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Akali Rework Lore

6FlagsFunnelCake·1/31/2018, 10:34:10 PM·9 votes·6,927 views

So with Akali being announced to be the next rework after Aatrox (or Irelia...I'm still not sure which one's coming first?), Riot also mentioned she's going to be 'Gangplank sized' in terms of her rework and lore. By that they mean; Instead of trying to find a whole new, more appealing thematic (As seen by characters like and now ), they are going to instead expand on Akali's current thematic, as seen by, well, .

Firstly, I am HOPING this means we get an Ionia lore event with Akali's rework (mind you, Bilgewater came alongside Gangplank!), but I have a little request regarding Akali's lore in general. PLEASE OH PLEASE keep her 'complicated' relationship with Zed and the Order of Shadows. It's mentioned by some Rioters that Zed once had a 'Favorite student' who left the Order, noting on Akali's title as "Fist of Shadow" and her passive "Twin Disciplines." Along with that, it's heavily hinted at that they might've been ex lovers as well! Now I hope Riot keeps that aspect of her and makes it a KEY ASPECT of her lore for a few reasons. For one, it adds a whole new dynamic between the Shen and Zed. Maybe Zed hates Shen even more for practically stealing his favorite student from him? Along with that, it adds a neat dynamic between AKALI AND KAYN, I'd imagine they wouldn't get along too well either. Kayn could be jealous of Akali's high status in the Order, or see her as a traitor to the Order, while Akali can see Kayn as a fool and warns him to leave the order.

16 Comments

Ebonmaw Dragon1/31/2018, 10:48:56 PM5 votes

Nah, they mean that they will try to kill Akali in an explosion, but she will survive as a ciborg ninja.

RiotKindlejack2/1/2018, 5:45:15 PM5 votes

Just to be clear the comparison to Gangplank as I understand it was the idea of continuing Akali's story, sort of a Chapter 2, instead of rewriting it completely.

Alex Luu2/1/2018, 8:12:08 AM3 votes

I agree with everything except the "ex-lovers" thing, a mentor/disciple bond is usually hazy and seen as love but isn't in actuality.

GreenLore1/31/2018, 11:37:44 PM3 votes

Keep in mind they were saying that they want to expand on her narrative(instead of replacing it),they didn't say that akalis thematic is fine the way it is. They even said that they are going to add some unique elements to her thematic,so while she is gonna keep her theme,they will be adding at least one more theme on top of that.

Also you are essentially saying that the dynamic between Akali and Zed is key to Akalis lore,even though this was never confirmed to be really the case.

And on a side note: I actually don't think Swain really got a new thematic. They just rebalanced the aspects of his current thematics,downplaying the ravens and strategist theme,while emphasizing on the dictator and warlock theme.

Nintendo 3DS2/2/2018, 2:47:59 PM2 votes

Hm. On Jhin story she seemed way younger than both Shen & Zed. Shen mentions she has about the same age he had when he was still a disciple of the Kinkou. Its also mentionned she entered the Kinkou at 14 and following the narrative, she doesnt seems that much more older. So a romance is a total no-go IMO, be it with Shen or Zed. It was heavily hinted as well she might have been a student of Zed (probably for a short period of time) so she really seems too young to be ex-lovers with any on the twos. Even the "growth and change" give it away. She's really young. Don't know why there would be a need to put romance in Akali's story, it really doesn't suit her.

It could be really good if they do confirm she was indeed part of Zed Zed order though. It had an interesting twist, a character treading on the two lines of ennemies orders. Just imagine the potential it could have. It can open doors on both the visions of the Kinkous & the Order of Shadow. Plus it fit well with her Twin Disciples passive and the Shadow dance ult. (thematically, since the gameplay is going to change)

I've always wanted to see how a character who has seen both sides of two enemies factions could be like. If i remember good, there isn't one like that yet ? From a lore standpoint, that sound pretty great. Akali as a double-disciple. Or, she learned about the Order of Shadows techniques and use them inside the Kinkou. Also might explain why, out of the three Kinkous, only she wants Zed dead. She really seems to know him personnally.

Also. While i agree the others two Kinkous could be good for her story, i really want Akali to be "herself". As in, not definied by Shen Shen or Kennen Kennen . On Shen story they barely mention Kennen or Akali. It could be logical that she too deserve to be a character on her own. Akali old lore just talk about how she is part of the Kinkou and that's all. The "tale of growth and change" really was intriguing. If anything, it does mean we will see more of her very own parcours. I can't wait ! Even in her rare apparitions/portrayal, she seemed more like "i am part of the Kinkou but don't always work with the other, all i do is killing when needed". Maybe we will need to truly determinate how the triumvate function. If they still have the "Judge, Jury and Executionner" (i believe Akali is the Executionner) pattern, or if they are actually quite detached from one another. Seems like a mix. They just work when needed without much interactions with each others. On Shen and Kennen in-client short bio though, they mention Kennen is Shen's disciple who accompagnies him in the spirit realm. Where Akali seemed more like a loner, who kills the treats against balance all by herself.

I suppose for the personnality, they'll keep (but deepens) the original Akali : ruthless, a bit emotionless, executing her duties and with a big capacity for violence & cruauty. It would just be even more explored, giving her a real and well set persona.

And finally i'd like to have her getting a few interactions with Irelia ? Irelia We've got two Ionians combattants getting reworked closely, its impossible they wouldn't give them even the tiniest of links ? Both have been pretty detached from the rest of the cast in their lores, it could be the perfect occasion to give it something.

And finally, if we go with the "student from Zed order" path, i could see Akali despising Kayn Kayn . (the contrary could be true as well) ~~Kayn's so arrogant it would do him good to have a character who clashes with him directly for once~~ When you think about it, they represent all the other wouldn't stand. Kayn is pretentious and always bragging, Akali who is said to be violent and executing her duties without questions would probably find him a waste of air. And if Akali was this "favorite student" who left the order, wouldn't Kayn be extremely jealous of her ? Kayn is the best student, but he isn't said to be the favorite. (Swain interaction even hints there is no love from his master to him) I can see him being quite jealous of her. They are probably close in age as well.

That's all for now, its pretty long but i really like Akali and i was a bit suprised her rework might come so soon.

~~I've had a theory that Akali was Zed long lost daughter but thats for another time~~

Chromatic Eagle2/1/2018, 12:06:14 AM2 votes

Along with that, it's heavily hinted at that they might've been ex lovers as well!

In what way was that supported?

It's weird that they say GP kept his theme. He was originally a (relative) jolly pirate. I get what they're saying though.

Whyte Lyon1/31/2018, 11:48:18 PM1 votes

Personally I'm confident that Akali's rework will be a self contained update like Evelynn and Urgot's. I'm not particularly optimistic that Shen or Kennen are required to have their own stories during the re-release. It's a given that they will be involved in Akali's lore in some major capacity but I don't know the writers will give either of the two anything separate or standalone.

And I would rather see Zed's lore paired with Irelia.

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOO1/31/2018, 11:02:35 PM1 votes

The whole narrative bit means that her story shall stay the same, but she may still receive extensive gameplay work.

Steel Blossom2/2/2018, 12:05:39 AM1 votes

Akali shouldn't be "ex-lovers" with Zed. No no no. I've sunk too deep into the Zed & Syndra comics, Riot, you can't make Zed cheat on her like that!

Enderspider1/31/2018, 10:46:50 PM1 votes

I might be wrong here, but I dont think they specified the size of her rework, they mentioned her voiceovers being handled in the same way as the Gangplank rework, by expanding her voice lines rather than replacing them.