Getting familiar with these terms will ensure swift navigation through the chapters to come. - CM
Academy: A grand building reminiscent of the Training Center where tributes are trained to compete in the Hunger Games, often for honor, fame, and glory. Such potential volunteers are trained by strict trainers at the Academy, as well as in many cases, past Victors from said district. Up until the 74th Hunger Games, Academies only existed in Districts 1, 2, and 4. Later that year, Academy construction began in Districts 7 and 13. Those Academies would open several months before the 78th Hunger Games. A small Academy is erected in District 10 in 82 PR, though it is mainly to prepare tributes in case they're Reaped, not to produce volunteers. Following the 5th Quarter Quell, small Academies were set up in Districts 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 by the Victors from each of those respective districts. Those Academies, similar to the one in 10, were more so simply to prepare someone in case of them being Reaped, rather than to prepare them to volunteer for the Games.
Ancillary Games: An extra Games (hence "Ancillary" Games) whose Reaping takes place the week after the prior Victor's Victory Tour. During an Ancillary Games, tributes are selected from each district's pool of deceased tributes, who are then "resurrected" (while really, they are cloned using a sample of their DNA) to compete in the Games once more. Ancillary Games were originally designed as a way to further punish the districts for small revolts that take place now and then, but more often than not, an Ancillary Games will take place whenever the current President feels like ordering one.
Arena: The landscape where each Hunger Games takes place. This landscape can be any sort of environment, ranging from the common design of a deciduous forest, to a ruined city, to a harsh desert, to a replica of landscapes of the past. Arenas vary from Game to Game, though some arena designs are used commonly such as a deciduous forest or a ruined city. Arenas can be grand and complicated, or they can be simple. Harsh environments such as a tundra are usually unfavorable, as such environments will lead to a higher amount of bloodless deaths.
Bloodbath: The initial battle for supplies and/or control of the Cornucopia at the beginning of each Games. In every Games since their inception, tributes have died in the Bloodbath. Oftentimes, the Bloodbath kills anywhere from 8 to 13 tributes on average, usually all in the first 10 minutes of the Games. Bloodbaths usually end with the Careers (or another dominate alliance) taking control of the Cornucopia.
Cannon Fire: A cannon fires each time a tribute is killed, in response to their vitals going dead, which is recorded by their tracker. This cannon shot informs the remaining tributes that a fellow tribute has fallen. Cannons fire mere moments after a tribute dies. The exception to this is with Bloodbath casualties, when the cannons are held up until the final tribute has perished in order to avoid confusion. Cannons were introduced in the 8th Hunger Games.
The Capitol: The Capitol is the capital of Panem. It is the only part of Panem that is exempt from the Hunger Games. The various goods produced in all 13 surrounding districts are sent to the Capitol. The Capitol is the center of the nation's politics, as well as the Hunger Games. The Capitol is far richer than even the richest district. Its citizens usually lead glamorous, care-free lives of partying, shopping, lounging around, and of course, watching the Games.
Career Annihilators: A tribute (and often an eventual Victor) who manages to wipe out all six Career Tributes from the three classic Career Districts.
Career District: Any district that has a running Academy and produces Career Tributes. Districts 1, 2, and 4 were the original Career Districts, with Districts 7 and 13 later constructing Training Academies as well.
Career Tribute (Careers): A tribute who actively trains for the Games before volunteering to compete in them, most often for fame, honor, and glory. Career Tributes will often form an alliance among themselves, and hunt down weaker competitors once in the arena.
Chariot Rides: A pre-Games event where each pair of tributes is pulled in a chariot around the City Circle. Each pair is dressed in an outfit that represents their home district's industry. These outfits can be outright costumes such as mechanics from District 6, or they can merely represent district colors such as an elegant tan suit and dress for District 9's tributes. Some outfits are better than others, and some districts, such as District 12, are notorious for having bad outfits. The Chariot Rides were introduced in the 11th Hunger Games.
Congregation: An early pre-Games event during which the President of Panem would hold a simple party in an effort to welcome the tributes to the Games and give tributes an opportunity to meet one another. The Congregation was abandoned following the 7th Hunger Games.
