therookery | Wands and Staffs.

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Wands and Staffs.

FORM: Crystal.
SENDER: Newt Scamander.
RECIPIENT: Everyone with a crystal, though the message itself is directed toward fellow magic users/mages in particular.
WHAT: Wizards and mages and their proper tools.
WHEN: Early Justinan/June, after the Grand Tourney.
WHERE: The Gallows
NOTES: Unintentional (and otherwise) sexual innuendo, magic talk, Newt making an unintentional fool of himself (but what else is new?), etc. Will add more warnings if they become necessary. There is probably a good chance this post will not be safe for work.

[Trying desperately not to think about the recent news about the phylacteries, Newt mostly focuses on his own work in the Research division. But during his down time, his mind yet lingers on the uncomfortable possibilities of said recent news, and so he tries to distract himself by sating his own curiosity about something he's happened to notice about the native mages in Thedas.]

Hello all! Pardon me if I'm not using this crystal device correctly; it's, oddly enough, more advanced than some of the Muggle technology from my own home.

If we haven't yet met, my name is Newt Scamander, and I'm a rifter. [A brief pause as he considers what he wants to say next. Perhaps it isn't wise to announce himself as a rifter with magic so openly, but, frankly, he would like to reach out and connect with others with magic, to get himself familiar with the magic of this world if he can help it. It's much preferable to dwelling on the phylacteries, after all.]

A wizard rifter, to be precise, and so this message is mostly geared towards mages and others with magic themselves, particularly those native to Thedas.

And because it must be said, no, this message is not about phylacteries of any kind.

I can't help but notice that you lot use staffs to conduct your magic instead of wands. I just wanted to know: what is it like using such large tools to do so? Do not get me wrong, the staff work I have seen so far has been very impressive. And they are very neat-looking, and seem to make for good weapons, especially for hitting things. But they also seem so unwieldy? And a pain to carry around everywhere. Do you charm them to make them lighter?

I myself use a wand, which is much smaller and of a different kind of build. Perhaps, if you would be willing, we might compare our instruments some time?

[Newt says all of this with a completely straight face, entirely unaware of how he sounds. He is genuinely curious, and he's engaged with some very interesting conversations through these sending crystals before. He looks forward to the responses, though he can't yet know how they might turn out.]

Honestly, the magic of this world is fascinating, and I look forward to learning more about it.

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[ Mmmm, not sure if intentional innuendo or genuine innocence...

Well, one way to find out. ]

Are you really asking them to compare sizes?

I mean, I'd join in, but as it happens I use neither staff nor wand, anyway. I do use something called an arcane focus, but that's somewhat less... [ Phallic in nature? ] ...measurable. But I would hazard a guess it does the same job.

[Newt is pleased when he gets a response, but, just as he did with his inquiry to begin with, entirely misses the hidden meaning of the question.]

Well, somewhat. I'm really interested in the whole of what staffs can do in comparison to what I know from my wand work.

I'm trying to better understand magic here, and how it works. As well as other magic from other rifters, actually, now that you mention it.

What is this arcane focus you speak of?

[ Genuine innocence it is then. Okay. Aro won't be the one to make him feel bad over it. Thanks all the gods he doesn't use a wand, though. ]

Well, I'm a Rifter, obviously. I'm also a sorceror in my own world. An arcane focus could be a staff, I suppose. They can be different things for different people, and for different types of magic user. My world has...well. It has many. We have wizards, too!

But that's not me. [ Sorcerors are very different, okay. So are warlocks and clerics and bards, and...look, there's a lot to go through. ] Anyway, an arcane focus helps you channel your power. You can still do magic without it, but...well. For certain spells you need a catalyst of some kind, like a firefly to make light. If you have an arcane focus, you can use that instead. Makes things easier, you see?

Really? So this Arcane Focus. It is what the person using it wants it to be?

Those who use magic in your world and wizards aren't the same thing?

Yes, I see. We have those who can use magic without wands back home, but you have to be extremely powerful. Most of us are happy to sticking with our wands.

What is your Arcane Focus, if you don't mind me asking?

I...wouldn't say it's always what they want it to be. Maybe it's what they need it to be. They come in different forms, though, is the real point.

And wizards use magic! Of course they do, it's just they're not the only kind of magic user in Toril. Wizards tend to be very learned, studying their craft from books, and they'll focus on one school of magic in particular. Sorcerors work on instinct. The magic is inside us, not in a book.

[ He wonders how much sense that will make to anyone who's not from his world, especially when magic works differently for them. ]

Then there are others whose magic comes from making a deal with some other force. Like a god, for example. Magic is...very wide-ranging there. I don't mind showing you my focus, either! But I'd rather not describe it over the crystals, if that's okay. You never know who might be listening.

Really? Do they change form then, depending on the person wielding them? That is fascinating.

[Newt thinks it makes sense; the magic coming from within is certainly familiar. Though, from the description, it also sounds as though those with magic don't always need to study it to use it.]

