Marmaduke Melson, Victor of the 54th Hunger Games

Marmaduke Melson at the Age of 17

## Background

Marmaduke Melson was born into the privileged class of District Four to his parents, Augustine Melson and Marina Beecher. They ran a high quality seafood shop in District Four, buying the finest fish and aquatic plants that didn’t go to the Capitol to appeal to the wealthiest citizens of District Four. Expensive delicacies such as caviar, bluefin tuna, sushi grade salmon, and others would be sold there allowing them to profit greatly. Growing up, Marmaduke was required to get the best deals from fishermen, even occasionally hunting these rare aquatic treats extra profit. In the meantime, he also attended the Noelle Pentier Training Academy.

Although originally boisterous and social in his youth, his years of isolation in the ocean and in the back areas of his family’s restaurant made him quiet and observant. He was still known to be social amongst his friends, but he mostly stuck to his work and the small circles of people he already knew. He trained quietly, but made cordial acquaintances with people such as Shelle Moss, Jasper Volturi, Atlas Malraux, among others. He trained diligently and, although he was practically a loner, he was seen in a mostly positive light by his peers. He was determined to become a victor to help his parents and himself, as well as bring honor to Four. With the recent victory of Atlas Malraux in the 52nd Games and the high profile Quarter Quell deaths of Aeron Pentier and Kelani Malraux (Victors of the 26th and 36th Annual Hunger Games), District Four was gaining immense publicity in the Games. Marmaduke was determined to live up to that legacy.

Training constantly for the Games, victors Glosta Maraj and Atlas Malraux noticed Marmaduke's unparalleled tenacity. He was offered the spot as Male Tribute for the 54th Annual Hunger Games. During the Reaping of the 54th Annual Hunger Games, Marmaduke Melson was named tribute along with sixteen-year-old Luminessa Magellan. This was much to his dismay as the pair had been classmates training together at the Academy. They were both hauled to the Capital, but not before their allotted hour to say goodbye. His parents urged him to win to bring honor and wealth to Four, but most importantly, so they could see their son once more. Marmaduke promised whilst Luminessa hugged her younger brother and parents, vowing she’d return from the Hunger Games. They were both sent onto the glittering train to the Capitol with a plethora of Capitol attendants, Avoxes, and the other victors of District Four.

## Pre-Games

On the train to the Capital, Marmaduke and Luminessa excitedly discussed their personas for the Arena and the Pre-Games when their respective mentors, Atlas Malraux (Victor of the 54th) and Glosta Maraj (Victor of the 37th) walked in. Marmaduke embraced Atlas Malraux and they spoke rather fondly. Atlas was only one year older than him, so they knew each other well. Glosta and Luminessa were friendly towards each other and the quartet split into two groups to privately talk about the Games. Atlas advised Marmaduke to remain close to Luminessa and to be the last to turn on if the Career Pack tension got close. However, kill her before the Final Six if the rest of the Careers are gone or little remain. Glosta advised Luminessa to also remain close to Marmaduke, remain vigilant towards all members of the Career Pack, and to not underestimate the willpower of the other districts--no matter how weak they appear. Glosta reminded her there was a reason why the Careers didn’t win every single Games, and Luminessa nodded. When they arrived, the pair of tributes made a strong first impression, and they were swiftly seen as sponsor-worthy. Marmaduke was quiet yet confident while Luminessa was elusive and seductive. They met the Career Pack from One and Two: Royale Casino and Glitz Malone (District One), and Alexander Magno and Clavia Sabrittus (District Two). They trained well and built great trust between each other. It was the perfect career pack, but no one could have foreseen the extent of what happened during the Games. The Career Pack all got respectable scores of 10, 10, 9, 10, 9, 8 to Alexander, Clavia, Marmaduke, Luminessa, Royale, and Glitz respectively. However, before the podiums rose, Atlas Malraux’s final word of advice was to be keen and not be afraid to backstab.

