#dare's rambles

[daretolovemyrambling]

Huck has probably one of the most insane developments of a minor character i've ever seen.

He goes from

pathethic merchant that gets threathend by two thugs and has to be saved by Vander.

to

shimmer addict that sells out Cait and Vi to Silco for a small dose of shimmer.

to

an even more desperate shimmer addict that is attempting a robbery homicide on Viktor (notice how he was to hold his right arm because it's too damaged to hold itself on its own. His left eye is also blind. His body was destroyed by shimmer. Yet he is still desperate to get more...)

to

the first person Viktor heals with his hexcore powers (his eye, arm and hairline got fixed too. He looks so much younger.)

to

becoming one of Viktor's devout followers. He even plays an important role, he keeps watch at the entrance and welcomes visitors.

until finally,

he becomes the Robot that Viktor uses to fight Jayce and Mel. The markings are way too similar to be a coincidence. Every follower has the their own unique look, so this has to be him. Couldn't screenshot decent full body look, but you can even see the strap(?) parts on his waist in the robot design.

In season 1 he says “I just wanted … to feel what it was like to be somebody. To make other people afraid." just to get his features, his humanity erased in season 2. He became less than "somebody". I wonder if he thought it was worth it. He became an immortal, indestructable robot, but he isn't really himself anymore.

[daretolovemyrambling]

the Medarda Clan

(picture above is from the arcane artbook, it's concept art for Mel, Kino, Ambessa and Kino's unnamed father. Mel's father isn't named or shown anywhere yet)

I don't think Arcane necessarily retconned this, so I wanted to talk about the Medarda Clan in the League of Legends Universe.

Mel Medarda, while banished from Noxus, likely still retained a high status because a part of the Medarda family also resides in Piltover.

It makes sense that Medarda family members don't just reside in Noxus. Ambessa says herself that she send Mel to Piltover in order to oversee their family's interests. And would it really be called "Medarda House" by Piltover residents if only Mel is in it? Mel would have also been only about 23 when she enters Piltover and 26 when she was a councelor in season 1 act 1 (here is a timeline I made for arcane: x) it's insane, even for her, to establish a well respected house in such a short time in Piltover.

In Legends of Runeterra (a Riot card game that explores the world of Runeterra in more detail), there is a card named Jae Medarda.

His description reads: "Heir apparent to Piltover's prestigious Clan Medarda, Jae preferred hunting ancient artifacts over managing the family business... much to his father's chagrin."

There also some other Medarda family members that we know of; on the League website you can find a map named "Medarda Heirloom", it shows trading routes the Medarda's use. It's a pretty old map though, I think it's from 2016 so I wouldn't really say this very relevant.

On the map you can find a letter by a Medarda Merchant named Jago writen to his nephew, Salob, who seems at risk of being banished.

I tried my best to make out every word:

Nephew Salob,

As much as I am forced to admire your frankly staggering & baffling level of self-belief in the face of numerous failures, failures that would have punctured the ego of the staunchest Zaunite braggart. I would like to confirm, in writing, that control of the Medarda Clan's commerical portfolio and access to the clan trade map. Which you have long coveted, shall not be granted to you - not now - not in time - nor never.

I suggest you take on a profession more befitting your natural talents - perhaps as a chem-lamp lighter - and be grateful to your aunt, my dear wife, that your ties with the clan are not severed completly.

This will be the end of the matter.

Sincerly,

Jago Medarda

The Medarda family seems to love exiling children that don't fit into the family.

I think Jago is now kind of retconned if Arcane is the new canon, or he's at the very least not the head of the clan and has married into the family. Sun Gates are what made a lot of the families in Piltover rich 200 years ago, it's not mentioned in arcane but we do see them in some arcane maps.

In Arcane Ambessa mentions that she fought battles from the Bloodcliffs to the Dalamor Plains. The Black Rose mentions that she might have had an affair while travelling through Basilich, at least fake-Kino claims that this is the area he heard rumors about Ambessa's affair in. I marked all these places with a red dot on the Runeterra map. Basilich is a Port City, if the affair really did happen here, Mel's father could be from any place in Runeterra.

I'm hoping they will expand on the Medarda family in the future, the Ambessa book will likely have some interesting lore about them in it. It comes out in Feb 2025.