Cornucopia: A metallic silver horn that holds all of the available supplies in each Hunger Games. The Cornucopia is often the site of the Careers' campground, the opening Bloodbath, and Feasts.
Dark Days: The times when, prior to the Hunger Games' inception, the 13 various districts of Panem rebelled against the Capitol. In the end, after a two-year civil war, the districts were defeated and the Treaty of Treason was written. The Hunger Games were hereby instated. Many people, Capitolite and district citizen alike, were killed in this war, called the First Rebellion (or, archaically, the Great Rebellion). Following the rebellion, living conditions worsened in all 13 districts.
Death Recap/Fallen Ceremony/Anthem: At midnight each day in the arena, Panem's national anthem is played throughout the arena as headshots of the fallen tributes are displayed in the sky in order of district. The ceremony usually lasts around two minutes (exception: various Quarter Quells). The death recap was introduced in the 8th Hunger Games.
Delta Leaves: Wild, rounded, green leaves that when combined with water, greatly reduce pain and severity of burns. Used as an ingredient in various burn medications. Commonly seen in arenas.
District: A state of Panem subservient to the Capitol that produces goods unique from all of the other districts. There are 13 districts of Panem (14 prior to the October's Upisings). All 13 districts are required to send their respective goods to the Capitol, as well as participate in the Hunger Games.
District 1: District 1 produces luxury items, nearly all of which either stay in District 1 or are imported to the Capitol. District 1 is one of the three original Career Districts, whose tributes are often seductive and skilled with spears, swords, and knives. District 1 is the weakest of the original Career Districts. They are the second richest district. Being one of the three original Career Districts, District 1 has brought home many Victors.
District 2: District 2 produces stonework (masonry), Peacekeepers, weaponry, handles all military efforts, as well as metals or anything molded from them (ie. bladed weapons or metal beams). District 2 is one of the three original Career Districts, whose tributes are often disciplined with a warrior mindset, are often adept with various weapons and brute strength. They are the richest district in Panem. Being the strongest of the original Career Districts, District 2 has brought home many Victors.
District 3: District 3 produces various types of technology that are needed across Panem. District 3 is a weak district, whose tributes may be adept with technology, traps, and problem-solving. They are the tenth richest district. District 3 has brought home a very small number of Victors.
District 4: District 4 produces seafood, sea vessels, and also takes care of sanitation and conservation efforts. District 4 is one of the three original Career Districts, whose tributes are often adept with spears and tridents, as well as being fast swimmers. District 4 is stronger than District 1, though weaker than District 2. They are the third richest district. Being one of the three original Career Districts, District 4 has brought home many Victors.
District 5: District 5 produces power, several power or heat-related electronics (ie. batteries), as well as studies meteorology and geology. District 5 is traditionally an average district, whose tributes are often adept with gadgets, traps, and electricity. They are the sixth richest district. District 5 has brought home an average number of Victors.
District 6: District 6 produces vehicles, tires, and other transportation-related items. Morphling is a district-wide problem, contributing to the district's poor performance in the arena. District 6 is a weak district, whose tributes may be adept with traps, vehicular engineering, and weaponry that they've become accustomed to using on the district's violent streets. They are the poorest district in Panem. District 6 has brought home a very small number of Victors.
District 7: District 7 produces lumber and paper products. District 7 is a strong district, whose tributes are often adept with axes, hatchets, and outdoor survival. District 7 is the second strongest of the original non-Career Districts. Months before the 78th Hunger Games, an Academy was opened up in District 7, thus beginning the district's transformation into a Career District. They are the fifth richest district. District 7 has brought home a decent number of Victors.
District 8: District 8 produces textiles and clothing. District 8 is an average district, whose tributes can be quick and deadly with weapons such as rope, knives, daggers, and pipes that they've become accustomed to using on the district's violent streets. They are the ninth richest district. District 8 has brought home an average number of Victors.
District 9: District 9 produces grains, wheat, breads, and alcoholic beverages (with the exception of wines and fruity drinks). District 9 is an average district, whose tributes are often adept with sickles, scythes, and machetes. They are the eighth richest district. District 9 has brought home an average number of Victors.
