Lecture Notes: Blood, Sweat & Tears Cinematic Explained

Introduction

• New cinematic from League of Legends, promoting a skin but also considered canon.
• Created by Fortiche, known for detailed animations.
• Focuses on the lore behind the cinematic titled "Blood, Sweat & Tears."

Setting and Context

• Begins on the shores of Ionia, implied through aesthetics and history.
• References the Noxian invasion of Ionia, with Noxian arrows killing Noxian warband.

Key Characters and Events

• Ambessa: Found dying on the battlefield; linked to Noxian lore.
• Death Incarnation: Ambessa sees a wolf, representing death, which is significant in Noxian culture.
• Kindred's Role: Representation of death, with Ambessa battling the wolf to survive.

Themes and Symbolism

• Noxian Perspective on Death: Valorizes warrior's death over peaceful death.
• Ambessa's Background: Hints at origins from Shurima, possibly tied to Shuriman and Targonian lore.
• Golden Designs: Connection to Shurima, with gold not being a typical Noxian color.

Flashbacks and Lore

• Flashbacks reveal Ambessa's past, illustrating themes of choice between peace and battle.
• Shuriman Influence: Speculation on connections to Xerath’s followers and traditional weapons.
• Cultural Contrasts: Ambessa’s journey from a peaceful life in Shurima to a warrior in Noxus.

Skin Line and Canonical Implications

• Chosen of the Wolf Skin Line: New skins for characters like Pantheon, representing different forms of death.
• Interplay of Lore and Skins: Skins may be canonical, reflecting the thematic elements of Noxian culture.

Narrative Development

• Ambessa's challenge with the wolf represents a rite of passage.
• Symbolism in Battle: Scars as metaphors for her life choices and struggle.
• Scene Interplay: Scenes shifting between past, present, and spiritual realms.

Conclusion

• The cinematic concludes with Ambessa's acceptance of her destiny and potential future roles.
• Family and Legacy: Themes of protecting family and legacy, hinted through Ambessa's actions.
• Final Imagery: Ambessa with the Medarda family crest, signifying her fight for family and survival.

Final Thoughts

• The cinematic serves as a rich lore piece with numerous references and thematic depth.
• Anticipation for further exploration of Ambessa’s story in "Arcane 2" and the implications of her Shuriman connections.

These notes capture the major themes and narrative elements of the "Blood, Sweat & Tears" cinematic, highlighting its intricate lore and cultural symbolism within the League of Legends universe.