Post by Ice on Sept 25, 2011 12:59:12 GMT -5
Wandlore
Wands are magical instruments which allow a witch or wizard to channel their magical ability. Although it is possible to cast some spells without the use of a wand, this skill is INCREDIBLY difficult to learn and results in rather unpredictable outcomes. Therefore, every self-respecting witch and wizard has a wand.
Wands are interesting in the sense that they chose their owner, rather than allowing their owner to choose them. Any one wand will only function properly for people who it “matches”. If a wand is poorly matched, then it will produce weak magic, backfire, and refuse to work. Consequently, each wand should be suited for their owner’s personality, strengths, and weaknesses; “the wand chooses the wizard”, as they say.
So, your character will be needing a wand, yes? It’s simple, really; all you need to do is pick a wood, a core, its length, and its rigidity, all of which is explained below.
Wandwoods
This is the longest section, and for that I apologize. However, after choosing your wandwood, the other three sections are incredibly short.
ACACIA | A rich brown wood with distinct dark grains which only produces magic for its one owner. It pairs with subtle individuals with a gift for magic.
ALDER | An unyielding light brown wood with soft grains which is suited for non-verbal spells. It pairs with considerate and amiable, rather than stubborn, individuals.
APPLE | A wood with mixed light and dark grains which is poor at performing dark arts and allows the wielder to learn new languages easily. It pairs with likable people with great charm and high ideals.
ASH | A light hued wood which only reveals its full power for its one true master. It pairs with people who are stubborn and courageous, but not arrogant.
ASPEN | A white wood associated with skilled duelists which is suited for material magic and charms. It pairs with wizards who are determined and, usually, revolutionary.
BEECH | A wood with a speckled grain which casts spells with great subtlety and artistry. It pairs with open-minded and tolerant wizards with wisdom and knowledge beyond their years.
BLACKTHORN | A very dark wood which is only fully bonded when the wielder perseveres through some sort of danger. It pairs with people who are considered warriors (usually Aurors or infamous criminals).
BLACK WALNUT | A dark wood which is good with charms, but fades in power when wielder is dishonest with themselves. It pairs with honest people with good instincts.
CEDAR | A light hued wood which makes the wielder difficult to fool or trick. It pairs with loyal individuals with strong character and excellent perception.
CHERRY | A rich-colored wood prized in Japan which gains lethal power with a dragon heartstring core. It pairs with those with a great amount of self-control.
CHESTNUT | A wood varying in appearance depending on species. It usually pairs with those who are skilled at herbology, flying, and/or taming magical beasts, but will pair with someone obsessed with material wealth if it has a dragon heartstring core, or a seeker of justice with unicorn tail hair core.
CYPRESS | A light wood with spotted grain associated with royalty and nobility. It pairs with brave and self-sacrificing people.
DOGWOOD | A wood with faint grains which only is excellent at casting enchantments, but horrible with non-verbal spells. It pairs with exciting and fun people who are impish in nature.
EBONY | A black wood which is excellent with combative magic and transfiguration. It pairs with wizards who are true to themselves and don’t hesitate to go against social norms.
ELM | A light-hued wood associated with purebloods which casts spells elegantly, and is unlikely to backfire or cause foolish mistakes. It pairs with people with presence and dignity.
ENGLISH OAK | A dark wood which is loyal and skilled in nature based magic. It pairs with courageous wizards who are equally loyal and have a love for the plants and animals of the natural and magical world.
FIR | A light wood with thin grains which is associated with survivors. It pairs with decisive and strong-minded wizards who are incredibly resilient.
HAWTHORN | A golden-hued wood which is excellent at casting both healing magic and curses, but is likely to backfire if handled poorly. It pairs with complex individuals who may be facing an inner conflict.
HAZEL | A darker-hued wood which absorbs energy from the wielder's negative emotions, such as anger and grief, and discharges it unpredictably. It pairs with a person who can understand, accept, and control their own emotions.
HOLLY | A white wood which is incredibly volatile and suited for defensive magic. It pairs with people who are easily angered.
HORNBEAM | A light-hued wood which quickly adapts to an individual's style of magic, and will refuse to do anything which goes against its wielder's pronciples. It pairs with people who have one passion (or obsession).
