Riot likes overused romantic tropes and narratives. Heres something I'd consider a bit more unique
In this post I will be picking out the most prominent, wannabe excuse for a romance in League of Legends apart and offering something better in its place both in storylining, character growth and development, staying more in character than Riot seems to be able to keep to and hopefully dispersing an awful concept that it makes the overused, poorly executed Romeo and Juliet trope that it’s based off of look good: Katarina and Garen. Even if you don't read all of this, please read the next paragraph at least; it details what I am trying to accomplish by laying all of this out like I am.
Yes, this is a thread dedicated to picking apart the concept piece by piece and stomping it into the dirt while I offer several different, significantly more interesting and unique narratives that will NOT slaughter the characters and will hopefully more than the shallow tropes that Jaeredan or whoever is in charge of the storylining teams get their jollies from. It will be long winded and I strongly encourage anybody to convince me, through realism and logical discussion, that this is a relationship that can work for both characters as well as the overarching storyline between noxus and demacia. However, if all you have to say is ‘NO YOURE WRONG I LOVE THEM YOURE A JERK WITH AN OPINION I DISLIKE’ please leave now. I understand I will be stepping on toes but I would like to at least pretend to be an adult about this and hold a discussion.
(I will be adding various spell Icons throughout this to help with breaking it apart and to make it a bit easier to read. I understand that text walls such as these are difficult to read sometimes)
Firstly, before I begin, you may be asking why I care. _'It’s just a game,’ _many of you may say as you furrow your brow and prepare to type out your generic insults. League of Legends, more specifically the lore and Katarina herself are significantly more than that to me.
When I began playing, as a brief explanation as to what happened, I was in an extremely bad place in my life. League and it’s lore was my escape from a world were family dropped dead and the rest scattered to the wind, leaving me with mountains of debt, 5 younger siblings to provide for while working 50+ hours every week while STILL going hungry at night. Needless to say, I found a certain peace, a safe place in league and the instant I read Katarina’s lore was the instant I fell in love with her and the game. I have related to this silly fictional character so much more than I could have ever thought possible, her ideals and the strength that she was written with (hell even her flaws) was something that helped remind me that I could get through things. Without league, I might not be here in all honesty…
So, to me, league is not just a game. It’s become a very prominent, powerful thing that has helped me from that point forward through some of the hardest things a person might go through.
Now, to the point:
Why this 'romance' needs to be written out of the lore entirely:
From a personal view, the trope that this romance is based on is legitimately putrid and hideously overdone. It was never well written and frankly it never will be just because it’s SO COMMON.
To see such strong characters with vast potential boiled down to such a surface definition of 'love’ is disheartening and frankly upsetting. I was hoping that with the JoJ no longer being considered canon (with exceptions of course, see the Ionian invasion) that the fan-girling would stop. However, as long as the lead narrative writers keep their hard on for the _'big, self righteous manly man taming the wild, vicious woman’ _I realize that the character that I have come to adore so much is very likely going to be slaughtered. I mean they’re already on their way to ruining her by catering to the Straight Male Gamer Gaze.
_How? _You saw the thong (which no proper athlete, let alone a soldier of any sort would ever wear when active) stretching almost up to her ribs and the very real, awful implications that they offered when Rengar nearly cut out her ovaries. Thank you for that, Riot. Thank you for that burst of unnecessary over sexualization right there.
The romance is a very clear example of this catering that is going on. It’s so stereotypical, so over done, almost every single action flick that has one strong male protag and ANY female worth note has it. Add in the heteronormative idealism that runs rampant in modern culture and **BAM! **There you have it. An overused, boring trope that, while its so unrealistic and implausible, is still wildly accepted and ultimately used as fap fodder. It isn't unique, it isn't worth paying real attention to and it most certainly isn't anything anybody really cares about beyond the supposed aesthetic idea of Big Man and Little Lady.
There is such potential here to delve into uncommon emotions that add a whole new depth to both characters, and yet you’re opting for 'love?’ Writing it off as_ 'oh it’ll never happen (cause it’s tragic you know
) but the feelings are there don’t worry’_ is an example of lazy writing. Try paving the way by elaborating on the different, very real and powerful emotion that is hate and prejudice. Try really fleshing out the respect they have from a 'fighter to fighter’ view and leave out the prepubescent crush that characters roughly in their thirties (yes I’ve dug into the timeline and such. I’m a world builder, I do that) are implicated in having.