Well, it's like that for us back in my home, too. Our magic comes from within us; we study books and channel our magic through wands to better hone our abilities.

Of course. I understand. Perhaps we might meet up somewhere more excluded some time?

No. Different people use different kinds of foci. Perhaps I am not explaining it very well.

[ He ducks his head, considering the crystal in his hand. His own focus, the other crystal around his neck, weighs heavily on his mind. ]

I'd like that. It might be easier in person, anyway; I can show you what I mean.

Do your people ever use anything other than a wand? And are all your magic users wizards, or do you have clerics and suchlike, too?

No, you're doing fine, I think. I tend to ask too many questions; just ask some of my old professors.

I would like that, too. It would be good to talk in person, as well.

Well, especially talented witches and wizards can do magic without magical instruments. We have a Ministry of Magic, and various roles and jobs within that.

But in terms of magical use, generally speaking, without including magical creatures, spirits, and other beings, we just have witches and wizards.

You have a Ministry of Magic?

[ How strange! But how interesting, too. ]

But what does it do? I mean, is it responsible for teaching wizards? And are all of your wizards part of it, like...an enormous guild, I suppose?

[ He pauses. ]

Now I'm the one with too many questions. I'm sorry. We have those other things too, of course - creatures, spirits. Gods, demons, devils. Actually, one more question: does your world have dragons, at all?

In England. In America, there's the Magical Congress of the United States of America, or, MACUSA, for short. There are Ministries and Congresses alike all over the world, where I come from.

Well, it's essentially our form of government; there are all sorts of branches and departments.

[He pauses as he considers how best to explain the Ministry to someone who doesn't know it.]

Magic, back home, is something of a secret from those who don't possess it themselves. We call them Muggles. We live among them and all of that, but we keep to ourselves, mostly. The Ministry helps oversee all of that.

[Newt conveniently doesn't mention all of the magical laws he's broken in his own time, especially the record number he likely reached in New York alone.]

Not all witches and wizards are a part of the Ministry, no, but it is the most popular of employers for us.

[At the mention of dragons, Newt brightens immensely, grinning wide. Aro can probably hear said grin through the crystal. Also, as always when discussing creatures, Newt throws caution to the wind, his enthusiasm overtaking common sense.]

Yes! We have a wide variety of magical creatures, actually. I study them for my work, as it turns out. I've been working on a book of them, and how to best protect them.

I've worked extensively with dragons, myself. They're magnificent creatures.

So you like them? You like dragons.

[ And just like that, Aro decides he likes this man. He tends to be wary of people here, always unsure of who he should trust. Especially now that phylacteries are on the table. But Newt's enthusiasm circumvents all of that. A man who hears the word dragon, and doesn't respond with fear. That's a man worth knowing.

Okay then. ]

Then when we meet, so that you can see my focus, there's something else I'll show you, too. I don't meet many people here who are fond of dragons. Even in my own world that's quite rare.

Oh, your world sounds fascinating, though! How do you manage to keep magic a secret? Especially if you've dragons of your own.

Oh yes. They're wonderful, and often misjudged by people, I think. [Not that Newt thinks they shouldn't be underestimated for their potential danger, but when it comes down to creatures versus people, he'll usually side with the creatures.]

Oh? [There is definite excitement in his voice now. The possibility of discussing dragons further always makes him happy, and it sounds as though Aro has something very much of interest to show him.]

Well, we have spells and enchantments to ward Muggles away, usually. And when they have seen something they shouldn't, we have a spell to erase their memories. We've had to use such a spell throughout the ages, as you can imagine.

[ Newt, you have no idea - but you're going to like it. Aro says no more for now, worried about the potential of drawing the wrong attention. ]

Yes. I can imagine that comes up quite a bit.

[ How could it not, really? How could something like magic be perfectly hidden? The idea is quite incredible to Aro; his world simply wouldn't be the same without it.

Nor, he thinks, would this one. ]

That's quite an incredible undertaking. So you erase their memories, even when they encounter creatures like dragons? That must keep everyone very busy.

Why is it that they do hide, sir? Is your world like this one, do you think wizards would be poorly treated were they known about? After what I've seen here, I could understand that.

Yes. We have an entire department dedicated to it, in fact. Oblivators, they call them. Their entire work involves ensuring that Muggles forget any magical encounters they may have.

Those of us with magic keep to ourselves, back home. We have our own government, and while we might inhabit the same world as Muggles, we generally stick to ourselves. Which is rather a shame, really; Muggles are quite interesting, I find.

Well, our own history has been, in some ways, rather like the events of this world. People used to hunt and persecute us, so we went underground. And, frankly, after...everything that's recently happened, I can certainly understand why.

[ Aro smiles. If they were in person right now, it would be a sympathetic smile. ]

I can, too. If you'd asked me before I came here, though, I wouldn't have understood that at all. Magic is nothing to be feared, where I'm from. Anyone can learn it, and those that don't still know that it exists all around them. If there are people who are afraid of it, or of those who use it, then it's an individual thing, and certainly not...a society thing.

