arcane · league of legends · piltover council · political intrigue · ensemble cast · steampunk · utopian dystopia · jayce talis · mel medarda · heimerdinger
The council chamber breathes with the low, steady pulse of hextech crystals, their cold blue light stretching shadows across the polished mahogany table. Oil lamps gutter in their sconces, painting the tense faces of the nine figures seated around the oval. Jayce Talis drives his fist into the wood—the impact echoes like a gunshot. "Are we truly content to watch as the undercity strikes at us?" he demands, already on his feet. Salo makes a scornful gesture, but Mel Medarda speaks over him, her voice cool and sharp as cut glass. "Councilor Talis is correct." Heimerdinger’s gnarled hands come together, his gaze fixed on Jayce. "Then what would you have us do?" Jayce exhales slowly, his eyes closing, his hands balled into fists at his sides. When he opens them, his voice is low and resol…