THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
Concept art and still for the Piltover Council;
Mel's notes for her speech in Episode 201;
Jayce's Progress Day speech; emblems for
members of the Piltover Council; funeral
invitation from Episode 201
What I can assume is a letter opener + Sigils/symbols of the council members
Letter with Jinx's doodles saying "Boring" and "Bla bla bla"
More Jinx doodles
THE COUNCIL & THE CHEM-BARONS
BOTH PILTOVER AND ZAUN FEATURE ELITE GROUPS that the more or less run the political show. On the topside, it's Council; in the underground city, it's a cartel of criminal individuals known as the chem-barons. Fortiche really went to town with these characters, who sport some of the most fanciful designs in the entire show. Amusingly, the two groups are like Bizarro versions of each other, further pushing the concept of dualities. This is most obvious in the characters of the Council member and eminent scientist Heimerdinger and his underworld counterpart, leads Smeech. Tellingly, Smeech the Scrap Hackers, which specialize in body modifications of all kinds. The chem-barons have very distinctive visuals, as if Clive Barker had decided to design Victorian narco-gangsters. According to Arnaud-Loris Baudry, Fortiche drew inspiration from various Batman villains. "We wanted them to be a bit cartoonish-not grotesque," he said. "We designed all of them to have goons that are connected to their fantasy."
Director Bart Maunoury is an avowed fan of the chembarons, saying that "they are characters I'd love to use again if we ever do other projects in this universe. We don't do comedy much in Arcane, and they brought in a dose of fun and entertainment that was just great. When you see Smeech, with his mechanical arms that unfold every which way, you just want to film him with a short lens that will create crazy angles. Those are the scenes where we allowed ourselves to look toward anime, because it suited the character's design."
CENTER LEFT
Emblems for members of the chem-barons
ABOVE
Concept art for the chem-barons
(Jinx drew a crown on Silco's head and mustaches on everyone)
Chem-Barons' Emblems (with additional commentary from Jinx: "laaame"). In order (from the Official LoL Wiki): Margot, Finn and Chross
BELOW FROM LEFT
Unused explorations for Zaun's vehicles;
chem-barons' glass boardroom
Zaun's vehicles
We can see the final version in the background in S1EP4 (starting at 17:03) when Sevika is walking around the undercity towards the Last Drop.
And this is all for today!
Edit (forgot to add): We can assume this was the first sketch for Jinx's wanted poster in front of Mel.
“Five weeks until the Thanksgiving art show. Five weeks to get your sculptures done.” Shoola announces with a stack of papers in their arm as they walk toward the back of the class. “Here are fliers for it. It tells you the date, time and what will be given out. We will be holding a contest with prizes. There will be food and drinks.” They dryly inform everyone with a bored expression plastered on their face as they begin handing out the fliers.
And as the paper smacks down in front of you, you excitedly read it over. November 19th, 2024 Piltover University’s Art Show. It was a little plain but very neat and tidy to get the point across. You were excited but nervous in the same breath. To get to do your first big sculpture in college. Last year you had a fine arts class that focused on painting.
You were grateful that this year you had a class you preferred. Sculpting was an art you fell in love with as a child.
The only problem you dealt with was the fleeting motivation as you grew older. You were only 20.
“You will be given the materials for your sculptures next week and you will also be mandated to come every single day whenever you have a free period. Except for Saturday and Sunday.” They tell everyone, causing a tiny uproar. “Settle down. You signed up for this class. I don’t want to hear it.” They fold their arms, leaning against their desk at the front of the room. “Get to sketching, you only have a week to figure out your project.”
You and the majority of the class open your sketch books. Most already have their sketches thought out. Adding details and little things they want to their bundle of clay. You sat there with… absolutely nothing. A blank canvas. Scanning your brain for something. What motivates you? What or who is your muse?
Would it be idiotic to put yourself?
Probably.
And as the clock ticks. As you sit there, zoning out. Nothing comes up in your head. You know if you have nothing by the end of the week you are going to have to lie. Come up with something on the spot.
The lecture is dismissed, as you pack your things you glance up to see Maddie heading toward you. You don’t even zip up your backpack as you rush out of the room. Averting a conversation with her. Gert and Ekko peering over to one another, confused by your abrupt leave.
Honestly you needed a place without your friends to focus, attempt to figure out your muse.
Those dear, familiar bells chime as you open the door. Smelling freshly baked treats along with strong dark roasted coffee. This place never did you dirty. Ole reliable. You quickly place in your coffee order, your second one of the day. On zero food.
As you sip on the bitter but sweet drink you tap your pencil over the sketch book splayed out in front of you. Your muse… thinking about what your professor said last week on your crowd sketch. They thought you had found it. What were they looking at? You turn over to the page from that day. Observing what you had drawn that could give you some sort of… idea? Make up a lie based off of what could’ve been seen.
Your pencil resumes tapping on the table. Every noise around distracts you, eyes lifting to see who’s leaving and entering the cafe. The bell chiming each and every time.
This time around was no different as the door flicks open, you peer upward to see Viktor. You feel your heart palpitate as he enters, going toward the counter. His head moves the tiniest bit and the air in your lungs gets cut short, snapping back down at the sketch pad.
He caught you looking at him though, you were far from discreet. The corner of his lips tugged upward. He’s missed your bubbly personality… Sure he has Jayce and Vi as substitutes but it’s not the same. You’re different…
“Sir?” The worker before him speaks up, and he gapes back at her, mentally cursing at himself for spacing out. “Right, uh just the coffee. A-and the cherry danish.” He points over to the treat behind the glass. “Go ahead.” The worker motions to the card reader. Viktor places his phone on it, it chimes and he stuffs the device back in his pocket.