This link right here will take you to a page I’m 100% certain has been seen before, detailing the specifics as to why this romance isn’t even plausible for a single second ONLY because of their personalities and how human nature/psychology work. Being a world builder, I’ve dug into the Noxian and Demacian ideology and factored that into the explanation as well, in order to retain realism as well as to stay as close to character as absolutely possible.
If you take the time to read it (I know it’s long, once I get soapboxing I REALLY get going, especially when I’m passionate about the topic) the page will also, hopefully, help you to realize how this is legitimately jeopardizing both city states while slaughtering any potential depth and REAL story Katarina and Garen individually could have. However, I will gladly spell it all out ABC for those too lazy to respectfully read the material before questioning it or to those who simply do not understand the world and other characters in play as much as somebody who has spent 3+ years analyzing and breaking down all of the lore. Something I wish I could say a lot of the narrative team might be able to do.
'Well, okay so the ship doesn’t work and it IS lazy writing.. But you said you had more interesting alternatives to offer. Where are they?’
We can start with Katarina and one major alternative that sates those who are frothing at the mouth for romance, factors in a potential world event involving Noxus (a money making event since I understand all that riot wants is our cash to climb out of their 'Tech Debt’) and is significantly more true to character for both individuals involved. Plus, it’s an eye catcher if only because it ISN’T a heterosexual relationship and therefore will catch every bodies attention and in turn, very likely to draw more potential players to the DOWNLOAD NOW button.
The pairing I’m talking about, soaked with angst and heavily laden with a plethora of varied emotions is Katarina and Riven.
'How would that even work? Besides, they’re not gaaaaay!!’
Firstly, NOBODY is gay in Runeterra because the people who write it are viewing their stories through that heteronormative lens I mentioned earlier. It’s very likely that nobody simply considered that people in the game were potentially not straight. While I believe Katarina in particular is more or less Pansexual and Riven is more asexual, the romance between two women in such a prominent game is going to get attention.
You’ll have everybody who isn’t heterosexual excited, happy that they get some form of representation in such a popular medium. Make it well written and not just a joke like 80% of all non-straight characters in the media are portrayed and you will gain a strong following of supporters to combat the rampant, homophobic individuals out there. You want proof that this could work? Go read about The Legend of Korra and see what happened.
'How can it be well written? I mean I’m not gay I won’t know!’
Well it’s the same as being straight… Like really. If you’re struggling for good, non straight characterization, go watch Sense8.
Now, a rough storyline that makes this a plausible romance:
Add Marcus Du'Couteau as a prominent influence in Riven's life pre-exile. It doesn't even have to be anything direct, but perhaps his strength and his ideology and the way he goes about 'being Noxian' is strong enough that Riven has heard of this. Begins to mold her own views and such to his own and seeks to gain a strength and fame equivalent to his own in some way shape or form. This allows for a common ground for both Riven and Katarina to stand on, ideals on how Noxus should be and how 'True Noxians' ought to be. If you involve Marcus directly, there is a significant chance that Katarina and Riven will have met, even briefly. This is only increasing said chances of meeting and knowing one another with the canon information that tells us that Katarina was in fact at least somewhat involved in Ionia.
In the happenstance that they became involved Pre-Couer, they would very well start off as rivals. Two rookie fighters continuously arguing over tactics, sparring because with the Noxian idea that certain emotions, including admitting fault, is 'weak.' No doubt they would become the sort who speak to one another through action, not word, especially considering how temperamental Katarina can be. They back and forth, Riven wins some, Kat wins some, and a new respect and potential adoration for the others personality coupled with the ultimate comfort that comes from being around a consistent somebody that you don't have to put up a front with (I say this going off of the idea that Riven, being a quieter individual compared to Katarina, can quite easily temper her and quiet the raging maelstrom that is Miss Du'Couteau when she tries) lays the groundwork for their relationship.
The fire between them, likely not recognized as anything but a thirst to combat one another (again going off of the 'speak through your actions not your words' idea) begins, however so does preparation for Fury Companies mobilization for Ionian combat.
They say their goodbyes, make their promises with that passion burning inside of them, that quiet drive to see one another again commences as Katarina departs to deal with Kalamanda while Riven's unit continues to prepare for active deployment. Riven may feel a draw to Katarina because of these ideals, this direct tie to Marcus and his 'true Noxian' mindset only driving her to cling all more tightly to Katarina's presence in her life.
On 
's end of the deal:
She commences the Ionian Genocide like any good Noxian Commander ought to do. She follows her rules, believes 100% in what Noxus is doing (failing to realize at the time how wildly different she would feel if she acknowledged that Marcus may or may not be condoning these things or that what she is doing is in line with those idolized ideals that he represents to her) and ultimately watches her unit, her family, get melted cause Singed is a dick.
