Muttation List

Note One: This is a running list, and will be edited as the days progress, so as to not spoil the surprise of other arena locations.

Note Two: A big thanks to Lulu is in order, as the volume of new mutts I envisioned for this Arena is too massive of an undertaking for one person to do alone and I could not have done it without her help.

Muttation List

Night Viper — (swamp, bog, marsh, creek) Initially, this Owl/Viper/Firefly hybrid was developed to help track rebels at night more efficiently than its mutant cousin the Alarm Owl. The Night Viper’s venom is highly visible at night, containing an altered form of the enzyme luciferase, which gives fireflies their trademark glow. This venom is still highly toxic, tagging enemies in order to make them very easily seen at night, though does not kill for several hours, letting tagged rebels lead the Capitol right back to their bases. The issue with these mutts, of course, is that they don’t really distinguish between rebels and the Capitol forces, and will attack anyone indiscriminately.
Poisonous. No food classification. 15hp.


Riverbat — (swamp, bog, marsh, creek) At first glance, this river otter/vampire bat hybrid appears to have inherited nothing from its flying ancestor - at about three and a half feet from head to tail, with a thick brown pelt that repels water, this creature appears to be almost an exact replica of the traditional otter. There are a few differences, though. For one, this muttation has a pair of sharp fangs that, although not poisonous, can still inflict a pretty mean bite. For another, these mutts are indeed blind, as are bats at birth. Also in common with bats, though, the Riverbat has the uncanny ability to echolocate, particularly beneath the water - tributes, be wary of stepping in, for a Riverbat will more likely than not find you and decide your flesh would be a tasty treat.
Not poisonous. No food classification. 20hp.


Crocaconda — (swamp, bog, marsh, creek) The Crocaconda is a very large snake with the head of a crocodile. Its coloration is that of murky water, allowing it to blend in to its natural habitat. Its sleek muscular body is great for swimming and quick movement in the water, although it is cumbersome on land. The Crocaconda was used for attacking and harassing small boats close to the coast or in rivers. It is able to get close to the boat unnoticed and go right over the side to pull people into the water. The large mouth and stomach of the Crocaconda, coupled with their exceedingly slow metabolism, in theory, made it a good way for the Captiol to transport secret goods from point A to point B; however, the reptiles were not very good at getting to where the Capitol wanted them, often picking fights with other Crocacondas or getting sidetracked to snack. It is possible that some Crocacondas still have useful items stored in their digestive tract, but to find out would require them to be killed--no easy feat, considering their sharp teeth and tough skin.
Not poisonous. 35 hp. No food classification.


Spore Slugs - (swamp, bog, marsh, creek) Spore slugs were developed by the Capitol for gardening, as they eat mushrooms and other weeds. The fact that they ate weeds made them very popular until their overwhelming numbers forced the slugs to eat the plants which the gardeners intended to grow for food. They can survive off of most flora, but have an affinity for mushrooms. The slugs contain a poison that will slowly start to weaken the nerves until the target goes blind, always within a day. They are an inch long at most and their toxin is absorbed through the skin.
Poisonous. N/A HP. No food classification.


Ghull — (rotting forest, graveyard) While it does not closely resemble the “ghoul” it was modeled after, the Ghull has an taste for rotting flesh that rivals its folklore counterpart. This giant strain of seagull was bred over many years by not the Capitol, but actually by the scientists of District 6, who needed a safe and efficient disposal system for the numerous dead lab animals that their projects consume. The seagulls were already ferocious scavengers before vulture DNA was spliced in, creating the Ghull with an overwhelming urge for flesh — and not always that of necrotic carrion. Ghulls are especially drawn to blood of all kinds, regardless of whether it’s fresh or congealed or surrounding decaying flesh — their poisonous saliva encourages rapid necrosis so the birds can break down the food more easily. The good news is, like the seagull, while Ghull summon their fellows to join in the hunt if they spot a meal, they quickly turn on each other, fighting over the scraps. That doesn’t mean they aren’t a vicious foe, however; if one of these starts attacking you, remember to give the District 6 tributes an extra gash in thanks for being the source of these fiends.
Poisonous. No food classification. 15hp.


