83rd Bestarium Vocabulum

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

large, flat-faced, loud cry

HP: 15

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

One thing history will teach you is this: to cross paths with an alarm owl is to give up any chance of remaining unseen by whoever, or whatever, you are trying to hide from. What this mutt lacks in terms of direct physical threat, it more than makes up for in its ability to draw attention to anything near it. While it has been only designed to send out alert of your presence, it would be in your best interest to get rid of it sooner rather than later.

ATTACKS USING: N/A [alarm roll]

THREAT LEVEL: 3/10

While annoying and certainly capable of sending more dangerous foes your way, the alarm owl's disinterest with attacking makes it less of a threat.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

floating balls of fire

HP: N/A

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

The appara certainly has a strangeness to it, and leaves many questions unanswered. How does it float? What is the point of its existence? Little is known, but we do know it has never shown violent tendencies and, instead, tends to be drawn to living things during the night, floating around them to help them see. Could make for some really awe-inspiring highlights in the days to come, for sure.

ATTACKS USING: N/A 

THREAT LEVEL: 1/10

Purely aesthetic, nonviolent, and even useful at times.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

bipedal when moving, sticky

HP: 7

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

The name Croaker has a double-meaning. One is the signature, higher-in-pitch-than-normal noise they make, and the other is because of their lethal skin. The creatures themselves are nonthreatening. They possess no real weapon, but they are quite the curious creatures, and thus have had a tendency of jumping on people and leaving acid burns in their wake. In large numbers, they could be threatening, but simply steering clear of them is your best bet if you wish to walk away without any annoying burns.

ATTACKS USING: acidic skin [fire roll]

THREAT LEVEL: 3/10

Due to only being incidentally dangerous, croakers could be easily avoided so long as someone keeps an eye out for them.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

rodent-like features, small, quills on their backs may be covered in wax, and also may be on fire.

HP: 12

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Corcupines are just cute enough to make you want one, but make no mistake: they can be completely brutal when they need to be. They naturally secrete a wax-like enzyme from the tips of their quills, and have the ability to heat them to the point of catching them on fire before shooting them at foes as a defense mechanism. Definitely tread carefully, lest you wind up with a singed eyebrow to accompany your newly blinded eye.

ATTACKS USING: Flaming quill [fire / arrow ] 

THREAT LEVEL: 5/10

Too small to receive anything higher, but still to be taken seriously, as they can dish out a healthy amount of damage before being disposed of.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS: Root-like plant, black, leathery, damp

HP: 30

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Though Dante's Ivy has been around since the Dark Ages, it was only as recently as the 77th Hunger Games that scientist and Junior Gamemaker Hades Lochlan was able to successfully repurpose it for the arena. The ivy is fast-acting, and will attempt wrap itself around pray before consuming it. Typically, its diet is made up of birds, squirrels, rabbits, and other small game, but there have been reports of deer and livestock being overtaken by these sinister vines.

An easy trick to remember: Dante's Ivy is repelled by sunlight. It is a nocturnal plant, and requires moisture to hunt. If you come across a patch of it in the day, it'd be wise to set fire to it while you still can.

ATTACKS USING: vines [whip]

THREAT LEVEL: 4/10

Though Dante's Ivy is to be taken seriously, being aware of its presence and keeping a watchful eye is usually enough to remain safe.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

Canine, two-headed, roughly the size of most domestic dogs.

HP: 25

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Making its arena debut this year is the duowolf, a two-headed canine with a mean streak. They are a highly aggressive predator species designed so that the bite will always accompany it's signature harmony howl. Both heads are more than capable of taking a chunk out of prey, so never underestimate them. Though they are intimidating and skilled hunters, their health is only about half of a fully healed tribute, meaning a few calculated swings and some luck could get them out of your hair with relative ease.

ATTACKS USING: claws / teeth x2 [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 6/10

While having two attacks does set the duowolf apart, two minds working with one body can make it easily confused, and its hp isn't high enough for it to be quite as intimidating as a dart jaguar.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

Spherical, grows in clusters, powdery to the touch, gray-blue color.

