Dear Mr./Mrs. [surname here],
I would like to welcome you to Salem Witches’ Institute. This school offers a rigorous course to teach young witches and wizards such as yourself the correct and most efficient way to use magic. In the attached packet, you will find all that is needed in order to prepare for a wonderful year of school.
The school year begins the 27th of August, 2016. We will be expecting you.Sincerely,
Green Grove, the President of The Republic of Magic's Residence; taken by Felix Vass in 1973
The Republic of Magic is the governing body of the United States of America’s wizarding community. In Colonial times, the Republic of Magic had been under the thumb of the Ministry of Magic in Britain. When their muggle counterparts began to rebel against British rule, American wizards were quick to take up arms to gain their rights as their own sovereign nation. After they won against the Ministry of Magic, they began to build themselves into a federalist nation: The Republic of Magic was officially born.
The Republic of Magic differs from United States of America only slightly. While they both administered Montesquieu’s separation of powers philosophy into three branches: executive, judicial, and legislative, USA gave more power to the states than the Republic of Magic did. This is often a point of criticism amongst WUSA (Wizard United States of America, coined by teen stoners in the 1970s) politicians and citizens, it hasn’t changed much since being written up. Mostly, wizarding state governments have the same rights except for education rights and welfare rights – though they still have health rights, but those are easily overruled by federal government if wished.
Like muggles, The Republic of Magic ignored George Washington’s words and had political parties. However, unlike the USA, The Republic of Magic has a three-party system: two larger parties and a third, smaller party. The three political parties are: Unitary Party, Confederate Party, and the smaller Progressive Revolutionary Party (also known as Rollers).
The current president is Odin Oppenheimer, a member of the Unitary Party.
Political advertisement featured in The Telling Stars for Odin Oppenheimer's second run for president.
The current state of unrest relating to perceived persecution of minority magical creatures is ramping up in terms of violence on both sides, but it had to begin somewhere. Some say that the air of unease was amplified at the end of turmoil in the European countries in the late 1990s, when many dark wizards who supported the Dark Lord Voldemort openly or silently either fled the country (through illicit and illegal means) or were put into exile, either mandated by the Ministry of Magic or public perception of their families.
It is certainly true campaigners in the Republic of Magic began anti-creature rights movements in 2002, where a bill proposed by progressive campaigners was shot down that would have prevented business-owners in magical areas from discriminating against patrons of magical creature status. For those who could not pass as human or were otherwise undesirable––goblins, leprechauns, centaur and giants––this proved to be a great problem.
Later, several store-keepers would begin lining their doors and shops with bits of silver to ward off against werewolves, leading to a near-fatal incident for werewolf Louis Sarkozi in 2007. In a high profile legal battle (Sarkozi vs. Carrow) taken on pro bono by his representatives in the magical court of law, Mr. Sarkozi eventually lost his claim. This set a terrible precedent for werewolf rights across the United States of America. To add further salt in the wound, the production of Wolfsbane Potion became severely restricted not a year later, ramping up the already-expensive price tenfold.
Similar cases for various species of magical creature cropped up all over, again and again, however there was no organised movement to stage a rebellion until December 15th, 2014. The Murder of Alphard is considered to be the inciting event to the current political turmoil. Alphard was a centaur who was peacefully protesting with his colony over the poaching of his people for sport by dark witches and wizards in Idaho. The support for this movement was strong, and a large crowd formed in support of him and his goals on the outskirts of Champlain Forest, Oregon. A similarly large––or vocal––group formed to counter-protest in the same location. The aurors were called in when violence had already begun to break out on the fringes, and the intention was to disperse them with crowd-controlling spells.
At some point, a centaur (not Alphard) made threats of violence to Auror Etamin Fomalhaut who stood on the front lines, ensuring that neither side attacked each other. He later stated that this shook him so much that when he saw Alphard "making movements towards him" later on in the day, he felt that his life was threatened, and fatally hit the centaur with a Killing Curse––something that is allowed by aurors, but only in the most dangerous of circumstances.
As of today, most believe that Fomalhaut has not been justly punished for his killing of Alphard, as he is currently an auror, just not on active duty in his community. When this was revealed, mass revolts began in protest of this move and the overall discrimination of magical creatures by the authorities and many people (though not a majority) in the magical community. Some witches and wizards, and even some creatures, believe that this is not the right way to make a statement and that fighting violence with more violence is not the right way to go about it; however, this has not stopped the rioting taking place all over magical territories.
It is certainly true campaigners in the Republic of Magic began anti-creature rights movements in 2002, where a bill proposed by progressive campaigners was shot down that would have prevented business-owners in magical areas from discriminating against patrons of magical creature status. For those who could not pass as human or were otherwise undesirable––goblins, leprechauns, centaur and giants––this proved to be a great problem.
