| “ | "Piltover isn't like Noxus. War isn't our first and every recourse. I sponsored hextech to protect the city, not burn it to the ground." |
—  Mel to  Ambessa, Oil and Water
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Mel Medarda is a 
Noxian aristocrat based in 
Piltover and a member of Piltover's ruling council. A disowned heir of the 
Medarda Clan, Mel is an ambitious politician willing to do anything to put herself at the top. Using her political prowess, the actions she made have forever changed the course of Piltover's history.
Background[]
Early Life[]
As the daughter of Ambessa, a 
Noxian Warlord, Mel would learn about death and war from a young age. However, her advocacy of diplomacy and distaste for intimidating violence as a deterrent would later be deemed a liability by her mother. She was disowned and banished to Piltover, where Mel was to oversee Clan Medarda's business interests in the city. Despite being a Medarda, one of the richest clans in the city, she would be considered an outcast amongst her Noxian family members for not living up to their standards.
With dedication and political talents, Mel would succeed in rising up the political ranks of her clan, becoming a member of the Council of Clans and one of the richest people in Piltover. Nevertheless, her wealth and prestige paled in comparison to her Noxian brethren; thus she searched for an enterprise that could enhance the stature of Piltover and herself.
Hexgem Incident[]
During the trial of one 
Jayce Talis she would learn about the potential of magic being utilized with technology. This would intrigue her enough that she would vote for Jayce's expulsion from the Academy (as oppose to his banishment from Piltover), even convincing another councilor to vote in her favor.
Later on, she would even help Jayce and 
Viktor with their attempt to sneak into 
Heimerdinger's lab, stipulating to them that they have one night to prove themselves and that their invention is workable. She then aids in concealing their activities by distracting a guard patrolling the Academy. After Heimerdinger arrives to thwart the two in conducting their experiment, he arrives too late and the two manages to prove they can harness magic via Hextech. Although Heimerdinger doesn't think Piltover should enable Hextech, Mel intercedes and proclaims that is an issue for the council to decide.
With her influence, the council votes towards the open implementation of Hextech, even funding the construction of the Hexgates.
Piltovan Bicentennial[]
As a Councilor, Mel was present during the 200th Piltovan Progress Day, where Jayce was to reveal his new Hextech inventions. Before Jayce's speech, Jayce had confided in Mel that Heimerdinger had advised him to delay unveiling his new hextech innovations until they can work out all the neccessary safety measures, which could take a decade. Mel told Jayce that Heimerdinger is mired in the status quo; she encouraged Jayce to ignore his misgivings and proceed to unveil his new hextech at his presentation. However, Jayce faltered at the last minute, and decided to withold his hextech innovations as Heimerdinger advised. Seeing Jayce delay his hextech revolution, Mel would leave the celebration early in disappointment. Before the end of the day, 
a Zaunite stole one of the hextech gemstones that was intended to be showcased during the speech event; in fear of the thief potentially weaponizing it, Jayce suggested to the Council that they shut down all Hextech operations, worrying the Councilors who have businesses dependent on the Hexgates. Seeing an opportunity, Mel then recommended that Jayce be instated as a Council member to better serve his goal of safeguarding the Hexgates and thus all matters dependent on it—a radical suggestion since the Council has traditionally only held seven seats. With Heimerdinger's agreement, the rest of the Council followed and Jayce became the eighth Councilor.
Molding Jayce[]
Mel became determined to mold Jayce into a leader that can overcome Piltover's reluctance to integrate new forms of hextech that will alter society. First, she guided Jayce to win over prominent Piltover citizens in order to garner enough support to defend his agenda in the political landscape, despite Jayce's reluctance to get involved in politics. This meant Mel had to introduce Jayce to the quid pro quo dynamics in politics—and surprisingly Jayce shown himself to be adept in enticing prominent merchants and politicians with exclusive, and sometimes unlawful, privileges in politics and commerce in exchange for their political and financial support. Mel was impressed by Jayce's fast adaptation to politics and together they consolidated their political power in Piltover. The two would bond over how they would intend to use their newfound influence to promote good and since they were enamored with one another, Mel expressed her romantic intentions for Jayce. Jayce reciprocated her feelings, and slept with each other that night, thus becoming lovers. After their night of passion, Mel woke up only to find Jayce had already left.
