[2022] We’re the Books team at Riot Games - AUA about RUINATION and League lore!

Originally posted by DraconicEngineer

Hi everyone, congrats on the launch and thank you for such an amazing read!

For Ant, mega job on everything you wrote. As a lore nerd, there were plenty of points where something that I knew would be coming played out in a way that still caught me by surprise (the final stand of the Host and subsequent events mainly) and I loved every second of it. In a bit of a different direction, I also loved Vennix and Jenda'kaya so I'm wondering how much design freedom in both their appearance and roles you had? Especially with Jenda'kaya who turns out to be a VERY important figure in her organization and what that means for Runeterra as time passes in-universe.

For Will, did the team encounter any difficulties in bringing back the VAs for the audiobook or putting that together alongside the physical release? I personally LOVE that aspect of the audiobook and getting Mr. Reynolds to return to fully flesh out Kalista's story.

For Siege (or other relevant parties), was the story of Ruined King (the Riot Forge game) and the lore beats in the Shadow Isles portions of the game taken into consideration and/or developed alongside this novel? It was great to see Nunyo Necrit back. (Admittedly I would have also loved to learn more about the Vesani and their time on the Blessed Isles but I get why that's not story relevant lol)

For Michelle and Steph, what were your favorite parts of getting Ruination out into the world? I think the YouTube trailer and associated art scenes were a great primer prior to the book releasing.

Finally for all, favorite League champ?

Originally posted by powerful-champ

Sorry if this is off-topic, but why was Viego the only one to get a human skin but not Kalista who was the main character?

Originally posted by trippingandsipping

I heard the audio book was amazing where can i get it or listen to it?

Originally posted by spike31875

I've heard such good things about Ruination. Will someone who isn't familiar with League of Legends enjoy the book and audiobook?

Originally posted by dralighte

Is there any adaptation to the french language or any other language in the way?

Originally posted by Fearlessmojo

I would love some full cast audiobook. Similar to assassin's creed gold. Any plans on that?

Originally posted by Th4n4n

@Anthony how has your previous writing influenced this new book?

@all - any particular challenges or tribulations that were noteworthy?

Originally posted by Gwemm

Love the book, on my second read-through now. What really made me invested in the novel were the characters and their dynamics, and I was already super invested in Kalista (Kalista main here). I love how Hecarim was suave, charming, and politically adept when he was alive. I low-key ship Hecalista now lol

Jenda'kaya and Vennix had such a fun dynamic with Kalista. I may also ship Kalista and Vennix. That time they jumped off a f**kin' cliff... Oh, and also Grael and Ryze. Really showed how much of a scheming snake he was and I loved it.

Also loved when Kalista punched Grael in the face. That was so satisfying to read.

The artwork at the back of the book is beautiful, but Ledros is conspicuously absent. We need to see what he looks like alive! ;(

Also, in case Kalista ever gets a VGU or a legendary skin (haha), if she gets a Camavoran accent like Viego I will throw the f**k up.

Originally posted by Sharjo

That's fair, and tbh I sort of expected this answer given the nature of how you guys write (and more just how writing works in general). Thanks for taking the time to answer me either way!

Originally posted by TitleInternational47

Hi! I have a question for all of you!
Take it only as a "wish question"
If you had to choose an character/period of time of league of legends lore, to a novel
What would be your choice?

And about the story
Are the assassins of chapter 3 using shadow magic? It looks something like that.
Approximately how old was Grael?
Is it possible that inside the vaults there was a naughty toy harlequin? :P
I'm still reading the book so for the moment those are my questions :)
Thank you for this awesome experience for all lore lovers. The ruination is an amazing story that links (and triggers) many stories in Runaterra so is amazing read about this. Congrats and I hope to see more of your works!

Originally posted by Jwynna

Hello guys! I'd like to ask several questions:

1. How old is Ledros when the events of the book happened?
2. Was Grael's job as the Warden of Thresh considered as a very lowly job? And why did the masters considered Grael unworthy to get the job position he wanted, especially Hierarch Malgruza who seemed to ignore him?
   

Thank you!

Originally posted by clg_wrath2

I am not sure. He wasnt really a good advisor in Ruination.

*if you know you know

Originally posted by noahkennedy1111

Hey there! I just bought the book to read in Chicago during finals weekend (TL refugee fans Sadge), and I've loved it so far! I was wondering if any of you could share wether or not Riot intends on coming out with more books like this? I love the idea of companion books (Realms of Runeterra), but I'd LOVE to see more stories told like Kalista's in this novel. Thanks again!!

Originally posted by FujiwaranoMoko

Hey, a bit of a more personal question, but how exactly does one get into an industry where they can write canon novels for a company? Been studying to become an author, but struggling to get my foot in the door.

Originally posted by CelioHogane

i just really want to learn about sand trolls.

Originally posted by astormintodesert

I wish I could read/comment but I haven't read it yet - I've got my copy though and looking forward to it, so thanks!

Originally posted by GammaRhoKT

Outside the scope of the book perhaps, but is there any trace in cultures between the familiar regions of the western continents Valoran/Shuriman and Camavor? Something that can directly be attributed to the latter, perhaps through immigrant?

Originally posted by Hypernova749

Hey guys, I was wondering what you could share about future lore releases. Are there more shorts and novels on the horizon? Which stories/regions are the most interesting for y’all to explore? Thanks doing this AUA!

Originally posted by refuse_2_wipe_my_ass

what is the name of the continent that camavor is shown on in the map included with the book?

another rioter on here, i believe it may have been reav3 (not 100% sure) once said we were previously only seeing about 1/6th of the world with just the continents of valoran/shurima/ionia. are there current plans to expand the lore of this new continent past this book and nilah (assuming kathkan is one of those “independent kingdoms” on the map)? or any other continents and societies besides the ones we’re already so familiar with?

