Author Games: Dacnomania Nexus Accourt

Semi-Finals - Capitol Roulette

The faces of Bellona Blake and Natalia Gregory fade into the sky and leave. All faces remain turned upwards anyway, waiting for the appearance of the customary Gamemaker.

It doesn't happen.

Instead, Pandora's voice seems to float down out of nowhere, although she doesn't seem to be paying any attention to the announcement. She is locked in a conversation with someone else; only her side of the discussion is audible. "I'm sorry but there just isn't just enough maple dressing on this walnut salad... yes I want you to send it back... I can't eat this."

After the muffled shuffling of a plate being slid away the crackle over the speaker suggests she has returned her attention to the arena. "Where are my manners? You all must be starving, after all resources are scarce. How insensitive of me to bring up food!"

All over the arena, stomachs growl in confirmation. Even the most careful have found their food supplies to be running low.

"You must be getting desperate by now. Do not worry. We do not intend to see you starve. That would be ever so dull. A feast is being arranged at the Cornucopia for midday today, when the sun is at its highest point. There, you will find food and water supplies. However..."

Her voice trails off and when it comes back, she seems to be thinking along different lines, her tone changing to the almost ethereal voice that once sent shape-shifting fog into the arena, "I've never been a gambling woman. To take such unnecessary risks when you have so much is just a waste. But you do not have this luxury. If you do not eat, you will starve. I am sure you are all familiar with the debilitating effects of a long, slow death by hunger...but I digress. There is, as you have guessed, a catch."

On the audio, a voice that isn't Pandora's is laughing. She silences it with a quick word and continues, "Be careful what you take, tributes. Half of the supplies will be poisoned."

With that, the voice switches off and the arena feels colder and emptier than ever.

Task:

- Write the feast and what happens leading up to it. The feast takes place at midday at the Cornucopia and only food and drink can be found there. There is no way to tell which of the items will kill you and which won't. Don't forget that you have abilities and that the other tributes do too.

- Kill whoever you like as long as you are not the last one standing. The Gamemakers will decide who goes up for votes. As a small hint, we will be looking not only for accuracy of writing but for characterisation of your own tribute and the others and for creativity. We will judge based on this task and this task only.

- Word Limit: 1,500

- Sponsor Perk: sponsored tributes may have one 'highlighted' package at the feast. This package is definitely safe, but only palm-sized.

- Deadline: 2200 Capitol Time [10PM BST], Saturday 10th August. Usual sanctions will apply. Those who fail to hand in will get a deficit of -2 votes.