Muttation List

[Lulu]

Rancor - (Beast Pit) With a thick trunk the color of mud and algae, large front arms with giant claws, and with a hunched back and too-flat face, the genetic origins of the Rancor are entirely unapparent. One does not need to know which beasts the thirty-foot monstrosity is derived from, however, to know that they ought to fear it. While a leathery hide gives the creature some natural defense, the Rancor does not truly need it — after all, a cavernous maw with stalactites for teeth is all the defense necessary for the ill-tempered beast. Its two beady eyes look comically small in comparison to the fearsome mouth they sit above, and they seldom serve to pick up the low levels of light in the caves the creature is bred to dwell in. This is of little consequence, however, as the oblique nostrils between them are fine-tuned to the fear pheromones of the scores of animals the Rancor calls prey, and are powerful enough to find its marks from miles away.
80 hp. Not poisonous. No food classification.

Pitfall Lizard – (Throughout) 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.

Mormo – (Spire, Diamonds, Chasm, Cornucopia, Slime Mold) A small, wraith-like flying cat that wears a cloak of mist. This mutt was originally developed as a pet for a wealthy Capitol resident, before it became much too creepy for her to handle. After turning the mutt over to the Gamemakers, they made a few tweaks, including adding a vein of poison to its kitty claws. This is a quiet mutt, nearly silent in its attacks, except for the occasional hiss.
8 hp. Edible. Poisonous. Classified as small game.

Cave Rats - (Throughout) Many people will tell you that bats are nothing more than rats with wings. These mutts give truth to that statement. Originally developed to light the way underground so Capitol operatives didn’t have to carry lights with them, these rodents combine the hardiness and dexterity of rats with bats’ wings, and their tail is bioluminescent (courtesy of firefly genes). They are exceedingly stupid, however, and could not be trained, so the Capitol gave up on them and left them to the caves. They were actually meant to be cleared out of the Arena, but they’re a pain to dig out of their crevices when they don’t want to be found, so the Gamemakers threw up their hands and said to leave them. It’s not like they’re very useful anyway.
5 HP. Classified as Small Game. Not poisonous.

Latch Crabs – (Rapids, Mercury Lake) 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.
N/A hp. No food classification. Not poisonous.

Hellhounds – (Throughout) 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.

Sabertooth Bat - (Spire, Cornucopia, Chasm, Diamonds) 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.
8 hp. No food classification. Poisonous.

Tankard Rats - (Throughout) 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.
35 hp. Classified as Large Game. Not poisonous.

Digitamole - (Spire, Cornucopia, Chasm, Beast Pit) 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.
10 HP. No food classification. Not poisonous.

Spore Slugs - (Mercury Lake, Rapids, Slime Mold) 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.
N/A HP. No food classification. Not poisonous.

Pacifish - (Mercury Lake, Rapids) The Capitol's sewers, in recent years, became home to dangerous superbacteria, which would be recycled into drinking water, resistant to chemical extermination. The Symphurus Exocoetidae, nicknamed ‘the Pacifish’ for bringing peace, thrives in highly acidic waters and feasts on bacteria and other vermin. Highly attracted to light in the dark, Pacifish could be guided by with flashlights. Unfortunately, the Flying Fish heritage (which gave the attraction to light) gave them flight. The Pacifish’s streamlined body and powerful, large fins allow it to propel violently hundreds of feet through the air and attack with painfully-acidic bites when lacking animals to eat. Each Pacifish is 1.5-2 feet long and weighs about 5 pounds, ‘wingspan’ being 2-3 feet. Light in the dark is met with a Pacifish attack - sometimes with a school of them.
25 HP. No food classification. Not poisonous.

Night Viper — (Throughout) 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.

Nibblefish – (Mercury Lake, Rapids) Inspired by an old amazonian beastie, the nibblefish are quite voracious eaters--their sharp teeth are quite handy at ripping out flesh, and their aim when leaping out of the water is second to none. Unlike the piranhas that inspired them, however, Nibblefish were designed to have a small stomach and a very quick metabolism, giving them an insatiable appetite--so much so they may even turn to cannibalism when the food supply runs short. Despite this, they are a rather plump, if chewy fish if they are caught unaware--going into hunting mode (which is somehow different than self-defense mode) causes them to release a hormone that floods their cells with a toxin. (Must have completed Trapping station to capture.)
10 hp. Classified as Small Game.


Mutt Contest Winners

Congratulations to all the winners of the 68th Mutt Contest!


(Credit to Pogue)
Diamondfowl - (Diamonds) It was, by far, the most expensive luxury Capitol pet ever invented. Not settling for the beauty of a normal peacock, Capitol scientists and designers took it one step further by weaving the feathers of the Pavo with traces of diamond. The result was a truly magnificent creature, with an equally as magnificent price tag. However, when it was released to the market, it bombed, the price tag that came along with it pushing away even the most obsessed Capitolite. So it was recalled, killed off except for a select few. That is, until the 68th Games rolled around. Due to a rather eccentric and zany scientist, the Pavo has made it's (quite literally) triumphant return, except this time it's not just a pretty pet. To increase it's lethality, the feather's in it's tail have been sharpened to the point of darts, which can be launched by the mutt at any threat by whipping it's tail, all while looking beautiful.
20 HP. Classified as Large Game. Not poisonous.

(Credit to Kay)
Cobra Noctiluna - (Spire, Beast Pit, Chasm, Cornucopia) Often referred to as the Shadow Cobra, this is the beast you don't see until it's too late. Developed to weed out rats, vermin, and trespassers in the sewers beneath the Capitol, this mutt has a deadly sense of smell. While it is vulnerable in the light, in the darkness, it is king. In order to lure otherwise suspicious prey (such as rebel humans), the Capitol designed its flesh to be transparent, with twinkling glow-in-the-dark bio-luminescense running up and down its form. It can look indistinguishable from the normal sewer lighting, camouflaging itself until it strikes. Shadow Cobra can grow to be six feet long, but it is not the length of its body that kills. Each three-inch fang is tipped with venom, and it has three rows of fangs. This is a beast still used in the Capitol, designed for one job: to taste anything that crosses its path.
25 HP. No food classification. Poisonous.

(Credit to Loony)
Toxicants - (Diamonds) Developed for the tunnels of District 2 and 12, these genetically modified glowworms shine brighter than their counterparts. They were placed at calculated intervals to light the way for miners and workers. Now, they have been genetically modified with the ability to produce and spit acid at any tribute who has the misfortune to wander near their pod. They group together to form nests and balls of light that hang from the ceilings of their caves. They can spit acid that will burn your skin off, and may kill if left untreated for too long. There modifications allow them to spit as far as 20 yards, and make some serious damage.
5 HP. No food classification. Poisonous.