What About Kennen?

N Jenkins·Jul 30, 2018·8 votes·9,037 views

We just got updated Backstories for Shen, Zed and Akali, which i have to admit, i do find good. However, one thing that did touch a nerve is that Kennen Was left out all together! He is not even mentioned in Shen's story, even though both Akali And Zed are! He is just as important as Akali to the Kinkou order! You could have at LEAST mentioned his name.

I do get the feeling Kennen was not included because he is also due for a rework, but he could have been mentioned at least...unless they are planning to retcon him from the order, in which case i will be REALLY mad, cuz he definitely belongs there.

28 Comments

Ebonmaw DragonJul 30, 20185 votes

Riot has been avoiding yordles for a long time, almost none of them are mentioned in the lore... Unless the yordle its a new champion (Kled), or recieved a VU (Tristana, Poppy, Heimer), the only exception is Ziggs and even considering that, the lore of those champions are not really that updated in comparison with other champs.

N JenkinsJul 30, 20182 votes

[{quoted}](name=Ebonmaw Dragon,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=hRW6W7Pc,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2018-07-30T20:17:43.244+0000)

Riot has been avoiding yordles for a long time, almost none of them are mentioned in the lore... Unless the yordle its a new champion (Kled), or recieved a VU (Tristana, Poppy, Heimer), the only exception is Ziggs and even considering that, the lore of those champions are not really that updated in comparison with other champs.

Yeah i have noticed that too, and i honestly think it sucks. Especially For Kennen, who is the only Yordle who is part of an actual non-yordle organization. (aside from Kled, but he is more of a comedic character). It sucks especially considering How iconic the trio of Shen, Akali and Kennen are. They compliment each other so well.

OleandervineJul 30, 20185 votes

[{quoted}](name=Ebonmaw Dragon,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=hRW6W7Pc,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2018-07-30T20:17:43.244+0000)

Riot has been avoiding yordles for a long time, almost none of them are mentioned in the lore... Unless the yordle its a new champion (Kled), or recieved a VU (Tristana, Poppy, Heimer), the only exception is Ziggs and even considering that, the lore of those champions are not really that updated in comparison with other champs.

They did say recently that the reason Bandle City didn't have an icon in the map event was because they have unknown "plans" for it. This could indicate a Corki VGU, or maybe a generally larger pass on Yordles as a race, like they did with Vastaya and the Darkin.

Ebonmaw DragonJul 30, 20184 votes

{quoted}

They did say recently that the reason Bandle City didn't have an icon in the map event was because they have unknown "plans" for it. This could indicate a Corki VGU, or maybe a generally larger pass on Yordles as a race, like they did with Vastaya and the Darkin.

I know that, but until the day of the update of Bandle, Riot will avoid using them in the lore. That is why Kennen is ignored in the update of the Ninjas.

RiotRiot ScathlockeJul 31, 20185 votes

Ummm... Kennen is literally mentioned by name in the Akali lore...?

He is very much still in the Kinkou Order. He's one of the top three-- Well, two now.

[slayer-jinx-wink]

edoxbox1Jul 31, 20183 votes

He's one of the top three-- Well, two now.

[sg-soraka]

Blades in ExileJul 31, 20181 votes

{quoted}

Ummm... Kennen is literally mentioned by name in the Akali lore...?

He is very much still in the Kinkou Order. He's one of the top three-- Well, two now.

[slayer-jinx-wink]

Is it possible that riot might continue Akali's lore later in the future, The same way Yasuo and Riven had their story lines "completed"? Maybe one where she decided to rejoin the Kinkou order again after going out on her journey and defending the people. Maybe the spirit realm might be unbalanced so after seeing that she would help the order and rejoin them at the end? [sg-soraka]

RiotRiot ScathlockeJul 31, 20183 votes

I'd say there is a very good chance we will continue storylines for champions whose lore has recently been updated, in future!

Blades in ExileJul 31, 20181 votes

{quoted}

I'd say there is a very good chance we will continue storylines for champions whose lore has recently been updated, in future!

Thank you for answering and giving me hope that the Kinkou might be reunited! [slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

AtaxiChaosJul 31, 20181 votes

Yeah, he got a whole one sentence dedicated to him.

Kennen, the Heart of the Tempest, spent many hours with the young girl, teaching her shuriken techniques, and emphasizing speed and agility over strength.

and a mention later

Akali fled into the eastern mountains along with Mayym, Shen, Kennen, and a handful of other acolytes. Sadly, Tahno was not among them.

The real issue is that his own bio is two paragraphs and what we get from his brief mentions don't really add to his character so much as just acknowledge he exists alongside the others.

RiotRiot ScathlockeJul 31, 20187 votes

So, what can we deduce from this? A champion whose bio was not updated, just had his existence/place in the world re-affirmed in another champion's lore... I'd say there's a very good chance we plan to do something with Kennen, right? ;-)

AtaxiChaosJul 31, 20182 votes

I figured as much, I just had to make sure... So, can you say if this will be soon or soon™?

RiotRiot ScathlockeJul 31, 20183 votes

ALWAYS IN MOTION, IS THE FUTURE...