Grim Reaper — (rotting forest, graveyard) Created primarily to scare people, the Grim Reapers are only seen at night. Stealthily quiet in their movement and outfitted with black robes, Reapers are entirely too good at sneaking up on their prey. A grizzly mix of praying mantis, poisonous moth, lemur, and bat, these “Angels of Death” appear to be a floating cloak until they are close enough to lay their tiny hand on the shoulder of their victims. They secrete a toxin that both placates and drains their victim of energy until their heart fails to beat any longer.
Poisonous. No food classification. N/A hp (special dice roll.)


Hellcats — (rotting forest, graveyard) Though the name "Hellcat" was an attempt by the creating scientists to pull from the wild popularity of their canine counterparts, this feline certainly does look like a beast straight out of hell. With DNA borrowed from tigers, lions, and the extinct saber-toothed cats, this felid has a luxurious orange coat with black-maned males. Bred for aesthetic reasons as well as for the agility that their hound counterparts lack, Hellcats have eyes that span from amber to flame in color, ringed by a dark circle of black, as well as eight-inch fangs that protrude from their mouths at all times. These cats are excellent climbers and battle strategists; additionally, they have a great sense of smell, though not to the degree of the hound version.
Not poisonous. No food classification. 35 hp


Hellhounds — (rotting forest, thicket, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, graveyard) Though they’re called hounds, these nasty little creations aren’t just canine. They were created for one purpose- to shred- and the jaws are all alligator, with sharp teeth and the muscles to slam their jaws closed on a piece of prey and toss it around until enough pieces fly off to kill it. The name did come from somewhere, though, and the majority of this mutt is in fact canine in origin. The creature looks like a monstrous wolf- strong fighter, enduring runner, and so dark an earthy green as to appear black. Just to add to the disturbing color factors, the eyes are more vein than sclera, turning them red. (That, like the green tinge to their fur, was actually a defect caused by trying to use such specialized alligator cells; it was originally going to be bred out, but enticed such fear in the Hounds’ prey that it quickly came to be regarded as useful.) The ears are long at birth and need to be cropped to keep from flopping dangerously close to the teeth; that trait is from the bloodhound genetics that allow the Hounds to track their prey even when it seems impossible to do so.
35 HP. No food classification. Not poisonous.


Macromantula — (thicket, deciduous forest, coniferous forest) The intent was to create a larger species of spider, one that would spin thicker, stronger silk that could be used by the Capitol for various purposes. Capitol scientists were able to achieve this with the genes of a normal tarantula and some growth hormone; however, rather than the house cat-sized spider they’d been aiming for, they’d ended up with a massive brute of an arachnid, as tall as a small elephant with a legspan of over ten feet. These beasts were untamable; they would encase their caregivers in thick webs of silk, then inject their lethal poison into their bloodstream, killing them within the hour. After seeing how serious the problem was, the Capitolites decided that these creations could not be allowed to live; they managed to kill most, but some of the Macromantulas escaped into the wild, and continue to multiply deep within the darkest forests of Panem. Poisonous. No food classification. 30 hp.


Demo Deer — (thicket, deciduous forest, coniferous forest) The term "Demo Deer" — short for Demolition Deer — is actually a misnomer in the fact that these 'Deer' are not actually deer at all. Instead, this large species is actually a blend of moose and rhino DNA. These were developed to clear forests, fences, buildings, and the etcetera. They have giant antlers by their ears, as well as a large pointed horn in the center of their face. These 'Deer' have leathery gray skin, though have slender legs and a thin face. Not poisonous. 35 hp. Classified as Large Game.


Alarm Owls — (thicket, deciduous forest, coniferous forest) A blend of different owl species that, once it sees someone, will give a mournful, haunting hoot every five seconds. It follows the person around and hoots, while more alarm owls flock to the area, and all begin to hoot. They don't actually attack... but they can lead other predators to the area. These were initially developed to find rebel spies, soldiers, and the like and trail them until the owls made enough racket for them to be found.
Not poisonous. N/A HP. No food classification.