Originally posted by Eloquent44

What has writing this book taught you about approaching the lore for the mmo?

Originally posted by Regular-Poet-3657

So what happen to the rune? And is what happen to the rune a consequence of what happens if other rune get shattered? And what happen to Vladimir?

Originally posted by SaucesOfFieri

What other champs did you consider putting in there that weren't previously related to the Ruination? (like Ryze and Soraka)

Originally posted by Primordial_Ant

I have no idea what this is referencing but I too now want to learn about sand trolls.

Originally posted by youarecutexd

I recognize this name. Are you the Rioter who would always pop up on the boards whenever anyone mentioned maps?

Originally posted by youarecutexd

Nice, good to see you're still doing it. Sometimes I miss those little corners of the boards most people didn't go to. There were some nice little places.

Originally posted by BionicleIsRelevant

Can you please reveal Heca's VA in the audiobook? I loved the perfect blend of nobility, sexiness, obvious evil-guy vibe in hindsight. Not to f*cking mention how perfectly it matches the grungy, gruff, camp (in a good way) voice of our in-game horseboy!

Originally posted by RandomUsername12123

Have to plans to translate the books?

Originally posted by Zyph7007

It seems she was capable, but Viego was next heir before her because he's the son of the previous king while she's the granddaughter. Even if she's older, Viego is next in line

Originally posted by crazynam101

Is this coming to Australia?

Originally posted by Karsha_

Wait but Kalista is the first born from the first born. Does this not make her the heir?

Originally posted by Antergaton

Literally did this while I was sleeping, sad times. Good reading through the comments and questions though, thanks for your time.

Originally posted by CocaineNinja

u/Primordial_Ant Not really a question, just wanted to say that I loved your 40K work!

Originally posted by Papuchochoe

Hello! I loved the book a lot!

My biggest question, I wanted to ask for a while is; was it intended to so heavily hint that Viego may have BPD? His behavior checks pretty much all the boxes, and people who have it, just feel like he's so BPD-coded too, I was wondering if it was the intention or just something accidental? Is it okay to assume he has BPD?

Originally posted by Papuchochoe

My other questions are;

1. Promotion; were you considering making a Human Kalista or Hecarim skins to come out together with King Viego? Was there any chance they were supposed to come out with the book as a free extra for purchasing it?
2. Illustrations; was there any more planned illustrations? Especially since the trailer contains some not present in the book etc..
3. Story; was Hecarim's horse a mare or stallion? >! was the one from the start of the book the one that merges with him?!<
4. The Ruined King game; I'm a bit sad we didn't get any Vesani mention in the novel, since they were so important in the book, was it intentional?
5. How long have Viego and Isolde been married? 1 year, more or less?
6. Were Vennix and Jenda'kaya a thing? 👉👈❤️
7. Sorry, I want to ask more questions... I know you already said you wanted to add Vlad but couldn't fit him in the narrative, but were you considering adding maybe just some mention of his letters?
8. I don't know if it's enough Ruination novel related, but was there any chance some icons in League to celebrate its release could be added? :c
9. what was Soraka doing, just sitting in a hole in the jungle...
10. Was Camavor's map based on Europe by any chance?
11. My friend joked that Kalista accidentally sponsored and made clan Ferros rich, but did her pay really contribute to the future of this family much?
12. When getting voice actors for the audiobook version, did you feel like they all match their characters perfectly or, if you could, you'd cast someone else for (for example) Hecarim or Ryze?
13. I asked that in more detail in a separate post but Viego really reads as someone with BPD, was it intended by any chance?
14. Did you decide to make Hecarim and Kalista to be wed so the ending hits more and overall it creates more drama? I was quite shocked when reading about these two haha
15. Mr. Author did you have any hate towards someone named Bartek/Bartosz in real life, considering how Elder Bartek gets compared to a toad so many times? (im joking but I'm also really curious)
16. Did Grael touch grass at least once in the time period from becoming a Thresher to most of the book's story?

Thank you!

Originally posted by tossingbeavers

When starting a novel, you need to do a lot of research... So I was wondering (especially since Riot has so many lore existing IP's launching at disjointed times) how much of the world was revealed to you before starting the project? Is there a giant lore lexicon somewhere in Riot that you can refer to when talking about characters? There was a lot of unexpected lore drops we got (Like clan Ferros interaction and some Bhuru stuff!) and it all seemed to flow cohesively in the universe.

I guess it's easier since this is hundreds of years before contemporary timeline, but how difficult was it making sure that research aligned with what's current?

Thanks again for all your work and best wishes!

Originally posted by trickyderpy

Any plans to write the whole shurima history?

Originally posted by Faithdiana

Hi, Ant. I came to this book for Kalista but was amazed by your expansion on Ryze. May I ask if his entire story arc, mainly his connection with Grael, determined back when he was reworked or did you come up with it while writing the book? What thoughts did you have about him while writing?

Originally posted by Rockinrussomano

I honestly just want to say thank you to all of you for an AMAZING book. I loved every page, all of you are awesome.

Originally posted by gwenn18

I loved this book to pieces! i think it didn’t have any questions left unanswered except for this one (for me): why did the Blade of the King choose Viego?

We are talking about a sword that, which I understood, would literally kill a Camavoran heir the moment they showed a sign of not being worthy, no matter how small it was.

So what did the sword see on Viego that was so worthy to the point of ignoring his obvious bad traits (that would eventually lead him to destroy to countries in one shot).

I mean, I don’t want to question the Blade’s judgements but I’m curious.

Originally posted by Bazinngarrr

I would like to ask if I order from Amazon , would it also come with three Lenticular bookmarks ?