“Here you are, have a good day.” The worker doesn’t even force a smile as she gives it to him. He only nods his head in response. Taking the small paper bag and coffee in its paper cup. Why’d he get the danish?
He hasn’t spoken to [Name] since last week. After throwing a tantrum about how she perceives him as boring.
And as Viktor contemplates on how he’s going to give you the treat you were already subconsciously drawing something on the paper. Filling in that faceless person that stared back at you. Giving him features.
The crinkle of the paper bag sounds in front of you, causing you to jump. Your eyes travel to the person now sitting on the other side of the table. “Viktor?” You grabble. “As a thank you for the coffee and coconut puff the other day.” He mutters out and you cock your head to the side. They weren’t supposed to tell him that you were the one-
“And an I’m sorry.” His gaze adverts from your own, now you were incredibly confused. Why’s he apologizing to you?
It was silent between the both of you. You were at a loss for words.
“Is that me?” Viktor lifts your sketch pad, changing the subject. You furrow your brows. “Is what you?” You snatch the book back and scan over the page. “That.” His finger plaps down on the paper. “Looks too much like me to not be me.” He confidently boasts. You stare down at the figure that used to be faceless. For years this person never had a face. Never had special features. And now you gave him the face of a friend? Of Ma?
Viktor.
“I guess it is.” You murmur, thoughts swarm in your head. You’ve been trying to disagree with the facts that laid out right before you. That whenever you spoke to Ma or Viktor you got this sudden motivation to draw, paint… sculpt. And when the two of you stopped speaking your art got a lot more depressing, messy even.
“Who is it?” A younger voice pesters as you let out a loud laugh. “Ma, I don’t know! How many times do I have to tell you!” You choke out, the both of you observing your newest painting. “I don’t understand how you don’t know something you created.” He judges and you pout.
“It’s just this feeling I have. I think. Just someone staring back at me, a familiar but not figure that I want to know but I can’t.” You explain, both lines are quiet now. “Is it me?” He inquires jokingly and the two of you giggle like little kids. “You wish!” You squeal, causing a squabble to begin between the two of you.
You purse your lips out at the memory. Viktor lifts up your book once more. “Can I see your work?” He asks and you nod your head silently. You watched him flip through it, not wanting to say anything in worry that you’d ruin the moment. Ruin what’s happening between the both of you. You noticed the little movements in his face through each sketch and drawing he laid his own eyes on. “Lots of crowds.” He whispers. “That was always your specialty.”
You guys finally meet eyes, an inaudible but knowing feeling between the both of you. It was as if only you two sat in the cafe. The noises from the others dispersed. Another wave of nostalgia hits you like a semi truck.
“It looks stupid.” You pout your lips dramatically, glaring down at your painting that had taken you three hours at this moment. “Let me see.” Ma hums, you guys have been sitting on the call for said three hours since you had told him that his presence keeps you motivated. He questioned it but at the same time it was an excuse to be on the phone with you. How could he turn it down?
“Just sent a picture.” You sigh, waiting for him to say something. “Your art needs to be in a museum, [Name].” He exclaims in a serious tone. It was of the moon and it was shining down on flowers. Viktor had told you his deep feelings and admiration for the moon. How beautiful it is beside all the stars in the sky.
Lighting up the earth so dimly by the help of the sun. The beauty in needing something to shine brightly but also being enough on its own. His love for the moon should be studied. It inspired you, your work. He always told you he felt like the moon. Being so misunderstood and underestimated. And you always listened.
You often felt like the sun and the moon. Switching like night and day… ha.
Not with Viktor though. As much as he thinks of himself as the moon. He’s a sun. Your sun. And you're his moon. He shines his light on you and you’re able to light paths on other’s darkness. Keep the oceans at peace.
“Aw, you’re just saying that.” You wave your hand as if he can see it. “I’m serious. I’d pay to see this.” He compliments passionately. “I mean you still can. Give me fifty bucks.” You joke causing him to snort out a laugh. “You’re dumb.” He rolls his eyes and you could hear the smile plastered on his lips even though you know nothing of what he looks like. “You love me.” You shrug your shoulders.
“I-” You pause yourself, pressing your lips together as you choose your next few words extremely carefully. But as soon as you go to say what you want to. What you wish to. You shake the thought away. Now going to your backpack and taking out the flyer. Shoving it over. “Come.” You spit out bluntly.
He gently takes the paper from you, reading it over. Before he can even answer though, you take your sketchpad, cherry danish and pencil, throwing the bag over your shoulder and leaving. Leaving him with your empty cup and the flyer. He was stunned, not knowing if he should follow after you or stay put.
But as your body disappears and he can no longer see you through the windows he thinks best to stay where he is. He’d never catch up to you anyways.
Since that day, the two of you had made a silent pact to sit with one another again every morning. No words exchanged other than a grumble of a good morning. And every single day without fail you study his face as he pretends to act like he doesn’t feel you doing it. Sipping his roasted liquid and skimming through his own assignments.
He didn’t mind feeling your eyes on him. Your presence around him. If you were quiet or talking his ear off. What had happened between the both of you surely left a scar. A scar that over time is healing. Finally not a scab that is repetitively picked at.
soooo.... kinda got writers block but still wanted to get something out, it also wasn't as long as I thought it was going to be, my b. Next chapter is the end of this series. AHHHHHH
I had a thought about the Council all being like Gym Leaders or Elite Four (or I guess they'd be called the Elite Seven). Since, Jayce and Viktor are kind of considered "Champions" in Piltover. So, I went ahead and updated their teams.
And Ambessa is here too, just because l've been wanting to update her team. Also, the two pokemon that are kind of blocked out are just her two Tauros (Combat Breed and Blaze Breed).
