After several months immersed in Noxus, League of Legends players are gearing up for a new season. This transition brings fresh lore, a brand-new champion, and an updated look for Summoner’s Rift. On Monday, Riot unveiled a cinematic introducing the theme for season two: Ionia’s Spirit Blossom festival. The following day, the developers shared more concrete details about what players can anticipate during this Spirit Blossom-themed season, aptly named Spirit Blossom Beyond.
The second season will feature a new in-client metagame, akin to the recent release of the card game Demon’s Hand, as well as a new Ionian champion and a new game mode called Brawl. Brawl is a fast-paced 5v5 mode set on a Bandle City map, with an emphasis on skirmishes and combat rather than strategy and objectives. The trailer also offers a sneak peek at the upcoming champion, Yunara.
In League of Legends, Spirit Blossom skins transform champions into characters from ancient Ionian tales. For example, Thresh shifts from a skeletal jailer from the Shadow Isles to a demon of obsession, haunting the afterlife and enticing curious souls astray. This year, players can look forward to new Spirit Blossom skins for Ashe, Irelia, Bard, Varus, Zyra, Lux, and Ivern.
Similar to Noxus, Ionia is part of the fantasy realm of Runeterra. Drawing inspiration from various Eastern mythologies, Ionia is one of the setting’s most magical regions. The Spirit Blossom festival is an Ionian celebration that invites creatures from the spirit realm as the boundary between life and death thins. Ionians share tales of legendary figures, such as the benevolent Spirit of Salvation who guides the recently deceased to a peaceful resting place.
