We live in an interesting time––one of great change and upset that is present in every inch of magical society. Lord Voldemort in Britain was only the beginning, and his death sent cataclysmic shockwaves through the various communities that we are still feeling the effects of, almost twenty years later. Certain liberties that were once taken for granted are now being questioned, and a movement to protect wizarding homes from a dangerous upswing in creature violence across the Republic of Magic has sprung up over the course of a long, arduous decade, and with it counter-protests and riots.
While that is all happening on the outside world, Salem Witches' Institute stands tall and proud as a beacon of neutrality as has been its long-standing tradition. It is a place for adolescent witches and wizards to learn, and it matters little to (most of) the staff how much of their blood comes from pure lineages. As you come into your later years of schooling here at the institute and interact with the world at large through newspapers and broadcasts from the Republic of Magic, the rebellion might affect who you aspire to be as a person, no matter what side of it you lean towards.
Nevertheless, it should be said that Salem Witches' Institute is as safe as it can possibly be, and the protection of the headmistress extends to The Peregrine––the 'modern' and 'American' equivalent to the Hogwarts Express that brings its students home.
While that is all happening on the outside world, Salem Witches' Institute stands tall and proud as a beacon of neutrality as has been its long-standing tradition. It is a place for adolescent witches and wizards to learn, and it matters little to (most of) the staff how much of their blood comes from pure lineages. As you come into your later years of schooling here at the institute and interact with the world at large through newspapers and broadcasts from the Republic of Magic, the rebellion might affect who you aspire to be as a person, no matter what side of it you lean towards.
Nevertheless, it should be said that Salem Witches' Institute is as safe as it can possibly be, and the protection of the headmistress extends to The Peregrine––the 'modern' and 'American' equivalent to the Hogwarts Express that brings its students home.
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.
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.
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.
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.
G O O D
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.
W A R R E N
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.
T I T U B A
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.
B I S H O P
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 burns 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 burns 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 Campus
Salem Witches' Institute has a rather large campus with classes and living spaces spread out around a variety of buildings. The location of the school is a well-kept secret; however, it is known that it is situated in Massachusetts and is close to where the Salem Witch Trials took place. Wards and charms placed on the location in the late 1600s makes it incredibly difficult to break into, even several centuries after they were constructed.
The geography of the institute is rather typical of the state in that it is surrounded by mostly flat land, though the school itself is built on a slight incline. The school's natural holdings includes the sizable Drowned Lake with a population of inland mermaids, and the internationally recognised Kingswood Forest, home to a wide variety of exotic magical creatures.
The geography of the institute is rather typical of the state in that it is surrounded by mostly flat land, though the school itself is built on a slight incline. The school's natural holdings includes the sizable Drowned Lake with a population of inland mermaids, and the internationally recognised Kingswood Forest, home to a wide variety of exotic magical creatures.
Salem Building
The Salem Building is a grand construction of late-18th century design: white in colour and with the distinct traits of Federal architecture; however, it also has an extension that goes against this theme. It has a number of classrooms available to teach most of the classes offered by Salem Witches' Institute, many of which are suited to large class sizes. This building boasts three large lecture theatres on the ground floor that can fit 250 students at once: Rose Hall, Thornton Hall and The Williams Room. The latter of the three has a stage particularly set up for dueling and demonstrations.
Features of this building include the reception rooms, where guests can stay; the dining hall where meals are held for all staff and students, the Headmistress's Office and the staff quarters (on a secret floor accessible only to those with the password).
In total there are seven floors to the building and one tower that is rather incongruous to the rest of the design. This part is called Bishop Tower and was constructed in honor of Sarah Bishop's death. This is where some Astronomy and all Divination classes are held. The Bishop dormitories are not situated in this tower (despite the name) and are instead in a large section at the back of the Salem Building, overlooking the lake.
Features of this building include the reception rooms, where guests can stay; the dining hall where meals are held for all staff and students, the Headmistress's Office and the staff quarters (on a secret floor accessible only to those with the password).
In total there are seven floors to the building and one tower that is rather incongruous to the rest of the design. This part is called Bishop Tower and was constructed in honor of Sarah Bishop's death. This is where some Astronomy and all Divination classes are held. The Bishop dormitories are not situated in this tower (despite the name) and are instead in a large section at the back of the Salem Building, overlooking the lake.
Mary Warren Library
This strangely anachronistic building with a semi-circular centre and several branches shooting off is the library of Salem Witches' Institute, and it boasts the fifth largest collection of historical texts in the Republic of Magic. Often requests are sent by magical academics for access to these books. There is only ever one librarian working in the Mary Warren Library; however, given the scale of it, the ghosts of previous librarians 'hang around' to make finding books easier and thus they are considered official staff. The dormitories for Warren House (and its common room) can be accessed through a secret door in the library.
Tucker House
Tucker House is the oldest building on campus and has been renovated since the first classes Tituba taught in it. It boasts a fresh coat of white paint and has an extended garden where higher level students of Herbalism can find and care for rarer herbs as well as mundane vegetables. It has a never-ending number of rooms as tricky spellwork has resulted in the creation of new ones if there are more students in Tituba House than there is space to hold them in. This whole building––all four floors––is officially the Tituba dormitories and common rooms and it is the largest of the four houses. The charms attached to this building is so thick that it is impossible to discern which is which, though students have tried unpicking it in the past and one noted that, 'Sometimes, students find themselves with an extra blanket mysteriously on their bed on cold nights.'
Good Manor
Despite the name, Good Manor is about the same size as Tucker House, although it has a more prestigious air about it and there are no rickety staircases. Much of Good Manor is marble and mahogany––several times it has been called gaudy and ostentatious. It is situated somewhat out of sight at the very outskirts of the Kingswood Forest. The Good dormitories are the furthest away from the Salem Building.
The ground floor of this building is not a part of the Good living quarters and is open to all students. Here, Magical Zoology theory lessons are held. There is also a Silent Room for final year students that casts a room-wide silencio to encourage both quiet study and non-verbal incantations.
The ground floor of this building is not a part of the Good living quarters and is open to all students. Here, Magical Zoology theory lessons are held. There is also a Silent Room for final year students that casts a room-wide silencio to encourage both quiet study and non-verbal incantations.
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.
Salem Witches' Institute is the oldest school pertaining to the magical education of eleven to eighteen year olds in the New World, but it is also relatively new when compared to the age of its European counterparts. It was founded in 1680 by the famous witch Tituba, then a young half-blood from Barbados whose former mistress gave her a basic understanding of magic. The goal of its creation was to protect those without magical heritage from budding anti-supernatural sentiment in the Muggle world and provide a safe, open space for the sharing of spells that went above and beyond the typical 'master and apprentice' style of teaching.
At the beginning of the 18th century, Salem Witches' Institute was restructured by Tituba's three apprentices––Mary Ann Warren, William Good and Sarah Bishop––so as to follow the more prestigious, four house format popularized by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Students are Sorted into one of four Houses, Bishop, Good, Tituba or Warren, for the purposes of "competition and camaraderie".
At the beginning of the 18th century, Salem Witches' Institute was restructured by Tituba's three apprentices––Mary Ann Warren, William Good and Sarah Bishop––so as to follow the more prestigious, four house format popularized by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Students are Sorted into one of four Houses, Bishop, Good, Tituba or Warren, for the purposes of "competition and camaraderie".
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.
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