LARCH | A warm-colored which insills confidence into its wielder. It pairs with people of unique talents, which will consequently be amplified by this wand.
LAUREL | A richly-colored wood which is honorable and will cast a spontaneous lightning strike if anyone tries to steal it. It pairs with people who aren't lazy.
MAHOGANY | A hard, reddish-brown wood which is excellent for transfiguration. It pairs with outgoing people.
MAPLE | A lighter wood associated with travelers and high achievers which will fade in power if the wielder is not faced with new challenges and adventures. It pairs with ambitious people.
PEAR | A gold-toned wood which is incredibly resilient to the effects of age. It pairs with generous and warm-hearted people.
PINE | A straight-grained wood which is suited for casting new, creative spells as well as non-verbal magic. It pairs with independent individuals who will live long lives.
POPLAR | A light-toned wood which is consistent and reliable. It pairs with wizards with clear morals.
RED OAK | A reddish wood which reacts with incredible speed. It pairs with quick-witted and adaptable people.
REDWOOD | A reddish-brown wood associated with good luck. It pairs with people who can land on their feet whenever they fall and turn a bad situation around to their advantage.
ROSEWOOD | A dark, reddish-brown wood which will amplify the wielder's strengths, but also their weaknesses. It pairs with people who are both magically and mentally strong.
ROWAN | A rich brown wood which is incredibly powerful when it comes to defensive spells. It pairs with the pure-hearted and level-headed.
SILVER LIME | A pale greenish wood associated with mystery. It pairs with Seers and skilled Legilimens.
SPRUCE | A lighter-hued wood which is incredibly stubborn, but loyal and capable of producing incredibly dramatic shows of magic. It pairs with bold people who don't hesitate or exercise any sort of caution when they act.
SYCAMORE | A wood with wavy grains which will spontaneously burst into flame when it gets bored of doing mundane activities. It pairs with people who are curious and adventurous.
VINE | A twisting wood which was valued by the druids. It pairs with people whose personality has hidden depth.
WALNUT | A dark-tinted wood which is incredibly adaptable and entirely submissive to its wielder's will. It pairs with highly intelligent people.
WILLOW | A light-hued wood with wavy grains which is excellent at casting healing spells and non-verbal magic. It pairs with people who are somewhat insecure, but have massive potential.
YEW | A lighter-hued wood which is particularly suited for dark magic and curses. It pairs with bold, confident, and unique individuals.
Cores
There are only three cores that most wandmakers use (because they are usually the most powerful). However, just about any part of any magical creature can be used as a core, so don't be afraid to get creative and use a core that isn't listed here!
DRAGON HEARTSTRING | One of the three most commonly used cores. It is a relatively loyal core, though somewhat temperamental, and is quick at learning new spells.
UNICORN TAIL HAIR | One of the three most commonly used cores, associated with the pure of heart. Wands made from this core are the least likely to turn to the dark arts and are a little less powerful than a phoenix feather or dragon heartstring. However, they are steadfastly loyal to their wielder.
PHOENIX FEATHER | One of the three most commonly used cores. Wands with this core may act on their own accord, much to their wielder's annoyance. They are also difficult to tame, but are quite powerful and can cast the widest range of magic of any core.
VEELA HAIR | This core is found more commonly in France and the Mediterranean area than Britain or Russia. The wands they create are extremely temperamental, much like the creatures their core came from.
THESTRAL HAIR | The core of the Elder wand. No other wand may use this core.
Wand Length
The length of a wand directly affects its power and accuracy.
6-8" | Least power, most accuracy.
9-12" | Most common lengths. Moderate power, moderate accuracy.
13-16" | Greater power, lessened accuracy.
17-18" | Just... why? Absurd power, horrible accuracy.
Rigidity
The rigidity of a wand will affect its power, speed, and how easily it will break.
UNYIELDING | Most power, least speed. Most likely to break by shattering.
BRITTLE | Greatly augmented power, lessened speed. Less likely to shatter.
INFLEXIBLE | Slightly augmented power, average speed. Unlikely to break.
SUPPLE | Average power, slightly augmented speed. Unlikely to break.
SWISHY | Lessened power, greatly augmented speed. Less likely to snap.
SPRINGY | Least powerful, most speed. Most likely to break by snapping.