Later in the evening, Mel began to paint an image of Noxus, which symbolized her secret aspiration to regain her Noxian honor. Jayce returned to her to apologize for his sudden disappearance, but Mel receives him coldly. He explains his disappearance was due to attending to Viktor, who has been hospitalized because he is dying. Mel softens and becomes sympathetic to his plight. Jayce confides in Mel about his frustrations; that he has been too distracted with politicking to accomplish any of the good he sought out to do, and now that Viktor is dying, he is helpless to save him. Mel also disclosed that she is an exile from her family because they thought she was unworthy. Jayce doesn't think that of Mel at all and encourages Mel to not give it any credence. Mel in turn comforts Jayce by telling him that although he may not be able to save Viktor, he should spend his remaining time with him so he doesn't feel alone in his final moments.
In the following days, Mel supported Jayce in some of his hardest decisions. When Jayce maneuvered to remove Heimerdinger from the Piltover Council for his continued obstruction of his and Viktor's hextech research (but blaming him for the problems of the Undercity as the public pretext), Mel backed his motion. Together, they rallied the Council and managed to oust Heimerdinger from his position. When Jayce had regrets about Heimerdinger, Mel justified his actions by stating everything he said about Heimerdinger was true; even if ousting him from the Council was harsh, it was necessary. This maintained Jayce's conviction. Tensions between Piltover and Zaun have also been heightened with all that has transpired. Mel passed on to Jayce that some in Piltover fear they are on the brink of war with the Undercity and that the Undercity could use the stolen hextech gemstone to attack Piltover. Mel advises Jayce to develop hextech weaponry in case he needs to defend his people. Although Jayce is conflicted about it and Viktor is vehemently against it, Mel leaves the decision up to Jayce.
Ambessa's reunion with Mel[]
As a reunion with her mother neared, Mel had a nightmare about a moment in her childhood where her mother tried to instill in her mind the ruthlessness that was expected of Noxians. She awoke distressed in her bed, reeling from the trauma from her childhood.
Due to the increased violence from 
Zaun and the death of her brother Kino, her mother would arrive in Piltover to give her daughter what she deems proper guidance. Ambessa believes Piltover has allowed the threat of their Undercity to spiral out of control and advises that they need to quash the threat. However, Mel disagrees and rejects her advice.
Later on, 
Vi and 
Caitlyn Kiramman revealed to the Piltover Council that a criminal mastermind named 
Silco is responsible for Piltover's and the Undercity's heightened problems, and also aims to have Zaun separate from Piltover as an independent nation. Jayce suprisingly became more militant and proposed that they wage war on Silco in force. Mel, who has experienced the brutality and costs of war, cautioned the Council to exhaust all diplomatic options and leave war as a last resort. The Council agreed with Mel, much to Jayce's disappointment. After the meeting, Mel angrily rebuked Ambessa for manipulating Jayce. Ambessa dismissed her anger and revealed the truth of her visit: the man who killed Kino is still a threat to the Medarda family and he's too powerful for Ambessa to fend off. Ambessa intends for the war between Piltover and Zaun to unfold so Jayce will be forced to develop hextech weapons, which Ambessa intends to appropriate and use against this powerful enemy. Mel is disgusted she would allow Piltover to burn just to cover her own ass, but Ambessa is determined to do anything to protect her family. Furthermore, Ambessa revealed that the reason why Ambessa exiled Mel in the first place was because her sentimentality and idealism weakened her, and diluted her ruthlessness. Ambessa offers to lift her exile if Mel aids her in her endeavor. However, after her discussion with her mother, Mel would deface her painting of Noxus, symbolizing her resolve to cut ties with her Noxian family.
After Jayce led an unsanctioned raid on one of Silco's shimmer factories, he would learn the true cost of war and had a change of heart. This would ultimately lead to Jayce brokering a peace with Silco in exchange for Zaun's independence. Siding with Jayce, Mel would be the first councilor to agree to this proposal, spurring the rest to follow suit.
