Welcome to District Thirteen

[pogue]

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You don’t know how long you’ve been in these forests.

The cool taste of metal still sits on the edge of your fingertips, leftover remnants of the District fence you peeled back in the dead of the night in your grand escape. You shudder as you think of it now, how distant the memory feels and how ice seeps in from the edges the more you recall it all. The beads of sweat that collected on your forehead in nervousness, the last look of a place you could never call home sitting silent in the wake of the seventy eighth hunger games, the feeling of triumph as you slipped into the open forests, everything you had ever owned slung across your shoulder.

Such a short lived victory, such misplaced confidence. Your own body agrees, desperate growl of a stomach hardly fed pulling you back from the safety of your own memories.

A world like this is not kind to a person like you, you’d discovered that soon enough. And now you walk, aimlessly wandering an arena of your own making and you are the tribute, a life thrown into the void and gone too early. The steps you take grow sluggish, slow, body fighting a hopeless war. When you finally fall, cool grass your coffin, you practically welcome it, counting the spots on the edges of your vision.

The last thing you feel before the darkness takes over is a pair of hands clasped against your shoulder.

The first thing you feel when you awaken, choking on your own breath, is wonder.

Your new world greets you with the brightest view you have ever seen, sterile walls a contrast to the green arena you had been wandering in for so long. The people come in groups, carrying devices you have never seen before and assuring you that everything is going to be alright. A man in grey leans over you as he wraps a device around your arm, vitals on the screen in the corner flashing in the process. His blue eyes sit stark against the fluorescent lighting of the ceilings above, catching your gaze.

“Welcome to Thirteen, kid.”

O O C

District Thirteen is now overhauled!

The district is now under new management with two new presidents who have begun to deliver and impose their new political policies. We've tried to create a whole new world for you to explore as writers, with a bunch of exciting plotting opportunities announced and even more on the horizon. We wanted Thirteen to be reborn as a bustling hive of activity where it is no longer neglected, but is instead a thriving society who are constantly under threat from the Capitol, leading to an action packed future for all of its citizens. It is highly focused on nuclear development and the creation of a strong army who are able to withstand constant uncertainty and potential turmoil.

This announcement and the background information for Thirteen that we will be posting here is to help provide a detailed backstory for you to use when creating characters in Thirteen, but feel free to expand beyond this as we don't want to limit anyone's plotting capabilities! Where your character stands amongst all of this is up to you — whoever they are, whatever they do... history is about to be made.

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[Azalea]

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N O T A B L E    P A S T    E V E N T S

THE LAST SUNSET AGREEMENT

As the Dark Days drew to an end and the Capitol’s hold over the Districts gradually came back into place, District Thirteen’s hostile nature continued to threaten the safety of the Capitol and the Districts themselves. In the face of a catastrophic nuclear exchange that could happen at any moment, President Snow covertly struck an agreement with the President and Council of Thirteen behind closed doors, which has come to be called the Last Sunset Agreement.

Under the terms, Thirteen would retreat to the Underground under the cover of the District being destroyed by Capitol forces. This retreat would include an all encompassing nonaggression pact from Thirteen’s standpoint, as well as an agreement to completely conceal its existence to its fellow Districts. In turn, the Capitol would provide District Thirteen with the necessary means for the creation of its vast underground areas, as well as a set amount of food and water rations supplied to Thirteen by the Capitol itself. Aside from yearly check-ins by Capitol representatives, Thirteen would be left to its own devices.



INCREASING CAPABILITIES

Between its initial creation and the sudden transition of power following President Snow’s death during the 85th Games, Capitol surveillance and monitoring of District Thirteen gradually decreased. The nuclear district took full advantage of this thinning surveillance, using it to gradually increase both its military power and nuclear capability, as well as create and maintain several Academies for the youth of Thirteen, aiming to turn a District that had been forced underground into one where every citizen was granted the skills to continue not just its survival, but help it to thrive.



COVERT SUPPLY TRADING

Prior to the abrupt transition of power that came with the 85th Games, District Thirteen had been able to take advantage of the thinning Capitol surveillance requirements to strike up a trade agreement between themselves and District Six, under the term of mayor Calliope Bloom. Directly violating several standings of the Last Sunrise Agreement, this bold maneuver eventually came to an abrupt end upon the loss of re-election of Mayor Bloom. In response, the Capitol immediately greatly reduced the ration supply loads sent to Thirteen monthly, leading to a critical lack of supplies, food and water for the citizens of Thirteen.

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[pogue]

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T H E I R   R I S E   T O   P O W E R

Past presidents made promises that were not kept, leading to discontent amongst Thirteen’s citizens. Additionally, they struggled to balance Thirteen’s immense weaponizational strength, growing military, and exploding population due to large waves of wanderers immigrating to the underground district. To sum it up, past presidents failed to exercise their power in a way that satisfied the people and it was no secret that they would be ousted by the time the next election came around.

Thirteen’s people were seeking something stronger - policies to better themselves and that would withstand not only the test of time, but intensifying Capitol threats. Growing civil unrest meant that the new candidates needed to be bolder and braver than ever before, resulting in a divisive split, separating militia management from presidential power. Previous presidential attempts were seemingly ineffective and faulty at best, so the new political agenda dedicated itself to strategically manoeuvring and maximising the power of the people’s freedom and their restraints. It was decided that one president would be devoted to the people and one president would be devoted to the people’s protection - a manifesto that proved successful in winning the favour of Thirteen’s citizens.

Nova and Cormac Verlice were thus elected to power and proposed big changes to the societal structure of District Thirteen. The Verlice siblings found themselves at the top of Thirteen’s hierarchy and were determined to prove they were worthy and unafraid of the power that came with their co-presidency.

