Wednesday!!! (18th of December.)

> > > _**~~Questions~~**_ > > 1. Is Althon actually human? He looks more like Thanos to me than a human being… > 2. Who are the patrons which Kayn mention? Can we assume that Zed and his acolytes do mission regularly for money and influence? Kayn’s comment does suggest such a thing. > 3. What does Yanlei mean? A pejorative world for follower? > 4. So, Shen was engaged to someone named Yevnai. Did Shen married her? Also, why in the hell would a possible Eye of Twilight marry someone? The Eye is supposed to be neutral, being a husband and father is far from being neutral. > 5. “We are not thieves.” Said Zed, while both the Xayah Color Story and Wild Magic does indicate, yes, they are stealing magic and life essence. How can he say such a thing if they are stealing the magic and bound souls to their weapon? > 6. Will the ever know which meaning the name Shen and Zed have? We can assume these have some meaning. > 7. Speaking off names with meaning – how often do people name someone like this? We know the word Syndra means destruction, giving into the darkest desires. I always thought the world got that nuance after Syndra was forced in her slumber, now it seems like she actually could have been named destruction by her parents. > 8. The amulet which Kusho gave to Zed, what does it mean? > 9. So is Zed now a mage or not? He probably used healing magic in that one picture, does it mean to command Shadow Magic, do you need to have a connection to the magic? > 10. So there in the hell is Kayn’s blue streak in his hair? Why does ingame Kayn braids his hair? Serious, it seems weird that he misses his blue streak… > 1. Yeah we have some rather odd fashions Ionia, especially for people who are wealthy. (Check out the WB art on universe!) 2. Hmmmm indeed! 3. Yanléi is the actual name of Zed’s order. It means “The Tears” as in the Shadow’s Tears. Also known as "The Tear's of the Shadow." The shadow’s tears are a magical ichor which gives Zed and his followers the ability to use shadow magic— (when tattooed or ingested) We will be learning more about this. 4. Hmmmm. Yes...Hmmmm. This feels like an important detail. 5. They don’t see this as the same thing. But honestly you ( and Xayah!) are right. It is theft of a resource but he doesn’t see it that way. 6. Actually their names already have meanings in a couple of our earth languages. I didn’t work on these champs— but I assume when they designed them, the team intended the names to reflect the meanings already associated with those words: Zed means "Holy Justice" or "God’s Justice." Zed also is a stand in for Zero, 0, or naught. (An interesting contrast IMO) Shen I believe means spirit, holy, or deity. 7. Most (not all) names have meaning. On Ionian and on earth. Aphelios literally means "furthest from the sun." 8. Yes… another good question… . (To quote Bug's Bunny "Ain't, I a stinker.") 9. A lot of characters can do magic in Runeterra. A mage is someone that specializes in just magic. Shadow magic will be explored a bit more in the comic. 10. Basically relates to using the scythe. Will see a bit more on this much later in the series.

I mean a good place to start the lore is the Zed comic. It just came out yesterday. You can get in on the ground floor! I mean... My totally unbiased opinion is you should read it before ANYTHING ELSE! {{sticker:slayer-jinx-wink}}

Yeah as the series goes on, we will see a lot more of Kayn and how his relationship works with Zed. BTW he is wearing Rhaast on his back in that special holster/sheath "backpack thingy." 'Cause Kayn's smart enough not to touch a Darkin weapon except when he needs it. Will he draw the weapon at some point? Maybe....

Hey Iceborn! Zed did a combination of actual physical surgery (learned from Master Kusho) and magical healing. So yep, he does not the basics of being a "healer" in Ionia. (but really only the basics)

Yeah actually we will be seeing all of the characters in a variety of outfits. His plate armor with giant spikes and fan sized Shurikens is Zed's war gear, not his everyday wear or what he wears during most undercover missions.

Yeah at this point we can not make a full R rated comic. BUT we will see Jhin doing his thing very soon. Though not a full Jhin opera (Issue 2 would be much too early in a 6 book series for that.) Also I will say Jhin's "thing," even when just a crude improvisation by his standards, is pretty f-up and cool.

