Arena 10

[etcircenses]

Arena 10
Code Name: Placid Hollow
Size: About 12 square miles
Special Areas: The Orchards, The Amusement Park, The Lake, The Edge, Main Street
Opening Date: May 17

Setting:

The fog is so thick as the Tributes arrive that they can barely see in front of them. And it stays that was throughout the first few days in the Arena, although clear pockets can help them feel out the shape of their confines.

Around them is a small abandoned town, looking like no one has been there for years. To the north is a huge cliff, its top reaching into the fog. To the east a large, dark lake, the remains of an amusement park lurching against the edge of it. To the south and east, the edge drops off into murky fog. You don't want to get too close, because that sudden drop-off is both fragile and moving in towards town. Occasionally Tributes will hear loud cracks or crumbling noises as pieces of shale break off and fall into the abyss.

In the town, it looks as if everyone stopped what they were doing one day and simple left. Books still sit out on the tables, their words seeping into stains on the damp pages. The remains of rotten meals sit in ovens. Cars are abandoned in the middle of the road, as if their drivers just opened the door and walked away wherever they were. There's a small park with a fountain at the south end of the town, and a handful of buildings that were once mom-and-pop businesses at the north. A school bus sits abandoned to the west, its door opened as if inviting you in.

The amusement park is similarly abandoned. It has no power, but the delights of yesteryear are still evident in the glass eyes of the moldy prize stuffed bears and the rickety sway of the roller coaster. Nearly everything is covered with rust or grime from the fog. The wood of the coaster and the little prize-game huts is warped and damp. The food carts still have material that once was edible in them, but none of it will look particularly appetizing. Unfortunately, the fog is so thick that even enterprising Tributes who climb to the top of the roller coaster or ferris wheel are unlikely to get a good lay of the land.



Supplies:

The Cornucopia is your first, most important resource. Around it are scattered the available supplies and weapons. In this Arena, the cornucopia is not a condensed pile, but a scattered spread across the densely-fogged town green. You have far less risk to be killed, but far less chance to find something, as well:

weapons:
* 3 clubs
* 5 pieces of wood with nails hammered through the end
* 2 sledge hammers
* 3 crowbar
* 4 knives
* 3 pick axe
* 4 regular axe
* 5 heavy lead pipes
* 2 shovels
* a hoe

equipment:
30 watertight bags, contents unknown. each contains a few of the following:
food
glass bottles full of water
empty watertight bag
50' rope
heavy chain
wire
fire-making materials, including wood
sleeping bag
suspend-able tent
screw drivers
wrench
bleach
candles
WD-40
flash lights
bug spray (which works on all bugs)
acidic spray (which works on all living things)
scissors
heat vision goggles

This is an empty town. You can find and make weapons/supplies from anything available. Stick a brick in bag, snip the wire in a moldy pianos, etc. No technology, however, is still working (and the town seems to be circa-1950s America-ish, so there isn't much impressive tech anyway), and the town has been rotting a long time, so things that are delicate are likely to be moldering away.

Immediate hazards:






Temperature. You're either dealing with wet fog that gets very, very cold at night, or sweltering, humid temperatures reaching towards 100 fahrenheit. But don't lose your coat when it's hot! You'll need it when the fog returns.

The fog. Sound travels strangely, and it's hard to see where you're going and what might be just in front of you. Although there are clear patches, they can be just as dangerous as the fog. Sure, you can see...but everything else can see you, too.

Buildings. While some are in fine shape, some are clearly not. This town has been through some rough shit, and you don't want to be the one to fall thorough a floor or have a wall collapse on you.

The fractures. Large ruptures in the ground can be found all around town. Most of those within town are smaller, and easy enough to jump, or crawl through. But as you get closer to the south and west edge they become bigger, deeper, and eventually you find the one that cannot be crossed, the other side swallowed by fog. It is not uncommon in town to hear a growling, rending noise as another one shifts open.




Wildlife:

None of the wildlife here is natural. None.

Everything seems to be cold-blooded, however, and move sluggishly in the fog. Not so sluggish you shouldn't be aware, however! You can outrun them, but they can sure get up the energy to snatch at you if you come too close.

The bugs. They are about as long as your forearm, and ugly as shit, with a nasty pair of pincers. Their bites are toxic; though one or two are survivable and will only have more severe fever-like symptoms, and your anger and rage will be high. A handful of bites, however, and you're going to be a delusional, violent, raving maniac who will eventually falls into a paralyzed coma and die within a few hours.

