the Rakan lore in how much space we get about Rakan before Xayah begins to take a part. Excluding the first paragraph, we go--

> On the ancient, mystical borders of Ionia’s deep forests live the last of the Lhotlan vastaya. It is a place where magic is breathed like air and time has little meaning. To these chimeric creatures, the mortal realms have become like an unforgiving desert, virtually devoid of magic. Few willingly travel far from their shrinking lands, but Rakan has long walked a riskier path. He journeys along the edges of the world’s magical streams, as an explorer, emissary, and song catcher for his tribe.

> An entertaining rogue, a welcome performer for any tavern or village carnival, Rakan was content with the simple adventures of this life on the road… until he had a chance encounter with Xayah at the harvest festival in Vlonqo.

Two paragraphs before we get into Xayah and the relationship begins to take dominance over Rakan. We don't really learn much about Rakan beforehand, just an overview of him. It feels like there isn't even a Rakan without a Xayah -- we know really nothing about him besides just a few basic facts. This seems like there is no reason for it to exist... that we just focus on the present Rakan since that's the one that matters? The lore kind of makes it seem like Rakan is that guy in a dystopian novel. He's the one the main characters falls in love with, but in the end he is just a character outside of the main character.

I would've liked to know more about Rakan. I want to know how he became a battledancer, what did he do as a child, etc. I read the lore because I want to know more about him, not about Xayah who has her own separate lore.

As for Xayah, we get (excluding the first paragraph);

> As a child, Xayah loved listening to her father sing the ancient folk-hymns about vastayan heroes. The haunting melodies transported her to a long-forgotten time, when the spirit realm danced freely throughout the physical world. But, with every new generation, humans encroached further into the Lhotlan tribelands, disrupting the raw, chaotic essence of Ionia for their own purposes. Unwilling to stand by and watch her kind fade, Xayah ignored the decrees of her people and set out to reason with the humans.

> She ventured into villages beyond her secluded tribal home, and learned how little she knew of the outside world. A group of poverty-stricken villagers mobbed her, some of them trying to steal her feathers as priceless trophies. Others were fearful of her strange appearance and summoned the authorities, forcing her to defend herself. Xayah’s attackers were soon taught the dangers of getting in her way, as she skewered them with her lethal quills.

> Dismayed, she returned to her home, only to discover that her tribe, including her father, was missing without a trace. An ancient vastayan temple had been tainted by unnatural shadow magic, disrupting its connection to the spirit realm. Xayah destroyed the temple in order to dispel the corruption. Almost instantly, magic flowed back into the surrounding lands. It was a beautiful sight, but her tribe was still nowhere to be found.

> After years spent flitting in and out of the most fortified strongholds and leaving a trail of bodies in her wake, she became known as “The Violet Raven.” She lived alone, focused only on the next mission, and the next step toward freedom for her kind.

> But then she met another vastayan who would change her life forever.

We get four paragraphs and an additional line. Better than Rakan, but what's the point of reading a character's lore if it'll just be dominated by their relationship with another character? People having relationships is great, but I want a character that can exist outside of the relationship, not be heavily tied to the other. With Xayah, we do get more of an origin -- we get her feeling as if she is a dystopian novel protagonist.

2. What does them being lovers really add to them? This ties into the last point, but what does them being lovers really add to their characters? I mean, great, League has a pair of "love-bird champions", but the characters don't really get much out of it that doesn't seem like it forces them to get that. As an example, the last line of Rakan's lore;

> Through Xayah, he had found purpose, and Rakan had fallen in love.

Why does Rakan need Xayah for a purpose? I mean, congratulations, he had fallen in love -- but this line makes it feel like Rakan didn't have a purpose before Xayah. Why is this the case? Every other champion has a purpose, so what makes it so demanding that Rakan NEEDS Xayah for a purpose. I'm not against a character gaining something from other characters, but this feels less like that and more that Rakan was created for the sole purpose of Xayah. It feels like it is too heavy of a push on the "love-birds" concept that Rakan doesn't have a purpose without it.

In the end, them being lovers seems more like a forced move compared to that of a good, healthy relationship in writing. What is the purpose of having a character if I can't really play them without the other? Here are some thoughts of what I would've liked to see more about it in a way that the relationship could be more healthy and allow for the characters to be, well, full characters.

