Would Genies work in the context of LoL's story?

darkdill·Apr 12, 2016·3 votes·968 views

Genies are a great source of magical mayhem in Arabic/desert stories, and I wonder whether or not a Genie would fit into the Shurima scene.

Here's one example of how I think it could fit:

Ezreal is exploring a tomb in Shurima when he comes across a magic lamp (yeah, like Aladdin). He rubs the lamp and it accidentally touches his Ascended Talisman, freeing the "Genie" from its prison.

Pretty easy way to start up a Genie's story in Runeterra.

#(This isn't a Champion Concept, so it doesn't belong there. And don't say "fanfiction" because I can't make this topic without an example.)

8 Comments

Slushi SimcambiApr 12, 20161 votes

What unique position would a genie bring from a story perspective?

We have Xerath who was freed from imprisonment who has power of an incredible level who desires to seek revenge on those that imprisoned him (a common genie backstory) and we have Aurelion Sol who is technically imprisoned who also possesses amazing power (more Aladdin type genie story but still a pretty common genie situation.

These two characters cover the two most likely genie archetypes that Riot could use.

Of course a genie COULD work and I'm definitely a fan of Shurima, but I don't know what unique perspective or arc a genie could take that the two characters I just listed could take.

Tbh I wish Riot would stop releasing new champs for a while and just focus on world building with what we have but lets be real they need new champs to make money so that isn't happening.

darkdillApr 12, 20161 votes

Maybe one who CHOOSES to serve a certain master (i.e. Azir) out of loyalty rather than being forced into servitude.

Slushi SimcambiApr 12, 20161 votes

Hm.

While that idea may have merit, genies are usually much the opposite of that. They don't like actually helping and are very rarely benevolent creatures.

Then again Riot can take whatever liberties they want with genies in their world but I'm going off of what I perceive of genie Mythos.

Even if you took the "serving only to screw you over later approach" we have Trundle for that.

And we have plenty left of diehard loyalists tied to masters of have earned their respect. Sorry for sounding pessimistic but with Ao Shin being a very similar concept I'm a little hesitant to be open to this type of champion right now.

As far as a kit is concerned, a support genie does sound awesome indeed.

darkdillApr 12, 20161 votes

Well, in the sequels to Disney's Aladdin, the Genie is freed and thus helps the cast out of friendship, not servitude. Something like that could be used.

Slushi SimcambiApr 12, 20161 votes

I suppose.

I think your perception of genies is much more positive than mine. I view them as backstabbing and generally evil by nature. You take the more Disney approach which is fine.

What about if Sivir freed a genie? She's an explorer, who finds a lamp and when she rubs it the Jhin expects her to make him her slave. Sivir, already frustrated with Azir offering her whatever she pleases instead frees the creature out of annoyance.

The genie freed becomes loyal as he thought people were just selfish and lazy and of course is grateful to her Etc. etc.

darkdillApr 12, 20162 votes

I can have pretty cynical views of things. Genies are no exception; I just think that League's iteration of a Genie doesn't need to be all evil and such. We already have enough evil guys from Noxus, Shadow Isles, etc.

As for Sivir freeing said Genie, that's possible, but I think it should be Ezreal so we can actually have some story for him, and to allow him to have a distinct connection to the Shurima scene.

That and you'd be able to draw more Aladdin parallels more easily with Ezreal than with Sivir.

Slushi SimcambiApr 12, 20161 votes

Not sure if it makes sense for Ezreal, then again I don't know much about his morality.

OleandervineApr 12, 20161 votes

Well, neither Sol nor Xerath are generally benevolent/chaotic faerie type creatures that genies usually are. A genie, or djinn, is imprisoned and fettered to a ring, lamp, or other type relic, and generally has to act in servitude to whoever summons it. It's story could easily be connected to someone like Azir who is its master, and I could see it being a very interesting support character who may operate as a mix between Kalista and new Taric, if the djinn can bestow it's fetter to the other laner, and maybe expressly focus on casting buffs and such on that ally.