QMightyJul 31, 20181 votes

I bet Kennen turns into a Yoda-like cgaracter, with a dash of Miles Vorkosigan thrown in. As in, a wise old sage that has been in the Kinkou order for 800 (or so) years, but is also a spastic ball of energy (ha) that can hardly keep himself still.

SlyTactician Aug 1, 20181 votes

While the timeless nature of the yordles seems like a given, I personally hope Kennen doesn't become an aged yordle of sorts. I much prefer his young and energetic look - hopefully that's maintained! :0

We do already have Kled, Corki and possibly Heimer appearing more like older yordles so far.

PsyrixAug 11, 20181 votes

Nagakabouros is satisfied.

RobertsmashJul 31, 20183 votes

Is Kennen the oldest member of the Kinkou due to Yordle timelessness like Kled is for Noxus and Poppy who was buds with the founder of Demacia?

RiotRiot ScathlockeJul 31, 20185 votes

Now, THERE'S a question...

Lintu PuckJul 30, 20183 votes

Because he was not key to the story. Shen and Zed grew up together and are rivals. Shen trained Akali for years before she got fed up and left. Kennen as it stands was not highly important for any of the 3. What we do get is mention of him in Akali's bio and her having a line or 2 for him in game.

N JenkinsJul 30, 20188 votes

[{quoted}](name=Lintu Puck,realm=NA,application-id=6kFXY1kR,discussion-id=hRW6W7Pc,comment-id=0003,timestamp=2018-07-30T20:45:33.649+0000)

Because he was not key to the story. Shen and Zed grew up together and are rivals. Shen trained Akali for years before she got fed up and left. Kennen as it stands was not highly important for any of the 3. What we do get is mention of him in Akali's bio and her having a line or 2 for him in game.

I do disagree with that notion. Kennen is still part of the trio, and is technically even more important than Akali cuz, for all we know, he is the only student still there. Or at least the only one we know by name.

Lintu PuckJul 30, 20183 votes

Kennen was not important to the main stories of the 3. Just because he MIGHT still be there doesn't mean he is important. Until his lore is changed last I checked he was only part of the Kinkou in the first place because Bandle City kicked him out and sent him there to learn how to calm the frik down. He was to energetic to handle but Shen and the Order did help him a bit. Now given the current way the stories seem to be going I get the feeling Kennen, a literal ball of fur and electricity, would not be able to adhere to Shen's plan of remaining still, calm, and not kicking the shit out of every Noxian invading Ionia.

SlyTactician Jul 31, 20183 votes

It really is a shame to see Kennen, one of the original Kinkou trio, be left out. I really did look forward to the Akali VGU in hopes Kennen will finally get some more lore, development and a further relationship with Akali. While the latter was given a bit of insight with him being a very close friend of hers since childhood, Kennen was barely touched up upon and didn't feature in her trailers either. :(

It's true that Ken is slated for an eventual VGU though I wonder when this might be considering how much of Ionia we've seen so far since Irelia's rework? Could it take another year or two before Ken gets his? I am happy that the Kinkou got development as it was left alone for quite some time now; however, it feels wrong that of the Kinkou Order trio - one of ninjas was left behind in terms of content. Not even a short story either while both Shen and Akali received one along with Zed.

It's tough waiting for years to see one's favourite champion get even a mention from Riot. Barely any of the recent League promotion material, trailers, Akali teasers for her VGU, or even merch in general feature Kennen. Even at the time when the Kinkou Order members are given more depth, Kennen barely got much for some reason. We know he's a young, energetic yordle who ran up the Placidium walls and was later taken into the Kinkou, is willing to accept Zed if he seeks redemption, and also is fond of Sona's music. He is considered to be a prankster as well - would have love to seen how much trouble he brings to the Order!

But since then, we got a small rewrite bio about him patrolling the Spirit World with Shen...but oddly enough, Shen's new bio makes no mention of Kennen at all. Hopefully the little guy gets some love soon! Kennen did make a small cameo dancing at the end of the Akali champion spotlight...so this does make me hopeful that Akali still maintains a good bond with the little guy ala her bio and that one quote. Kennen is my favourite champion, so I hope Riot knows we Kennen fans exist out there!

Kennen item 3070

RookPusherJul 30, 20182 votes

Have you seen Swamp Kennen? I think he's been shown enough favoritism for one lifetime.

GreenLoreJul 30, 20181 votes

Its possible that they are working on a VGU for him.

I mean he is high on the VGU list and they ignored him in this lore update even though it was the perfect opportunity to update him(and they showed already in the past that they are ok with updating the lores of champs on the VGU list,like DrMundo Pantheon or Mordekaiser )

mrmeddymanJul 31, 20181 votes

He's on the VGU list so why change his lore now only to have to change it again later?

CetriJul 31, 20182 votes

Several champs on the VGU list, like Morde, Panth, and Mundo, have had their lores updated already though.

MaisanaiJul 31, 20181 votes

at least he is still mentioned in akali's bio, if only briefly. " Akali fled into the eastern mountains along with Mayym, Shen, Kennen, and a handful of other acolytes. Sadly, Tahno was not among them."