About Zaun
Zaun, also referred to as the Undercity, is a city-state across the river from Piltover, a large portion of which runs beneath the latter. Whereas its upper counterpart is thriving and rich, Zaun is the opposite, becoming almost literally the catch basin of the waste from the city above it where its residents try to survive from scraps spared to them. One known part of Zaun is the Lanes. Individuals who hail from it are known as Zaunites, though such people come from various backgrounds as a population that includes humans, Chireans, Yordles and even certain individuals that come resided inside Piltover. Regardless of their background, however, the negligence of their sister-state caused numerous Zaunites to adopt contempt or even hatred for it, striding for freedom as an independent realm that some addressed as the Nation of Zaun.
Though technically under the governance of Piltover’s Council, Zaun has virtually been cast aside and isolated from whatever gains and advancements had been made in Piltover. While Piltover prospers, Zaun is perpetually riddled with crime and hardship. So heavily polluted, its air said to be denser than Piltover's,that those not native to Zaun find the need to wear gas masks when visiting, and Piltover residents deem the undercity as dangerous and look down on the denizens living there. This has caused rising tensions between the two, and some figures from the Underground, such as Silco, yearn for independence, wanting their home to become a nation of its own. Due to the lack of true supervision over Zaun, the city is silently controlled by a group of chem-barons.
Because of its roots in mining, the air in Zaun was thick and polluted. While the issue of the pollution was solved by Councilor Cassandra Kiramman, the air remains slightly thicker than that of Piltover. However, the clearing of the air was credited to the goddess Janna, who Zaunites quickly came to worship. Though the chem-barons held the level of control, the state lacked a true government and, as a result, became rife with various different factions, such as the Jinxers, a resistance movement that idolised Jinx as a symbol of independence. Compared to Piltover, Zaun is actually quite advanced in some areas. They have figured out how to create and implement prosthetics as well as other body part replacements. In the case of the Firelights, they’ve also learned to modify certain vehicles to account for the thicker air.
Residents of Zaun
Jinx
An unhinged and impulsive criminal from the undercity, Jinx is haunted by the consequences of her past—but that doesn’t stop her from bringing her own chaotic brand of pandemonium to Piltover and Zaun. She uses her arsenal of DIY weapons to devastating effect, unleashing torrents of colorful explosions and gunfire, inspiring the disenfranchised to rebellion and resistance with the mayhem she leaves in her wake.
Silco
Silco was a Zaunite gangster and revolutionary, and the adoptive father of An icon representing Jinx Jinx. He sought to free the undercity from Piltover's control and was willing to resort to brutal and unethical methods to achieve that goal.
Vander/Warwick
Warwick is a monster who hunts the gray alleys of Zaun. Transformed by agonizing experiments, his body is fused with an intricate system of chambers and pumps, machinery filling his veins with alchemical rage. He bursts from the shadows to prey upon those criminals who terrorize the city’s depths. Warwick is drawn to blood, driven mad by its An icon for Warwick's ability Blood Hunt scent… and none who spill it can escape him.
Ekko
prodigy from the rough streets of Zaun, Ekko is able to manipulate time to twist any situation to his advantage. He uses his own invention, the Z-Drive, to explore the branching possibilities of reality, crafting the perfect moment to seemingly achieve the impossible the first time, every time. Though Ekko revels in this freedom, when there’s a threat to those he cares about, he and the Firelights will do anything to defend them.
Violet
Raised on the mean streets of Zaun, Vi is a hotheaded, impulsive, and fearsome woman with very little respect for authority. She has always been a shrewd survivor, both from her youthful troublemaking topside and an unfairly long stint in Stillwater Hold. Now working with the Piltover Enforcers to keep the peace instead of breaking it, she wields mighty hextech gauntlets that can punch through walls—and criminals—with equal ease.