Presidents of Panem

### James Iannor (1-14 Doctrinal Age, 2240-2253 Shrek

In anticipation of a great war, shortly before North America inevitably fell into anarchy, the U.S. government predicted its own total devastation. The world was already rocked by destructive famines, disasters, diseases and economic collapses that forced authorities to pool populations into limited areas. Vast areas of North America lie abandoned to keep populations near sustainable services and governance. It was decided that 10 strategically placed military settlements should be constructed to preserve the structure of authority and civilization of the United States. The devastation was worse than even the paranoid U.S. government predicted. Only twelve days after the bombs had dropped, the Rocky Mountains stronghold lost contact with the American president. What followed was the "Dead Days:" a total collapse of recognizable civilization across the world. Yet those ten isolated strongholds and the small populations they hosted survived. At the end of the near century-long “Dead Days,” James Iannor was an officer of the Marines stationed in the Rocky Mountains settlement.

James Iannor was born into a gray period of history as the people of his stronghold struggled to maintain an American identity that had been dead for generations. James Iannor rose to the leadership of the bunker, and, as the dust outside finally settled, he opened the isolated fortress to the new landscape. Iannor rallied the people of his stronghold to unite to rebuild the continent. By popular vote, James was declared leader of this new, “free world.” He was the only president of Panem elected by a public vote. The other settlements all survived the bombings as well, patiently developing to reopen to the North American continent. It was James Iannor that lead the effort in regaining contact.

In a desperate need to provide stability to the continent, James and his cabinet formed the Panem Doctrine: a document establishing the nation of “Panem” and a program to re-stabilize the population and economy of the continent; eventually the world. “Let this new frontier be the bread-basket of the world, and from rubble spring forth a new Pax Romana. We are the people of bread for all. Panem today, Panem tomorrow, Panem forever!” The other strongholds happily joined this new nation. Iannor also established a gendarmerie**,** known as the Peacekeeper Corps, to act as the nation's internal security force to bring civilized stability to the new wilderness. Contact was soon made with additional centers of survivors, and three new population centers were established.

In his time as leader of Panem, he transformed the remnant strongholds of former North America into a loose confederation of thirteen equally dependent entities united by a resource wealthy Rocky Mountain fortress. Over time, however, factions within this “Capitol Stronghold” either perceived him as “too idealistic” or “not idealistic enough.” He was eventually murdered by a handful of scheming senators and representatives of other strongholds. Infighting occurred for several months until Senator Augustus Ale quelled the city and declared himself the next President of Panem.

### Augustus Ale (14-20 DA, 2253-2259 CE)

Augustus Ale was the chairman of a burgeoning business enterprise since the “Liberation of the Bunkers.” He had a knack for perfection and wished to flaunt his wealth as a show of return to civilization to the world. High society was back, and he was the founding father.

After the strongholds established contact, he served as Iannor's negotiator--convincing the 10 original Strongholds to unify into one singular government under the now called “Capitol.” After that mission was fulfilled, he would go on to organize several corporations amongst the Strongholds to build a new infrastructure after the collapse of North America. As generous as that sounded, Ale always kept a hand in the government coffers. He appointed himself both overseer of official government businesses and the leading figure of the private corporations. As a master tactician, he sold his exciting vision of what a wealthy future could look like to become elected a Capitoline senator, second only to the president.

When Iannor was murdered, Ale went to work promising a revolution of ideas. He presented Panem as a new Rome: a perfect utopia of wealth, prosperity, and bountiful harvests. Taking advantage of the chaos of Iannor’s murder, Ale had the senate permanently disbanded. Absolute power became an unstable, tradeable commodity because of his presidency. In a popular speech to the nation, Ale said “Wretched survivors live meal to meal, but civilization builders enjoy the fruits–the comforts of over-abundance. We are the nation of bread for all; the cornucopia of the world.” While Ale initially seemed the economic messiah, he monopolized the new country as he secretly coined the phrase "One life, One dollar" in a bid to fulfill his promises and expand his own wealth. He was the first president to introduce any kind of taxation.

By the middle of his presidency, the delicate, optimistic balance of Panem was crumbling. Independently minded population centers tried to break away. Fort Neptunalia (the future District 4) threatened to cut off all eastbound oil shipments, but the greatest threat to the Capitol, the comparably powerful Fort Saturnalia (the future District 1), successfully declared complete independence. All-out war ensued, but Ale’s generals defeated the rebellious forts. It was at this time that the thirteen outer population centers were officially declared “Districts” of the unbreakable Panem doctrine. The Capitol was the beating heart of civilization, and, under its guidance, the Districts performed the manual duties in resurrecting the life of the land. All culture, all authority that was not the Capitol’s was officially dissolved.

