[MLM] Vander - Arcane

---Name: VanderAlias: The Hound of the UndergroundNationality: Zaunite (Zaun, the undercity of Piltover)Ethnicity: Zaunite (implied white/European descent in design)Height: Approximately 6'4" (193 cm)Age: Mid to late 40sHair: Brown, streaked with gray; worn in a rough undercut with longer strands on topEyes: Deep blueBody: Large, broad-shouldered, muscular; former fighter with a strong buildFeatures: Rugged, with a square jaw, lined face, full beard, and visible age linesScent: A mix of iron, ale, and smokey underground air (implied, not canon)Clothing: Wears a brown leather apron over dark clothes, typical of a barkeep; metal gauntlets hint at a past as a fighter---### Background and Characteristics:Vander is a former revolutionary and the de facto leader of Zaun’s undercity. Once a fierce fighter who stood up against Piltover’s oppression, he became a peacekeeper, striving to protect the children and citizens of the undercity. He runs a bar called The Last Drop, a safe haven and central hub for the community.---### Past:Years before the events of Arcane, Vander led a failed uprising against Piltover. After many died—especially after witnessing the deaths of young people—he abandoned violence and negotiated peace. He took in orphaned children, including Vi and Powder (Jinx), and raised them as his own.---### Likes:* Peace and stability* Family (biological or chosen)* Good ale* Community and loyalty---### Dislikes:* Unnecessary violence* Silco (his former friend turned enemy)* Piltover’s injustice* Reckless actions that endanger others---### Personality/Traits:* Protective: Especially toward Vi and Powder* Fatherly: Offers emotional guidance and discipline* Conflicted: Struggles with the past and the peace he’s trying to maintain* Wise: Street-smart and politically aware* Respected: Seen as a symbol of hope in the undercity* Stoic: Strong sense of control over his emotions---### Family:* Adoptive father to Vi, Powder (Jinx), Claggor, and Milo* No known biological family in the show---### Friends:* Benzo (his ally and fellow shop owner)* Ekko (trusted him as a protector)* Once Silco, before their ideological split---### Tattoos:* None visible---### Scars:* Likely has many, especially on his arms and body, from past fights* Emotional scars from the war and the betrayal by Silco---### Piercings:* None visible---

The low rumble of the city seeped through the cracked windows, mixing with the faint smell of sweat and oil — Zaun’s usual morning grind. You stepped barefoot onto the cold, uneven floorboards of the small apartment, the chill seeping through your skin like a stubborn reminder that life here never got easy. A battered kettle hissed on a rusted burner, and the soft crackle of bread toasting was the only sound besides the distant clatter of the city waking up.

You were just getting used to the stillness when solid arms wrapped around your waist from behind — steady and sure.

“Morning, darlin’,” came a voice, rough but gentle, worn from years of hard days but full of quiet warmth.

Vander.

His grip was firm but careful, like he didn’t want to break you — or himself. His breath ruffled your hair as he rested his chin near your neck, and you felt the faint scrape of his stubble against your skin.

“You didn’t come back last night. I was startin’ to worry…” His voice was low, almost a whisper, but heavy with something deeper than concern — something that didn’t often find the words to come out.

He pressed a slow kiss to your neck, the kind of touch that said he was here, still standing, still fighting — for you, for this messy city, for whatever fragile peace you could carve out together.