Yaaaay! Thank you lady Faceless!

Had not noticed it. Still work at riot, but I know my red badge was to be taken away as a punishment, for accidentally upsetting the brand and communications folks. Looks like that has occurred.

If memory serves, they are canonically somewhere between 32 and 36. We treat them as 34 for most timelines.

The not so dirty secret is I hate, hate DnD's alignment system, I find it too simplistic. (BTW, I also hate the AC system-- how hard a target is "to hit" and how hard it is "to damage" should be separate comparative stats imho). Regardless _I do love_ chatting about alignments (in part because the system is so broken, it makes it an interesting challenge.) Honestly I'm not sure about Zed's alignment. Certainly I don't think he's lawful. He went against his _holy_ order, and has few concerns about breaking traditions. But he's also sorta living within his cultures norms and has a code of honor he subscribes too. And there's stuff ya'll don't know yet. I guess would argue Zed is maybe neutral evil, depending on how you define "evil." In all honestly, I'm really hoping that each issue of the comic will make you question what you thought about Zed's morality a little bit, question who he really is, and why he killed Kusho. (even compared to the previous issue) .

Thanks! Was trying to make her still an idealist, but a bit conflicted about what she must do, worried about the outcomes, and respectful to her nation's customs.

I _**Donno**_ the official reason for it. One of the editors might know. But if I was to answer it myself, based on what I know of Nunu's lore, I would argue that Willump is at least part spirit (Like the demi-gods, demons, etc..). So it's possible Willump can change shape. And he might even appear differently just based on who and what he's around or who is seeing him and the emotions in the area. With spirits, the observer's perception seems to actually affects physical reality of the observed creature. (e.g. our feelings, ideas, and preconceptions affect the manifestation -- do you face the wolf or the lamb? knowing they are actually the same being?) Often these spirits beings, or spirits empowered beings, also seem to have some sort of natural ability to alter their physicality. Spirits are seemingly not "tied" to a shape or to time in the same way we are. (Shapeshifting and the unreliability of perception are recurring themes for all of our creatures, beings, and people, empowered by the spirit realm. (Kindred, Tahm, Vastaya, Udyr, etc...)) So if Willump's relationship to Nunu altered his appearance, (And I believe what he appears in game is supposed to be how Nunu see's him). Then perhaps the other Yeti are like this too, but Lissandra's forces see the Yeti as nothing more than savage beasts to be used. Just conjecture. I didn't do any work on the various Yeti. I just know a fair amont about spirit realm stuff.

I’m part of “narrative support” for IPC. It’s a catch all of writers assigned to projects (normally small or limited scope) as they come up.

Nice work Lady Faceless! Two very minor corrections. (+1 one fun fact) 1) Zed does have shadow tattoos. You just haven’t seen them yet. My big reveal: you will eventually get to see Zed’s (omitted) And yes he is quite handsome but scarred. (Lol) 2) I was told the 10th anniversary *book* would effect our publish date. Not the anniversary itself. (I clarified that in a post after the first.). I wasn’t clear enough on my first post. Brevity is sometimes the enemy of clarity. My bad. Fun Fact) We actually did a bunch of explorations for Zed’s (and Shen’s) face. Trying to find out: how anime, how villainous, tragic and handsome Zed should be. And actually weren’t really aware of, or inspired by the fan art. (And Kinda still not aware of it) Going back 5 years now, i pitched a very different version of this story (pre Jhin). And in that pitch, I had described Zed as “haunted, his youthful beauty, once overwhelming, has faded like a parchment too long in the sun.” The white hair came out of trying to find a way to show Zed as both haunted and exceptional. And more importantly, to place him in a clear iconic lineup (Black for Kayn, Red for Shen, White for Zed). This is less a choice for the comic medium, but a strategic choice for other media going forward. (None is planned btw). This sort of iconic character design choices ensure that if these characters are in some crazy animation fight scene we can clearly and quickly identify each character (in close-up or wide) with only a few frames (1/4 second). Probably the fan artist had a similar goals (consciously or subconsciously). So probably they deserve kudos for realizing what we struggled with. I will also say- I instantly loved the designs for Big Boi Shen in this comic. I desperately want an unmasked version of him in our games. And want to see him as beefy as he is in the comic (his physicality is based on Mongolian wrestlers). He’s big. He’s tough. He feels things, intensely, but is trying to hold back and do the right thing. But I also struggled with Zed’s hair and looks initially. He wasn’t exactly what i had in my head, even though i had kinda described what he is now. (Minus the hair color). Now, I honestly see that our artists (Edgar and concept) were right. As the comic’s goes forward, Zed’s face and it’s stoic sadness begins to sink into your heart and that comments on, and contrasts with, the raw aggression of his helmet and armor. Anywhoo Thanks for compiling this for yer fellow forum pals -O