1. For them to not be lovers. This is one of the major issues that stems. Them being lovers feels more like a forced issue rather than something that occurred naturally. I would've been happier to see them as teammates, or something more like that for the reason that it wouldn't have pushed so much focus on the relationship and instead allow for the characters to spread more themselves. Right now, it feels like the relationship in Rakan's lore takes the up-front while the actual lore is put aside so they can fit this in.

For an example; if Rakan decided to work with Xayah on her cause, we could get more of Rakan while still having them end-up as people that work together in the end. Rather than having a love deal on the line, there could be two characters that are beyond that -- they're comrades that work together for their tribe. Not everything necessarily has to be a romance, and I feel as if this would add more to the characters if it was the case.

  1. Gets rid of the "Dystopian Novel" with Xayah. Don't get me wrong, I don't personally have an issue with dystopian novels. However, right now it feels like that is exactly what Xayah is. Strong-willed MC has tramatic experience -> Decides to fight for experience -> Falls in love with guy who is "light". Why does this have to be the case? Instead, why not let the light be something else Xayah has. Right now, it feels like it is more forced that Rakan is the light, "the charmer" if you will. It can be easily substituted with, lets say, children. Not that Xayah has children, but that she has a soft-spot for children -- it gives her a light that can be seen of equal value without attaching a relationship that feels more forced.

  2. Makes Rakan more of "The Charmer" Why not emphasize more on Rakan being the charmer? Right now, in the lore and color story -- he feels more like a trickster. Why not give him more focus on charming people away? Not through being obnoxious, but rather through his spectacular moves and dance? Let him feel more like a charmer, not a distraction. By removing the lovers aspect, Rakan can be more of a charmer. He can entice people more. It doesn't put the limitations that a relationship does on him.

These were my the Rakan and Xayah relationship, and why I feel like Rakan doesn't feel like a full-enough character without Xayah!

19 Comments

GhaelWinds5/4/2018, 1:21:46 PM9 votes

I disagree that they should completely get rid of their relationship. Rakan and Xayah made a nice precedence that relationships can exist in league characters and their relationship is a dynamic that is fully unique in league.

However, the fact that Rakan is dominated by the relationship is an issue. Xayah has a whole purpose an entire ideal that she rallies behind and Rakan supplements, but that's the issue. Rakan ONLY supplements Xayah view. Instead a good change would to be that Rakan also felt the same as Xayah but it took both of them together to fully start the fight.

ZER0 25/4/2018, 6:08:15 PM9 votes

Do NOT remove the relationship. There's no need. He's full of himself, he has a full personality all his own, I'd like to see some of his quirks and stuff in lore like we do with Xayah, but there is absolutely no need to remove the relationship to have some more character progression. There could even be a story where they get seperated and he has to think on his own then, which would give us a way to see more of just him, but to break up literally the ONLY canon couple in league? Yeah, no thanks.

NachoDimension5/4/2018, 2:53:18 PM7 votes

"I've been kicked around since I was born!" Rakan I would love to hear more about that, I would love to learn more about what makes Rakan, Rakan.

midnight oil245/4/2018, 3:36:52 PM6 votes

As Anu3is said, Rakan definitely feels like a more obsessive character when it comes to the romance, which is why Xayah is so much more prominent from the start than Rakan is to her. Rakan is obsessed with himself, and Xayah is the first person he met who didn't get charmed by him. It's like someone coasting on being a prodigy only to become freaked out when they encounter a situation where they can't just coast. Xayah is an oddity to Rakan, which is why he starts following her around. It's pretty clear to me that Xayah is so focused on because she's the only person he's had to work for, she's his entire world by this point.

On another note, I disagree on the issue of him finding a purpose through Xayah being a problem. I'm a follower. I generally find my purpose through other people, and I'm happy with that. I like that Rakan is sort of like that as well. Every other champion is a part of some grand order, or the leader of some grand order, or a prince, or a queen. They're all leaders, for the most part (I know there are characters like Taliyah, Riven, and Yasuo, but they're still driven by stuff from their past). It's nice to see a character who's able to find someone who gives them the purpose they need, because there are people like that in real life, and we really only have Kayn and Rakan who fill that character type. Hell, that's more a secondary trait to Kayn.

I could also make an argument for any romance in fiction feeling forced because it's a fictional relationship. It's forced by nature. Some can feel better than others, but at the end of the day the author still sets up the scenarios that lead to the two being together.

