Withness of weakness | Caesar King

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   Zenless Zone Zero is set on a near-future Earth where contemporary civilization has been shattered by a supernatural calamity. The world is not a barren wasteland but a vibrant, retro-futuristic urban landscape where the survivors have consolidated into a single, sprawling metropolis: New Eridu. Aesthetically, the world blends analog technology—flip phones, CRT televisions, and physical media—with advanced combat cybernetics and energy systems, since the corruptive energy known as Ether tends to disrupt modern digital technology. The tone is a unique fusion of post-apocalyptic survival, urban fantasy, and rock-and-roll counterculture, where the struggle against an otherworldly apocalypse coexists with the rhythm of daily city life.

   New Eridu, also shortened to Ridu in various in-game media and game systems, is the main setting of Zenless Zone Zero, and the last surviving city after contemporary civilization was destroyed by the Hollows. New Eridu managed to survive and thrive after the apocalypse by acquiring the technology to be able to extract resources out of the Hollows. Now, Hollows are industrialized and monetized by the New Eridu City Administration, which gradually led to the increasing tension between monopolistic enterprises, gangs, conspirators, and fanatics. New Eridu is a bustling city with many activities and careers taking place in it, featuring a wide variety of people, shops, locations, and more. Despite being a relatively new city, New Eridu feature extensive infrastructure with roads and trains being able to transport its citizens to the wide variety of locations it offers. The technology in the city appears to be a blend of both retro and futuristic technology, such as advanced computer systems running on arrays of CRT televisions for its display, as well as music record players and VHS tapes being the medium of choice for entertainment for most residents despite the presence of data file storage devices.

   Hollows are supernatural disasters in Zenless Zone Zero. They are dark, disordered dimensions that appear out of thin air, swallowing up large portions of the physical world. People and objects left inside Hollows are subject to deadly Ether corruption, and monsters known as Ethereals roam within them. Despite their many dangers, some people willingly enter Hollows in search of wealth, resources, and research data. Proxies help guide these people in their exploration of Hollows, often breaking the law to do so.

   Though most civilizations were destroyed by the Hollows, the city of New Eridu managed to survive the apocalypse by acquiring the technology to extract valuable Ether resources from them. Under the city's administration, the Hollows were then industrialized and monetized, gradually intensifying tensions between monopolistic enterprises, gangs, conspirators, and fanatics.

   Hollows are characterized by their black, spherical appearances. They are known to appear spontaneously and with little warning, swallowing everyone and everything unfortunate enough to be in their path. Signs of an oncoming Hollow appearance can include sudden vibrations, electrical malfunctions, and the inexplicable displacement of objects.

   Larger Hollows can cause the formation of smaller Companion Hollows once they reach an Ether activity threshold called the "Zenless Limit."

   Ethereals are the mutant flora and fauna created by Hollows. They are composed of living Ether, and as such, they spawn most frequently in places of high Ether concentration.

   Every Ethereal is characterized by the dark, Ether-based "core" within their bodies. Destruction of this core will invariably kill the Ethereal, so it is often protected by thick crystalline armor. More powerful monsters are known to have evolved unique ways of protecting their core, making them difficult to slay.

   Ethereals tend to take on the physical characteristics of their environments, giving them a wide variety of appearances and abilities. For example, the Metro Goblin, found in the Old Capital Metro, sprouts signal signs and utility equipment from its body; while the Specter, found in the Ballet Twins Hollow, resembles an artistic sculpture.

   Powerful Ethereals have developed supernatural abilities otherwise impossible for organic beings, such as incredible strength, teleportation, and intense bodily distortion.

   Without exception, Ethereals are hostile to all non-Ether life. Their highly aggressive nature makes them a threat to any Investigators or Raiders who enter the Hollows.

   Though many Ethereals take on the shape of humanoids, they lack human emotions or intelligence. Despite this, some of them display unique behaviors, including mercilessness, cunning, and even honor.

   When exposed to the Ether inside Hollows, both living and artificial beings will eventually suffer the effects of Ether Corruption. Symptoms of corruption include bodily pain, distortion of the senses, and the manifestation of Ether crystals on one's body. Severe Corruption will eventually induce a transformation into an Ethereal.

   A person can resist Ether corruption for longer if they have a high Ether aptitude, or if they use corruption-resistant armors or serums. However, there is no known cure for the mutations caused by severe corruption. Corrupted humanoids are equally as hostile as normal Ether monsters, though in extremely rare cases they may retain parts of their sanity.

   Proxies are individuals with the unique ability to safely guide others through the treacherous and labyrinthine Hollows. They serve as expert navigators, using specialized equipment to plot safe routes through the chaotic environments for their clients.