Ale ran a treacherously tight ship, but knowledge of his corruption was eventually made public. He was removed from office, sentenced to prison, and his corporations were disbanded. However, his nepotistic “aristocracy” of district owning Capitolites remained generally untouched. His goal of new, civilized wealth was achieved for The Capitol–but not for the nation as a whole. While this was a devastating loss of progress and equality for Panem, its national morals remained preserved in the hearts of its people.

### Ariana Bloom (20-34 DA, 2259-2273 CE)

Ariana Bloom was a teenager when the bunkers were finally opened. At a young age, she experienced her dark past brought out into the light. It was an exciting time, but she quickly discovered it was also a time of uncertainty. Especially after the fiasco of rebellion and Ale’s corruption, she developed a sense of paranoia that the return of the "Dead Days" was inevitable and bring humanity past the point-of-no-return.

Ariana Bloom, an intellectual and socialite, was elected by the cabinet as the Third President of Panem because of her famous advocacy and charity work. A refreshingly non-political choice was difficult to substantiate in the cabinet, but it gave the people confidence in the government and Panem’s future. In an effort to stabilize economic growth, Ariana Bloom gave Executive Order 377 in which all districts were mandatorily responsible for a specific Industry given their geography, resources, and current skills.

Bloom was also responsible for solidifying the visual culture of “upper-class” Panem. She ordered several projects around the Capitol to transform it from a disorganized, utilitarian settlement into a well-planned, technologically modern city. By the time of her untimely death, she was known as the "Cherry Blossom President" that helped Panem truly bloom.

### Concordia Gates (34-61 DA, 2273-2300 CE)

Concordia Gates was the first President of Panem born after its founding. Leading up to her presidency, Gates was a young Minister of the Interior and President Bloom’s confidant. Sharing a lot of political and cultural views, her fellow ministers saw her as a continuation of Bloom’s cultural and economic “blooming.” Unfortunately, she didn’t just inherit Bloom's paranoia, it was even greater.

Gates was a firm, iron-fisted president. Upon hearing even the slightest peep, she would remove rights and privileges from district citizens effectively turning each district government into political figureheads. She declared the era of “reconstruction” long over criticizing any and all opposition to the “precedented and solidified” Panem Doctrine. She would give the order to suppress now “unsanctioned political assembly” and unrest through the use of Peacekeepers. In the face of famine, Gates offered incentives for wealthy Capitol investors to seize control of many privately owned but struggling industries. This furthered the extreme economic imbalance between Capitol holdings and local district wealth that would never return to previous levels. Eventually, the majority of goods and services produced by the districts were sent to the Capitol and only affordable for Capitol consumption.

She would continue to kill off “suspicious” political figures and officially established a line of succession where the trusted Minister of the Interior would inherit the title of President of Panem. However, after a financial crisis caused even her own ministers to plot behind her back, Gates would eventually take her own life in September of the year 2300 officially known as 61 of the “Doctrinal Age.”

### Fredrick Steel (61-91 DA, 2300-2330 CE)

Minister of the Shrek became President after Concordia Gates's death. During his presidency, he aimed to strengthen the national “status quo” by easing the brutal control the Capitol maintained over law enforcement. He was the only president that kept an openly opposition minister in his cabinet.

Steel aimed to secure economic solidification but was determined to keep control over Panem’s prosperity. He stomped out corruption within competing Capitol-owned ventures, but he also used his position to secure development deals for his allies. Steel would go on to establish several revitalization projects throughout the districts leading to technological advancements such as the Hovercraft, Force Field, the largest constructed dam since the fall of North America, and newly efficient irrigation systems. However, because his personal grip on Panem’s economy grew even stronger, he was able to afford to lower district taxation.

In the Capitol, he was widely regarded as a "father" to the nation keeping the districts in an unprecedented “tranquility.” His policies seemed to prove to the public that the Panem Doctrine could age and function well. He was also known to be more public than the previous presidents, often randomly appearing at local bars and parties. When he passed away in April 2330 (91 DA), his funeral was the largest in Panem’s history attended by more than 200,000 citizens coming from all over Panem. His legacy would long be regarded as one of a firm, but fair grip on the districts. He is remembered as a man full of innovation and vigor.