From the Synopsis we already know that there will be a cousin of Ambessa that is named Ta’Fik. I'm guessing he knows that Ambessa had an affair and has bad blood with the Black Rose.

Ambessa Medarda: Warrior, general, mother. She is a woman to be feared, and the Medardas are unrivaled in their pursuit of glory. She has led conquests and armies. She has slain legendary beasts. She has made grave sacrifices in her ascent up the ranks. And for this she was rewarded: She entered the realm of death and was granted a vision of herself upon the throne of the vast Noxian empire. But before she can lead her empire, she must become head of her own clan. Yet the title is contested by her cousin and former confidante, Ta’Fik. He knows the bloody sins of Ambessa’s past. And he knows he cannot allow her to rise. They will fight a war for the very soul of the Medardas. But the war won’t be fought on battlefields alone. Ambessa’s daughter, Mel, can deftly break through the walls around anyone’s heart, and she’ll put her talents to use for her mother. Yet despite Mel’s strength, Ambessa sees only a child who lacks her killer instincts. Mel knows she can be the leader Ambessa wants her to be, if only she gives her time. With her family betraying her, enemies closing in on all sides, and unseen forces moving in the shadows, every day proves more dangerous than the last. But Ambessa will not bow. She will burn the world down to claim her place in it.

[daretolovemyrambling]

ARCANE TIMELINE

every Information confirmed by lore or the creators is green. Everything I found out through math is orange (because we don't know months, birthdates, exact ages etc.). Things that are purely my headcanon i'm putting in blue. red represents League Wiki information that has not been disproved by arcane canon, that said it's Wiki anyone can edit and is not the most trusted source when the dates don't include a source.

I edit this everytime I find out something new!

some background that is important for the timeline:

BN refers to "Before Noxus". Before the Runewars, there were several rivaling tribes of Noxi in Runeterra. But after the Runewars they had banded together into one nation, Noxus. They establish their own Calender, BN (Before Noxus) and AN which stands for "After Noxus".

"Zaun" was not build at the same time as Piltover. In League lore. Zaun, then called Oshra Va'Zaun, was build 3000 BN, it was part of the Shuriman empire and became independent after Shurima fell.

Valoran is the name of the continent the story of Arcane takes place in. Zaun and Piltover reside in South Valoran. Noxus resides in East Valoran. Demacia resides in West Valoran.

772 BN: Oshra Va'Zaun attempts to create a safe sea-route between East and West Valoran. Their plan is to create a passage with bombs, which results in them accidentally triggering a series of strong earthquakes.

Half of Oshra Va'Zaun sinks and poisonous gas leaks into the city. Janna, a goddess revered by sailors, hears the Zaunites prayers and blows away the toxic gas, becoming their guardian deity.

790 AN: Thanks to the passage, merchant clans aquire an immense amount of wealth and take residence in the newly developed district that was build over the Pilt River. They name it Piltover to symbolize it's position over the Pilt River. In honor of it's founding, they have their first "Progress Day". Heimerdinger becomes one of the founders of Piltover. He is about 114 years old.

940-950 AN: Vander and Silco are somewhere between their 30's and 50's but exact ages are unknown. Same goes for Felicia and Connol. They look like they are in their 30's or at most early 40's when they die. All four must be born around 940 to 950 but I couldn't really narrow it down. If anyone finds information from the creators, let me know!

957 AN: Mel is 26 during season 1 act 1, so she is likely born in this year.

959 AN: Jayce is born in 959 because he is 24 in season 1 act 1. In the League Wiki he is listed as born in 959!

958-961 AN: Viktor is born sometime in those years. Viktor is around Jayce's age. It's unknown if he is older or younger though

965 AN: Vander and Silco work in the mines and meet eachother. (Putting this in blue because this detail comes from the Arcane artbook and we don't know at what age they meet, we just know they worked in the mines together) This could also be the year the last drop is bought or build by Vander!

967 AN: Vi is 14-16 during the events of season 1 act 1 according to Amanda Overton. I'm placing her at around 16 years old. Which means that she was likely born in 967. This is probably also the year the bar flashback with vanco and felicia happens :). This is also the year that is listed as her birth date in the League Wiki! In the League Wiki she is listed as born in 967!

966-968 AN: Cait is around the same age as Vi. If we say she was 15 during season 1 part 1, she would be born in 968. In the League Wiki she is listed as born in 966!