[ That's why it's strange to him. Aro himself is used enough to not fitting in, but it's never been because of his magic. If anything, that had made him fit in better than he did before. ]

You said Muggles were interesting, though. Does that mean you've had contact with them even if you shouldn't?

Magic itself isn't to be feared, no. It ought not to be, at any rate. It is the people who use it for the wrong reasons that are to be feared. And from what I understand, there are those who misuse magic here just as much as those who misuse it back home.

[He lets out a weary sigh, only just audible over the crystal.]

I do believe there is a Muggle saying about how no matter far you go, parts of home are with you always still? Or something like that. I may be misrembering. But it feels like some of the worst parts of my home are here in Thedas.

[He does noticably brighten at Aro asking after Muggles, though. If they were in person, Aro would see the sheepish smile on his face.]

Yes. I made a friend when I traveled to America, a baker named Jacob. He's one of the most interesting and good of people I've ever met.

Are you...talking about Corypheus, you have someone like that at home?

[ Not a good thought. Aro has heard of plenty of dark wizards, necromancers, evil sorcerers. Terrible people. He's heard of plenty of terrible people who have nothing to do with magic, too. ]

I suppose the thing that bothers me is so many people here think magic is the problem. I wish we could show them it isn't.

Your friend sounds nice! Will you be able to stay in touch with him? I mean, that must be hard, un...less he doesn't know about your magic?

Edited 2018-06-10 13:37 (UTC)

Yes. Supposedly he's still locked up in MACUSA the last I heard. But that won't last long.

He's a powerful wizard, and he's trying to start a war in the name of dominating those without magic. "For the Greater Good," is his justification. [Newt tends to twitch every time he hears that phrase, no matter how it's meant.] He'll do anything for power.

Yes, well. The problem is they already assume us to be demons, so even getting them to listen to us without pitchforks feels like an impossible task.

Well, I can't quite stay in contact with him, unfortunately. And he did know about my magic, once.

[His voice grows sad here.]

MACUSA made us erase his memories. Their laws and all that.

[ Why is it that when people talk about the greater good, they're so often using it to justify evil? Aro finds all of that very unpalatable. That it seems to happen everywhere is no consolation at all. He'd much rather believe in the good in people, but there are some who seem determined to make that hard. ]

I know, they think we're demons. The thing is that's already assuming that every kind of demon is terrible, and they're not, necessarily. My world has creatures called tieflings who often suffer because people think they're evil, just because of how they look. I've known as many who were good. That sort of...blanket approach to everyone who shares a certain look, or trait or whatever it is, it's never the right way to be. Can't change it at home any more than I can change it here.

[ He'd like to. He'd like a more tolerant world in general, but it always seems out of reach. And Aro's no kind of politician. ]

Your friend's a good example of it. If he could be good to you, perhaps other Muggles would be too, only they'll never be able to show it. It's a shame.

You're only too right about that. I see it all the time in my work with creatures. Some of those with less favorable looks garner poor reputations just because of that one trait. Meanwhile, certain 'pretty' creatures have gained undue popularity solely because of how much they adhere to standards of attractiveness. I find it all quite mindboggling, frankly.

It is. Although, I can understand where MACUSA is coming from, given that groups like the Second Salamers also exist.

No, you're absolutely right. Most people don't look beyond the surface. You see it here, with how afraid everyone is of dragons.

[ That, in part, is because they're all actually evil here, but in Aro's defence, that's not what he's used to. To him it's still prejudice, not fact. ]

Sorry - what are the Second Salamers? Have they something against wizards, like the humans here?

Not to mention, how people fear magic and rifters.

[Which, in a way, Newt ought to understand well enough; people are always afraid of what they don't know. But still. The tinge of bitterness in his tone is quite distinct.]

Yes. They believe magic should be eradicated. Luckily, most Muggles don't take them seriously; they're viewed as an extreme, but MACUSA will step in when necessary, too.

And elves. And I don't think they're terribly fond of the Qunari, either. They've their work cut out for them with all that fear.

[ Why can't we all just get along? In any world, at any time. People really can be depressing. ]

How is it that these Salamanders even know that magic exists, if you all go to such lengths to hide it?

Indeed. It's a wonder they can get anything done, given how diverse and full of varying walks of life Thedas is.

[People being depressing and terrible is why Newt prefers dragons. And other magical creatures, of course.

He snorts at Aro calling them Salamanders. That it sounds close to his own last name only amuses him further.]

Not everyone with magic in our world is subtle. And Muggles have habits of stumbling into lairs of various creatures.

Not diverse enough.

[ If humans weren't so much in the majority, they wouldn't have these problems, he thinks.

Not that humans are entirely the problem. Everyone seems to be part of the problem here. ]

I suppose it can't be easy keeping a whole world of magical creatures secret from them, as well. I mean, don't they see them? It's very hard to miss a dragon, I've found.

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