Why Sylas, the Unshackled, is a breath of fresh air for Runeterra

I've been playing League of Legends for about 8 years at this point - give or take. The game has gone through a lot of changes over this time, and has ultimately taken a direction that I believe has made the game generally a bit less fun to play in longer increments; especially by oneself.

The story that's finally being implemented to the game, for me - as a writer - is giving me high hopes for what is to come. And I don't just mean new champions or events; I mean the future of the setting of Runeterra. There are a lot of champions in this game that have no directly interesting personalities or stories, but there are a shining few that give great examples that Riot -does- have a few people on their team that are truly, truly passionate about the characters they create (or rework, for the matter).

Can I name a few? Yes. Jericho Swain demonstrated with his recent overhaul that Noxus was a harsh but fair rule; it was not the "Generic Evil City" that we once thought it was. Now, despite it being with an iron fist, Noxus has a ruler that cannot be mistaken for as just 'cruelty incarnate'. There are reasons for what he does. Ezreal (or Jaro Lightfeather) demonstrated to us an outsider's perspective - even though he's a bit of a miscreant - how Shurima and the rest of Runeterra holds untapped wonders; great, mystical artifacts belonging to long-deceased heroes, and unexplored ruins and plains -everywhere- that can still be explored. Akali demonstrated to us how individuality isn't exactly a bad thing for a character; especially when their personality previously was quite bland. (And, seriously, that laugh. You can't tell me that one laugh alone doesn't tell you everything you need to know about her character.)

Finally, Sylas has come out of the woodworks to show us the exact opposite of what Jericho Swain showed us: Demacia is not the land of the free, happy, objectively Just that it used to be in the elden days of League. It is oppressive. Galio's very existence is a testament to the fear of Nature itself that Demacia and it's rulers have; and how it, ultimately, will likely lead to it's downfall. The shining, ivory city is likely going to collapse under it's own weight, and Sylas will be there to facilitate this.
Every Demacian a king. Freedom before Peace. But that's not all, either. Everyone seems to think he's one of the worst champions in the game right now; and I beg to differ. While I'm a little upset that his ultimate isn't on a shorter cooldown at the expense of Hijack not just stealing the last spell cast by a certain enemy champion, I believe his kit is the absolute most conducive to actual team play in this game; in recent memory. This is League's first truly all-encompassing versatile character; he works the exact same in every single lane (or jungle) you put him in, and has the exact same strengths and weaknesses within those roles. His kit is 'bland' because he doesn't need a great set of flashy, over-the-top moves; just ones that let him put himself, and his team, in whatever situation he pleases. Provided, of course, they're willing to go along with him.

I believe Sylas is a great addition to this roster. I want to believe our next book-wielding Mage will be just as good, if not better, story and gameplay wise than him - and I want to believe that Legends of Runeterra is closer than we think.

I want to see Runeterra from the minds of the people who have been working on it - not just from the champions that inhabit it. Thanks for coming to my TED-Talk. I'll be here all week.