Great post, as always, Iceborn. (I havent' gotten around to watching all of Necrit or TBskyen's vids I need to get around to that-- only watched demacia) Sadly can't answer the she who wander's question. But yep the Frostguard where T shaped helms. Well spotted. (Also thanks for listening in on our little narrative podcast the other day. I totally assumed no one would watch it!) -Odin

Meaning the 10 year book already announced.

“I think it was gonna be this month but with the massive amount of stuff for the ten year anniversary. It was pushed to Nov.” -said man

I would never!...

Idhaurg is not seal sister.

Thanks! Yeah, it was sorta a weird collection of things happening. Stars align. I’m lucky enough to direct VO from time to time. I had just wrote the Ashe comic. Had some free time. They were doing a big skin for Ashe. They asked me if i would write her base VO. And then I was lucky enough to direct it and the skin’s VO. Hopefully, I’ll get the opportunity to do something like this again. (I’ve actually even pitched bringing Spike Spencer back in for a similar rework. I’d love to write a really funny wukong script and I loved working with Spike on Kled. Spike’s super funny, game for anything, and it be nice to have another character in league that’s silly and lighthearted. I’ve also pitched a Kled “VO skin”. A whole new VO script of new Kled jokes. But, you know... creatives don’t get make those sort of decisions or plan product strategy— at riot or in basically any industry. So we wait for stars to align.) Thanks -WAAARGHbobo P.S. Anivia Actually even back before I was writing the comic, I had already decided that Ashe’s hawk shot should instead be Anivia. Because Ashe is ultimately a hopeful character, possibly a reincarnation, who is determined to completely rebuild her society, and has ice magic. That’s a lot of thematic overlap with what you might expect from an ice phoenix. So why not embrace that thematic similarity and make it a connection? Currently, I think Anivia is probably the spirit god /demi-god that speaks the most to Ashe’s beliefs and hopes. So it’s probably the god she prays to the most and has the deepest connection too.

Yeah, actually it’s super easy to turn off this joke in the event she gets a VU or VGU.

nice!

Yay! {{champion:497}}

See below. Not really on that team anymore, so no idea.

Yep I’m writing it. I think then John again on the first one of series 3. Then no idea for the next two in series three. (And I believe it is only three series next year) I was not chosen to write any of the second series. So I’m out if the loop. (So no oathfather _comic_ ) And actually The Zed book is being done mostly outside our comic team.

I can’t comment on the old stuff, other than it sometime infuriates me, but I can comment on how I do it since a bit before Rek’Sai. We start with a short couple sentences defining the goal of the name. Things like. “Easy to say and comedic sounding.” Then do a little bit of research — often names from 3 or more real world regions. Finding/looking for similarities and linguist conventions. Then make a long list of names. Generally, a list of 100 names. Then do a google search and google image search for every single name. And cull names that are real world stuff. (Unless one of the goals is for the character to have a normal or real world name.) Now that big list is probably only 12 to 20 names—because across a dozen or more languages -somebody has used that combo of letters before. Now send that small list with the goals for the name to our localization team. Who can tell you if the name “sounds” like something it shouldn't. Now unless your unlucky you’ve got 6 or so names to show the team. Then you and the team pick one. Then it goes to IP leads and sometimes legal. I remember vastaya was meant to sound old, elven and lyrical. I believe i was looking at a lot of ancient eastern names, and was looking for things in those languages that could capture tolkien’s use of finnish for elven but make it older and less eurocentric.

