Adrien Stane, Victor of the 20th Games

## Background

Adrien Stane (SmellySorcerer) was born into an upper-class family in District One. Looking to advance their influence in high society, Adrien's parents used their connections with high ranking Peacekeepers and government officials to get Adrien admitted into the District 1 Career Training Academy. However, this meant his carefree childhood was short-lived. Since his admission at the age of 8, he was trained to be lethal with both his physical abilities and wit.

Most high society families in District One enter their children into the Training Program as a point of valor and prestige but frown upon their own heirs taking the risk of volunteering. The intense discipline and cunning taught in the Career Academies are considered powerful education for business. However, this meant many of the best students from the Career Academy were not bringing victories into District One. The head trainer at the Academy took advantage of Adrien's intense confidence and ability to convince him that only he was capable of restoring the district's honor in the games.

Determined and hard-headed, Adrien knew he was destined to be District One's first victor dedicating all his time to back-breaking training. If he broke his own spirit before the games, the games couldn't conquer him. He was often observed withstanding the freezing rain, holding heavy packs, and occasionally fasting. His favorite quote, however, was "Looks can be deceiving." His birth into high society ensured he could present an educated, gentlemanly angle to the Capitol cameras. Hidden beneath his charming smile, calm banter, and approving appearance was an unpredictable beast.

## Games

With the bang of the games' start, Adrien's steady eyes turned black like an animal's as he dove headfirst into the cold cavern waters. Like Pavlov's dog, his years of back-breaking training took immediate control as he scaled the waterfall's cliff to the Cornucopia. He fought fiercely but with cunning, careful to avoid arrogant mistakes that could too easily cost him his crown. In the final four, he speared the District 12 male tribute in the chest, but in the final three, his cunning only intensified.

However, his fighting abilities carried him through a fierce duel with the powerful District 3 male tribute. Bored of waiting for his crown, Adrien challenged the tribute to a flashy but honorable duel for the Capitol's cameras. His performance of agility was considered a popular highlight of the games because of Adrien's noble character, but also because of his quick understanding of the important vantage points of his surroundings. Reportedly, Adrien dodged the heavy blows of his opponent and flew at him like a Cheetah, taking a swift killing blow with his spear.

Adrien's final opponent, the work-hardened District 11 female tribute, had reached the other side of the cavern's lake by then. Adrien's sudden realization that he was about to win or lose it all gripped him with paranoia, but as she hadn't noticed him yet in the dark shadows of the caverns, he wasted no time in sneaking up on her and taking the final blow towards his destiny. Emerging from the dark void of the lake, he speared her in the stomach the moment she barely took notice.

## Life as a Victor

When the glory and pageantry of the Victory Tour ended, Adrien experienced a small crisis of purpose having achieved his "life's goal," and it was difficult to enjoy his victory realizing how much time he spent daily training for the games. However, his depression was short-lived as he found a way to channel his intensity and spirit into a greater cause: training new, deadlier tributes. As an official mentor, he found easy employment at District One's Career Academy establishing an elite training curriculum. Adrien spends his days as a public figure and mentor but dreads the day that he'll be called upon to take over his father's shares in a diamond mine equipment manufacturer. He's been reported to frequent society events in the Capitol, using his newfound fame to hopefully carve out a life for his family there. He's also been seen escorting powerful women through Capitol clubs and parks.