HP: N/A

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Already making a name for itself ever since its appearance in the 79th, the dream spore is a terrifying threat that isn't quite so easily avoided. One misstep and your tribute will release thousands of tiny grains that, when inhaled, cause the user to hallucinate. What you might not know is that dream spore does actually have some very good medicinal properties, and there are forms of it used in street drugs. The games edition, however, is designed purely to create fear.

ATTACKS USING: hallucinogenic spores [randomized roll]

THREAT LEVEL: 5/10

Though it does not technically pose an immediate threat, dream spore can inhibit a person's ability to fight properly, and should be treated with caution.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

Golden scales, larger than the average bat

HP: 15

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

The goldenbat was ordered by Gamemaker Minerva Hale specifically, and it reflects her interests quite well. She's always had a fondness for the winged creatures of the night, and she's also had a fondness for the finer things in life. Thus, a bat with golden scales was created. They've been genetically altered to be more aggressive, but perhaps the most difficult task of defeating these creatures in combat is breaking through the natural armor of their skin, which is already making a buzz in the fashion industry.

ATTACKS USING: teeth [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 4/10

Interesting to look at, and certainly capable of causing some pretty nasty bites, but ultimately not strong enough to receive anything higher than a sub=par rating.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

canine, huge, modified to be black and red for the 83rd.

HP: 35

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A favorite of Hunger Games past, the hellhounds's familiarity with an arena can be traced back decades. It is a lethal combination of canine and alligator features, and its intimidating size and general ferocity are just the cherry on top of an overall terrifying creature.

If you see this creature, don't bother running, don't bother hiding. Once it has you in its sights, the best thing for you to do is make the first move and hope you'll live to tell the tale.

ATTACKS USING: claws / teeth [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 8/10

Large, hard to kill, but general awareness of this mutt might make it, if only a bit, more easy to handle.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

small, humanoid, wearing a gas mask, capable of limited social interaction

HP: 15

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

It has been more than half a decade since the Hollows were first introduced to the games back in the 77th, and nothing has come quite as close to causing chills to run up and down one's spine. As if the supposed backstory of these robotic children isn't frightening enough, seeing them in action is a truly horrible sight to behold.

ATTACKS USING: various weapons

THREAT LEVEL: 6/10

When alone, a hollow can be dealt with easily enough, but could travel in packs. Mix that with the fact that we can never be sure about exactly which weapons they may have on hand, and they're just unpredictable enough to be considered a true threat.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

tiny, white, vaguely humanoid, mostly featureless.

HP: N/A

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Kodoma have, historically, caused some all-time favorite games moments to happen. And who would doubt it? They're just strange enough to be interesting, and cute enough to make you wish you had one! These creatures have never shown violent tendencies in the past, and we don't believe they'll start these games, but we included them regardless.

ATTACKS USING: N/A

THREAT LEVEL: 1/10

Despite several appearances over the years, kodoma have never proven to be of even the lest bit dangerous.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

Crackling static noise, slight zaps when they land on you, glow yellow

HP: 5

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Allegedly, this creature came about after one of the gamemakers, undisclosed as to which, wondered what it would be like to lie down, look up at the night sky, and watch a lightning storm take place without any fear of being struck. The lightning bugs are electrically charged, and early reports claim they are attracted to electrical outlets and have a tendency to chew through wiring. Normally, they posses only a bit of static strong enough to zap a person just a little. But once they're charged up after feeding, they can be more of a hassle.

ATTACKS USING: stinger [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 4/10

Conditions for them to be truly dangerous are limited, especially in an arena.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

gigantic spider???

HP: 30

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

You've seen it, you've shivered, you've instinctively felt like something was crawling up your legs. That's because the macromantula is a truly fear-inspiring creature. Its huge size makes it more difficult to overpower, its high health makes for a lengthy battle, and if you go and get bitten by one, you'll have to get your hands on an antivenom before the poison reaches your heart and you die. Yikes.