District 10: District 10 produces meats, dairy products, leather, and other livestock-related products. District 10 is a strong district, whose tributes are often adept with knives, daggers, and cleavers. District 10 is the third strongest of the original non-Career Districts. In 82 PR, a small Academy is erected in 10, and while it's mainly meant to prepare potential tributes in case they're Reaped, it produces volunteers on occasion. They are the seventh richest district. District 10 has brought home a decent number of Victors.
District 11: District 11 produces fruits, vegetables, juices, wines, and other fruity drinks. District 11 is an average district, whose tributes are often adept with sickles, scythes, and machetes. They are the eleventh richest district. District 11 has brought home an average number of Victors.
District 12: District 12 produces coal and coal power, and also takes care of disposal efforts. District 12 is a weaker district, whose tributes are often adept with pickaxes and explosives. In 86 PR, district legislation allows miners to enter the mines as young as twelve (though they're only allowed if they take out at least one Tesserae), thus giving potential tributes a bit of an edge. They are the second poorest district in Panem. District 12 has brought home a small number of Victors.
District 13: District 13 produces medicines, graphite, and manufactures explosives and some munitions. District 13 is a strong district, whose tributes are often adept with poisons, explosives, and medical knowledge. District 13 is the strongest of the original non-Career Districts. Months before the 78th Hunger Games, an Academy was opened up in District 13, thus beginning the district's transformation into a Career District. They are the fourth richest district. District 13 has brought home a decent number of Victors.
District 14: District 14 produced nuclear weapons and technology, as well as cobalt. The aboveground district was obliterated during the Dark Days, leaving 75 percent of the district's population dead within the hour. Another five percent survived, becoming severely radiated and mutated as a result of the attack, developing animalistic characteristics over time. The remaining 20 percent of the population managed to escape to an underground bunker where they were able to survive the attack. The district was left to fend for itself for over a century until it was assimilated back into Panem as their non-aggression pact ran out.
District Partner: A fellow tribute(s) hailing from the same district as a specified tribute, competing in the same Hunger Games. Most District Partner relationships are positive, and many result in either no-kill pacts or alliances. Following an incident in the 6th Hunger Games, killing one's District Partner without viable reason is taboo and to be avoided.
Escort: Each district's escort is a Capitolite who selects their assigned district's tributes for each Hunger Games at the Reaping. They also interact with potential sponsors and others involved in the Games, as well as keep the tributes on schedule during their time in the Capitol. Escorts who are lucky enough to escort a Victor will preside over the schedule of the Victory Tour as well.
Feast: An event set up by the Gamemakers during a Hunger Games, during which food and/or other supplies are set at the Cornucopia. Feasts take place when the Games have been slow, in order to draw the tributes together and induce a bloodbath. Feasts were introduced in the 13th Hunger Games.
First Casualty: The first tribute to die in a Hunger Games event, placing twenty-sixth (exception: various Quarter Quells).
Free Day: Free Day is a day placed between Training Day 4 and Interview Prep. During Free Day, the tributes are free to explore the Training Center and nearby areas, doing whatever they like throughout the day. They may not, however, attempt to leave the Capitol or kill themselves or other tributes. Free Day was introduced in the 20th Hunger Games.
Gamemaker: Skilled Capitolitian citizens who mold and control each Hunger Games event.
Groosling: A typically smaller game-bird, resembling a turkey. The meat of a groosling is greasy and fatty. Often spotted in wilderness around Panem. Commonly seen as a food source in arenas.
Haemotryn: Haemotryn is a poisonous berry that is crimson in color. After ingestion, blood vessels begin to rupture, causing internal hemorrhage. Red dots begin to appear on the skin. Soon after, blood vessels begin to burst, filing the body with blood, causing the victim to spew it from any available orifice. Convulsions are also common. Soon after this, the victim will succumb to the poison and blood loss. Commonly found in arenas, as well as in Districts 7, 11, 13, 12, and 10, as well as sometimes or rarely in other districts.
