A Glossary of People, Places, and Things

[Matthew Selwyn]

Most of these are unique to Witherwings and created by the players here. Some are not, but the abbreviations used are. PM me with corrections or additions. The creators names, where known, are noted in parentheses. Under Construction

La Academia Madrilena de Estudios Magicos (Madrid Academy of Magical Studies): a secondary magical academy in Madrid, Spain. The current Headmistress, Estrella de la Vega, is well respected and has been in charge of the school since 1967. (Matty and Wendy)

L’Académie Nationale à Martinique: a secondary magical academy founded to cater for the children of wizards and witches who immigrated to the Caribbean to make their fortunes as plantation owners. Formerly an all white establishment, it opened its gates to wizards of Afro-Caribbean and native descent in 1953. L'Academie is located in the northern half of the island of Martinique, where the lush forests assist the Muggle-repelling charms in keeping away unwelcome visitors. (Xav)

AEU: Assassination and Elimination Unit. See Harkam Unit, below. (Wendy and Grinch Sam)

Airwalker: a Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate air and its derivatives (smoke, steam, etc.). (Adam and Wendy)

Archangels: An elite unit of the U.S. Aurors, specializing in pursuing demon-mages and solving crimes committed by demonic magic. (Wendy)

Arkham Academy for Boys: An all-boys wizarding school located in (fictional) Arkham, Massachusetts, U.S.A., near the city of Boston and town of Salem. Brother school to Salem Witches Institute. [Note: Arkham is a fictional Massachussetts town created by classic horror author H.P. Lovecraft and used by many other authors.] (Wendy and H.P. Lovecraft)

Ashgarth Institute: The only Ministry funded institute dedicated to Astronomy. Named for the most prominent Astronomer of the day, Clarence Ashgarth, it was established in 1823, as part of Magical Research in the Department of Mysteries. It is located on a small island about 35 miles north of the Shetland Islands. Scientists reside at the institute for 4 months at a time. In the winter months the work force is double that of the other shifts due to the lack of daylight and opportunity for almost round the clock research. (Benji)

Auror Academy: a Ministry training facility for Auror candidates. The curriculum includes magical theory, law, procedures, Defense, Charms, Potions, basic Healing, curse-breaking, stealth, disguise, and other skills necessary for success as an Auror. In Britain, candidates may choose to attend the Academy for one year of classwork and then work with a mentor in the field for two years, or simply to apprentice to a mentor for three years. In the U.S., candidates attend the Academy for two years of mixed classroom and practical training, then are assigned a mentor for a year of fieldwork. (Matty, Benji, and Wendy)

Avalon Healing Institute: a research and training facility for Healers on the Island of Avalon, west of Glastonbury and Cornwall. The attached hospital specializes in long-term and hospice care for magical ailments and injuries. The Healers at Avalon wear white robes. (Benji)

BCMS: Boston College of Magical Sciences; see below. (Wendy)

Bloodwalker: a type of Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate living tissue. They are also able to heal Legilmental damage. Traditionally, good Bloodwalkers become extraordinary Healers; evil ones become necromancers. (Wendy)

Boston College of Magical Sciences: a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located in Boston Massachusetts, U.S.A. Best known for their programs in Charms, Transfiguration, Defense against the Dark Arts, and Muggle Studies. Offers bachelors and masters programs. Also called BCMS. (Wendy)

Boston Minutemen: An American professional Quidditch team based in Boston, Massachusetts. (Wendy)

The Chains of Uruk: Forged by the great Witch Ninsun c. 2600BC to help her son Gilgamesh defeat the dark wizard Gath-Ki-Aga-Tol, and named after the great Sumerian city of Uruk from where Gilgamesh ruled. The term Chains is misleading as the object is in fact a box. Decorated with intricate patterns the box is a handheld prison, and far larger on the inside. It is said to stop death, but captives continue to age, as punishment for their crimes. The "chains" can only bind humans and only humans who have killed. It is possible to escape the chains if the reversal incantation is known. (Benji)

Cold brews: air based weapons developed by Lazarus Jacksmith; liquid until exposed to oxygen at which point they evaporate into a mist with varying effects. The Blue Coldbrew forces victim into a halluciangenic state where they lives through their deepest and darkest fears. The Green Coldbrew, similar to Mustard Gas, burns all of the organic tissue that it comes in contact with but is especially effective on lung tissue. The Yellow Coldbrew causes a malfunction in the heart tissue, originating with an electrical impulse, that triggers heart failure then a literal explosion of the cardiac tissue. (Matty)

El Colegio de Brujería Viva (College of Living Wizardry): a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located in the Patagonia region, in the Andes Mountains. Best known for their programs in Healing, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures; all programs feature a great deal of hands-on classwork. Offers bachelors and masters programs. (Nads and Wendy)

College of Sankare: a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located in Sankare, Mali, Africa. Best known for their programs in Healing, Charms, and Arabic and African Magics. Offers bachelors and masters programs. Widely known for its extensive library housing many unique manuscripts. (Wendy)

Council of Mensmagi: an elected body of Mensmages, formed about 300 years ago, that secretly oversaw and sometimes manipulated the government of the wizarding world. Generally, the Council was benevolent and interfered only when necessary. The Council also eliminated Mensmages who abused their powers. Coldstone Harshing murdered the members of the Council and all other Mensmages he could find in the 1970s, during Voldemort's reign of terror. (Adam and Wendy)

The Dangerous Dubliners: a professional Quidditch team based in Dublin, Ireland. (Wendy)