Later, several store-keepers would begin lining their doors and shops with bits of silver to ward off against werewolves, leading to a near-fatal incident for werewolf Louis Sarkozi in 2007. In a high profile legal battle (Sarkozi vs. Carrow) taken on pro bono by his representatives in the magical court of law, Mr. Sarkozi eventually lost his claim. This set a terrible precedent for werewolf rights across the United States of America. To add further salt in the wound, the production of Wolfsbane Potion became severely restricted not a year later, ramping up the already-expensive price tenfold.
Similar cases for various species of magical creature cropped up all over, again and again, however there was no organised movement to stage a rebellion until December 15th, 2014. The Murder of Alphard is considered to be the inciting event to the current political turmoil. Alphard was a centaur who was peacefully protesting with his colony over the poaching of his people for sport by dark witches and wizards in Idaho. The support for this movement was strong, and a large crowd formed in support of him and his goals on the outskirts of Champlain Forest, Oregon. A similarly large––or vocal––group formed to counter-protest in the same location. The aurors were called in when violence had already begun to break out on the fringes, and the intention was to disperse them with crowd-controlling spells.
At some point, a centaur (not Alphard) made threats of violence to Auror Etamin Fomalhaut who stood on the front lines, ensuring that neither side attacked each other. He later stated that this shook him so much that when he saw Alphard "making movements towards him" later on in the day, he felt that his life was threatened, and fatally hit the centaur with a Killing Curse––something that is allowed by aurors, but only in the most dangerous of circumstances.
As of today, most believe that Fomalhaut has not been justly punished for his killing of Alphard, as he is currently an auror, just not on active duty in his community. When this was revealed, mass revolts began in protest of this move and the overall discrimination of magical creatures by the authorities and many people (though not a majority) in the magical community. Some witches and wizards, and even some creatures, believe that this is not the right way to make a statement and that fighting violence with more violence is not the right way to go about it; however, this has not stopped the rioting taking place all over magical territories.
The Sorting Ceremony
While Hogwarts has a sorting hat, Salem Witches’ Institute has a colonial candle holder known as The Sorting Candle. It once belonged to Sarah Good, one of the founders of the magic academy. The candle can detect the inner most desires and thoughts of the person who holds it – the rumor is that the candle sees such desires through a student’s eyes when they stare deeply into the flame. In order to be sorted, the student must hold the candle holder in their hand and light the candle in the other with a match. The flame will be like normal fire until flaring into the color of the person’s house. The sorting master is Mr. Endymion.
While Hogwarts has a sorting hat, Salem Witches’ Institute has a colonial candle holder known as The Sorting Candle. It once belonged to Sarah Good, one of the founders of the magic academy. The candle can detect the inner most desires and thoughts of the person who holds it – the rumor is that the candle sees such desires through a student’s eyes when they stare deeply into the flame. In order to be sorted, the student must hold the candle holder in their hand and light the candle in the other with a match. The flame will be like normal fire until flaring into the color of the person’s house. The sorting master is Mr. Endymion.
The Peregrine
An old Peugeot that travels an unexpected 270 mph serves as Salem Witches’ Institutes’ main form of transportation in the beginning and end of the school year. In the front seats of The Peregrine is Mercury, who is behind the wheel, and Pluto, who navigates. They are both notorious for being bad at each other’s skills – Pluto is a terrible driver and Mercury gives the worst directions; unfortunately, at night when Mercury is too tired, Pluto drives and Mercury navigates. The car stops at small bus stops in the capitals of every state in order to pick up the students; the bus stops are enchanted so that students go through the wall of the bus stop hut to get to The Peregrine’s bus stop.
Pluto hands students room numbers as they climb into the back of the car. In the back of the car, instead of seats, there is a small trap door with stairs going downwards. The trap door leads to the stairwell of the Peregrine Hotel. There are forty floors in the Peregrine Hotel, each floor holding forty-five rooms. The rooms are simple and small, with the furniture nailed down. The rooms have a mini fridge, a bed, a dresser, and a TV. Every floor has two sets of gendered bathrooms. Every room has a window that shows the road and the scenery with blinds to pull over and intercoms that are typically used to ask Mercury and Pluto questions – most students just keep it on so they can listen to the vulgar old women fighting and arguing, which they do nonstop. At the bottom of the hotel, there is a hangout area for the students as well as a cafeteria.
An old Peugeot that travels an unexpected 270 mph serves as Salem Witches’ Institutes’ main form of transportation in the beginning and end of the school year. In the front seats of The Peregrine is Mercury, who is behind the wheel, and Pluto, who navigates. They are both notorious for being bad at each other’s skills – Pluto is a terrible driver and Mercury gives the worst directions; unfortunately, at night when Mercury is too tired, Pluto drives and Mercury navigates. The car stops at small bus stops in the capitals of every state in order to pick up the students; the bus stops are enchanted so that students go through the wall of the bus stop hut to get to The Peregrine’s bus stop.