## The Games

The tributes were greeted by a snowy forest, and many tributes, especially those from warmer districts, were hugging their bodies--breathing into their chest and arms. Luckily, they were all graciously gifted thick jackets and warm but light boots. When the gong sounded, they all sprinted for the Cornucopia. Marmaduke swiftly grabbed a gladius, a decent amount of food, and an empty canteen before spiriting away. Surprisingly, Royale was slashed in the chest by a Gladius from Caulo Grothel (District Seven). He instantly fell and his cannon sounded. The pure, white snow was stained with a scarlet red as Caulo ran away. The sparkling dance of the pre-Games was over. Luminessa decapitated Versia Sparke (District Three) laughing as her head tumbled down the glittering slope surrounding the Cornucopia. Clavia grabbed a mace and swung it into the head of Potentia Damme (District Five) killing her instantly. Meanwhile, Glitz slit the throat of Diodo Byte (District Three) as blood coated her chest and the snowy ground below, as Alexander was mutilating Weava Nette (District Eight) with a machete. Suddenly, Leavinia Elphare (District Seven) threw her tomahawk splitting Glitz’s forehead. Leavinia grinned and jolted the dripping tomahawk free. Seedo Ash (District Eleven) had a heavy axe slammed into his back by Alexander. As his cannon sounded, he was the final death of the initial bloodbath.

Marmaduke caught up with the Career Pack as they continued to hunt. Marmaduke soon found Leavinia and slashed her chest open, watching as she writhed and succumbed to her wounds. During this time, a foolish Heartho Rye (District Nine) ate nightlock berries dying before he even fell to the floor while Asher Sae (District Twelve) was repeatedly stabbed in the back by Harvessa Otel (District Nine). The Careers noticed Heartho and Asher's bodies being airlifted away, while Harvessa allied with Tailor Needelle (District Eight) nearby. The Careers ran towards the direction and, while Tailor escaped, Harvessa was tackled by Clavia who held the screaming Harvessa down. Alexander split Harvessa in half with his heavy axe in a motion so sharp that her cannon sounded instantly. Soon, they found Tailor hiding, and Alexander threw his axe down in the same, brutally rehearsed motion. The day progressed with no additional casualties, but the next day a deadly blizzard took Ripper Clovius (District Ten) succumbing to hypothermia and severe frostbite. Citra Persephia (District Eleven) was then found by the Career Pack and, although she tried to run, Luminessa cut her neck open with a kukri. Neutro Vortea (District Five) was found and killed by Caulo. However, an atmosphere of distrust and hostility began to arise amongst the Career pack after a long stretch of time with no kills, and Luminessa suddenly threw her trident at Alexander, killing him instantly. Clavia instantly ran, and Marmaduke laughed approvingly as the pair smiled and continued to hunt for the other tributes. Marmaduke, although not as violent or as murderous as the other tributes, was very observant of the current atmosphere, mood, and overall status of the Games and its tributes. The eight remaining tributes were called to a feast promising something each tribute desperately needed. This lured each remaining tribute: Caulo Grothel (District Seven), Luminessa Magellan (District Four), Clavia Sabrittus (District Two), Marmaduke Melson (District Four), Reyna Russo (District Ten), Cruiso Terra (District Six), Merci Clade (District Twelve), and Titanne Terra (District Six). Upon arrival, Titanne completely lost all mental stability suffering from an earlier head injury from a fall. Titanne entered an animalistic state. In a shockingly quick rampage, she grabbed her gladius and decapitated Reyna, slashed Merci’s neck open, and cut Luminessa’s stomach open. Marmaduke dragged Luminessa to the lower part of the snowy hill holding Luminessa’s hand until her cannon sounded. The Capitol was intrigued by this selfless act, and Marmaduke resurfaced like an action hero with the face of determination from the snowy hill's peak. Titanne was eating some of the flesh of the fallen tributes and, as Cruiso tried to stop her, she slashed Cruiso's face in her fit of rage. However, her burst of psychotic adrenaline fueled violence suddenly stopped. Caulo watched on as Titanne screamed, flesh in her mouth and drenched in blood, in an inhumane wailing of sorrow and regret. Caulo slammed his gladius down on Titanne’s head, but, still fighting, she blocked it. They continued to fight as Clavia and Marmaduke each headed up the hill to the cornucopia, and Caulo gained the upper-hand slashing Titanne's neck. She tumbled down the hill, mumbling her quiet apologies. When her cannon sounded, Caulo was attacked by Clavia. Unharmed, he turned and stabbed Clavia as she coughed blood. However, just after Caulo kicked Clavia down the snowy hill to meet Titanne, Caulo barely turned around before Marmaduke shattered his pelvis in half with a sharp, heavy blow of the gladius. His frozen fingers mustered all his strength, all his life long frustrations, all his training to separate Caulo's lower and upper body. Marmaduke, watching the fight and smartly jumping in at the last, most opportune moment, dropped to his knees in a daze, detached from reality as his victor was announced. Panting, his breaths visible in the cold, he stooped there. Gripping the ladder, he was airlifted, hardly believing as he watched the freshly mutilated bodies of his fellow tributes contrast against the deadly white snow.

