Bread and Circuses; Food and Entertainment.
"First I have people telling me they kept hearing cannons during the Bloodbath—which is completely unreasonable, let me tell you—but even worse is the Capitol has been in a fit of whispers over the arena! 'Too simple, too plain,' they say, as though I'm some sort of imbecile who hasn't even bothered planning these Games. Don't they understand we're going back to our roots? The least they could do would be to keep their mouths quiet..." Florence huffed, exasperated at the turn of events.
"Now, now," said Victinius, "you worry far too much. I have said to you many times before: they only see what they want to see. The beauty comes after, when they still remember these Games. It's proven by the top scientists that the simplest of arenas provide a better chance for viewers to connect with tributes, and as such to remember these Games."
"I suppose Victinius, I suppose. Hector, have you set up the recent deaths? The anthem should be playing right now, but I want the Square fully updated with the livefeed. Recount, please, so I can make sure everything is in order."
"Yes, ma'am. The tributes shown are:
District 1 Male, Aidyl Desperado [-caduceus-];
District 2 Male, Allion "Alpine" Lapine [lostwithmyfriends];
District 3 Male, Drake Byte [Loveisntfor_me];
District 5 Female, Allora Nightfall [Lolwierdo];
District 6 Male, Darius Hectare [WritingFandoms];
District 8 Female, Tessa Fitzpatrick [rushofjoy];
District 9 Female, Wirrina Thrym [lostwithmyfriends];
and the District 12 Male, Gabriel [FreedomAuthorGames]."
"That seems right. Now, after that day in the arena, let's see what else we can throw on them."
Florence Fanta, now drawing her attention away from the glittering lights of the Capitol Square now illuminated the new death toll, faced the illuminated, holographic model of the arena she had had placed in one of the conference rooms. She peered closely, her hair falling in wisps and disrupting the light flow.
"Well, it seems that three groups have emerged. But I do think everyone needs food, do they not? Let's give them a bit of a break, see how they work. Simple, for now, of course. And if you would care to tell the top sponsors to keep their thoughts on the arena and its happenings to themselves without the sly remarks, that would be appreciated, Hector," she said, her attention not averted from the arena. It was only a matter of time, of course—she just hoped people would stick around long enough to see it happen.
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THE TASK
Your tribute has made their way somewhere into the forested area. It is the day after the Bloodbath, and they are hungry and tired. Food is always important, so on the second day, the task will revolve around food, supplies, et al. A nice, easy task to help develop the character, setting, mood, etc. more and to hopefully help you boost up your mark if action wasn't your thing last time. Saying that, there are THREE PLACES you tribute may choose to visit, and IT MUST BE SPECIFIED AT THE BEGINNING OR END OF YOUR ENTRY WHERE your tribute decided to go.
THE OPTIONS
The Trees: Trees are an abundant source of food, if you know where to find it. There are low branches to climb and the trees on the deciduous (leafy) side bear fruit, the coniferous (pine, etc.) side bears sap, pine for tea, etc., the mix of trees bear both, and all sides hold birds and bugs for your choosing.
The Ground: Climbing not your thing? Forest dwellers like squirrels and rodents and larger prey like fox or rabbit (albeit uncommon) are found on the forest floor. Shrubs and vines also snake through the grass and tempt with berries of various kinds.
The Water: The river that courses around the entire arena is a source of health. Water is decently safe to drink, and in the depths of the low-lying ponds and streams are frogs and crayfish, and in the large more sweeping waters are fish. On the muddy shore there can be found an assortment of other critters to your liking.
AND THAT'S ESSENTIALLY IT. Be creative: I'll be looking for how you deal with something slightly boring and how you make it your own.
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THE BALLOT CHALLENGE
The top three rankings of ballots will face an additional parameter, in which I will be choosing where you tribute must go. These are lenient and kind this time around. Harsher ballot challenges will approach as the end gets near.
Follin Ryme, with the top ballots totalling eight, you will be required to go to THE TREES. Your entry must focus around this area, though feel free to explore the other areas if you wish. In your entry you must incorporate the phrase "carnivorous man-eating squirrels" somewhere.
Leo Tolstoy and Ember Lewins, with the second-most ballots totalling seven, you must travel to THE WATER. You may explore elsewhere if you wish, but you must also include the phrase "gone with the wind" somewhere in your entry.
Crystal Caverly, Hermia Palentinius, Aspen Summers, and Roscoe Wayland, with the third-most ballots with six, you will be directed to THE GROUND. Again, explore elsewhere if you wish, but this area must be the focus. You must include the phrase "swift like a rabbit, sly like a fox" somewhere in your entry.
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WORD COUNT
2500
DEATHS
Max. 2 in-entry, 2 ballots. Three will go up for votes, with one dying.
DUE DATE
SUNDAY MARCH 20, 10PM GMT. (again I will be away on the Saturday, my apologies in advance if things are delayed. If everyone hands in before, however, things will be posted earlier.)
Clocks change this Sunday, so I'll keep you updated with deadline reminders.
YOU ARE READING
The Third Annual Writer's Game: Roots
ActionIn Panem, there was the unspoken rule: do not forget where you came from. Do not forget the ashes and blood that spilled for you to live here. The little penance of yearly tributes let no one forget, but as the years passed by, people became distanc...