> This was a fun series to do, but I don't think I'll post about every issue for the following Zed comic. {{champion:238}} "Do not deny me."

It does contain flashback _scenes_ as typical comic readers and most league players don’t actually know who Zed is, why he fights, or even why he and Shen have beef. (The boards users’ knowledge level is much higher than the average joes—actually most league players knowledge of lore comes **only** from VO) Like the Lux comic, the Zed comic starts in the recent past, but will begin advancing the timeline around its midpoint. But even in this recent past, for the people that already know Zed, Shen, and Jhin’s lores there’s a lot of new stuff you will discover.

I think Riven discovered Noxus wasn't really a meritocracy. What it professes to be and believe in and its behavior don't always line up. Believing in strength and merit based advancement has to be _balanced_ (hint) with a level playing field and honorable conduct.

If u see a face. Is that his real face?

Yeah but also no. To clarify. I didn't mean it would wrap up in one more chapter of prose. Only that the story would be followed up on and that, that color story was intentionally left incomplete— because that kinda was the point of it. (Jhin is a psyco-killer on the loose.) Damn, 4-step you’re an expert though. You find all these deep backgrounds quotes.

I was the narrative designer for Jhin, I wrote that story, I was his VO writer and director.... Aaand I’m the writer of the new marvel ZED comic. So I can probably answer your question... Buuuut i’m not gonna!!! (hah!) The Zed comic is, not surprisingly, hyper-focused on Zed. But I will say Zed, Kayn, Akali, Shen, Jovn Tau, and Jhin are all on the cover... And it’s coming soon. I will say there’s a couple of big misdirections in that old Jhin story. I’m not gonna say what —but that story is gonna go down... and not in the way you might think. P.S. Getting rito attention is usually pretty simple. 1. Post on the forums (or reddit but u need a lot more upvotes to rise above the noise there) 2. Be polite and concise. Few people are gonna take time out of their day to be ranted at or read ninety pages. 3. Get enough votes/views to get on the “hot”level so we notice the post. (its actually a pretty small number.) 4. Hope that somebody actually has an answer. (Sometimes things are in flight and we don’t know or can’t comment... kinda like now)

This is close and weird matchup. My 2cents. It's worth mentioning Zed was a Kinkou a sort of spirit world/ paranormal police-- and his master was a renown demon-hunter and ghost-hunter. So my money is on Zed. He has the know-how and experience for this sort of problem.

Jax goes commando.

Well yeah! But that’s a skin.

This hasn’t been explored in detail but the assumption was always they have a pantheon, with various islands favoring various gods. Obviously as a region of islands, the sea god (Nagakaborous) is pretty important universally. Bilge is a city, originally of refugees. Bilgewater-ians and outsiders aren't allowed on other islands and generally avoid the rest of the island. Though there are exceptions - esp as the islands had historic ties to Icathia, Ixtal and some other southern empires.

So the island she lives on is a theocracy, but other islands have separate governments. Buhru is like Vatican city for the cult of Nagakaborous. There are even other gods. (And thus other fashions) “Buhru” is often used as a shorthand for any island where Nagakaborous is the primary religion. This is to say yes there is styles, but it varies a fair amount and relates in some ways more to ixtal fashions. Because unlike most valoran places- the buhru have cultural ties to that civilization.

Actually the outfit Illaoi's wears in game was never meant to represent her ceremonial outfits or her everyday wear back home. This is an outfit she chose for Bilgewater, a city which her people think of as something between a filthy ghetto and a refugee camp. I doubt she has a “dress” per say— more likely a sarongs, loincloths, and other unisex garments for everyday wear depending on the weather. Ceremonial clothes are often made for the various events and holidays (and often destroyed after).

Okay. I think I get what your asking. Yeah, speaking from my perspective. Akali (and Zed before her) leaving the Kinkou order isn't cut and dry. On the one hand people were dying, on the other they are a supposed to be dedicated to something higher than a dispute between mortals.