970 AN: year Ekko is born according to the League Wiki! This might be a headcanon from Ekko's voice actor, but I have to fact check it.

972 AN: Powder is roughly 5 years younger than Vi, so she would be born in 972 at the earliest.

978 AN: Felicia and Connol die in the riot at the bridge when Powder is around 6 and Vi is around 11 according to Amanda Overton.

980 AN: Mel says she was exciled ten years ago in season 1 act 3. So she arrived in 980 in Piltover. Mel is around 23 here because she is 33 in s1 act 2 & 3.

983 AN: This is the year were everything from season 1 act 1 takes place. It's not only the death year of Vander, Mylo and Clagger, Benzo and Greyson, this is the year Hextech was invented, Shimmer development was completed and the year the timeline splits into two (one where Vi lives and one where Vi dies)

990 AN: the 200th Progress Day takes place in 1x4. The events of episode 4-9 likely span not even longer than a week, so everything in season 1 act 2 and 3 happens in this year!

991 AN: between 2x3 ans 2x4 3-6 months have passed. I don't know how months and vegetation work in Runeterra, but if Viktor had enough time to build a thriving community and grow and take care of crops, i'd say that 2x4-2x9 takes place in 991 AN.

997 AN: is the year the current "present year" of the League of Legends Universe. In future spin-offs we will likely reach this year at some point.

unknown dates:

- Dr. Corin Reveck (Singed) is born and becomes a respected Doctor in Piltover. He worked together with Heimerdinger but the two parted ways because Heimerdinger disapproved of the unethical and inhumane methods Singed uses to bring Orianna back to life.

- Orianna (Singed's daughter) becomes sick and dies/is in a comatose state. In League lore she becomes sick after trying to help Zaunites escape from a chemical spill.

- Viktor's age when he meets Singed, Viktor's age when he enters the academy and becomes Heimerdingers assistant. Amanda Overton revealed that their (non-canon) idea is that Viktor's parents used their life savings to buy Viktor a Piltover school uniform. Viktor sneaks into the academy and impresses Heimerdinger so much that he doesn't kick him out and makes him an assistant instead.

- Jayce's age when he and his mother are trapped in the snowstorm. The death of Jayce's father likely already occured at or before this time.

- Isha's birthday. She between the ages Powder has in 1x1 (6-11). Since she is wearing a miners helmet we can guess that either he guardian or herself has worked in the mines at some point. She might be getting chased by goons because she escaped her workplace... chilling thought.

- the exact age of Kino and Mel, the date of Ambessa travelling through a regions where she falls in love with a stranger and has an affair with him (in the blood sweat and tears music video she appears already pregnant)

EDIT: Jayce was 24 not 25 in s1 act 1, my bad. Edited it to be his correct birth year (959)

EDIT 2: In a watch party Amanda Overton says that between episode 3 and 4 about 3 to 6 months have passed.

EDIT 3: thanks @darlingitsagathaharkness, you are right. I found this post that pieced together the chronological order of events in season 1 act 2 & 3. That is one hell of a week.

EDIT 4: I found concept art of Mel that confirms that she is imagined to be 26 during season 1 act 1.

If you find any other date or event that can be included here, please let me know :).

sources: 1, 2, 3, 4

[daretolovemyrambling]

ARCANE: unreliable narrators (Silco and Vander focused) PART 1

I haven't really been in this tag/fandom before the season 2 finale, but can we talk about how both Vander and Silco are unreliable narrators? Especially when it comes to their flashback scenes?

I don't get why i've seen so many take the flashbacks we got in the show at face value. The show makes clear time and time again that when we get a flashback from the point of view of a single character, they are an unreliable narrator.

some examples of other characters:

on the left: biased/not the reality (character's memory/pov) vs on the right: unbiased/reality (our, the viewers, pov)

I'm going to use video clips and transcripts of the memories because I can't just gif like 5 minutes of scenes. Since you can only have one video per post, I will have to post this in several parts.

Let's start with Warwick's memories from 2x5:

We see that the memory of Warwick in episode 2x5 is all over the place, memories from the past 15-20 years come flooding back in bits and pieces. 