While there are certainly issues in their relationship, those are things that can be used as plot points. Rakan's obsession with Xayah, for example, could tie into him growing as a person over time. And I don't see them ditching the lovers aspect, since that would both require rewriting their entire lores, but also means getting the voice actors back to rerecord a bunch of lines. I also don't see why Xayah can't also like children, for example, as just because someone likes a person doesn't mean they can't like anything else. People can have multiple sources of motivation.

I also think you might misunderstand Rakan's whole "the charmer" gimmick. You say he's a distraction like it's a bad thing, but that's his role in Xayah's rebellion. He distracts people by charming them. That's why his ultimate is all about charming people. It's why Xayah has him serve as a dancer who keeps their target captivated in their intro. Him being a charmer and him being a distraction are not mutually exclusive.

Overall, I guess my points boil down to Rakan being driven by his obsession with Xayah that has a proper justification, his unique position in the world of League, they can do further work with what they have, and Rakan being able to both be a charmer and a distraction at the same time.

Sugarlicious5/4/2018, 8:13:14 AM5 votes

You don't like how his purpose is all about Xayah, but let me ask you - why not? You want him to be in a mature relationship with his own purpose in life and identity, but do you really not know that those kinds of relationships are actually surprisingly rare? I don't know how many times I've seen somebody fall in love and lose themselves, and everything they do is about their partner. It's as if they don't exist outside the relationship, and Rakan just seems to be that type. So don't hate on devs for making him that way, it's actually quite realistic.

You want them to break up so he could have his own lore? If this were to happen, Rakan's idea would have to be completely changed and the whole relationship idea that made those two characters special would be destroyed - why would you want that? He would no longer be a charmer who fell in love, but something new and probably not that interesting. His relationship with Xayah is a part of his charm, so let him be. And I'm also Rakan main, I just think he's fine the way it is. Plus, this is a game, not every champion has to have a deep individual lore.

Anu3isII5/4/2018, 10:20:50 AM4 votes

These were my the Rakan and Xayah relationship, and why I feel like Rakan doesn't feel like a full-enough character without Xayah!

At least he found his other half!

Now, seriously, I think he is portrayed as the classical "romantic to creepy" kind of person, where he is only focused on himself and Xayah. From their story it is pretty clear he is a lunatic that only cares about their well-being. It can be the end of the world, and he still wouldn't notice it until Xayah made it clear for him.

Another thing, which I personally like, is that he is a bit narcissistic. He simply loves himself, and wants to charm everyone. The fact that Xayah at first refused him makes the story more credible: he sticks along with her, because he is curious why she didn't like him, and to prove to himself he is still a charmer. In time, they started liking each other and became a couple. He finally gave attention to another person!

The interesting part of their story isn't their relationship, it is how they got together. Their combined story describes their personalities perfectly, and even though Rakan isn't the protagonist of the whole plot, from his point of view he is the hero of his story.

AbiwonKenabi5/4/2018, 4:51:00 PM4 votes

I can agree with some of your points and disagree with others. For one, I think that both Xayah and Rakan's voice overs do a lot of the legwork in establishing their personalities when apart and their chemistry when together, especially Rakan. Rakan's VO is basically why I like him. From it, we learn that he is passionate about Xayah's cause in his own way, he's very proud and loves himself, and he legitimately cares a lot about Xayah. In-game, I get the feeling that Xayah and Rakan do have a healthy relationship: sure they are totally into each other, but they have their own personalities outside of that and love themselves, too. Xayah even mentions "You're only doing this because of me," so its obviously something they themselves have discussed, too. They're open and affectionate, and that makes their relationship pretty good. This is coming from someone who really doesn't like Xayah as a person (as a character she's great): I will defend Xayah and Rakan's relationship, its one of the better things in League, narratively speaking.

HOWEVER, I can agree that Rakan's narrative relies too much on Xayah's. Its something that's bothered me since their release. Xayah has a much more detailed backstory, she has motivations and actions; if Rakan were removed from her story, she wouldn't be much different. If Xayah was removed from Rakan's story on the other hand...there's not much left.

Their relationship obviously isn't perfect, nor is it fully developed. Xayah briefly mentions something about their time at a waterfall, in both her in-game quotes and I believe her short story. Why haven't we heard about this event? This seems way more interesting and important to the development of their relationship than anything else. And there is definitely an argument to be made that Rakan is only there for Xayah's cause because its Xayah's cause. Maybe he's lying to himself more than he's lying to Xayah. Who knows? It hasn't been explored.