Pitfall Lizard — (falling sand, quicksand) Parts lizard, snake, and some trapdoor spider, this grotesque beast was originally designed to take out supply roads and other paths frequented by rebels. They were designed to dig networks of tunnels and caves under the specified area so it would collapse when enough weight was placed on it and perhaps kill the rebels involved with its lethal venom. However, these Lizards were deemed inefficient, given that their "traps" so to speak — nearly 25 feet deep, wide holes about two feet from the surface of the ground — did not always collapse, were not always dug in the right place, and were not always inhabited by a Pitfall Lizard to finish off any unfortunate being trapped. Like many of the muttations, the project was abandoned — however, few of the Lizards were actually found by the retrieval squads. These are completely inedible — even their bright orange eggs are poisonous. If you manage to get bitten, you have about three hours to live. Poisonous. 30 hp. No Food Classification.


Digitamole — (falling sand, moorland, heather field, prairie) As a means to rid roots of undesirable plants (like rebel food supply), the Rootnibblers would dig underground and basically eat any root - along with their invertebrate diet. The special Rootnibblers are given the name 'Digitamoles'. In the Hunger Games, they are modified, developing an 'acquired' taste for human toes. While hardly bigger than a beagle dog, they have extremely strong upper limbs, breaking through the earth and grabbing by the legs. Giving a thorough licking with long tongues, the dark-brown moles taste the shoe or toes, and their sharp teeth pierce any armor and munch off digits. They will take as many as they can, blinking beady eyes and blood smearing on their long snouts. They hardly look different from a normal mole, minus the detail of a white triangle on the back. They are mostly-blind creatures.
Not poisonous. 10 HP. No food classification.

Sphinx - (falling sand) Very much like its mythological counterpart, the Sphinx is a genetic fusion of lion, eagle, and ox DNA. This majestic creature was developed by the Capitol during the Dark Days for use as a tool in combat, a living weapon, so to speak. The majority of its genetic mix is that of a lion, giving it razor-sharp claws, vicious teeth, and graceful feline reflexes, making it a formidable predator with those traits alone. With the added trait of enough eagle DNA to give it huge, feathered wings and incredible eyesight, the Sphinx gains the advantage of flight at incredibly high speeds (up to 65 mph), allowing it to chase after its prey by air and track it with ease. Capitol scientists gave sphinxes extremely aggressive temperaments derived from the genetic code of male oxen, making them extremely territorial and easily provoked so that they would be absolutely ruthless in attacking the rebel soldiers they were created to destroy. As they grew practically impossible to control, however, the Sphinx ceased to be used for combat, and now prowls the arenas of the Hunger Games.
Not poisonous. 30hp. No food classification.

Pygmy Cattle – (moorland, heather field, prairie) One crazy Capitol scientist was working on a project attempting to develop cows that produced lactose-free milk, frustrated by his own lactose intolerance. On the front of it, his work seemed like a complete failure: the resulting cows produced no milk whatsoever, and, to top it off, were roughly the size of a house cat. However, the meat they produced was not only delicious, but the Pygmy Cattle were easier to keep in smaller spaces and produced much less in terms of byproducts. Unlike their giant counterparts, the miniature cows, however, are very skittish and actually burrow, much like rabbits.
12 hp. Classified as Large Game. Not poisonous.

Scorpion Mite — (moorland, heather field, prairie) Large (drones average 6 inches, but the queens are up to a foot long), brown and ugly, Scorpion Mites have a typical scorpion body other than the claws, which are mysteriously absent. Its tail is also flattened to the ground. The venom from stings is somewhat toxic and hallucinogenic; however, it can only sting once, much like a bee. Its mouth structure is similar to a termite's, but much longer and at least a hundred times stronger, enabling scorpion mites to eat through most biological substances, most types of rocks, and some of the weaker metals. While under Capitol control, the Mites worked in colonies that often numbered in the hundreds, although these groups splintered off for unknown reasons, and now more commonly form smaller packs of five to ten. They are a hive mind of some intelligence, but not comparable to human level. During the rebellion the Capitol would drop colonies of Scorpion Mites on rebel structures. They would usually consume the structure in a matter of hours, usually killing more than a few rebels in the process.
Poisonous. 5 hp. No Food Classification.

