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There are eight recognized schools of magic. Every witch theoretically has access to all eight of those schools. Usually, witches tend to show an affinity for one school and pursue that one as their main study of magic. It is most common to take on a secondary school of magic. Many witches also pick a third school to dabble in, this one is most often underdeveloped in comparison to the other two. A natural affinity for a school can't be forced or undone. A witch is born with their affinity and may try to either strengthen it or weaken it - weakening often leads to health problems down the line as the magic inside one is a force hard to keep at bay.

[hider=Schools of Magic][table][row][cell][/cell][cell][/cell][/row]
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[cell][color=a1d3e3]Aburation[/color]
The School of Abjuration emphasizes magic that blocks, banishes, or protects. Casters of this school may end harmful effects, protect the weak, banish evil influences or heal living creatures. Extremely proficient and skilled castes are called abjurers and might be called upon when important locations need guarding against spying and when portals to other planes of existence must be closed.
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[cell][color=dfd19c]Conjuration[/color]
As a conjurer, you produce objects and creatures seemingly out of thin air. In reality, you have created a connection to a certain space in reality or (as an advanced conjurer) created a pocket dimension that allows you to conjure objects and creatures from it that have previously been stored there. You may learn the skill to teleport yourself and others.[/cell]
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[cell][img]https://i.pinimg.com/564x/48/1c/fb/481cfb5b62941258e37c481535c288f4.jpg[/img][/cell]
[cell][color=dce3e7]Divination[/color]
Divination magic concentrates on de-riddling the past, present and future. As a diviner, you strive to part the veil of time and space and try to tap into moments in time with your consciousness. Areas of expertise include spells of discernment, remote viewing, and foresight.[/cell]
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[cell][color=e2bfe2]Enchantment[/color]
This magical ability is all about entrancing and beguiling your target. You may be able to hypnotize, enthrill, control and create emotions.[/cell]
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[cell][color=e2c3b9]Evocation[/color]
This school of magic describes the control of one or more elements including water, earth, fire, air as well as light and darkness. You may as well seek control of the weather, making use of your powers to create bitter cold, intense heat, rainy clouds, stormy nights, etc.[/cell]
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[cell][color=ded2f0]Illusion[/color]
With illusions, you may dazzle the senses, befuddle the mind and play tricks on even the wisest of people. Illusion is usually a subtle form of magic but can be used for great scenes and grand entrances (or exits) just as much. This school of magic is especially versatile.[/cell]
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[cell][color=d0efc6]Necromancy[/color]
You explore the forces of life and death, you tap into the world of spirits, ghosts and souls. A necromancer may alter and adjust the energy known as life force and contact beings on the other side of the veil. Necromancers may specialize in raising the dead, creating undead creatures, or altering the life force by causing sickness, pain, and creating poison.[/cell]
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[cell][color=dbc7b6]Transmutation[/color]
This school of magic focuses on modifying energy and matter. To casters of this school, the world is barely in a fixed state. Everything is always in transmutation - figuratively, at least. You are able to transform physical matter such as objects. You may also specialize in a sub-category of this school of magic, such as Amalgamation, becoming an Animagus, or changing the state of matter.[/cell]
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[hider=Studying Magic]

[color=steelblue][b]Starting Point[/b][/color]
For young witches, starting to study their magic is often one of the most exciting moments in their lives. Over hundreds of years, studying magic has assumed many looks and systems. But the one in place for the last 150-odd years in the US resembles the human school system as closely as possible. According to current US law, witches must pursue a professional, magical education for a minimum of 3 years. To enlist into a school of magic they must be at least 12 years old. By the age of 18 - entering legal adulthood -, a witch must have had at least 3 years of magical education.

This has caused some problems for the witch community. Next to being unable to provide any magical education for ambitious young witches or those who struggle to control their powers outside of parenting, witches are met with witches who enlist in school at various ages. A witch may start school at the age of 12 or at the age of 15. Now, teaching a group of 12-year-olds is quite different from a group of 15-year-olds. Any and every magic school within the US is a boarding school. A witch [i]can[/i] decide not to live at school if they have a legal guardian they can stay with close by.

Due to the differences in when witches enter school, every boarding school has a different set of rules. Most schools only accept students ages twelve/thirteen for starting courses and encourage students to stay in school at least until they turn eighteen. This would give them an education of six to seven years. This is considered the standard in the US. However, for those that have a late start, the US offers few boarding schools that allow admission into starter courses at a later age and specialize in teaching mixed-age classes.