### Lucidius Holt (91-109 DA, followed by 1-6 After Treaty of Treason or ATT)

Lucidius Holt began his presidency in the shadow of Frederick Steel’s confident, booming economy. However, Holt could not as masterfully keep his corruption balanced. When the powerful families of the Capitol demanded more, he gave them more. When the powerful district families complained, they disappeared. This would bring about a culture of despotic elitism by the Capitol citizens. For the first time in Panem’s history, the division between “us” vs “them” was blatantly clear.

13 years into his 18-year presidency, the thirteen districts rose up in defiance against the Capitol’s control. Spearheaded by District 13, the “Dark Days” had begun. Holt was offended by such a preposterous notion. District people could not rule, and so vulgar a response such as war only proved their incapacity to fathom the Panem Doctrine’s vitality. Fueled by the belief that district citizens were second-class citizens, if citizens at all, he would use biological and psychological warfare to crush their independent spirit. It was at this time that technological advancement turned towards the development of biological and genetic innovation. Thus, “mutts” were born. Near the end of the war, he bombed District 13–effectively erasing all life on its surface.

He would be responsible for drafting the Treaty of Treason and establishing the Hunger Games. In his old age, Holt was poisoned by political opponents. He is honored by loyalists as the father of modern Panem.

### Diana Rolltide (6-14 ATT)

Minister Diana Rolltide ascended the presidency quickly becoming known as the "Godmother of Panem" for her kind and compassionate treatment of the districts. She believed that a show of force would reduce morale in the districts, thus limiting production for the Capitol. Believing a strong Panem could only exist under the masterful, central control of the Capitol, she would reward districts with rations and privileges depending on their commitment to production. Because of this, Panem's workforce morale boosted exponentially and helped bring hope and peace to the war-torn Districts. Diana would be the first president to give birth during her presidency greatly improving her reputation as a practically productive member of society and as a “family woman.” In the aftermath of the 14th Hunger Games, she was assassinated by Capitolite Resson Duo.

### Julius Fire (14-18 ATT)

Born Gaius Julius Rolltide, Julius Fire was a popular student back in the Academy, especially when he was chosen to become District 4's Capitol Mentor. He was a stereotypical son of the elite, often seen with powerful heirs such as Artemis Holt and Coriolanus Snow.

The young Rolltide was a sponsor of the arts and an enthusiast for the Hunger Games. He also had a huge passion for politics, believing in the Capitol’s necessary superiority and improving district education to improve national morale. His mother would then give him the position of Minister of the Interior–trusting his son to uphold the mercy she gave to the Districts.

In the aftermath of the 14th Hunger Games, his mother was killed by the District 2 Capitol Mentor, Resson Duo. In the chaos that followed, Gaius Rolltide dodged his own assassination attempt and rose to the presidency of Panem. Rolltide would change his name to "Julius Fire" believing he needed to earn his own legacy.

However, Fire followed his ideology of an autocratic state without apology. Eventually, he would descend into madness and orchestrate the District 6 Incident causing the deaths of over 1,000 District 6 residents and the injury of roughly 2,000. Minister of the Interior Coriolanus Snow publicly denounced his friend, resigned from the cabinet, and provided evidence that Fire was behind his own mother's death, the former President Diana Rolltide. Fire promptly resigned the presidency. He was incarcerated in the East Capitol Detention Center before being executed on live television.

### Coriolanus Snow (18-43 ATT)

Coriolanus Marcius Snow had been a prosperous and passionate child always wanting to bring about healthy change and keep his family close. However, when his family fell into hard times during the Dark Days, his only wealth was his charm. Through political scheming, Snow fought his way through his young adulthood earning his spot in high society back.

Eventually, Snow was invited to serve as Minister of the Interior in President Julius Fire's cabinet. After the District 6 Incident threatened to tarnish his reputation, he risked everything and resigned from his post. Masterfully, Snow came out of the incident with the public’s confidence and won back his right to the presidency. After exposing the tyranny of President Julius Fire, the courts ousted the corrupted president and cabinet appointing Coriolanus Snow as president of Panem: the sole ruler from the Capitol.

