??
Edit: To elaborate, I like the change, Brand was always kind of a random lone entity in the old lore. This enhances the idea that Brand has been a threat for a long time and gives him a relationship with 
and 
as an enemy.
: All reworks lead to Shurima!
Yeah seems to be brand. After all brand says that this body is just one of many,so he is likely pretty ancient.
I had a similar thought too.
Look, we all know that Brand is a pirate possessed by an ancient fire elemental that was captured by the Institute to keep his apocalyptic mayhem in check. Just read the lore (lol)
Its confirmed that it was Brand in the coffin a rioter confirmed it in the lore Q&A
"The magic Xerath uses is a blend of the dark magic he found in his researches, combined with the power he stole from the Ascension ritual, so it's kind of a blend of different strands of magic. Xerath Ascended in a different manner because the ritual wasn't keyed for him, it wasn't his to take, so the power intended for Azir affected him in a different way. The figure in the sarcophagus, well I could tell you but I'd be BRANDED with fire afterwards." -DinoPawz
http://i.imgur.com/5Ix1UlXh.png
Brand's LoL wiki page