Just like human schools, magic schools come with different rules and expectations. Some may enforce a student uniform, in this case often the colors of the different tracks are used on uniforms.

[color=steelblue][b]Teachers[/b][/color]
Any witch that may want to work at teaching young witches magic and become an educator is required to go through the mundane process of becoming a teacher. That is to say, a teacher for regular non-magical education. Additionally to this, a witch must have an education in magic of at least 8 years to qualify as a legal magical educator according to US law.

Teachers are not allowed to accept any money or gifts from students, parents, students' family members or other people that might want to endorse them. Teachers receive their income through the state. Hiring private teachers is forbidden by law unless specifically requested and approved by the state for special needs students. Naturally, teachers are scarce. This leads to many schools continuously struggling against closing some schools of magic for education.

[color=steelblue][b]Extended Study[/b][/color]
Most schools of magic offer a minimum of 10 years of magical education with students needing to excel at studies to continue after 6 years and again after 8 years. With the legal restriction to a maximum of 10 years of study lifted, some schools have started to offer various forms of further education. Namely, one may stay another two years in school after officially graduating to pursue further study in a minor. Another form of further education offered by some schools sees students taking on the role of teacher assistant for their main track of magic. Those schools that double as research and scientific facilities for magic may offer students a continued study as assistants in those areas.

[color=steelblue][b]Graduation[/b][/color]
After graduating and leaving school, witches may pursue a career or a college degree like any other human would. To work in a field, witches are held to the same standards and legal processes as humans. Even though a witch may have studied healing magic for 10 years, they would be required to have a medical degree on top of it.

When applying for college, jobs or otherwise a witch is not required to disclose they're a witch.

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[hider=Known Realms]
Part of witch culture and knowledge is the connection to different realms, planes, pocket dimensions, or otherwise. Throughout history, witches have been accused of having an innate connection to - or even being born from - hell. This, of course, is untrue. There are, however, other realms the witches do have access to. The most common being [i]The Veil[/i].

[hider=The Veil]
Witches have always had a different connection to death than humans. It is known that beyond the world of the living, there is a world of the dead. This world is shielded by a figurative wall called The Veil. Powerful Necromancers may have the ability to lift said veil to commune with the dead. Souls, spirits, and ghosts reside beyond that veil. This realm is none that the living can enter. Once a soul has passed through the veil, it is extremely difficult to retrieve it again, and witches generally do not attempt to.
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[hider=Creating Pocket Dimensions]
Advanced Conjurers may "banish" or "hold" creatures in a sort of pocket dimension they've spent time creating and expanding bit-by-bit. Those pocket dimensions would start out as a small space fit for a single bug. The Conjurer would then practice pushing a bug into the pocket dimension and attempt to call upon it to pull it back out. Once mastered, they'd move up a size or try multiple bugs. This way the pocket dimension gets larger over time and the connection the Conjurer has to it strengthens.[/hider]
[hider=Summoning from Other Dimensions]
Advanced Conjurers may attempt to summon creatures with the help of ritual magic. Witches know that there are other planes of existence and other dimensions which are inhabited by various creatures. The extent of those is unknown. Witches can not simply travel to those dimensions.[/hider]
[hider=Heaven and Hell]
To no one's surprise, the idea of witches having access to heaven or hell has been met with both uproar and adoration. Those who suspect witches to have one foot in hell usually despise them and see them as unnatural, evil and devil-folk. Those who suspect witches can reach their fingers into heaven often have mixed feelings. Some have gone as far as to declare them angels sent by god and have begged witches for blessings and various forms of after-life help; including talking to a loved one, asking for help with passing over when becoming too sick and sending messages to deceased ones.

Whatever individuals may think of witches now, they do not have access to heaven or hell. Witches are just as clueless about the reality of those realms as humans. They may be religious or not. They may believe in both, one of the two, or neither. And they may envision those places individually, just like humans do.
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More places may be added when needed, mentioned, or discovered in the RP.

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Since witches are a rare occurrence compared to the massive amount of humans, they have been met with discrimination on various accounts. One of the biggest occurrences in the US has been the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. Although witch burnings are long past us, witches still struggle against a society that controls their magical education and expression.

As most minorities do, witches have always come together to form societies on their own. Either within human settlements or far-off humanity. These communities were known as covens. Nowadays covens are registered within the USA and every witch is required to join a coven.

[hider=About Covens]
In general, covens are a community of witches. There are multiple covens all over the US but due to the scarcity of witches, covens with actual witch communities are rare.