In the first moment of this scene we see Warwick running through the mines, then we see Singed who has experimented on him, we see the Monkey Toy aggressively banging it's cymbals against each other, then we see a younger looking Silco about to swing something at an enforcer, for a split second the Monkey's face replaces Silco's, we see that it was a bottle bomb and set that enforcer on fire.

I think this represents Silco's almost obsessive nature when it came to their fight for Zaun's freedom, the Monkey overwhelms you with it's loud noise the same way Silco likely overwhelmed Vander with his ruthless actions.

the next scene, Silco looks horrified at Vander and we cut to Vander drowning Silco, then back to the moment Vander (and likely Silco) discover Felicia's lifeless body. 

We see a moment of Vander punching an enforcer with his gauntlets from 1x1, cut to the Monkey's face again, then we see Warwick's perspective of the prison fight with the enforcers in 2x4 (we see him choke one of them out with his claws) and slashing several more of them brutally.

Finally, we cut back to the mines were he hallucinates a toddler-aged Powder crying her little eyes out (it looks like something that actually happened. I think this might be a moment shortly after he takes in the girls. Powder looks like she just woke up from a nightmare, her body language is shy and scared). He softly wipes the tears away with his left hand (same hand he used to choke Silco and an enforcer just a few moments earlier) 

Powder's face turns into Jinx and then pre-teen Powder and we follow Powder's lifeless gaze to Felicia dancing at the Jukebox, before finally, Vander images a Silco shortly after the murder attempt, this Silco is still dripping wet from the lake (and he uses his signature glass) but smiles at Vander invitingly (likely a moment that actually happend but was warped by the many nightmares Vander likely had about what he did).

The idea that Silco escalated the Bridge Riot and thus caused the death of many Zaunites, including Felicia and Connol, is definitely supported by this short memory, but it's *not* the only way you can read the scene. Vander's memories are evidently completely scrambled, he is remembering the worst moments of his life all at once.

It's just as valid to say that Silco was not there during the Bridge Scene in season 1 episode 1 as to say that he was!

That is what makes unreliable narrators so interesting, we can make assumptions to what happend, but if we don't get an unbiased view at a scene, we don't know for sure if it happend the way the narrator imagined it.

Examples where we have unbiased flashbacks would be flashbacks like Mel's childhood in 1x8 and the Bar scene with Felicia in 2x5. In these scenes we don't follow the pov of one character, of course information is still omitted from us to an extend, but we can make our own assumption instead of seeing the biased/narrow pov of a single character.

[daretolovemyrambling]

Runeterra Multiverse PART 1

In Arcane we are introduced to two alternative timelines in episode 2x7, the worst timeline and the the best timeline, but this isn't a new concept to Riot, their business model is selling skins of their Champions, usually by giving them new outfits and lore in an alternative Universe.

Today I want to introduce you to some of those interesting Universes, who knows, maybe they even scratch a creative itch and you are inspired to create a fanwork or make headcanons ;).

It's nice to see some universes that aren't extremly traumatic like arcane...

1. VALORAN TOWN

Valoran Town is a modern au of the Runeterra Universe, the chinese branch of Riot released a mini series last year that follows Lux, a rich young girl, as she moves to Valoran Town to escape her overbearing brother, Garen. She becomes the roomate of her best friend Jinx and various other Champions like Ezrael and Miss Fortune.

There is even an Ekko cameo in one of the episodes! It's a fun watch and has a very short runetime, I highly recommend it if you want to see a happy Jinx. No prior League knowledge is needed as it's a modern au. I noticed some Arcane references in the background as well!

I don't think there is an english dub, but someone subbed it in english on youtube:

Valoran Town

Valoran Town (瓦洛兰小镇) is a official League of Legends: Wild Rift animation published by Riot Games China. It tells the story of a rich girl,

2. STAR GUARDIAN AU

Star Guardian is another modern au of the Runeterra Universe, this time set in Valoran City. It follows a group of highschoolers as they become cosmic protectors and fight enemies that threaten their Universe. Yes, this is quite literally a magical girl au. I love it so much.

In case you were wondering, yes, there is a magicial girl Jinx!

There are quite a lot of animatics and Star Guardians has many different skin lines, so here is a youtube playlist:

Star Guardian (Universe)

Star Guardian is a series of parallel universe skins in League of Legends that follow the story of a group of high school students who choos

3. K/DA

Likely the most well known League AU, so well known in fact, that a lot of people don't even realize it's related to League. K/DA is a virtual band and kpop AU of several League characters.