Her Exile isn't spent necessarily lamenting the idea that she won't ever get to see Katarina again, in fact it could very well be the opposite. The Du'Couteaus are extremely prominent and influential in the military and for all Riven knows (and has likely spent countless nights pondering) Katarina was directly involved or simply failed to stop the Melter Barrage that wiped out not only a massive chunk of Ionian forces, but also Fury Company as well. Where there is doubt, the poison of paranoia and fear may warp her thoughts and yet- -
Part of her also hopes. That hope is a very small sliver of light buried beneath the atrocities she witnessed as well as the suspicion and pain of betrayal, and yet it is there. However, it is not the reason that she returns. Noxus is why she returns and she can only hope that Katarina isn't what that little blackened voice in the back of her head whispers: traitor, liar, deceiver, selfish and uncaring.
That hope however may drive her to seek Katarina out upon her arrival to the Noxian Border, but it is more likely that Riven is fearful that her suspicions may be correct and that Katarina may be just another tool of the corrupt Noxian leadership and in turn causes her to avoid the assassin. However, word travels quick in the underworld and such a unique appearance that graces Riven's facade (amber eyes, bronzed skin and hair platinum in color) is likely to be noticed at least once. An assassin, one with as many ties to said underworld as Katarina very likely has, would no doubt hear of this.
From 
's end of the deal:
Goodbyes are said and Katarina is certain that once this political bickering taking place in Kalamanda has concluded, that she can resume her 'proper duties' on the Ionian front. AKA she can quietly ply her trade as well as peek in on the woman who seemed to expend so little effort in capturing her full attention. But alas, Kalamanda is far more than just some political squabble.
Now embroiled in a political shit storm with rumors flying back and forth involving herself and a certain Demacian Captain (the product of Swain himself, likely spread to make Katarina less reputable while he tends to his business of removing her father in order to claim the Noxian throne. This would no doubt make anything she had to say against his actions less weighty in the public's eye with such damning, treasonous things 'tainting' her demeanor) Katarina finds herself both infuriated and at a loss. This supposed helplessness is only made worse when the word regarding her fathers disappearance reaches her.
She cannot leave, being forced into a sort of 'Spokesperson of Noxus' role as she tends to the worldly journalists on behalf of her home. She cannot search for her father, her idol, and when she can? News of Fury Companies untimely end is just as commonly shouted as the rumors involving herself and Garen are. However she has no place to turn for comfort.
Riven is dead, Marcus is gone, the relationship between herself and Cassiopeia strained further and Talon? I doubt he was much of the confidant sort.
Grief and a lack of closure, the mounting stress and tension that comes with the eyes of the public staring incessantly, scanning each and every move? Katarina closes herself off, becomes deeply resentful and all the more vicious. Her determination to annihilate the Demacian Monkey all but doubles as she struggles to find a way to simply live.
Eight years pass and Swain sits comfortably on his throne with Darius at his side and LeBlanc in his ear. Katarina has made next to no progress beyond making it known that she hardly considers herself aligned to Swain, though has also made it clear that she will always serve Noxus. At least, until a little bird whispers in her ear that a peculiar looking loner has strayed into Noxian territory, bearing skin the color of bronze and hair paler than the Freljordian snow.
Disbelief, hope, anger, curiosity, dread. These are things she may feel. She has to see for herself and in turn, seeks this loner until she eventually confronts Riven head on.
I don't have to lay out anymore of this for you to understand exactly what may happen after this regarding realistic development between the two that stay true to both characters do I?
'Okay so what is this Event that you have in your head? You know, the one that makes money?'
Easy. An attempted Revolution, a civil war of sorts that start within Noxus itself. Riven, Katarina (possibly Talon and so on) on one side. Swain and his whole Cadre on the other. Players can choose to pick a faction, like with the Bilgewater event did with the Icons, somewhat permanently. There will be goals presented, different depending on which side you choose to ally with with different rewards. Release specific skins to go with the event, offer them at a discount once the player has chosen their side and 'proven their loyalty' by completing the faction specific goals. Give them an icon, one that may sate players ultimately uninterested in skins, and sell the opposing factions skins at a regular price.
As with the Bilgewater event, the narrative can be fixed despite who the players align themselves with, OR as with the kind unfulfilling event that was the Freljord rework, provide 2 endings dependent solely on which side gains the most support. Either way, this provides character growth/development, it moves the overarching story of the world forward, as the Bilgewater event did and it directly involves the players and allows for them to feel like they have some influence over what happens in the game. Reskin a map or perhaps release a new game mode to accompany it and BAM! Something neat to do for a few weeks that produces a good, strong lore for the world as well as provides opportunity for MORE.