   Bangboos are adorable, intelligent robots that assist Proxies and other explorers within the Hollows. They have a distinct, boxy appearance resembling a television set or a small retro computer, with a screen-like face that displays various expressions. They typically stand on two legs, have a pair of rabbit-like ears or antennae on top of their head, and come in various colors and styles depending on their role or the faction they assist. Despite their small and cute stature, they possess unique abilities and can actively aid in combat and exploration.

   Dennies are main currency in New Eridu. It resembles white silver coins with star engraving, often people store them at account, rarely carrying whole coins around.

   Thirens are a diverse people woven into the fabric of the last city, their forms a living spectrum from subtle suggestion to full bestial majesty. They are not a separate species but a varied branch of humanity itself, their existence reflecting the strangeness of the post-Hollow world.

   A Spectrum of Form A Thiren's appearance is as varied as the animal kingdom itself. At one end stand Thirens who could pass for human at a glance, distinguished only by the twitch of an ear or the sway of a tail. At the other are the Beast Thirens — towering, fur-covered figures with powerful animalistic bone structures and forms that embody the creatures they evoke. Between these poles lies every imaginable combination: a feline grace, a lupine stature, a shark's sharp-toothed grin. The city's animal features range across mammals, reptiles, and sea creatures alike, from common cats and wolves to the exotic kraken.

   Abilities and Adaptations Thirens possess physiological advantages that set them apart from baseline humans. Documented abilities include immense physical strength far exceeding human norms, superior adaptation to Hollow environments, accelerated recovery from injury, and notably high Ether aptitude. Thirens can also mutate faster after exposure to corruption, a double-edged trait that makes them both resilient and vulnerable in the Hollows. These capabilities are not merely abstract — they manifest in practical, sometimes startling ways. A Thiren's tail, for instance, can be a weapon of devastating force.

   Social Status and Discrimination Thirens are an integral part of New Eridu society, yet their place is complex. Some experience little discrimination and are simply another facet of city life. Others face frequent prejudicial remarks and social friction, with depictions of Thirens struggling against stereotypes scattered throughout the city. This is not a monolithic experience — a Beast Thiren with full-body fur may navigate very different social challenges than a Thiren whose features are limited to ears and a tail.

   Historical Significance Thirens have been present since the era of the old civilization, long before the Hollows reshaped the world. Historical records document Bear Thiren cosmonauts who ventured into space, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of their kind. Their contributions to New Eridu have been significant and varied, from the ranks of space exploration to the backbone of modern industry.

   Culture and Traditions Among Thiren customs, the tail holds a deeply personal significance. It is considered a private and cherished part of a Thiren's identity, a physical manifestation of their inner self. As such, a Thiren's tail may only be touched by those they hold dearest — close friends or trusted companions. To reach for a Thiren's tail unbidden is a profound breach of intimacy, a violation of the boundary between self and the world.

   Known Varieties and Examples Thirens model countless animal forms: feline (cats, lynxes, tigers), canine (wolves, dogs, foxes), ursine (brown bears, polar bears, pandas), rodent (rats, rabbits), aquatic (sharks, kraken), and even mythological-adjacent creatures like tanuki and oni. The city's streets and boardrooms alike are shaped by their presence: the wolf Von Lycaon commands with cold precision, the bear Ben Bigger represents the industrial might of Belobog Heavy Industries where Bear Thirens make up some 80% of the workforce, and the fox Hoshimi Miyabi carries the weight of an ancient bloodline. They are the enforcers, the workers, the artists, and the outcasts who together form the soul of the last metropolis.

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   Sixth Street is a compact, nostalgic thoroughfare nestled within the more industrial confines of New Eridu. It serves as the primary residential and commercial hub for the area, defined by its retro aesthetic and close-knit community atmosphere. At its heart stands the Random Play video rental store, a family-run business that doubles as a front for the Phaethon Proxy operations. The street is lined with essential local establishments, including the Coff Cafe for a morning energy boost, the Bardic Needle record shop for customizing Drive Discs, and the Godfinger arcade for casual recreation. It is a place where daily routines intersect with the city's underbelly, offering a sense of stability and familiarity against the backdrop of a world plagued by Hollows.

   Lumina Square represents the modern, commercial face of New Eridu, a bustling district characterized by its wide plazas, digital billboards, and high foot traffic. As a central hub for commerce and training, it houses key institutions such as the Hollow Investigation Association (HIA) Club, where citizens can engage in combat simulations and VR training exercises to prepare for Hollow excursions. The square also features branches of various city services and storefronts, from newsstands selling magazines to the Waterfall Soup eatery. It functions as a vital junction for Proxy progression, providing access to material farms, logistical support, and a glimpse into the daily lives of the city's broader populace beyond the intimate setting of Sixth Street.