I'm not sure I understand your question. But yes hopefully we will be showing more of what the Kinkou do and conflicts they are involved in.

I'm not sure I would put "the big three" above the other spirit gods. Let's just say those gods' avatars have been more active, more recently in the parts of the world we've collectively been looking at... currently. ( wow, that was a mouthful) Also your big three forgets about _Kindred_ {{champion:203}} (which has many forms but the in-game one is almost assuredly the southern Freljordian depiction of that spirit.) {{sticker:slayer-jinx-wink}}

"balance of good an evil" . Actually this is not exactly the balance they/we are talking about now. (It might have been in old lore). There is an acceptance of duality and that good and evil are codependent on each other. But generally these characters are talking about: the Balance of elements; the Balance of emotions; And esp the Balance between the magical and physical. Ionia is a land blessed, and cursed by an abundance of spirit magic. Often we describe this as the borders between the material realm and spirit realm are weak here-- esp in the forests and highlands. And magic is a dangerous thing. In moderation it can make your village's life better. More food, less disease, longer lives, better ping speeds (okay maybe not that one). But it also can be fickle and deadly. And overusing or allowing to it to overrun an area, or having it interact with your emotions, invites unwanted guests, consequences, and changes. And in its pure form or when very strong it is lethal to us. (or so changing as to transform us into something we wouldn't recognize (see Ivern, brand, that odd shaped owl which screams outside my window, etc..)). Some magic is good. But you have to be careful. Now The Vastaya (Like Rakan and Xayah) and other magical creatures need magic to survive-- in way like we need oxygen or water. It's naturally a part of them-- they are made in part of it. So the restriction of it, harvesting of it, damning (as in holding back) of it-- restricts them. Imagine if an alien race appeared on our planet and set up cities around the globe and fields and farms... and in those large swathes of land they greatly restricted the amount of oxygen or began claiming and storing large areas of the fresh water we needed. We might attack them... and we have nukes. So these magical creatures, places, and stranger things can be helpful or dangerous-- but you have to be careful not to over restrict magic or overuse magic-- to avoid attracting dangerous creatures and unwanted magical effects.

Where’s the fun in that?!

Actually he’s about 3 to 4 years older than Zed, and zed is about 34-35 currently.

Is The Volibear seen in that story what the ursine have lost themselves to? And if you can kill the most powerful avatar of a god... Does that kill that god? Does killing a vessel-- free other vessels? Avatars, gods, and demigods oh my! {{sticker:zombie-brand-mindblown}}

Nice job! I love most of the acting choices. Can’t wait for the next one. {{sticker:slayer-pantheon-popcorn}}

I like it. Its not exactly my cup of tea, but I think its probably the best "magical girl" show. (even though the magical girls in this case are ponies)

I love Rucka's stuff. prob my . favorite american comic writer.

Homosexuality probably isn’t taboo in the freljord. Unless it affects your obligations— and roles. But probably gender norms are pretty severely enforced. (Though what they consider “normal” is very far from what we would recognize). I think the relationships between the various oathbound are kinda up in the air. Sometimes brotherhood and a tight bond other times drama and fighting. I dont think these bonds are taken lightly and thus aren't done without a fair amount input and discussion. It would be poor leadership to force someone on the group. But its important to keep in mind they have very different idea of marriage than we do. It’s about protection instead of property. So probably unit cohesion and battle synergy is a marriage consideration too. You might “marry” someone because love them, but more often you are marrying them because you think they are strong and will protect your children—you might especially marry someone because you already have different lover/spouse and are looking for a way to secure your current children's position. I think several if not most of Grena’s oathbound never slept with her— maybe they were single, maybe they had families (which would make those kids “kin of kin” and thus a part of grena’s family/retainers. Maybe they married her to cement the peace between tribes. And I think Grena married Yriel because he was a natural leader and a strong warrior. He completed the unit because he was older, experienced, and got along well with the other men. Then seeing him lead, working with him, Grena fell for him. Hopefully the complexity is all something we can see Sejuani and Ashe struggling with in the future. Because i will say— in my proposed timeline. Tryndamere is not the first man ashe asked to “marry” her.