Boards›Story, Art, & Sound

The Current State of the Lore

Macilento·5/27/2015, 1:37:21 PM·2 votes·911 views

I mean, it's pretty obvious that many people would like to understand what is going on with the lore in general. I mean, what is Riot really trying to do? Are they slowly trying to create a big solid universe? Or are they just trying to mess around with champions history and see what comes from that? Why they don't tell us what are their plans for the future?.

There are A LOT of problem on how the narrative is going on in this game. I mean it's not the game, but the champions bio, and all the written stuff, is full of things that don't make any sense right now. With champions that are incredibly old in terms of narrative, but also new piece of lore that go against old lore.... in few words: It's a mess.

Why there isn't a damn MAP of RUNETERRA? I do not even know where the places are, i can only IMAGINE how they works because we have nothing to work with. Where is Zaun, Where is Shurima, Where is Freljord? how do they connect to each other? There are other lands or continents? who knows? I feel Riot itself doesn't know geographically what's going on.

Also i hate how Riot TEASES A LOT OF STUFF in they bio and lore, with things that are never ever explained... So you jsut want to know what's going on here and there, but no, you can't. You ahve to imagine what is going on, and speculate, be sure no answer is given...

Just a few example (consider also that all of this lore may be scrapped by riot and re created, but we don't know as always): • Jinx and Vi relation? Who is Jinx sister? • What even is Nautilus? Nothing is known on him really. Nautilus • What even is "Brand"? Just a fire spirit? Brand • Nothing is really known about Aatrox and the others of his kind Aatrox ....

These are just a few of those teases. While teasing something is cool and important for other stories to develop, this is just wayyy too much. Literally there are champions that are only a tease with no background (see Nautilus, Brand). Also every damn champion has these hints at new things and relations that are NEVER EVER EVER explained whatsoever.

So, sorry for the rant, but it's a mess. What i suggest to do? • Riot chould be more clear on its intentions for the future lore, how they want to rework it and so on. • Slowly build up a narrative structure and a solid universe. Let us identificate with the various champions and places. • Fix what is old and stinky, try to bring all the champions on the same narrative structure. • Let us know what Runeterra really is. Geographically, historically, we know nothing of this world. (and draw a damn map jesus) • after all of that has been done, try to tell lore and stories not only in game, but trough other medias (webvideos, comics, cartoons /whatever). • Create in-game events lore based • Expand from there.

12 Comments

Toothless Lion5/27/2015, 1:41:01 PM3 votes

"Trundle is now a fridgeload troll king because reasons. Hope you don't miss your doody pillar and loveable troll. We're doing this because Trundle's lore is a "deadend", but don't worry we won't forgot about the project and how much we dicked you fans over. " - Rito

Legacy of Xion5/27/2015, 4:48:06 PM1 votes

Uh dude, there is a map or Valoran. Just Google images "map of valoran" and you'll find it.

TerraRising5/27/2015, 9:53:15 PM1 votes

Currently, what tidbits of Lore we do get involve champion releases and the, very rare, region event. The questions you asked are ones the community has been asking for years. You're fully in the right to ask them, though. Same with the list of suggestions.

The Riot Narrative team, when they can be bothered to chime in, says they're working on the lore and want to get it out. However, they've failed to deliver for various technical, legal or undisclosed reasons, none of which should matter to you the consumer.

Ozmariel5/28/2015, 5:26:03 PM1 votes

So, sorry for the rant, but it's a mess. What i suggest to do? • Riot chould be more clear on its intentions for the future lore, how they want to rework it and so on. • Slowly build up a narrative structure and a solid universe. Let us identificate with the various champions and places. • Fix what is old and stinky, try to bring all the champions on the same narrative structure. • Let us know what Runeterra really is. Geographically, historically, we know nothing of this world. (and draw a damn map jesus) • after all of that has been done, try to tell lore and stories not only in game, but trough other medias (webvideos, comics, cartoons /whatever). • Create in-game events lore based • Expand from there.

I honestly agree. All of the above is solid story building and integration advice. My main problem is "just Google..." and being overloaded with fan content. It's great, genuinely amazing to me, that the League community is as celebrated as it is and that they feature fan content regularly...but I find it a HUGE pain to read individual champion bios that leave such gaps. Or to get excited for new champs based on their persona and story tease only to be left hanging, probably indefinitely. Part of me is glad I have to fill in my creative blanks, but I'm also kind of disappointed that I'm inspired to pay for any of them without that creative follow through. Not to mention, some that have what amounts to less than a paragraph of "lore" when they really aren't a mysterious character can come off as lazy. Which is not at all what I think of the game or its creators, but in regards to story...it is what it is. I get leaving some things vague allows for more future adaptation, but at what point do we admit these are just really well animated characters that lack a tangible continuity? Makes for stylish pvp, but not so much a story. Which might actually be their intent in the first place, since it sort of forces us to interact and ask questions/give our ideas about the champs if we want to know or see anything at all. Which is honestly the cheapest way of sifting through "unique" ideas, so I wouldn't be surprised xD But I don't imagine they like sifting through forums as I did today in search of storyline. Maybe they do. Who knows. Also, disclaimer, if there's a link to an "official" comic I'd love to see it (since you'd think that might be something they'd want to feature more prominently on the website if they had it). Fans are talented I just would like to know what's "canon" in this game if at all, particularly if in-game lore-based events were to become a thing.