Harvest Festival: The final day of the Victory Tour, when the Victor returns to their home district for an extravagant celebration and feast in honor of their win. During the Harvest Festival and in the months to follow, the winning district is shown extra kindness by the Capitol, receiving larger portions of necessities such as clothing and medicines, as well as delicacies like sugar and candies.
Head Gamemaker: The Head Gamemaker is in charge of all of the other Gamemakers, and will act as their overseer. Head Gamemakers are also responsible for arena design, arena events or Feasts, as well as held accountable for the eventual success of the Games.
Hovercraft: A type of aircraft used throughout Panem, though mainly in the Capitol and District 2. They serve many purposes, including transportation, aiding in the Hunger Games, quick delivery of supplies (often in emergencies), and aerial warfare. In the Games, Hovercrafts transport the tributes to the catacombs of the arena, display each day's fallen tributes on a giant screen, retrieve fallen tributes' bodies via a claw-type mechanism, deploy sponsor parachutes, and collect the Victor of each Games from the arena. Hovercrafts are often manufactured in District 6, though some are manufactured in District 2 as well, especially those more so designed for combat.
Hunger Games: An annual (or, in years with Ancillary Games, semi-annual) pageant where 26 tributes, one of each sex from each district, must fight to the death until a lone Victor remains. This is the punishment instated by the Treaty of Treason for rebelling during the Dark Days.
Interviews: A pre-Games event during which each tribute is dressed up by their prep team and stylist, to go onstage and have an interview with the host of the Hunger Games in order to make an impression on potential sponsors. Each tribute has a predetermined interview angle with their Mentor, an angle they will abide by in order to gain sponsors. Interviews were introduced in the 5th Hunger Games.
Live Arena: A terraformed sports arena about 1.3 miles in diameter where the first seven Hunger Games took place. Capitolites were able to watch the Games play out in real time from the stands. Following an incident during the 7th Hunger Games, the Live Arena was abandoned, and replaced with a remote arena.
Mentor: A past Victor who gives tributes advice, suggests strategies, and helps gather sponsors. If a district does not have any living Victors to act as a Mentor, the Capitol will supply one. Or, in the case of the early Hunger Games, a rebel from the district in question is assigned to preside over their district's tributes.
Midnight Poison Dart Frog: A type of poison-dart frog that is almost entirely black in color, usually with streaks of silver on its sides and spots of white dotting its body. All of the frog's bodily fluids are laced with its poison. Common effects of this poison are muscle contractions, degeneration of tissue, paranoia, severe hemorrage, loss of sight/hearing, convulsions, and muscle spasms. Commonly found in the warm, tropical districts, such as District 4 and District 11.
Muttations (Mutts): A creature created by the Capitol and often used by Gamemakers that mixes human, animal, or plant DNA with any of millions of possible mutations. By doing so, this will change the creature's characteristics. Many Mutts are sent into the Games for the purpose of harming tributes, especially when the Games have been slow, though there are some Mutts that occupy arenas simply to serve as a food source. Muttations were first incorporated in an arena in the 1st Hunger Games, though the first instance of them being used to harm tributes was in the 5th Hunger Games.
Nightlock: A round, poisonous berry similar in color to a blackberry. Nightlock poison leads to the contraction of muscles (including the heart), which eventually slows the heart to stopping. How long death takes to arrive depends on the amount of Nightlock ingested.
Ninja Sphere: A small, heavy spiked metal ball invented in District 2 as a joke. Over time, the weapon unintentionally gained traction and popularity. The sphere is about the size of an orange. The wielder wears leathery gloves to ensure the safety of their hands. The wielder hurls the weapon at the victim like a game-ball. The impact from the hit as well as the spikes cause injury to the victim. Oftentimes, they're kept in packs which one can hook around their waist, similar to a quiver of arrows or a belt of throwing knives.
October's Uprisings: A precursor to the First Rebellion, the October's Uprisings began on the first of October, 21 years before the Dark Days. Several districts rebelled nationwide to varying extents, though District 14 was the most rebellious. Recurring revolts didn't end until the following October, a full year later. Thousands of district citizens perished as a result, and tensions were higher than ever throughout most of the country.