Here is a playlist of all their songs:

K/DA | League of Legends

4. ODYSSEY AU

Odyssey is an AU set in space. It kind of gives me Guardians of the Galaxy vibes. Various groups are in pursuit of ora—a mysterious golden essence that serves as the lifeblood of all civilization, and promises untold power to those who can wield it for themselves. One Crew that will be especially interesting for us Arcane viewers, is the Morning Star Crew, a ragtag group that is also searching for Ora. There is a familiar face on the crew, their pilot, Jinx.

Here is a fun animatic to go along with it:

5. <3 AU

The <3 AU is an alternative Universe of Caitvi, Cait is part of the Heartthrob Clique and Vi is part of the Heartache Clan. The two groups are opposites of eachother, but the two students seem to have taken a liking to eachother. In a mini game named Cupcakes 4 Heartaches Cait bakes her secret Cupcake recipe with the help of Vi.

They even wrote letters adressed at eachother:

I hate the way you walk around, like you're Princess Caitlyn of the mall, and I'm just some gutter rat. I hate the way you look at me when there's no one else around, but wouldn't be caught dead with me in town. Maybe our whole thing was just a huge mistake. So if you want me to go, I'm gone. But ask, and I will stay. -Vi

Shall I compare you to a rose? Your spikes like thorns against my side. Like a vine, you've coiled through my dreams, trellising my mind. Wild like the violets that thrive beyond the garden's bounds; Life's simply better now that you're around. Will you go to the dance with me? XOXO, Caitlyn

6. PULSEFIRE

Pulsefire is set in a dystopian future, after discovering time travel several champions are chased by chrono-enforcers through time and space and take their technology with them. There is an alternative version of Cait who is such a chrono-law enforcer, she is feared in all sorts of eras. Ekko is one of the fugitives, in a companion story he crashes in the hide-out of his (boy)friend Ezrael. (yeah, their relationship is censored sadly. If you pick up vibes while reading this story, it was on purpose)

You can read it here:

Out of Time

Each chapter of this story was released weekly from May 14th till June 11th, 2020.

I will probably post a part 2 soon, but I have to read more into all these other universes before I start to write another part!

[daretolovemyrambling]

I've seen confusion about the open-endness of arcane season 2 and why so many characters fates have been left open to interpretation (especially Jinx, Jayce, Viktor and Heimerdinger)

Arcane is very likely *not* the last we've seen of these characters.

It's already been confirmed that Fortiche & Christian Linke are working and planning for future projects in the League of Legends universe.

I think the only difference to Arcane we can expect is that when the cast appears in the new projects, they will either not be main characters or their storyline won't involve much of the Piltover/Zaun conflict as that arc is more or less done and won't be the driving force behind the plot anymore.

I'm personally predicting that Mel might be a main character in a Noxus/Black Rose related series as they have set it up pretty well.

I could also imagine that new characters like Orianna, Swain and Leblanc get the spotlight

Quote from an Interview with Christian Linke:

Absolutely. Arcane is just the first one. We're working on a bunch of new projects, a bunch of new stories from across the different regions and characters of our IP, and some of them are actually continuations of character stories from Arcane. So, definitely, there are some character stories that we want to continue.

So, really, Arcane is the true first. This is the first rite that we had to survive and figure out, "Can we do this?" And now, we can kind of dream bigger, which is really awesome.

source

I think it's likely no main character has a 100% confirmed death because riot and the writers want to leave every door open in case they want (and can) pick one of these characters stories up again.

I know there is a Ambessa novel planned and I would expect a lot more novels or even comics until the next series gets officially revealed.

Riot got themselves a golden cash cow and I think even they don't what to fumble it too fast.

That said, Riot goes wherever the money goes, don't take all their claims at face value. I've seen people confused because Riot said that Arcane would complete every characters story arc and that Arcane is now the "main universe" which does not work at all with what they have established.

[daretolovemyrambling]

MAJOR ARCANE SPOILERS

Lots of feelings about the finale of Arcane, but I believe Jinx is alive and is travelling Runeterra in that airship. I think that's the perfect ending for her character in this series and I can't wait to see her again in a future project.

Jinx leaving Piltover and Zaun is the best thing she could have done.

