Harrow - District 11

Name: Harrow
Age: 15
Gender: Male
District/Area: District 11
Appearance:

Standing at 5’6”, Harrow is a stocky, dark-skinned young man with an air of sanguinity about him. His hair, worn short, has the texture of a sheep’s wool. Harrow’s eyes are a plain brown, and under the left is a small scar from a work accident. Contrary to his physical features, Harrow has quite a high voice, and not a very resonant one, at that. He smiles often, and his teeth appear to be at least decently well-kept for a person of his social status.

His clothing is typical of a District 11 worker, consisting of a dark, cheap brown fabric, with an occasional torn beige jacket if the weather calls for it. When sunlight or rain becomes an issue, he adds a straw sedge hat to his gear. Harrow’s belt not only has a silver buckle, but was woven by his mother; two reasons that the article is extremely precious to him. Its practical use is somewhat limited, however, by the fact that it rusts in water (compromising his rout if he wears it as he works). His posture is slightly slouched, which combines with his relaxed body language to give off the impression of a poor upbringing.

Personality:

Harrow is, first and foremost, a young, gentle spirit from District 11. He finds humility in his work, not disdain for the Capitol as some younger men do. Harrow is surprisingly optimistic for a boy of his status, and surprisingly creative for a boy of his wisdom (or lack of thereof). Not having much experience with the outside world, or personal issues beyond small arguments with friends, Harrow isn’t good with words, especially when articulating his feelings. His inability to express well is probably what makes him a follower by nature.

His conformity has done as much good for him as it has bad, though; he may not be a born leader, but he does manage to stay out of trouble. His talents are few. Strength and stamina are on his side, and he’s an incredibly hard worker. His creativity works in his favor- on his grain-carrying rout, the peacekeepers have allowed him to cut through a nearby stream to shorten his return trip for another sack and simultaneously cool off. Not only has Harrow taught himself how to swim this way, but also shortened his workday.

He has few friends, and doesn’t have many hobbies beyond collecting and pressing flowers. At one point, he tried painting them as well, but quickly discovered himself to be an awful painter. Though he cannot read, his memory is superb. In the event that he ever needed to memorize a speech, he would be more than capable, even though one composed by Harrow himself could never be particularly gripping. With those he’s extremely familiar with, he is able to at least speak his mind, but the only person he’s currently that close to is his mother.

History:

Harrow was born toward the outer rim of District 11, to a very loving mother and a very indifferent father. His father obsessed over moving up in society- something that wasn’t an ostensible talent of his. Fortune would constantly elude him, and he came to resent his place in Panem. Eventually, Harrow’s father turned to crime, without the knowledge of his family. Harrow himself, however, grew into a different sort of man altogether.

He worked not for himself, but in the earnest belief that he worked for the good of Panem. He would take it upon himself to think of more effective and innovative ways to help, albeit most of the time unsuccessfully when his suggestions were shot down by the strict and somber peacekeepers of District 11. He never resented them, though; they were only trying to do their jobs, just as he had been trying to do his own. It was also a small comfort to him that some of his proposals were permitted, including one that would allow him to swim through a stream blocking his path to speed his grain carrying.

When his father was executed for embezzling extra food, Harrow could only be ashamed of the man. The food that was taken was to be equally distributed across Panem, to the best of Harrow’s knowledge. That fact that someone would take more – within his own household, no less – frustrated him. He began signing up for tesserae to legally acquire the amount of food his family’s become accustomed to, and has continued to work as usual since. The Hunger Games have begun to frighten him, especially since he will be eligible for close to half a decade to come.

Codeword: <img src="http://i41.tinypic.com/16h2ibt.png">
Comments/Other:

It was a challenge making a character in Panem’s setting on its own, let alone a poorer one under an oppressive government. However, because District 11’s culture had some definition, I did have a basic look for him in mind already, and didn’t have to spend an hour on names because I knew I would have more success looking up farming implements. Initially, he was created because I heard about a severe lack of active District 11 males, but I believe I’ve produced a likable, flawed, and maybe even compelling character.