## Life as a Victor

Marmaduke Melson was deeply disturbed by the sights of his fellow tributes being killed, and returned to District 4 with PTSD, General Anxiety Disorder, and Survivor’s Guilt. He was prescribed top-tier Capitol medicine for his conditions, and his symptoms eased. Regardless, he is described as Introverted, Humorous, Observant, Relaxed, Jovial, Clever, and Diligent. Marmaduke became known as, “He Who Watches” and “Lumberjack”. Displaying how important observation and passiveness are in the Games, he would go on to mentor the Male Tributes of District Four in a partnership with Glosta Maraj. He’d continue to be very observant of his tributes talent's but, realizing the almost unfair importance of sponsoring and luck, he quickly developed a gambling and alcohol obsession. He initially took on the "playboy" persona, but found he wasn't well suited for that lifestyle. He was enslaved to his gambling, but eventually fought his alcohol addiction. He occasionally falls back into drinking and chooses to remain isolated in the Victor’s Village. He, Atlas, and Glosta talk frequently in the Victor’s Village, swimming, fishing, and drinking together bonding over their struggles in the Arena and in life, in general. Because of his unique experience, he would become an Attendant of the Noelle Pentier’s Training Academy on Career Interrelations, Strategy, and Emotional Control. He would not have to wait long for District Four’s next Victory as in his second year of Mentoring he would mentor his friend: Jasper Volturi. Despite doubts over his temper and arrogance, Jasper was crowned Victor of the 56th Annual Hunger Games. Marmaduke was relieved to leave Jasper with the task of mentoring the Male Tributes of District Four. However, Glosta Maraj would later pass him the task of mentoring the Female Tributes of District Four, to which he reluctantly accepted. From his failed popularity as a playboy, he later spent a large majority of his time in Victor’s Village, only tolerating certain people. He’d later meet Sandy Acker, a patient and kind woman at his family’s restaurant which was renovated and upgraded to a higher status after his Victory. They later married and had one daughter, Delphina Melson, who would eventually also attend the District 4 Academy.

Marmaduke earned a reputation for heavy gambling, especially during the Hunger Games, which would consistently get him in trouble with the authorities. He was very observant, often trusting his bets too much. He dug himself a hole of misery, ignoring the people that could help him. Due to his trauma, the loss of many tributes, and the eventual loss of his friends such as Shelle, Luminessa, and countless others lost to the Hunger Games, he became a rebel aligned. Although quiet about his beliefs, he still remained keen and vigilant of the actions taken by the Capitol. The victories of Samuel Pentier-Malraux and Seamus Malraux during the 65th and 67th Annual Hunger Games, respectively, brought more attention towards District Four. Filling the atmosphere with pomp and patriotist, Marmaduke became even less social. He developed a meager relationship with Samuel and Seamus as fellow Victors, but he really only fraternized with Glosta, Atlas, and Jasper. He has been recently talking to Mariel Pentier (Victor of the 13th Annual Hunger Games) but reasons for this friendship are unknown and confusing. He continues to mentor the female tributes of District Four. Distraught over loss over loss, Marmaduke has been discreetly attempting his fellow Victors to join the rebel cause. Only Atlas and Samuel agree with him, Jasper and Mari are conflicted, while Seamus and Glosta believe the continuous command of the Capitol and the Hunger Games is necessary, but refuse to report him to the authorities of the Capitol because of their bond as victors. He continues to eat and occasionally work at his parent’s restaurant, mentor tributes during the Games and at the Noelle Pentier Training Academy, and wallow with his fellow Victors in Four. However, with the 75th Annual Hunger Games approaching, he may be forced into the spotlight and make his loyalties known.

- Capital Archives - File 54 - D4-11 - L-1 - Marmaduke Melson -