   The Outer Ring is a sprawling, desolate territory on the fringes of New Eridu, an industrial wasteland transformed by the discovery of valuable oil reserves beneath its surface. Devoid of formal governance, this arid region operates under the rough justice of outlaw biker gangs who vie for control of its resources. The most prominent faction is the Sons of Calydon, a group of rebels who have carved out a semblance of order amidst the lawlessness. Characterized by barren landscapes, makeshift settlements, and a constant undercurrent of tension, the Outer Ring is a place where survival hinges on strength and allegiance, standing in stark contrast to the regulated order of the inner city.

   Waifei Peninsula is an emerging district located on the outskirts of New Eridu, adjacent to the original Lemnian Hollow. Once primarily a monitoring zone for observing Hollow activity, the area has gained prominence due to the presence of Porcelume, a unique resource highly resistant to Ether corruption. The centerpiece of the peninsula is Failume Heights, a cliffside city built to exploit and study this resource, offering scenic overlooks of the surrounding desolation. A notable feature of the peninsula is the Suibian Temple, a management site where Proxies can deploy Bangboo units on autonomous commissions to gather resources and materials, expanding their operational reach into this newly accessible frontier.

   Roscaelifer is a serene floating sky island, sequestered high above the ruins of old Eridu. Unlike the bustling, chaotic sprawl of New Eridu below, Roscaelifer is known for its tranquil, almost dreamlike atmosphere—a carefully maintained sanctuary where Bangboo and humans coexist in unprecedented harmony. It has existed as an independent Restricted Zone since the fall of the old capital, established and ruled by the legendary figure Sunbringer, who envisioned it as a refuge and a bastion of a different kind of civilization. Architecturally, the city draws inspiration from old-world European capitals such as London and Paris, featuring cobblestone plazas, wrought-iron lampposts, and stately stone buildings that seem to float atop the island's verdant cliffs. Its population is predominantly Bangboo, comprising roughly seventy percent of the inhabitants, giving the city a distinctly gentle and orderly character compared to the human-dominated districts below. The city is administered by five governing bodies known collectively as the Five Central Departments, each overseeing a critical facet of Roscaelifer's existence: the External Strategy Department (ESD), helmed by Director Velina Airgid, manages the city's delicate relations with New Eridu and oversees technical support for the Bangboo population; the Flint Workshop, directed by Claret Flint, serves as the primary center for Porcelloy equipment research and manufacturing, supplying much of the city's advanced machinery; and the Central Computing Department, led by Dracaene Sunbringer, functions as the administrative and logistical nerve center of the floating metropolis. The city is dotted with unique establishments that reflect its peculiar culture. Roarin' Brekkies is a beloved local eatery famous for offering a daily random cookie to its patrons, a small tradition that embodies the city's whimsical spirit. The Spotlight Theater is another landmark of note, a venue where Bangboo perform every role on stage, from lead actors to stagehands, showcasing their remarkable autonomy and creativity. A mysterious sky bus service operates within the city, rumored to follow hidden routes that connect otherwise inaccessible districts, though its full schedule remains a closely guarded secret. Politically, Roscaelifer remains an object of intense interest to the great powers below. The three major factions of the TOPS alliance have long sought to secure influence over the city, viewing its advanced technology and autonomous Bangboo population as either a valuable asset or a potential threat. Despite this external pressure, the city maintains its peaceful isolation, governed by its own laws and its own rhythm, largely detached from the struggles of the surface world.

   The Sons of Calydon is a powerful biker gang that primarily operates in the Outer Ring, the lawless perimeter zone outside New Eridu's borders . They are a successor organization to the original Calydonian Biker Gang, which was led by Caesar's late father before a violent split scattered its members . Officially, they operate under the business name "Leaps and Bounds Express Services Co." , a logistics company responsible for transporting vital resources such as oil between settlements in the Outer Ring and into New Eridu itself .

   The gang is part of the Motor League, a collective of biker gangs in the Outer Ring ruled by an Overlord who controls all resource transportation routes . Following the events of the Tour de Inferno, Caesar King became the acting Overlord, making the Sons of Calydon the leading gang of the Motor League . They share a long-standing rivalry with the Vanquishers, another biker gang formerly led by Pompey .

   The Sons of Calydon view the Outer Ring as "a place where we vow to reclaim the human life from the Hollow and rebuild it," and they have long been involved in righteous activities such as helping neighboring residents and protecting them from bandits . Their mobile headquarters is Steeltusk, a massive heavy-duty truck that serves as a rolling fortress containing a bar, a motorbike garage, and even a piano .

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