Pluto hands students room numbers as they climb into the back of the car. In the back of the car, instead of seats, there is a small trap door with stairs going downwards. The trap door leads to the stairwell of the Peregrine Hotel. There are forty floors in the Peregrine Hotel, each floor holding forty-five rooms. The rooms are simple and small, with the furniture nailed down. The rooms have a mini fridge, a bed, a dresser, and a TV. Every floor has two sets of gendered bathrooms. Every room has a window that shows the road and the scenery with blinds to pull over and intercoms that are typically used to ask Mercury and Pluto questions – most students just keep it on so they can listen to the vulgar old women fighting and arguing, which they do nonstop. At the bottom of the hotel, there is a hangout area for the students as well as a cafeteria.
P O S I T I O N:
Headmistress.
P R E V I O U S H O U S E:
Warren.
P R E V I O U S C L A S S:
Astronomy.
TBA
P O S I T I O N:
Head of Warren.
C L A S S:
Defense Against the Dark Arts.
T E A C H I N G S T Y L E:
Notes and Experience.
Mrs. Baladeva teaches by first giving notes on her black board – extensive notes, mind you – on a group of related spells in order to learn everything there is need to know about that group. After a knowledge test, Mrs. Baladeva gives the second half of learning the group of spells by practicing them, sometimes in groups or partners, and sometimes by yourself, depending on the nature of the spells. Then gives a second test that tests on the knowledge part and putting it into practice, often by demonstrating it in front of the class.
P R E V I O U S H O U S E:
Warren.
TBA.
Good
Warren
Tituba
Bishop
This house possesses ambitious students who are destined for success, or so they say. People of the Good house tend to have grandiose visions for themselves and are willing to do anything to achieve them — for better or for worse. As a result, some of the most notable members of the Good house are known for going too far and resorting to shady methods to reach for their goals. This caused a rather negative reputation for the Good house. "Do whatever it takes" is a common philosophy in this house.
Good is working hard to amend its bad reputation. It's an undeserved one for the most part.
Don't believe the haters when they say that Good students are inherently evil and conniving. Plenty of people in this house would be classified as well... good. Being clever and cunning isn't a bad thing at its core, and that's what the majority of the Good students are. They're capable leaders who have the ability to garner support for their visions. There's a reason why they're good leaders; so many people support them in their endeavors because they're truly committed to their cause. Despite the elitist nature of the house, Good students are rather close-knit and community oriented.
But make no mistake. At the end of the day, every Good student is out for themselves.
Colors: Red and black.
Good is working hard to amend its bad reputation. It's an undeserved one for the most part.
Don't believe the haters when they say that Good students are inherently evil and conniving. Plenty of people in this house would be classified as well... good. Being clever and cunning isn't a bad thing at its core, and that's what the majority of the Good students are. They're capable leaders who have the ability to garner support for their visions. There's a reason why they're good leaders; so many people support them in their endeavors because they're truly committed to their cause. Despite the elitist nature of the house, Good students are rather close-knit and community oriented.
But make no mistake. At the end of the day, every Good student is out for themselves.
Colors: Red and black.
Warren
The students in the Warren house are often at the top of their classes, boasting the best scores in the entire school. This house values learning and intelligence above all else, and all Warren students have a thirst for knowledge. Consequently, they're usually regarded as snobby nerds who reject anyone who's "dumb and different" but one would find that the opposite is actually true. People who are quirky and weird tend to be sorted into this house as well because Warren values all knowledge, even if they're considered strange and unnecessary by others.
The Warren house can be helpful in terms of academics, but many of them tend to be arrogant about their intelligence as well.
There's no denying that Warren is one of the more competitive houses, and that can be both good and bad — depending on each individual perspective. Some people see it as an opportunity for smart students to challenge each other and grow; others see it as an insatiable need to be the best, and will work themselves to the bone to outsmart and beat everyone else and their fellow housemates. Most Warrens see it as a mixture of both: Friendly competition that perhaps can teeter on a bit much at times.
Being in Warren means that there's more pressure to do well, however. Warren has a reputation to maintain after all, to remain the house with the smartest.
Colors: Green and copper.
The Warren house can be helpful in terms of academics, but many of them tend to be arrogant about their intelligence as well.
There's no denying that Warren is one of the more competitive houses, and that can be both good and bad — depending on each individual perspective. Some people see it as an opportunity for smart students to challenge each other and grow; others see it as an insatiable need to be the best, and will work themselves to the bone to outsmart and beat everyone else and their fellow housemates. Most Warrens see it as a mixture of both: Friendly competition that perhaps can teeter on a bit much at times.