Outlier/Outlying Tribute: A tribute from a non-Career District that does not have any prior Training.
Outlying District: Any district that does not have a running Academy and a flow of volunteer tributes. Prior to the 78th Hunger Games, all districts besides Districts 1, 2, and 4 were considered Outlying Districts. Following the 78th Hunger Games, Districts 7 and 13 were no longer considered Outlying Districts, and District 10 was only considered as such to an extent.
Outlying District (2): A district that does not share a border with the Capitol.
Panem: Panem is the nation that the Capitol and its 13 surrounding districts encompass. Following several nasty global crises a few hundred years prior to the Dark Days, it is one of the only surviving nations on earth.
Prep Team: A team of three Capitolite beauticians who work in conjunction with their tribute's stylist. The prep team will do basic maintenance on their tribute, such as washing and shaving, and will also do things such as hair and makeup.
President: The ruler and overseer of all of Panem.
Private Session: Introduced in the 8th Hunger Games, on the fourth day of Training, the day is cut in half. After the tributes eat lunch, the Training gym is filled with the entire team of Gamemakers. Each tribute has 15 minutes to display whatever skills they like to the Gamemakers, and based on the tribute's showing, the Gamemakers will give them a score from one to twelve. One would be legendarily poor, twelve would be legendarily superior. This score is called a Training Score.
Quarter Quell: Every 25 years, a special edition of the Games is held to keep the memories of the Dark Days fresh in everyone's mind. During each Quarter Quell, a new rule change is used for that Game only. For example, the 1st Quarter Quell was that each district was to vote on the tributes. The 2nd was that each district was required to send twice as many tributes, two of each sex.
Reaping: The ceremony held in each district before every Game to decide on who the tributes shall be. Everyone is required to go, unless you're on death's doorstep. The Mayor first makes a speech, before reading their respective district's list of past Victors. The show is then handed over to the escort, who plays a short video detailing the Dark Days, before conducting the actual Reaping by selecting both tributes from their respective sex's Reaping Ball. Each selected tribute mounts the stage, and if there are any volunteers, that would be the time for them to do so. The escort will ask the tributes a few short questions before the Treaty of Treason is read, the tributes' names are announced once more, and are escorted into their district's Justice Building. Various Quarter Quells present a change to the Reaping process, however.
During an Ancillary Games, the Reaping is conducted in a rather similar manner. The only difference is that since none of the tributes-to-be can physically be there, a photo of the selected tribute in the arena will appear on the same screen that the Dark Days video is played on. Their name, age, Games, and placement will also appear on the screen. Due to the tributes not being alive at the time of this Reaping, volunteering cannot take place.
Runner-up: The tribute placing second in a Hunger Games event.
Sanguis Snake: Rather similar to a Boomslang Snake, though far more aggressive. A type of poisonous snake that is typically green and black, its scales seeming "shiny". It's long and thin, and its fangs are the same. The venom of the Sanguis Snake causes massive hemorrhage in the body, and the victim to literally bleed from every orifice in the body until death. Convulsions are common, and sometimes the victim's body will even turn blue, as a result of the internal hemorrhaging.
Solaris: A solar-powered firearm originally developed in District 5 that shoots a burning ray of light rather than bullets. Solarises are sometimes carried by Head Peacekeepers and other officials in case of an emergency.
Sponsor: A Capitol citizen (or sometimes a district citizen) who spends money in order to send a tribute of their choice a gift in the arena. This gift can be something necessary, such as medicine for a wound, or a luxury, such as a hot meal. Sponsoring was introduced in the 9th Hunger Games.
Stylist: Each tribute has their own personal stylist. This stylist works in conjunction with, and is in a way the boss of, their tribute's prep team. Stylists are responsible for designing outfits and looks during their tribute's time in the Capitol.
Tesserae: A supply of grain and oil that is provided to Reaping-eligible district citizens, in order for one extra slip in their respective district's Reaping Ball. One Tesserae is generally enough for one person to scrape by for the year, the small supply being delivered to the applicant's doorstep each month.
Training: During their time in the Capitol, four days are set aside for the tributes to practice whatever skills they like at the various stations in the Training gym. The fourth and final day of Training is cut in half, in order to provide time for the Private Sessions.
