Zaun
Zaun, once united with Piltover, has become a polluted undercity, defined by its unchecked industrial growth and rampant magic. The city's toxic atmosphere, known as the "Zaun Gray," veils the sun, while below ground, waste seeps into the sewers, creating dangerous mixtures. Despite this, a thriving black market and innovations like chemtech and mechanical augmentations allow the people to survive in these harsh conditions.
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Hey there, lore-lovers! Welcome back to Liandrug, where we dive deep into the rich stories and hidden histories of your favorite universes. Today, we're exploring the fascinating lore of Zaun, uncovering its mysteries and connecting the dots that make this world so captivating. So, let's jump right in!
The Chronicle
Over 3,000 years ago, a port city was established in the region, eventually becoming part of the Shuriman Empire. Whether the city was named Kha'Zhun or Osha Va'Zaun is unclear, but it eventually became Zaun. During the Great Darkin War, the wind goddess Janna protected the city, and when the war ended, the Targonians hid a powerful Darkin artifact within its caverns.
Janna did not stop from helping the city, centuries later Zaun sought to create a sea passage by destroying part of the isthmus connecting Valoran to the Southern Continent using chemtech bombs. The plan failed disastrously, causing earthquakes that sank parts of Zaun and released toxic gas. Janna intervened, blowing away the gas and saving many lives, cementing her role as Zaun's guardian deity. The Sun Gates were later constructed to regulate oceanic trade, enriching Zaun but also paving the way for Piltover's rise as a separate city.
Many years later we also find Urgot, once a Noxian executioner and later a prisoner, who took control of the Dredge, a chemtech prison mine. He ignited a riot that triggered an explosion, shaking Zaun and killing many. Those who survived, as always, were the strongest.
Coming to the current time and what Arcane showed us, Zaun is in a complicated situation, it's government corrupted by the chem barons that only see their interests and are keeping the crowds poor in their benefit because of their cheap labor. But even in their state, leaders tried to light a new way for their people, as we have seen Vander. Unfortunately he failed to rise and change the people's lives so he tried maintaining an uneasy truce between Piltover and Zaun. His adopted children, Vi, Powder, Mylo, and Claggor, unknowingly reignited tensions after a heist in Piltover, stealing Jayce's experimental hex crystals. A shattered crystal triggered an explosion, alerting the authorities. Silco, a rival of Vander, seized the opportunity to betray him, bribing Warden Marcus to bring Vander to him.
Vi attempted to take responsibility for the heist, but Vander intervened, sacrificing himself. Silco captured Vander, and a rescue attempt by Vi, Claggor, and Mylo ended tragically when Powder's bomb, powered by a hex crystal, killed her friends and mortally wounded Vander. Betrayed and heartbroken, Powder joined Silco, taking the name Jinx, while Vi was captured by Marcus and imprisoned in Stillwater.
Years later, Silco ruled Zaun, and Shimmer, a dangerous substance, spread throughout the Undercity. Jinx, now working under Silco, clashed with the Firelights, a gang opposing his rule. Meanwhile, Vi was released from prison by Caitlyn, a Piltover enforcer, who sought her help in tracking down Silco. Their search led them into a deadly confrontation with Silco's forces, while Jinx experimented with a stolen hextech gemstone, turning it into a weapon.
After many struggles, Vi and Jinx reunited, but their bond was fragile. As tensions escalated between Piltover and Zaun, the sisters found themselves on opposite sides, their fates intertwined with the future of both cities.
Zaun is a city of contrasts, nestled beneath Piltover, and its geography reflects its divided nature. While it shares a deep connection with Piltover, the stark differences between the two cities become apparent as one descends from the upper Promenade level down into Zaun's depths. The Promenade, perched just below Piltover's lowest districts, is a lively zone where wealthier Zaunites mingle with Piltovans seeking affordable goods and entertainment. Here, bustling markets and commercial halls flourish, with cosmopolitan crowds browsing a wide variety of shops. Boundary Markets, the heart of this area, blend the cultures of both cities, offering a vibrant meeting ground for all classes.
Below this, the Entresol level reveals the true heart of Zaun, where traders, entertainers, and workers come together. It's a chaotic and diverse space, teeming with energy and life. From hidden alleyways where those escaping the law find refuge to the high-tech parlors where Zaunites enhance their bodies, the Entresol level is a hub of both commerce and survival. This is also the level where Viktor, one of Zaun's most infamous innovators, was born, his story a testament to the city's gritty pursuit of progress.