Being in Warren means that there's more pressure to do well, however. Warren has a reputation to maintain after all, to remain the house with the smartest.
Colors: Green and copper.
Tituba
Tituba students value harmony most of all. The house with the least conflicts and rivalry is definitely this one. The Tituba house was founded on the values of candor, acceptance and loyalty and the students of this house exemplify that. Tituba students are unyieldingly loyal, honest and true. Deceit and underhanded methods are unacceptable to them, as fairness is also another core value of this house.
If you're looking for a friend, Tituba is a good place to start.
It's not all fun games in this house however. Tituba's reputation is not as good as one would imagine. They're commonly regarded as a group of rejects and underachievers due to the fact that students who don't fit in any other house are often placed in Tituba. Therefore not every student exhibits Tituba's ideals as much as they should. Additionally Tituba has produced the least amount of notable witches and wizards and that further reinforces the reputation of underachieving students.
Although Tituba may accept anyone and everyone, at its core the students are hardworking and true.
Colors: Blue and white.
If you're looking for a friend, Tituba is a good place to start.
It's not all fun games in this house however. Tituba's reputation is not as good as one would imagine. They're commonly regarded as a group of rejects and underachievers due to the fact that students who don't fit in any other house are often placed in Tituba. Therefore not every student exhibits Tituba's ideals as much as they should. Additionally Tituba has produced the least amount of notable witches and wizards and that further reinforces the reputation of underachieving students.
Although Tituba may accept anyone and everyone, at its core the students are hardworking and true.
Colors: Blue and white.
Bishop
Flashy, daring and impulsive, the Bishop house has a natural flair for showmanship. This house is known for their courage and willingness to go the extra mile. Bishop students are also the most honorable out of all of the houses, as they value justice greatly. They do have a tendency to forcefully impose their values and ideas onto other people, but it's usually with good intentions.
The flame that grows twice as bright burns half as long, however.
Bishop students tend to be a bit hotheaded and reckless. They like to live in the moment rather than consider the eventual consequences of their actions. The Bishop house does have a dark streak much like the other houses, in which that many of their students have a hero complex. They want to be recognized, they want to save the world, and they have the drive to make it happen, for better or worse.
Of course, bravery comes in all shapes and sizes, so even if your courage is the small voice saying "you're scared but you can do it," you can consider yourself a true Bishop.
Colors: Gold and gray.
The flame that grows twice as bright burns half as long, however.
Bishop students tend to be a bit hotheaded and reckless. They like to live in the moment rather than consider the eventual consequences of their actions. The Bishop house does have a dark streak much like the other houses, in which that many of their students have a hero complex. They want to be recognized, they want to save the world, and they have the drive to make it happen, for better or worse.
Of course, bravery comes in all shapes and sizes, so even if your courage is the small voice saying "you're scared but you can do it," you can consider yourself a true Bishop.
Colors: Gold and gray.
Astronomy
Charms
Defense Against the Dark Arts
Herbology
History of Magic
Potions
Transfiguration
Alchemy (Sixth and Seventh Years Only)
Apparition (Sixth Years)
Arithmancy
Care of Magical Creatures
Divination
Muggle Studies
Study of Ancient Runes
Astronomy Clubs
Charms Club
Choir
Divination Club
Dueling Club
Magical Creatures Club
Potions Club
Third years and up will have ten classes, seven core and three electives, and will be split into block days – on Blue days, students will have first period through fifth period, and on Red days, students will have sixth period through tenth period. The first day of school will always be a Blue day and a Red day is always after a Blue day, repeating the pattern until the last day of school.
This is a slice of life roleplay that follows the adventures of fifth, sixth, and seventh years at America's Salem Witches' Institute. The roleplay is mostly character driven with the backdrop of tension between magical creatures and witches and wizards.
1. R-E-S-P-E-C-T! FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO ME!
2. No OOC drama please.
3. Proper grammar, good writing, character development, and of the likes should be used.
4. Follow all RPG rules.
5. No sex, but kissing is perfectly a-okay.
6. Two paragraphs at a minimum; but quality over quantity.
7. There is no cap on amount of characters and multiple characters are welcomed and appreciated!
8. I will not be accepting animagi.
2. No OOC drama please.
3. Proper grammar, good writing, character development, and of the likes should be used.
4. Follow all RPG rules.
5. No sex, but kissing is perfectly a-okay.
6. Two paragraphs at a minimum; but quality over quantity.
7. There is no cap on amount of characters and multiple characters are welcomed and appreciated!
8. I will not be accepting animagi.
1x Thank
1x Thank