_Quiet PS: Kat and Riven as a couple is rapidly catching on as one of the more popular couples, by far one of the more common pairings I've seen portrayed involving Katarina. So it isn't like this is out of the blue . '.... Okay but more?'
Yeah. Noxus is going to be a bit busy dealing with the inner turmoil gutting it from the inside out. No doubt Demacia may see this as a golden opportunity to stomp out their timeless Rivals for good. Perhaps this causes problems with THEIR allies, the Piltovians, who may instead choose to sit this one out, as it is quite obviously not their business and they're likely not too eager to start a war. Or maybe they are. This could potentially force Noxus to call upon the aid of Zaun once more in an attempt to stave off this second brewing catastrophe.
Ionia could also capitalize on this. I think many of the Ionian champions would be divided as far as retaliation may go. You have some like Karma who may insist that they do nothing, that they rebuild and that peace is ultimately the answer. However you have those like Irelia and Yasuo filled with rage and hatred who think that the only way to ensure that peace survives is to remove those who will always threaten it by attacking them while they attack themselves. Cue second event involving an Ionian Civil War, if you so choose.
As for an alternative for Demacia, I admit I have done a bit less as far as worldbuilding in that area goes, however I would recommend a political marriage between two of the most prominent Demacian Houses in the city: Crownguard and Laurent.
Clearly, 
seeks to gain a better standing so it only makes sense for her to be all but willing to wed a man regardless of how she feels about him in order to reclaim what her fathers underhanded tactics lost. 
needs a noble of reasonable standing (preferably of higher or equal value, but as a Crownguard and therefore at the tippity top already, beggars cant be choosers unless you release a new family line with a female at the Head) in order to produce more Crownguards.
Obviously, there will be those opposed to the union (see the Demacian Lightbulb
) and watch the catfighting begin. If you really wanted to make a show, play the 'apple never falls too far from the tree' card.
Fiora is family oriented, family is her priority from my understanding. Garen is duty oriented, Demacia and serving the City and Crown is his. No doubt that the duo will butt heads and if you add in Lux (who last I checked didn't quite get along with Fiora for some reason) egging it on by doing her best to dissuade Garen from further associating with her...
You get misunderstandings.
Fiora will stop at nothing to serve and protect her family and yet Garen seems to care less about them when Demacia is concerned simply because the city is quite literally his everything. He was raised to be blindly dedicated to their ideals, their way of life, their home, from the instant his mummy dearest pushed him out. If Fiora feels like his need to perform his duties to his city threatens her family, I don't put it passed her to take action.
Of course, this is significantly less thought out, though I intend on doing exactly that when I have more brain juice. I'll get around to factoring in all of the appropriate champions and I'll construct a larger, world affecting storyline if I feel like somebody may have interest in reading it, but this is a basic synopsis of things that would work at least 45999.333% better than anything that involved Katarina and Garen as a romantic narrative ever.
Now that I've got the bare bones of why I feel the way I do laid out, I'd like to hear what you all think. ESPECIALLY if you have something that may go along with the ideas that I have presented, helping me to better flesh them out and in turn, make a better concept for everybody to understand and enjoy! However, if you're only here to gripe at me without any desire to have any legitimate sort of debate or discussion on an adult level, by all means, just click the back button.
In the meantime, I'm going to go waste my time getting wrecked in game. Thank you all for reading and again, I hope to hear back from somebody with thoughts and opinions :D
against Xerath
is the "Burning Vengeance"
the Solari
against Miss Fortune
against TF
vengeance incarnate
against Thresh
against Gangplank
the folks who abandoned him
against Nasus
against Jarvan IV
Ionia's government
all of Noxus
against Soraka
Shurima
is going to be king one day,so he will probably marry a woman of a high social standard,like 
or even 
,
(<-unwillingly) and possibly 
&
) and those who aren't happy with swains reign 
,
).Although we should keep in mind that the ionian invasion happened before swains rule,so its not like riven was really happy with the previous noxus either.
dino splash, 
quotes, 
and 
and none of that is canon, only otp, so people are less likely to scratch your eyes out just because you dont respect cannon ( and yes, I have met such people, madshippers. It was enough to even suggest that you dislike ship/ ship with other to get their anger on you, and hear countless insults. In Diana/Leo, where it's not canon, BUT it is suggested, I have never met with such a thing, because people treat it like otp not canon, and they respect other )
