User blog comment:Despondence/The Reduction Games: North America/@comment-7056707-20151002020248

Name: Andreas LamarEtymology: Andreas - Part of San Andreas, California / Lamar - Surname of rapper, Kendrick Lamar, born in LAGender: MaleCity: Los AngelesReaped/Volunteered: ReapedAge: SixteenPersonality: Andreas is someone who plays everything nonchalantly. Most of the time nothing is important enough to overeact about. He's acts much like an outcast, but is actually well known in school. Everyone he knows has found out some way or another how caring Andreas acts. He's basically an art and drama geek, loves literature, and has an extremely creative mind. If he likes something or someone, no one can change his mind about whether it's "cool" or "proper."Backstory: Andreas comes from a a family who fares better than most others in his area. Although not rich, there's enough to sustain both his grandmother and himself. Andreas has accepted that everyone will be taken away from him and prefers to be distant to others. His mother left when he was only three months old and his father died of cancer when he was two years old. His brother, Noah, was killed when the toxic gas was released into his city four years ago. And his grandfather died of age two years ago. He was raised by his grandparents, but mostly by brother.His relationship with his brother was very close. Noah would always comfort Andreas such as when there was a large lightning storm in Los Angeles. He held him tight and the fear seemed to go away. (Lighting storms are still things he is terrified about to this day, but his fear can be calmed down when he thinks about Noah. However, thinking about him makes him remember many memories and makes him become very gloomy, and to some extent, aggressive.) Also, they'd always go fishing together, not with poles, but with nets and homemade spears. His brother knew everything about the sea and would tell Andreas everything he knew. Day after day, they'd go to the beach which was a walking distance away. Once, his brother found three shark teeth and used two of them as charms on  necklaces. He gave this to Andreas on his ninth birthday, Noah was fifteen at the time. He kept it ever since. Three years later, the toxic gas was released into his city like many years before. Andreas and his grandparents made it into the safehouses while Noah was lost in the crowd. He looked everywhere to find Noah before it was too late. But there he lay on the streets, in a pile of blood. The sight was too much and his life was practically taken along side his brothers' that day.Being raised by his grandparents wasn't quite easy, as they were both not physically active and were obviously aging quickly. He loved them equally though. After all, they are all he has. Once his grandfather died, he was struck in the heart. He only had one person left.In school, Andreas is an average student and an active member of track and field. He participates in most running events and the javelin toss. This is how he got his ability to throw far and run quite fast. Running makes Andreas feel like he is flying and he doesn't really think when he does so. It's like he forgets everything and goes into another state of mind. He doesn't like talking to many people in school and trys to stay away from others. His kind attitude does make others want to at least get to know him though. Although he's a nice guy deep down, he won't show it completely. Opening yourself up only allows you to get hurt.When Andreas realizes he's chosen for the Reduction Games, he stands tall and stays calm. He's okay with it, and maybe he can make it out. He has to make it out. He is all his grandmother, whom he calls Nana, has left. He can't leave her.Appearance: Andreas' has fair white skin, tanned slightly due to being in the sun most of the time. His eyes are medium-sized with many tones of brown, from caramel to dark chocolate. His hair is nearly jet black, and is usually just tossed around in no particular style. Andreas is of average height and looks a tad scrawny, but is actually quite strong. He's a good looking guy and can attract quite a few people with ease. Height: 5'8"Preferred Weapon(s): Most likely a spear due to throwing javelins in track and field. A knife or two would be helpful since he could use it to cut wood, make snares, etc.Strengths: Swimming, running, throwing ability, intelligence of nature, and advanced senses.Weaknesses: Slightly deaf in left ear, climbing, not very sly, and his persistence even though there's a chance he could be wrong.Fear(s): Andreas fears dying a horrible death in the Games like many others have before. (Recalls a past Reduction Games in which the female Envoy  from Santo Domingo bled out after being stabbed five times by the Envoys from Montreal and dropped off a tall cliff. She struggled for three hours, trying to cover up the wounds, until she was bitten by a poisonous snake and killed before she could bleed out.) He also severely fears storms and lighting. (Read backstory.)Token: A simple, shark tooth necklace that his older brother made for him when they went on their fishing trip many years ago. This reminds him of what little he has left, and the reason he has to win. To protect his city for just another year. So one has to go through what he had to.Interview Angle: Andreas proudly admits that he won't change for these Games. He'll be his regular self. Why change for people who want to see you die?Bloodbath Strategy: He isn't looking for a fight. He would rather continue living, but chances are someone might try to attack. He'd try to dodge and flee but if they continue being persistent, he'll take them out. A survival pack would be nice, along with many spears. If he can't get anything, he'll try to at least get anything on the outskirts. He will not be leaving empty handed. He, hopefully, will be leaving alive.Games Strategy: Most of the time, he'll be trying to find survival resources. Getting in fights is usually how people die in these Games, so Andreas has decided to stay away from any Envoys in sight and not attack. However, if they confront him he'd try his best to outrun them (which he probably could) but if not, he must be brave and try to kill them instead of them killing him. Alliance: Anyone who is willing to help and truly won't stab you in the back. If the girl from his city wants to team up, they could. He'd do his best to not get attached.