Usually, a coven consists of multiple sub-covens. There may be a "CA Witches" Coven which in turn has multiple regional covens underneath its heading which it's responsible for. Those regional covens then have their own seating somewhere, this is usually a part of a small town that is only meant for witches. There you may find a witch's community including a school for witchcraft and a witch's town hall. However, a witch may also be officially registered with a regional coven but live outside the coven's seating. In this case, they would be surrounded by humans and likely have little to no personal contact with other witches due to the scarcity. Witches tend to flock to those small communities and live within their covens for various reasons.

Covens are under observation and regulation by the US government. Any sub-coven must have at least 50 witches registered to it at all times to be officially recognized. Any coven must have at least 300 witches registered to it at all times to be officially recognized. If the number drops beneath the required amount at any point in time, the coven or sub-coven is granted a 30-day period to fill the missing spots. If they can't, the witches within the coven must register with a legitimate sub-coven or coven or they will be randomly placed into one by the US government.[/hider]
Even though witches are considered safe and welcome in the United States, history still bleeds through to this day, as history always tends to do. Casters, magicians, sorcerers, wizards, warlocks, witches, or whatever else one might have called them throughout the times, have always existed alongside humans. The history of witchcraft vs. humanity is long and dull and splattered with blood and betrayal on both sides.

Humans, having feared the power of magic users, have tried their best to secure themselves through various means: War, peace treaties, witch hunting. And witches, sometimes out of hunger for power, sometimes out of vengeance, and other times out of desperation, have done the same to the humans as they had to them. Whoever started has been lost to history.

[hider=The Salem Accord]
Before the Salem Accord, magical happenings were more common. Albeit witches having always been in low numbers compared to humans, there were other magical influences in the world. Natural beings of magic, demonic creatures and unnaturally man-made beasts (such as vampires) were part of existence on Earth. Though many humans went all their life barely seeing any magical creatures apart from witches, society saw times where many would occur and times where fewer would occur.

In the years 1660 - 1690 a rise in magical phenomena could be detected. Already feared and hated in wide parts of the US, propaganda soon made witches responsible for those occurrences and demanded justice to be brought to those who practiced magic. Witch hunts and witch burnings became overly popular in those times, bringing death to both witches and humans.

After the Salem Trials saw over 200 witches burned alive and more waiting in prison for their trial, witches yielded. They thought it best to take the peace at any cost than see more bloodshed. They were fighting a war they were losing. Giving in to humanity's demands, the witches signed the so-called Salem Accord in May 1693. A legal document that stated the rights and restrictions of witches - including the total abolition of all use of magic within the United States. Any witch practicing magic would be detained and possibly executed.

With the Salem Accord in place, the raiming witches in custody were pardoned of their witchcraft charges and released from prison. Coincidentally, after the Salem Accord, the magical occurrences began to decrease. For over 300 years humanity has seen rarely any magical beasts, wild magic surges, or creatures of the dark and deep.[/hider]
Nowadays, in the United States of America, witches and humans live side-by-side in peace. For the safety of humans and witches alike, laws have been established and are being implemented by the US government and law enforcement.

[hider=Excerpt of Laws, colloquial language]
[color=steelblue][list][*]Rule No. 1: [color=gray]All US citizen witches must join a coven of their choice and register their name with the government upon turning 18 within the first 2 months of their adulthood. Prior to completing the 18th year of life, any underage witch and any witch's child must be registered in the [i]Young Witch's Coven[/i] of the United States OR be registered to another coven of their legal guardians' choice.[/color]
[*]Rule No. 2: [color=gray]No witch may intentionally or out of lack of responsibility and care use any magical ability, directly or indirectly, on another US citizen, including other witches.[/color]
[*]Rule No. 3: [color=gray]Any witch may be drafted for military purposes at any point to protect the United States of America from threats foreign and domestic.[/color]
[*]Rule No. 4: [color=gray]Any witch must follow the enforced rules of their covens and sub-covens at all times or stand trial before the sub-coven, coven and finally the US law.[/color]
[*]Rule No. 4: [color=gray]Any witch may freely choose to change their registration to another coven with a 2-year-period of membership. [/color]
[*]Rule No. 5: [color=gray]Any witch must attend a witch's school for a minimum of 3 years of study between the ages 12 and 18 additionally to the regular school requirements. [s]The course of study of magical properties and abilities may not exceed a total of 10 years.[/s][/color]
[*]Rule No. 6: [color=gray]No witch may use any magical ability outside of their coven's seating at work, for work, for job applications, or otherwise in connection to professional employment, unless explicitly stated and granted within their contract of employment.[/color]

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Humans and witches have shared historic events and moments. They have come together and fallen apart numerous times. As much as it is unclear how the original feud between humans and witches occurred, it is well known that traditions of witch origin have bled into human communities over time. Witches have always celebrated their magic, their connection to nature and their sexuality as part of their innate power in various ways.