As one ventures deeper into Zaun, the air grows heavier with pollution. The Sump, at the very bottom, is where the city's industrial core thrives, powered by chemtech and other innovations that have a costly impact on the environment. This area, dark and polluted, is home to the city's poorest residents. Yet, even in this grim setting, there are iconic landmarks, like Old Hungry, a towering clock that serves as a reminder of Zaun's resilience. Factories and sewers define the landscape, with places like Priggs Industries casting long shadows of corruption and exploitation over the city.
Beneath it all lies the ancient ruin of Oshra Va'Zaun, a hidden relic of the city's past, buried deep under the modern infrastructure. Explorers often risk their lives to uncover its secrets, navigating mazes of old passageways in search of forgotten treasures.
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In the Arcane universe, Zaun presents a reimagined version of the city compared to its traditional depiction in the main canon. Notably, the Sun Gates are absent, and the formation of the Undercity differs, with no indication that Zaun was once a Shuriman settlement. In this version, Zaun occupies a smaller space, limited to the southern area of Piltover, unlike the larger expanse under the Sun Gates in the canon. Its urban structure is tighter, with narrower fissures and a more condensed cityscape. The Chem-Baron Tower stands as the tallest structure, replacing the College of Techmaturgy found in the original lore. The Promenade, Entresol, and Sump levels are also absent, and Zaun is now divided into lanes representing the fissures, with smaller elevators replacing the iconic Rising Howl Public Hexdraulic Descender.
Several key locations define Zaun's undercity life in Arcane. The Brothel, owned by the yordle Babette, serves a wide variety of patrons with distinct needs. The Chem-Baron Tower is the central hub for Zaun's powerful chem-barons, with Silco using its penthouse as a lush cultivair for plants. The Firelight Hideout, hidden within a vast abandoned sewer, is a unique refuge. Bathed in sunlight from a large opening, the hideout features a massive tree at its center, symbolizing hope for a better future. The surrounding walls are adorned with graffiti and murals, including a memorial for Zaun's lost children, painted with the faces of characters like Vi, Powder, Mylo, and Vander. The Last Drop, once a subdued bar under Vander's ownership, evolved into a lively gathering spot during Silco's reign, reflecting the vibrant yet dangerous life of the undercity.
Zaun is home to resilient wildlife, including creatures like cliff-shrikes, plague rats, and viridian beetles. Its streets are alive, from gutter rats to bioluminescent firelights that thrive in its sewers. The world of Arcane offers a unique glimpse into Zaun, portraying it as a place of grit, survival, and ever-present danger, where every street and structure tells a tale of both struggle and defiance.
Zaun's governance is dominated by powerful individuals known as Chem-Barons. These ruthless figures, each with their own sphere of influence, vie for control over the undercity, running various illicit industries and criminal enterprises. During Silco's reign, the Chem-Barons thrived, each pursuing personal ambitions while keeping a fragile alliance under his rule.
Chem-Barons like Chross, who operates The Hush Company, maintain networks of informants, overseeing much of Zaun's illicit activities. Corina Veraza, an ambitious and meticulous chem-baroness, dreams of transforming Zaun into a city envied by both Piltover and her fellow barons, while others, like Crimson and Finn, have met violent ends in their quests for power. Renata Glasc stands out for her calculated manipulation, building her empire on her parents' alchemical research and becoming Zaun's wealthiest crime lord.
The world of Zaun's criminal underworld is varied, with chem-punks, gangs, and chem-thugs serving the interests of these barons. Groups like the Firelights, led by Ekko, resist the shimmer trade, while other factions, such as the Sons of Ur, follow a brutal ideology that reveres strength above all.
Zaun's many organizations, from the Academy of Techmaturgy to the sump-scrappers, reflect the city's industrial backbone, where every scrap of toxic waste is repurposed, and even the lowest inhabitants are drawn into the sprawling web of corruption that defines life in Zaun.
Relations
Zaun maintains complex relationships with neighboring regions, shaped by both alliances and rivalries. During the Noxian invasion of Ionia, Zaunite chemists, such as Singed, were pivotal in developing devastating chemical weapons that left lasting scars on both the land and its spiritual fabric. Backed by Noxus, these atrocities created deep animosity between Zaun and Ionia.
In contrast, Zaun enjoys a more cooperative relationship with Noxus. The empire has used Zaunite mercenaries, including Singed, to further its military ambitions, with Zaun acting as a source of terrifying biological warfare.
The rivalry between Zaun and Piltover is driven by their shared pursuit of hextech advancements. Though connected historically and culturally, these two city-states are constantly competing to shape the future of techmaturgy. Smuggling operations from Zaun often target Piltover's technologies, fueling a black market that spans all of Runeterra. Despite this, the cities remain intertwined, with Piltover's prosperity resting on the foundation of the undercity below.
Closing Words
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