ATTACKS USING: teeth [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 8/10

Tried and true, we've seen what it can do before and I'm sure it won't disappoint this year! Its towering size and potential for poisoning its targets sets the standard on what a mutt could and should be doing.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

chunks of missing feathers, rancid smell, gurgle-like caw

HP: 10

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

As discovered when they were first introduced in the 81st, plagas are much more intimidating when travelling in flocks. They appear to be sickly, and its no secret that their saliva can cause some seriously lethargic side effects. Victims have reported fatigue, aches, oozing wounds, heightened emotions, and an increased appetite, to name a few. And the severity of these side effects completely depends upon where on the body the victim was bitten.

ATTACKS USING: beak [knife] / talons [spiked blunt]

THREAT LEVEL: 5/10

Fighting them in small amounts may be easy enough, but the side effects make plagas an adversary worthy of recognition.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

it's a porcelain-skinned lion, so...

HP: 10

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

In a world where aesthetic rules over necessity, the porcelion is saying "MOVE OVER, DELIVERY WORD!" It is programmed to do the exact same thing as delivery words and then some. IF you feed your porcelion something like jewelry, it'll keep it safe for you. Well, as safe as it can what with being made of glass, and all. But it is also mostly docile, and will usually only attack if attacked first. So, consider this before deciding if you want to risk finding out what one is carrying inside its stomach.

ATTACKS USING: teeth [knife] / claws [spiked blunt]

THREAT LEVEL: 2/10

Being made of glass makes it pretty difficult to imagine this creature being a real threat, pardon using the shards of its own body as a weapon, which we don't see happening.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

roughly the size of a human hand, vibrant blues and purples, may be disguised as a flower

HP: 10

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

These masters of disguise are quickly becoming a staple, appearing in numerous arenas since their debut in the 79th's fantasy-driven arena. They are a statement piece, really: ferocious little things with a potent sting. Luckily, they aren't poisonous, but that doesn't make them any less painful to deal with.

ATTACKS USING: stinger [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 3/10

While their stings are very painful, they have no toxins and, as they are relatively small, do not posses other ways of fighting.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

looks like a teddy bear except it's alive

HP: 15

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Who remembers these little guys from the 65th? Remember how cute we all thought they were? They just look so, so huggable, don't they? Go on, try it! Let us know how it goes for you!

Kidding, please don't sue us.

The teddy bear is, by all intents and purposes, still a bear. Being small makes it easier to handle, it's true, but it is still a bear. Trust us.

ATTACKS USING: teeth [knife]

THREAT LEVEL: 4/10

Small mouth, big bite.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

other than a pair of glowing red eyes, they look exactly like a tree.

HP: 25

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Perhaps the biggest threats are the ones we don't see coming. Weaponizing, let's say, a tree for instance, upsets the balance and causes a lot of confusion. Trevenant are quite the talented little creepers, and they certainly have more than enough capability of defending themselves should someone dare to try and cross them. Keep your eyes peeled when choosing a tree to climb for your own safety; the tree might have been put there specifically to ruin your safety.

ATTACKS USING: tree limbs [spear]

THREAT LEVEL: 6/10

Not knowing where this creature is, or when it will appear, makes it highly dangerous. But it is also rather slow-moving and its bark (hehe) is typically worse than its bite.

IDENTIFIABLE TRAITS:

winged equine, looks boney, has leathery skin

HP: 35

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

If you're looking for something to give you an existential crisis, this guy is your best bet! The lure about an unsaid being the personification of all a person's lost thoughts and dreams is deeply depressing as it is. Never mind that it comes with a twelve foot wing-span and sharpened hooves!

ATTACKS USING: hooves [knife] and tail [spiked blunt]

THREAT LEVEL: 7/10

If it had a little more meat on its bones, we are sure the unsaid would go down as one of the greatest of all time. But as it stands, they're a little too easy to kill.