Training Center: The building that houses the tributes, Mentors, escorts, stylists, prep teams, and Avoxes before each Games. Each district has their own floor, with an apartment where the tributes, escort, Mentors, and two Avoxes reside during their time in the Capitol prior to the Games. The Training Gym is also in this building, as is the Styling Center; Each of those are in a separate wing of the building from each district's floor. Also attached to the Training Center are many attractions for Mentors, escorts, stylists, and prep teams to visit. Tributes may do so as well, during Free Day.
Training Score: The score (ranging from one to twelve) that the Gamemakers give each tribute based on what they show the Gamemakers during their Private Session. A low Training Score is considered undesirable, though it may be of use if a tribute wishes to fly under the radar. A high Training Score can attract sponsors, though it can also put a target on a tribute's back.
Treaty of Treason: A legal, political, governmental document that confirms the rebels' defeat in the First Rebellion, and hereby instates the punishment known as the Hunger Games.
Tribute: The participants in the Hunger Games. In regular years, there are 26 tributes, one of each sex per district, all between the ages of 12 and 18. Various Quarter Quells are exceptions to this.
Tribute Board: A physical scoreboard within the Live Arena informing the remaining tributes which tributes are alive and which ones are not. There are 13 Tribute Boards scattered throughout the stands of the Live Arena. The Boards were later replaced with the death recap.
Tribute Token: An item that each tribute is allowed to bring with them to the arena to remind them of their home district. One token is allowed per tribute. The token may not break the rules of the Games, nor may it provide a tribute with an unfair advantage. Following an incident in the 11th Hunger Games, tokens must be inspected and approved by the current panel of Gamemakers before entering the arena.
Tribute Tracker: A small device injected into a tribute's forearm that tracks both a tribute's current location and their vital signs. Gamemakers and Mentors can access this information at any given time. When a tribute dies, the tracker is the sort of go-between between the tribute's vital signs and the cannon. The tracker signals that it's time for the cannon to fire once the tribute's heart stops. Trackers were introduced in the 8th Hunger Games.
Victor: The Victor of each Games is the final tribute standing at the end of the Games; The winner, the champion. The only qualification to be the Victor is simply to manage to be the last one alive. After winning the Games, Victors are showered in fame and riches by the Capitol. Victors must make public appearances, attend each Reaping and Victory Tour throughout their lifetime, as well as act as a Mentor to future tributes from their respective district.
Victor's Village: A small village in each district where Hunger Games Victors move after their victory. These houses are more so mansions, and all 13 Victor's Villages are upscale, even compared to the richest district. If a district fills all 14 of the original houses in their Victor's Village, another 14 shall be built. No house of a deceased Victor may be assigned to a new Victor.
Victory Tour: After each Games, the Victor tours the nation in honor of their victory. Starting with the highest numbered district, they descend downwards in district number, visiting twelve of the nation's districts, while skipping the Victor's district and saving it for last. While touring the other districts, the Victor will be given a brief, brief tour, before giving a speech and attending a celebration and a dinner at the Justice Building. Following visiting the other twelve districts, the Victor will visit the Capitol for a speech and celebration, before returning to their home district to give another speech and take part in a celebration just as extravagant as the Capitol's.
Volunteer: A district citizen who willingly takes the place of the previously Reaped tribute during a Reaping ceremony. Reasons for volunteering depend on the scenario. Most often, it is because the volunteer is a Career Tribute. Other reasons for volunteering may include saving a loved one or a potential escape from poverty. Volunteering was introduced in the 2nd Hunger Games, though the first volunteer didn't come about until the subsequent year.
Weapons: An object or device with which a tribute eliminates others. There are always weapons within the Cornucopia. Some Games have an overwhelming variety of weapons. Others are more limited, such as a Cornucopia only containing various knives, or if an arena is inspired by a specific district.
Weapon of Choice: The chosen weapon(s) that a tribute is most apt with and chooses to wield in the arena. Some weapons of choice may have been chosen years prior to a tribute's participation in the Games, while others are chosen upon a moment's notice.