And I think that's what it comes down to. These problems can be addressed if they are explored more. I feel like there are things Xayah firmly believes in that, when push comes to shove, Rakan will disagree with. Rakan seems much more willing to compromise, wants to show humans a better way. Xayah is uncompromising, unwilling to communicate with humans, and racist even. Someday, they will come to blows. And honestly? I look forward to it. I hope Riot sees this as an opportunity for drama and storytelling and that they can develop Rakan, Xayah, and their relationship more in the future. Maybe they spend some time apart? Maybe they learn something? Maybe they change their minds, maybe they reunite, maybe they don't. If we get a good story out of it, its worth it in the end.

Also, I want more Rakan stories anyway, so I'm totally on board with some development/more backstory. I can agree he is in need of it.

Lady Faceless5/4/2018, 5:48:15 AM3 votes

I don't disagree with you. Rakan's character suffers from being a sidekick/lover. Even if you play him alone and he talks about "his" cause it doesn't feel like he believes in it - it sound like he repeats that Xayah said to him. Rakan has no cause. Before he met Xayah he just went with the flow. That kind of people exist as well. He does fight for Xayah. And this can be a dangerous thing, 'cause he lets Xayah guide him.

Gets rid of the "Dystopian Novel" with Xayah.

Disagree, tho. Maybe it is just me, but I don't trust Xayah at all. She is a racist, which belives magic is an exclusive right for her people who even refuse to think of a compromise, no matter what. The MC of dystopian novel is a good person. Xayah, while she is has right points, is not a good person. Hell, as long I don't get any more canon material which will change my mind, I will keep seeing Xayah as a terrorist. She acts like a person who will harm innocent people to get her message across.

GreenLore5/4/2018, 6:28:50 AM3 votes

Well Rakan himself is a charmer,so it makes sense that his lore is about love,meanwhile Xayah is primary a rebel,so her having a lore focused around the rebellion also makes a lot of sense.

Also this way they could actually keep their bios roughly the same lenght and explain one aspect of these characters in each of them.Xayahs focuses on the rebel-thing,while Rakans focuses on the relationship. Both are important to both champs,but likely to different degrees.

But yeah,the end result is sadly that Rakan feels a lot like Xayahs sidekick.

Oleandervine5/4/2018, 1:36:29 PM2 votes

I don't think their relationship should be removed, or even downplayed, but I think Rakan does need to be fleshed out more, so it's understandable why he's so in love with Xayah. Xayah also needs a little fleshing out too, just so we can see her without Rakan sometimes.

I have been saying for months now that we should respect Xayah and Rakan as individuals, instead of a couple (especially where skins are involved), but everyone gives me the same kickback that "OMG, they're supposed to be a couple, you can't give one a skin without the other." But yes, yes you can. They can be played independently (they're not Cho Gall from HOTS), and sometimes one skin line may make more sense on Xayah than Rakan (for instance, Deathsworn) or vice versa, so I've always been opposed to always treating them as a unit. It detracts from them as individuals to always treat them as a pair, and it's very unrealistic, because even couples in real life have personal lives outside of each other. I also speak from experience here - I'm a twin - so it's always frustrating for people to not understand that each person in a couple has unique views and personality traits that actually differentiate them from the other, and that not treating them as individuals sometimes makes them more of a caricature and less of a believable person.

I Love Roses5/6/2018, 3:53:16 AM2 votes

Do not remove the relationship!!!!!!!

Placentas5/4/2018, 3:30:01 PM1 votes

This is really well thought out and very valid points. At first I wanted to disagree with you, but I really can't. Especially how much info we get on Xayah compared to Rakan, he's a total mystery.

Khâmul5/4/2018, 12:47:35 PM1 votes

maybe he likes being dominated

LordGeovanni5/5/2018, 12:19:23 AM1 votes

I felt this but mostly about their game play in that Rakan gets Extra range E with Xayah Gets Extra attack speed when Xayah Gets attack speed which helps his passive but Xayah gets nothing from Rakan because none of her power is tied to him like his power is tied to her Except the recall they both share. I Stopped playing Rakan out of the Disgust for the favoritism for the female adc thats gonna sell skins While Rakan is just weak without her. As far as lore goes I dont really want them to split up but i think its largely lazy writing on rakans end becuase they focused so much on making Xayah a strong character while some how still being a moody goth teenager in game that is in big conflict with her lore character.