Jack Rattler — (moorland, heather field, prairie) This mixture of jack rabbit and rattlesnake was used primarily to distract rebels; Capitol soldiers would let one loose across a rebel’s path, so that its uncanny rattling sound would serve as an ample diversion, allowing the Capitolites to swiftly capture or kill the enemy. This worked for quite some time, until word of the rattling rabbit and the misfortune it brought passed around the rebels, and it became common knowledge that if you heard its telltale rattling, do not investigate; instead, keep on alert and run in the opposite direction as fast as possible. Frustrated with their failure, the Capitolites gave up on the creatures and allowed them to run amok in the wild as they pleased, and soon it was not uncommon to spot a rabbit with the tail of a rattlesnake in some of the warmer district climates. Don’t get too close, though; its snake genes give the Jack Rattler a pair of pointy, poisonous fangs and a bite that brings quick death.
Poisonous. No food classification. 12 hp.

Whip-Horned Buffalo — (quicksand) The Capitol scientists intended to create a breed of animals for riding that had the capacity to pick items up off of the ground while the animal’s jockey was still mounted. They initially intended to use horses, though the equine heads proved too narrow to support the pair of monkey tails added, so the Capitol settled on buffalo instead. The Whip-Horned Buffalo looks much like its American counterpart, the primary difference being the long tails that start at the base of each horn. It is slightly larger than the average buffalo, and those not born in captivity are temperamental, easily aggravated, and impossible to tame. It uses its extra tails as weapons, in addition to its horns and hooves. Not poisonous. Classified as large game. 35 hp.

Stegosaurus — (prehistoric jungle) It was only a matter of time before the Capitol discovered how to clone dinosaurs from the DNA of insects preserved in amber; to begin with, only a few of these creatures were created, and the Stegosaurus was one of the first. It is very much like its extinct counterpart, with the only exception being its smaller size; rather than stretching to 30 feet, the Capitol’s Stegosaurus is only 15 feet long from its head to the tip of its tail. Other than that, it is much the same, with two rows of spikes down its back, ending in a tail of deadly spines that could easily decapitate a human with one swipe. The Capitol’s dinosaurs did not initially serve a purpose; however, once the Hunger Games began, it was decided that perhaps they could be used in future arenas to give the tributes a nasty surprise. Not Poisonous. No food classification. 60hp.

Spitting Raptor — (prehistoric jungle) As a larger number of mutts than expected indicate, oftentimes the grotesquely Frankenstinian hybrid animals the Capitol sics on tributes are the result of a miscommunication, and the Spitting Raptor is a prime example. The Gamemaker who ordered this muttation had somehow envisioned a style of spitting lizard, hoping the scientists could resurrect some ancient creature like they did for the stegosaurus. The scientist, however, thought the Gamemaker was referring to the large birds of prey — a reasonable assumption, considering raptors’ fierce talons and predatory instinct — and simply borrowed glands from venom-spitting snakes, creating a dive-bombing, poisonous hunter bird. Poisonous. No food classification. 20hp.

Armored Sloth — (rainforest) The sad thing about the Armored Sloth is that it actually works exactly like it's designed to. Why on earth the Capitol scientists wanted to combine two of the slowest creatures is beyond anyone, but it does its job: that is, it drops out of trees and onto the heads of whoever is passing by below. Their shells and tough, scaly skin protect the Armored Sloths as they fall and their sharp claws make a good defense once they are on the ground. The trouble is, the sloths are exceedingly slow and can only make one attack in the time most other creatures make two. Not poisonous. No food classification. 55 hp

Dart Jaguar — (rainforest) Like many Capitol experiments, these beautiful mixes of jaguar and poison dart frog didn’t turn out the way they were supposed to. The idea was to create huge cats that could not only rip rebels to pieces, but also poison anyone who attempted to fight back. Unfortunately, no way could be found to make the cats excrete poison; the meat is inedible, and you’d better stay away from their bodily fluids, but their skin is safe to touch. They also lost the advantage of the jaguar’s camouflage; though their base coat is still tan, their spots have taken on the brilliant jewel-like colors of the frogs, making them gorgeous but easy to spot. Simple external contact with their poison is enough to paralyze any tribute for several hours; if it gets into your body, a painful death will follow within half an hour. (You probably won't make it that long, though, because most victims get torn apart and eaten long before that.) 30 HP. No Food Classification. Poisonous.