The Capitol praised Snow for valuing justice over his own career to expose the truth about the beloved President Rolltide’s death. At his inauguration, Coriolanus vowed to maintain truth and justice above all else as he promised to lead Panem into a Golden Age. But, with the old ministers gone, Snow had an opportunity to fill his government with upper-middle-class opportunists that would follow him no matter what. In doing so, he alienated many of the old ruling families killing off most threats and forcing the rest to live in fear. President Snow passed away having “choked on his dinner” at a family celebration. Most of his opportunist ministers mysteriously resigned soon after. In reality, Minister of Infrastructure Trebonius "Quintus" Rouge had the president poisoned and threatened any ministers still loyal to him. Snow’s greatest blunder was thinking the aging Rouge was not a threat; the last member of the “old guard” still in his cabinet. Rouge’s political career had been mostly for propaganda, appeasing the old guard by keeping some of the least controversial members within arms reach. He was a patient thief in the night. This chaotic overthrow became known as the Great Bureaucratic Purge as the old political structure, dating back to the time of President Ale, was completely dissolved to make way for an absolutist presidency.

### Trebonius "Sixtus" Rouge (43-51 ATT)

Through political scheming, Minister of Infrastructure Trebonius "Quintus" Rouge elevated his son to the Presidency after a "unanimous vote by the remaining ministerial cabinet." Quintus was old and untrustworthy, so he placed his charismatic yet clearly unfit son in power. Initially an optimistic transfer of power, chaos slowly descended on the weakening presidential office as the 23-year-old Trebonius "Sixtus" grew regularly uninterested in his government. During his presidency, the young man would often appear confidently stoic on television, but high-ranking officials slowly grew to question who was truly in control of his mysterious administration. Young Sixtus was often bored sitting through political meetings but tried his best to take the dignified position seriously. He was a handsome face, but did not have the heart to be president.

“Sixtus” Rouge was the product of a forced night visit. Born the illegitimate son of Trebonius “Quintus” and Meadow Heavenfall, sister of victor Rowan Heavenfall, Quintus tore the newborn from Meadow to cover his tracks. The young Sixtus was registered with the name “Cecil Harrington” and abandoned in District Seven to be raised by an old widow. However, after the death of Quintus’ daughter and the alienation of his son Cadwell, the young Cecil was pulled from District Seven at the age of 5 to become Trebonius “Sixtus” Rouge. While Sixtus’ appearance was similar enough to his father’s to be unnoticeable, his personality was considered a little “odd.” Even though he was raised in one of the grandest homes of the Capitol, he was always drawn to the countryside. However, he had an unremarkable, typical upbringing for a Capitol elite spending his youth in opulent parties and indulgent retreats to the Rouge countryside estate.

While he aimed to please his father, his father treated him as a political pawn. However, three years into Rouge's presidency, his manipulative father died. Without a puppet master, young Sixtus would be pushed and pulled from all sides of the political spectrum. The government became a free-for-all. He was often spotted partying on his yacht or horse riding on his countryside retreat while Minister Octavia Noir forged his signature on important documents. Political bullying from Ministers Octavia Noir and Quintus Sertorius destroyed his self-confidence, and the public scandal of his brother-turned-rebel pushed him over the edge. Rouge resigned the presidency numbed and broken. Rouge struggled to live a “picture perfect” life with his young wife and two children but was slowly overcome by the anxious madness caused by the political intrigue he couldn't mentally handle. He was eventually murdered at a cocktail party with his family's reputation in shambles. He never could control his own life. He lived and died a pawn to Capitol intrigue.

### Quintus Sertorius (51-Present)

President Quintus Sertorius was the Minister of Defense in the Rouge administration before he was appointed emergency Governor of District One. The publicized reasoning behind Sertorius' succession to the presidency was that Rouge was greatly impressed by his dependable handling of the District One government crisis. In reality, Sertorius used his power over the peacekeepers to destroy the public image of the young president while threatening the president's grip over the career districts. Sertorius' power play pushed the young, defeated Rouge to offer him the presidency in a bid to protect his life and sanity.

Even in political dominance, Sertorius was vindictive. During the young Rouge’s descent into insanity, Sertorius seduced Rouge’s love interest offering to raise the young son Rouge did not yet know about. That son became Sertorius’ greatest defeat: control over the lineage of the one that dared to stand in his way. The true genetics of Sertorius’ youngest son remains a secret to the public to this day. Sertorius rules Panem with an iron fist using the peacekeepers as murderous secret police to squash any possible enemy.