While the meeting was almost done and the crisis nearly averted, Jinx attacked the council chambers; her 
Super Mega Death Rocket hitting the glass window right next to Mel. It is unclear if Mel survived that attack.
Appearance[]
Mel is an attractive slender, brown-skinned woman with green eyes. She has dark, curly hair with jeweled twists at her hairline. She wears elegant white clothing with gold accents reminiscent of both 
Shuriman and 
Targonian attire, mixed with common Piltover patterns.
Personality[]
Mel is a clever and cunning person, able to influence and manipulate people to her advantage. She cares for Piltover and wants to see it prosper, yet she is very calculated and analytical, and can often be hesitant to support rash solutions to problems. While she cares for certain members of her family, she clashes with her mother and ultimately decides to vote for peace with Zaun in defiance of her mother's aggressive ideals.
Abilities[]
- Diplomacy: From an early age, Mel can be seen to have a knack at politics. Mel is a consummate political strategist, and she has been able to sway politicians and influential people to conform to her agenda. During her time living in Piltover, she rose to the power of a councilor of clans, despite her position within her own clan.
- Painting: Mel is a talented painter, specifically with egg tempera paintings. Currently all the paintings in her home were done by her.
Relations[]
Ambessa Medarda[]
A brutal Noxian warlord, she taught her daughter about the art of war from a very young age while still being Solari. However, while Ambessa approved of Mel's cunning and statecraft, Ambessa was disappointed by Mel's lack of cutthroat instincts. One of Mel's most traumatic childhood memories is when Ambessa let Mel decide the fate of the last scion of a recently conquered regime. Mel advocated that they let the conquered scion live in exile in order to show their new subjects that they are merciful, but Ambessa argued that they should show no mercy to their enemies lest they rise up against them again. Ultimately, Ambessa personally executed the scion in front of Mel to teach Mel the lesson.
Eventually Ambessa would see that Mel's forgiving nature was a liability to her, so she banished her to Piltover. A strained relationship, Mel fears her mother while also resenting her for her past actions. She would eventually confront her about it, which would lead to Mel symbolically cutting ties with her Noxian roots.
Cecil B. Heimerdinger[]
Mel respected Heimerdinger as the founder of Piltover. However, she saw his conservative and stifling ways to be a hindrance in her rise to power. She would undermine his authority by aiding Jayce and Viktor legalize the use of Hextech in Piltover, and later voting him out from the Council.
Jayce Talis[]
While initially using Jayce to gain more wealth and prestige, Mel would eventually have some deeper feelings towards the inventor—even defending him from the self-serving influence of her ambitious mother. She would be concerned over his issues and would give him sound advice, all while still putting her own goals into consideration. Over time, Mel became less reserved around Jayce and began sharing personal details about herself as well. While Mel's relationship with Jayce started out as a means to an end, it ultimately became sincere love. Mel was crucial in Jayce's meteoric rise to fame: she even swayed the council to elevate Jayce and grant him a seat on the council.
Kino Medarda[]
Kino Medarda is the brother of Mel. Kino was said to be gifted with a silver tongue and also believed that he could talk his way out of anything. He eventually crossed the wrong man and died for it. Kino used to tell Mel that "War was a failure of statecraft", which may have influenced Mel's preference for diplomacy. Which indicates that Kino was one of the few members of his family for whom Mel had a lot of love and affection.
Arcane Show Appearances[]
| Season One appearances: 8/9 | ||
| Welcome to the Playground: Absent |
Some Mysteries Are Better Left Unsolved: Appears |
The Base Violence Necessary for Change: Appears |
| Happy Progress Day!: Appears |
Everybody Wants to Be My Enemy: Appears |
When These Walls Come Tumbling Down: Appears |
| The Boy Savior: Appears |
Oil and Water: Appears and flashback |
The Monster You Created: Appears |
Read More
Starring Champion
Trivia[]
- Mel is 26 years old during the first act of Arcane.[1]
- She is 32 or 33 years old during the second and third act of the series.[2]
- Mel's official height is 172 cm (5'8).[3]
Media[]
