@Riot : The Psychology of Lux & Lore Retcons to Come
http://ddragon.leagueoflegends.com/cdn/img/champion/splash/Lux_0.jpg
#Let's have a look inside her pretty little head!
Now although not strictly canonical currently I think we should take a look at what's already been written about Lux. Let's take the league judgement as an example. We stopped getting those ages ago, but they often provided quite a bit of nuance to a champion's characterization that didnt fit in their basic background page. There are some details about Lux I feel will be important to any iterations and drafts of "expanded lore" as done with Azir and Xerath.
Garen, the Might of Demacia, her long-lost brother, stood before her. His face was stern, yet kind, and exactly how she had imagined he would look in real life, having only seen him in the League match broadcasts since he had been taken away.
#“Why do you want to join the League?”
Lux allowed herself a smile, trying to not seem smug. While anyone who had been subject to a League judgment was forbidden to discuss the trial, Lux had done her research, and she knew that they summoned illusions to extract their answers. It was mere child’s play for her; she could see right through it, and she knew what they wanted to hear.
She straightened and looked the illusion of her brother straight in the eye.
#“To fight for justice in the name of Demacia.”
#“What is the real reason, Luxanna?”
#“Victory for our allies, defeat for our enemies, and justice for all.”
They were both quotes from The Measured Tread, the handbook that any self-respecting Demacian could recite on command, but they did not make them any less true for her own purposes.
Her brother frowned, and that was the last thing Lux saw before an explosion of light consumed them.
#Then a flashback....
Lux burst into the Crownguard residence. To her delight, she heard familiar voices speaking quietly in the kitchen. She found three military officials standing at attention, speaking to her parents. Her heart skipped a beat as she started to retreat back into the living room; they were discussing important business, and she had been taught better than to interrupt. She would have left the house entirely, except at that one dreadful moment, she heard her name.
She froze.
“It is the greatest honor you could bestow upon our household to take Luxanna. She will serve you well, just as Garen has before her.” A chair scraped along the floor as her mother stood.
#“You are sure, Lilia? Your daughter is at the age where she needs her parents the most, especially after taking her older brother away.”
#“It is all in the King’s name. You will provide all the parenting that she will need.” Her father’s tone was dismissive.
“Very well. It is done.”
Lux fell to the ground, the repressed memories unforgivingly rushing back into her mind. Her parents delivering the news. Lux barricading herself in her room. The pain in her arms as they forcibly dragged her away from her home. Her hair draped across her face as she refused to look at her parents.
#The burn of her tears as she cried herself to sleep every night.
The booming voices yelling at her to focus.
#Her screams as she cursed her family for doing this to her.
Then, her own voice echoing back at her, reciting the Justice Pledge alongside her fellow recruits. The comfort of re-reading The Measured Tread cover to cover countless times. The *indoctrination *of the new incoming class, led by Lux herself. The pride swelling in her heart as she marched forth under Demacia’s shining banner. The accolades in praise of her exemplary work. The absolute love for her country.
#The emptiness of realization of what she had willingly grown to love.
The assault of memories subsided, and she was left slumped in the darkness. She knew the League had retreated from her mind, but the test wasn’t over yet. Someone was standing before her, and she didn’t even have to look up to know who it was.
#“Will you admit the real reason why you want to join the League now?”
Her labored breaths caught in her throat just long enough for her to whisper,
#“Because I have nothing else…”
The darkness shattered around her, falling to the ground in shards. **She crumpled to the ground, heaving sobs racking her body. **
#That was sad, wasn't it?
Now, we've been told that core aspects of a character will be kept as lore is revised. The question is, if Lux doesnt follow her brother onto the Fields of Justice which no longer exist...one can presume she continues conducting covert operations for the Demacian military.
#That gives her an odd kinship with Teemo.
Both of them act rather chipper and lighthearted. But as cheery Teemo is also a stonecold killer that spends a lot of time alone on covert missions yordles wouldnt normally volunteer for, I see Lux as also having deep seated issues. HOWEVER -for her the League was an escape from all that.
#The league isnt there anymore.
Now I suppose Lux could be rewritten partnered with Garen as a super nationalistic Justice Duo but....I feel that's passing up a more interesting story.
People complain Lux has too many military skins, that "dont represent her true self" (original concept a bit like a cheer leader) but ....Just as the character according to her old lore was forced into military service because of her exceptional gifts, Lux has also been forced into many military skins.
#That's what she is.
She's got such a big smile on her face. So happy. So patriotic. So devoted to Demacia. On the surface at least. Lux isn't her brother though. She's a soldier-girl that didn't wanna be one. And maybe...its left a mark on her. And then there's that damn laugh too!
I feel it is a subtle, but important part of her character that can make for some really emotionally powerful stories.
#Please dont forget it Rito.