Brewbird — (vineyard) Created on a bet, the Brewbird was designed to ferment grapes into wine. This vibrant, flightless bird gets most of its genetic material from the peacock, though flamingo DNA makes the Brewbird slightly larger and gives them longer legs than than their non-mutated counterparts. The birds’ feathers take on the color of their diet, so most range from a wine-red to deep purple, though some are golden or light green from eating different varieties of grapes. Brewbirds live solely off of grapes, which are either directed to the stomach to be digested or to a separate organ where specialized enzymes derived from yeast rapidly ferment the grapes into wine. When completed, this is thrown back up. Most Brewbirds are trained to deposit their wine into a bucket or jug, and will do so if one is available. Not poisonous. No food classification. 20 hp

Grapemarker — (vineyard) The same scientist who created the Brewbird decided to open a vineyard that would run itself, using his creation as the help. However, the fermenting birds did not distinguish between good grapes and rotten ones, which resulted in the creation of very disgusting wine. Rather than give in and hire human help, the scientist developed another creature: the Grapemarker. These mutts are a mix of humming bird and dart frog that flit from vine to vine, injecting all of the bad grapes with venom that the Brewbirds can detect. However, the Grapemarkers grew very protective of the vines where they make their nests, and will viciously attack anyone who comes near, dive-bombing and attacking viciously with their beaks. Poisonous. No food classification. 10 hp.

Swallowfish — (hotspring, rocky pool) During the dark days, the rebels had a tendency to make their encampments near water. Because of this, Capitol scientists created the Swallowfish, a two-foot-long mutt with the combined genes of a gator and a piranha that had the capacity to swallow practically anything - namely invaluable rebel plans - and return it to Capitol spies waiting nearby. The main problem, though, was that the creatures would not consent to spitting whatever-it-was back out; the rebel plans would remain inside the chamber in the stomach of the Swallowfish unless surgically removed. Nowadays, the Swallowfish can be found in any body of water, large or small. The scaly, four-legged creature enjoys sneaking up on unwary beach-goers and gobbling up their belongings - and maybe their fingers, too, as an added bonus. Not poisonous. No food classification. 15 hp.

Carrollpillar — (hotspring, rocky pool) This unusual variety of caterpillar, unlike most of its counterparts, spends its entire life slowly smouldering, rather than working towards metamorphosis into a butterfly. The Carrolpillar is a vibrant blue, and its four-inch body houses a variety of chemicals, including several necessary for a combustion reaction that one kamikaze insect uses as a very effective defense mechanism when it feels that the Carrollpillar colony is threatened. Carrollpillars burn up stores of toxins in their bodies, which produce a broad spectrum of unpleasant effects in their victims, spanning from severe hallucinations to seizures or cardiac arrest. Poisonous. No food classification. N/A hp; separate dice roll.

Latch Crabs — (hotspring, rocky pool) Roughly a foot in diameter, this blend of king crab and spider has nearly indestructible armour and nearly indestructible silk. The thick, cord-like thread woven by Latch Crabs is like human hair in that virtually the only way to truly destroy it is by fire. This durable, flexible thread cannot be cut by any tool found in the arena, and actually acts as something of a fuse to the inevitable bomb that the Latch Crab is, given the high potassium nitrate content of its shell. The Latch Crabs are quite good at their designed job: latching on to a person and not letting go. Latch Crabs will exercise their iron grip on a person, gripping tightly so they can't be removed, and spinning an amount of silk — usually 30 to 50 yards — before they stop, trapping the person to the circumference of the circle that originates at a stationary object — typically a large rock. Latch Crabs cannot be fought nor pulled off. A favorite target of theirs is around the Achilles' tendon.
Not poisonous. N/A hp; separate diceroll. No food classification.

Balloon Jellies — (hotspring, rocky pool) These jellyfish are massive easily the size of a beanbag chair, and resembling a clear balloon filled with pale green jelly. For the most part, these giant jellyfish are mostly harmless — they feed off of zooplankton and do not actively engage in combat. If attacked, drifted in to, or otherwise provoked, however, these jellyfish can become deadly, and fast, by allowing some of their green inner fluid to seep out into the surrounding water. The core of the fish, the pale green goo, is the reason why these Balloon Jellies exist: the Capitol distills them for medicine — curing prostate cancer, to be precise. However, unrefined, the ooze is highly toxic, afflicting those that come in contact with a severe, if acute, poisoning. Balloon Jelly Toxin Syndrome causes excessive vomiting, which, in turn causes rapid dehydration, resetting the tribute's food and water counts to zero.
Poisonous. 8 hp. No food classification.