Since their rise to power, the Presidents have handled changes with swiftness and attention to detail, quickly addressing the major problems plaguing Thirteen and taking opportunities to advance and evolve the District itself.


REDUCED IMMIGRATION

Thirteen’s borders have closed for the time, plateauing the immense population growth while Thirteen regains itself and realigns its priorities.


INCREASED QUARANTINE

In addition to reduced immigration allowance, wanderers and other refugees are undergoing much more intense questioning procedures. Whether they make it out of a Thirteen’s Isolation Facilities and are allowed to join Thirteen again is anyone’s guess…


SEE EVIL, HEAR EVIL, SPEAK EVIL LAW

Encouraging the reporting of illegal activities, reducing the outbreaks of fear and crime that had risen through past President’s terms.


AAA (ARMAMENT ACADEMIES ACT)

Although initially military and survival focused in its creation, Thirteen’s focus on its military had gradually dwindled after its creation. However, with the new rise of Cormac Verlice, mandatory military terms for the youth of Thirteen have been increased and expanded, with a larger focus of resources put into the strengthening of Thirteen’s military academies.


THIRTEEN PLUS ONE PROJECT

Increased nuclear bomb construction has started, under the guise of weaponizing Thirteen to its full strength again. Whether this turns out to be necessary is up to chance.

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[Azalea]

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S O C I E T Y

The way of life in District Thirteen is one that pulls together skepticism, self-survival and community spirit. There is a feeling of unison that comes from having a common enemy in the form of the Capitol, despite the District’s dependency for food and water supplies. These rations can dwindle at times and apply pressure on Thirteen’s population which has resulted in an increase of underground farming in order to create some self-sufficiency, though, it is nowhere near enough to support the District as a whole or facilitate its growth.

Thirteen’s main square is a bustling hub of activity with a mix of markets and housing. Families of all kinds live in these parts - there are children as young as twelve donning the official uniform from the Academies, watching over the District’s central hive to ensure order is maintained; they stop in their march to give a salute at midday exactly, turning their heads to the nearest presidential poster as a way to show their respect. Beyond this rather uneasy sight, there are the usual suspects: butchers, bakers and corner shops who attempt to flog you various wares from their never-ending collection of tat. The atmosphere is seemingly friendly despite the military presence, with a mother’s meeting happening outside a market stall and a family catch-up happening both here, and there.

Society, as a whole in Thirteen, has been brainwashed. There is a false sense of autonomy that has been instilled by the District’s leaders. This has perhaps stemmed from the particular political focus on fighting for a freedom that does not exist - thus lulling unsuspecting individuals into believing they have utmost sovereignty. Courage and sacrifice is encouraged when fighting against the common enemy, creating an appreciation for their perceived independence from Panem. This patriotism paired with the hive mind mentality established by Thirteen’s citizens has led to an ideology of strength and resilience; if they continue to push through whatever bad times lurk ahead together as a nation, it will be beneficial for all.

A detention centre system for individuals who offend is in place. Whether you’re a wanderer who has wandered into the wrong parts or a threat to the status quo enforced by Thirteen’s militia, there is certainly a place for you in the deepest, darkest parts of the underground city. People who find themselves here will be under strict surveillance from academy graduates so acting up or planning to escape is not a good idea - you could end up dead. After a lengthy period of imprisonment, these individuals undergo a process of rigorous rehabilitation to ensure they are a rule-abiding citizen of Thirteen going forward. Offenders often find themselves a place amongst Thirteen’s military ranks, turning their once petty crimes into a more substantial fight for freedom.

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[pogue]

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T H E   A C A D E M I E S

Under the constant threat of Capitol recapture, numerous training facilities came to life soon after District Thirteen’s underground facilities creation. Initially created to house and supply the remaining military forces of Thirteen leftover from the constant fighting of The Dark Days, it wasn’t long before District Thirteen’s militaristic and defensive priorities led to more and more funds directed towards these military and defensive facilities. As Thirteen settled and a new generation of youth were born into the underground, the patriotism associated with being the only District to earn its freedom and the learning of Thirteen’s history (however revised it may have been) led to many youth striving to serve in the protection and safety of Thirteen. What resulted was a period of rapid expansion and growth, marked by the rise of a myriad of different military academies for the youth of Thirteen, training them in the skills of both survival as well as warfare, framing service to the District as a badge of bravery and honor. It wasn’t long before mandatory military service for the youth of Thirteen was put into law, met with widespread approval from the citizens themselves.

As time went on, the numerous facilities and academies narrowed and thinned, eventually settling into two distinct entities: Kostas and Ames Academy. Named after two notable heroes of the wars of the Dark Days, these two academies quickly rose in respect amongst the citizens of Thirteen, with many of Thirteen’s citizens considering them with high prestige. The continuous rise of these two Academies naturally allowed an intense yet friendly rivalry between the two schools to form, emphasized and encouraged by the militaristic culture that had grown in Thirteen since its creation. The Academy’s close proximity to one another as well as numerous opportunities to display their respective dominance over the other has only served to grow this rivalry, leading to distinct showings of pride by many of the youth of Thirteen who enter such Academies.

Although military and academy recruitment numbers remained steady, the intense patriotism that birthed the academies gradually began to waver throughout the decades. However, with new transitions of power throughout the last ten years came a larger influx of propaganda and recruitment material aimed at returning to form the mentality of Thirteen’s youth, using the difficult times the District had fallen into to augment the need for Thirteen’s military to strengthen itself. As a result, the Academies have quickly grown again, resembling what they once were at the time of their creation.

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[Azalea]

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D I S T R I C T   M A P

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