[hider=Celebrations]
[hider=Calendar]
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[hider=Yule]
Yule, also known as Alban Arthan, is a celebration of the re-appearance of the sun and the fertile land's rebirth. Over the centuries, it has evolved to include traditions such as bringing sprigs and wreaths of ever-greenery (such as holly, ivy, mistletoe, yew, and pine) into the home, exchanging gifts with one another (although this is not done by many witches) and using traditional divination means to get a glimpse into the near future. Most traditionally, one uses a Yule log which will get magical runes carved into it and then be tossed into the fire. The runes on the log then, upon being watched, are meant to give each person a short glimpse into their near future - usually, visions show moments within the following month and are rather minor. So this is more of a fun tradition than an actual serious way to use divination. Although it may have been that originally.
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[hider=Imbolc]
Imbolc traditionally marks the first stirrings of spring. It is seen as a time for purification and spring cleaning in anticipation of the year's new life. Traditionally on the day of Imbolc, witches begin their school years, use purification spells on their homes and grounds, and set out to eat healthy, nutritious meals. Often pledges and rededications for the coming year are made and witches receive their initiation into their covens, new positions (such as leadership positions) or otherwise.
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[hider=Ostara]
Also known as Alban Eilir, this holiday is the second of three spring celebrations (the midpoint between Imbolc and Beltane), during which light and darkness are again in balance, with light on the rise. It is a time of new beginnings and of life emerging further from the grips of winter. For this celebration, witches often generate a show of light and shadow for entertainment and provide a traditional healing soup to cleanse the body. For the soup, nine herbs must be collected from nature - including nettle, garlic, dandelion and lesser celandine. 
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[hider=Beltane]
Beltane is a ceremony focused on the sexual attraction and energy between witches. It is an ancient ritual and celebration of the open-minded community and the physical connection of magical energies. Sexual energy has since the dawn of time been known to enhance a witch's abilities temporarily.

Even though every coven and sub-coven may celebrate Beltane a little differently, it is most usual to have a big group dance, a lot of food and music, a big ceremonial fire as well as witches leaving as a pair of two or more to join together physically as the night darkens.

For those not interested in Beltane, the celebration still invites them to dance and feast, but partaking is not mandatory.

Under US law, Beltane is a ceremony that any witch aged 16 or above may join in. Participation under the age of 16 is prohibited by law. (Not that the government actually checks.) It is usually held during spring.
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[hider=Litha]
Otherwise known as "Midsummer", Litha is the celebration that heralds the summer solstice. Once celebrated as the battle between light and dark, Litha has long since been beloved by those who practice Evocation. Like many of the celebrations of Spring, Litha is a celebration that invites gatherings with food and bonfires being the primary feature. This celebration is also often used as a place for those who practice Evocation to show off their skills with colorful and delightful displays of lights.

Litha is also quite known for being a good time for engagements between partners as it often represents love and moving into brighter, warmer days.
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[hider=Lughnasadh]
The beginning of the Harvest Season is an important event to all witches, it's a time to cherish what has been gathered and grown amongst their fellows. Lughnasadh is a celebration that's typical done with rituals and dancing, witches are invited to express their creative side through songs and folklore. The swapping of stories and playful, physical feats are a common practice. 

This event is traditionally held atop a hill where the sunset can be seen quite clearly. 
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[hider=Mabon]
The Autumn Equinox is a somewhat somber time, it's an acknowledgment of what has been and what will be. With winter on the horizon and the crops all picked for the season, witches are encouraged to honor the passing of time and to welcome the cold that will surely follow. It's a time to give thanks for what they have and the tradition of speaking that gratitude out loud has been upheld for years. 

Apples are often eaten at this gathering, this includes various ciders and pies.
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[hider=Samhain]
Samhain is an ancient witch festival marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or "darker-half" of the year. It is held on 1 November but with celebrations beginning on the evening of 31 October. During this night, The Veil is perceived as thinnest. It is a ritual for witches across the world to use this night to try and commune with a dead relative or loved one. It is highly unusual that of the deceived manifest but instead visions, fractions of visions or emotions may be conveyed. Many witches use this night to ask for guidance or assurance.

This is the only night of the year in which a non-necromancer may attempt to interact with The Veil or The Beyond.[/hider]
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