Tankard Rats — (cavern) Originally bred merely to be exploited by the Capitol as lab rats with a size more comparable to humans, the average Tankard Rat stands six feet tall when on its hind legs, typically between two hundred and three hundred pounds. The Capitol eventually dismissed the project, as the giant rats became too violent and impossible to control: they fought with each other, they attacked their captors, and damaged lab equipment. While they are no longer used as test subjects, the Capitol had a hard time eradicating the rats completely, as they took to living underground in tunnels and sewers. They are aggressive territorial, rarely operating in groups larger than pairs.
Not poisonous. 35 hp. No Food Classification.

Sabertooth Bat — (cavern) At first glance, Sabertooth Bats appear to be regular bats. They come in various shades of black, brown, gray, and even reddish-orange, and dwell in similar types of places. If you saw one flying at you, though, the difference between the two species would be immediately apparent: protruding out of the mouths' of these Capitol muttations are two poisonous fangs that grow up to six inches in length. The Capitol combined the genes of large fruit bats, long extinct Sabertooth Tigers, and even a particularly venomous species of viper to create a creature with a wingspan of up to 6 feet with superior night vision, perfect for tracking rebels who may try to run under the cover of night. Their one weakness, though, is that somewhere in the mix they acquired glowing eyes; if you spot a luminous pair of orbs in the darkness, you may just have a chance to escape.
Poisonous. 8 hp. No food classification.

Tumnus — (gemstone pit) Half goat, half monkey, and roughly the size of a young child, these mutts were originally bred to be highly efficient trash collectors. They have curly reddish fur, brown eyes, short pointed beards, horns on their foreheads, the lower body of a goat, and the torso of a primate. Combining a goat's predilection to eat nearly anything with a monkey's opposable thumbs and upper body climbing abilities, no debris was beyond their reach. The experiment was highly successful, particularly in colder climates, as their thick coats of fur would lead to heat exhaustion in warm weather. Unfortunately, it was discovered that they were prone to hoarding most of the parcels trash they collected and would become dangerously territorial when unsuspecting citizens wandered across one of their food hoards. They are otherwise mild-mannered and even somewhat friendly, although this is usually due to hopes that the person they're encountering will have something shiny and new for them to lay claims to.
Not poisonous. N/A hp. No food classification.

Hoarder — (gemstone pit) The gemstone miners of District One requested that the Capitol create a mutt to make their jobs easier, and so the Capitol scientists created the Hoarder, a burrowing animal with a mix of weasel and mole genes that had an eye for shiny things, particularly precious gems. Mining teams would receive their Hoarder - careful to keep it in a cage until it was needed, because they bite - and descend into the depths of the earth and release it to do its job. At first, they seemed to be an invaluable creation - however, it soon became clear that a Hoarder bite was exceedingly poisonous, possibly due to an unintentional addition of viper genes during the muttation’s creation. In addition, the creatures would not return the gems it found to the miners; instead, they would hoard them, earning their name. Immediately the production of these animals were called off, and it was decided that the remaining Hoarders would be an excellent addition to Hunger Games arenas, burrowing tunnels beneath the ground, searching for precious stones and occasionally coming up to nick a tribute’s district token for its collection and give him a sharp, lethal bite for good measure.
Poisonous. No food classification. 10 hp.

Honey Badger — (beehive) This Capitol creation is the embodiment of the word fierce. Though developed to handle insects — particularly raiding beehives for honey (hence the name) and demolishing Tracker Jacker nests — this nasty creature has no qualms about starting fights; in fact, it has no regard for any other animal whatsoever and will prey on just about anything it can get its giant claws on. Perhaps one of the most fearless animals ever to exist, particularly considering its relatively small size of roughly three feet in length, the Honey Badger doesn't seem to be fazed by the venom of any creature it encounters, be they snakes or Tracker Jackers or other insects. Honey Badgers are quite territorial and will attack without being provoked — though make no mistake, they will never feel threatened.
Not poisonous. No food classification. 25hp.