She needs to become her own person,

not "Powder"

not "sister"

not "daughter"

not "monster"

not "symbol"

she just needs to be "Jinx". The name she made her own.

"walking away" means ending the cycle.

By leaving and exploring Runeterra she will finally have the chance to just be herself and develop as her person outside of the expectations, opinions and roles that where forced on her.

Outside of Piltover and Zaun, no one knows her and she doesn't know anyone either. She can start over. She can choose her own path.

She needs to leave because Zaunites will never stop seeing her as their freedom fighter, because Piltovers will never stop seeing her as a monstrous maniac and most importantly, because Vi will never stop uprooting her own life to run after her sister as long as she thinks Powder (and Jinx) are alive out there somewhere.

I think when the time comes, Jinx will return as a healthier version of herself.

And because Vi will have grown as a person in that time too, they can finally reconnect once and for all.

<3

[daretolovemyrambling]

some thoughts about arcane season 2 act 3

Let me start this with the notion that yes, some of arcane 2 is rushed, but I also understand why they did things the way they did. And I loved every second nonetheless. Personally I think the "rushed plot" showed pretty well how the characters are also rushing to the end themselves.

In my opinion they used every second the could, even if I would never say no to more episodes.

But a season 3 would have meant that they spent a decade and a half on just a handful of characters, I think a company like Riot is not exactly thrilled about something like that (they didn't even believe in arcane and the animators and writers had to put their career on the line. It worked out okay for them, but never forget that Riot only really cares about PROFIT)

Let's also not forget that a single animator spent a week on average for "just" four seconds. That is insane dedication to their craft and they deserve every single praise they can get!!! I didn't know it was possible, but arcane season 2 made the animation even MORE beautiful. I can't wait to watch a frame by frame analysis on youtube.

now onto the rambles (sorry, thoughts are all over the place):

Heimdinger is not dead. Yordles don't really die, they just return to their birth place (the spirit realm/bandle city) also technicially only alt-verse Heimerdinger's body was obliterated (meaning that his conciousness might still be out there somewhere just without a body??)

I don't think Jinx is dead, the show hints at her escaping through the vents. *If* she is dead, I honestly don't hate it either. I just really love angst and the thought that either sister won't get their happy end unless the other sister dies is just a perfect angsty greek-tragedy and will drive me insane for the next few months! That said there is no way Jinx is gone. She escaped through the vents and fled with the airship! I think she realized that as it is now, Vi will never stop sacrificing things for her, that is why she has to leave. Maybe one day they can become sisters again.

when we first see Jayce eat in episode 7 I thought he cut off his damaged leg and ate it 💀

the alt universe has no hextech, meaning that Jayce likely killed himself in that universe. I'm not sure if Viktor would still be alive, I don't think his illness is cureable without hextech.

alt-verse Zaundads has my heart <3. I love it when extremly tragic series make their own happy/what-if story xD.

The timebomb interactions and their kiss was so sweet. I feel kinda bad that alt-verse Ekko won't remember any of that. And that main-verse Ekko couldn't tell his own Powder/Jinx how much he loved her.

I'm kind of sad that we didn't get to see much of Orianna (her design is STUNNING though) but they are possibly setting her up for whatever gets adapted next in the lol universe.

Jayik: gay love saves the world once again. If I had a nickel everytime this happens,

whatever Jayvik have going on is somehow gayer than the lesbian sex scene change my mind.

Speaking of lesbians, Cait with an eyepatch makes me feel things, I would forgive all her war crimes to if I were Vi.

Mel is a goddess. As she deserves. Someone please give her a hug though. I'm hoping she will play a bigger role in the next series! She seems to be on her way to Noxus, so I'm sure this is not the last of her we see!

That "sorceress" is LeBlanc, I think now it's too obvious to deny that wasn't her.

I NEED someone to write a spiderverse x arcane crossover at this point. The timetravel/universe travel is a perfect set up! I would kill to read an Ekko & Miles & Gwen & Hobie interaction.

What I'm hoping for the shows post-arcane season 2:

It's confirmed that Fortiche & Riot are already working on the next few projects, I'm expecting Noxus & Ionia to be the next focus. It could be a great way to introduce us non-lol players to the world.

I also really want (to know) more about Orianna, Mel and the Black Rose/LeBlanc!