Usually these guys swarm, but you also might find a stray one here or there, especially if exploring dark areas.

The walkers. Seemingly faceless white humanoids with unnaturally long limbs and fingers. They do not seem particular intelligent, but do respond to heat, light, sounds and movement. When they catch you, they are viciously strong, and despite appearing to have no face, most of their head unhinges from their neck, revealing a huge mouth full of rows of razor sharp teeth.

The spiders. These are large creatures, their legs bringing their torsos to about 7 feet tall, though they can easily crouch themselves down to around 2-3 feet. Their legs, which they have many of (between 6 to 14 depending on the spider) are boney and a sickly pale green, with red-purple veins bulging out across the skin on the underside. Their bodies are round, bulbous things, with a gaping maw for a mouth surrounded by red squirming cilia, and a cluster of orange, slimy looking spheres on top are their eyes. A few smaller legs, with sharp claws surround the cilia, to grab prey with.

And by prey we mean, in fact, you.

Their saliva is corrosive, though slow, so wipe it off fast and you will only have mild burns. However, you can tell where they have been by the trails of burned out puddles left over as they roams. They will eat anything they think is alive, including walkers and bugs. They are also crafty hunters, but will not bother with anyone unless they are hungry.

They like to hide. You'll find them most often in the orchards and in the taller buildings where they can come down on prey from above.

The fish. Which might not be fish. Who knows? Dark shapes under the dark water, huge and slow moving. Catching them can be attempted, but will get you shredded nets and broken fishing poles. Anyone who enters the water will find out that whatever they are will find that they're hungry, and if they are fish, they sure have quite the grip. The better to pull you down with, my dear.

The dogs. Hulking, mangy beasts that seems to be all limbs and head, these dogs stand near 4 feet tall, with huge jaws full of sharp teeth. However, they are scavengers, and will not attack unless they know they will win. Watching out if you're alone, injured, or small.

Their howling and surreal yapping can be heard throughout the fog all day and night, however, echoing strangely in the heavy mist.







Foodstuffs:

Some of the houses have canned goods left in them, though not nearly enough to last the whole arena. Still, for the first week or two they can provide food.

The dogs, if killed, are edible. Not tasty. But edible.

The trees also bear a large amount of food, especially in the wild and over grown orchards to the far end of town surrounding the theme park. And the lake water is potable. But there might be some side effects if you partake of the food and water in that area of town. You might not end up feeling quite like yourself after a while. If you partake this week, you'll find yourself moving slow and achey in the cold.

Attire:

Tributes are dressed for the cold. Long pants, heavy duty boots with warm socks, tank tops, deep hooded sweaters, and windbreakers on top. Each windbreaker is marked on the front and back with their District insignia.



Special features:

Though there are abandoned cars, none of them work anymore. Feel free to strip them for your needs. There are, however, a handful of bikes around. They move fast, but squeak to high hell.

Oh, and also every now and then the air raid sirens go off, and the city turns to Hell. More information about this will be posted the first time it happens, but if you are imagining Silent Hill, you have figured out our subtle rip-off here.

The city will become hot, disintegrated, and all those sluggish beasties above will become much more aggressive, and move much faster. Certain places will become safe zones, however. These safe zones will be changing, and of course, you will be sharing with all those lovely people out to kill you with their piano wires and knitting needles.

Full Arena Map:



NICE ONE COMING SOON


Cornucopia.
With each new Arena opening, your character has the opportunity to grab themselves a few supplies! In this arena, you don't risk death so much as you might not even find the supplies in the first place. Comment for a roll and we can let you know what you might find. Comment at this thread so we can roll for your chance of success. And don't worry if you don't remember what your odds of success/death/etc. are; if you decide to chance it, you can find the information on what all that entails, here. (Scroll down to the cornucopia and death roll sections.)

Plotting.
Since everyone is about to be at the same place at the same time, this is a perfect opportunity for some exciting things to happen. We have a thread started for anyone who wants to discuss new plots for within or outside of the Arena, here.


Gamemakers [Mods].
Any arena-related questions, comments, concerns are also welcome in this thread at any time.

As always, we here at The Games would like to wish you a very happy Hunger Games!

May the odds be ever in your favour.