The Dark Marks: a mediocre wizarding world heavy metal grunge band, so named because all their members were named Mark. Active 1994-97, until Voldemort's Death Eaters executed them for copyright violation. Their albums are now collectors' items. (Wendy and Jess)

Dark Wizard Control Board: a paramilitary branch of Russian wizarding law enforcement in charge of arresting / eliminating Dark Wizards; the equivalent of the British Auror Office. Division of the Magical Affairs Administration (Russian Ministry of Magic). Recruits often come from undercover wizards in Russia's military and police special forces units, and therefore they often use standard Muggle Russian military equipment. (Jack)

Dead Basilisks: a wizarding world classic rock band, active 1972-1979, when their drummer died because he mistook his wand for a drumstick. Nearest Muggle equivalent: Led Zepplin. (Wendy)

Deathwalker: a Mensmage who uses the second channel to communicate with and channel the powers and abilities of the Dead, with the Spirit's consent. The Dead may not choose to answer or allow the Deathwalker to use their abilities, though an extremely powerful and experienced Deathwalker may attempt to command the Dead. Extremely powerful and experienced Deathwalkers have also been known to communicate with Eternal Spirits (i.e., angels and demons). Deathwalkers are also Level 1 Occlumens and Level 1 Legilmens with the Dead, because otherwise the presence of the Dead would overwhelm them. (Jess, Adam, and Wendy)

Decclumens Potion: a top secret Ministry potion which removes all Legilmental and Occlumental abilities from the recipient for the dosage duration. The temporary dose, 5 cc, can be delivered via hypodermic or ingestion, and effects last 7-10 days. The high dose, 7.15-7.5 cc (depending on weight) can also be delivered via hypodermic or ingestion, and effects are permanent. Any higher dosage results in insanity, severe mental retardation, or death. Yes, the potion works on Mensmages. Simon Beckett had this potion developed specifically as a weapon against Coldstone Harshing. (Wendy and Adam)

Demagus Potion: a top secret Ministry potion which removes all magical abilities from the recipient for the dosage duration. The lowest dose, 2.5 cc, can be delivered via spray, hypodermic, or ingestion; effects last 48 hours. The medium dose, 5 cc, can be delivered via hypodermic or ingestion, and effects last 7-10 days. The high dose, 7.15-7.5 cc (depending on weight) can also be delivered via hypodermic or ingestion, and effects are permanent. Any higher dosage results in deformity, insanity, mental retardation, or death. Side effects for the low and medium dosages include magic returning in unpredictable ways or the inability to properly control one's magic (1-4 hours in the lowest does, 1-4 days in the medium dose). Originally developed by Simon Beckett in the 1970s, the potion was intended as a weapon against Voldemort. The potion does not affect Occlumency or a Mensmage's Legilmency via the second channel, but it will remove regular Legilmental abilities. (Wendy and Adam)

The Department (a.k.a. The Department of Magic): the secret department of the U.S. Government which deals with magic and magical peoples. The U.S. equivalent of the Ministry of Magic. The Secretary of the Department is a cabinet position. The first Secretary of the Deaprtment was Benjamin Franklin, and the current Secretary is Loretta Harrison. (Wendy)

Earthwalker: a Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate earth and its derivatives (stone, mud, minerals, etc.). (Adam and Wendy)

Elementwalker: a Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate one of the four classical elements and their derivatives without a wand. See Airwalker, Earthwalker, Firewalker, and Waterwalker for more information. There is also rumored to be a Stormwalker, who combines power over air, fire, and water, but this is unconfirmed. (Adam and Wendy)

Enforcers: workers for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. (Wendy)

Firewalker: a Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate fire and its derivatives (smoke, lightning, electricity, etc.). (Adam)

Granada College of Magic: a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located in Granada, Spain. Best known for their programs in History of Magic, Herbology, Ritual Magic, and Defense against the Dark Arts. Offers bachelors and masters programs. (Wendy)

Groomers, The: A crime family, located in Central London. Their "services" involve assassination, illegal potion dealing, dangerous beast trade, prostitution, gambling and an array of other illicit activities. (Adam)

HAMM: Hogwarts Anti-Ministry Movemen, a student group formed to resist Simon Beckett's administration. (Jess)

Harkam Unit: the AEU in the Department of Mysteries, so called after Harkam, its first head. Most people do not know that this is an assassination unit. (Grinch Sam)

Harks: workers for the AEU. See Harkam Unit, above. (Grinch Sam)

Hawthorne Square: the equivalent of Diagon Alley in Boston. The inn there is called the Duke and Bones (the sign displays a chess rook and dice); there is also a branch of Gringotts, Witchhazel's Wands, Marchetti's Magical Mercantile, and the usual sorts of wizard shops and restaurants. Hawthorne Square has a public Floo station and is connected to the T, Boston's Muggle public subway, though only wizards and witches and their guests can see the station or feel the trains stop there. (Matty and Wendy)

Hermaphrodite: a wizarding world hard rock / hair metal band, most active 1979-93. Still on tour in small venues. Nearest Muggle equivalent: Van Halen. (Wendy)

ICW: The International Confederation of Wizards, the Wizarding equivalent of the United Nations. (JK Rowling)

Kosmos: a secret branch of the Dark Wizard Control Board which carries out unofficial activities that the Magical Affairs Administration can't actively be seen to be involved in, such as the asassination of dark wizards in prominent positions in a manner that can't be traced back to the government. (Jack)

Laveau High School: A U.S. wizardry and witchcraft school located in New Orleans, Louisiana, founded by the great witch, Marie Laveau, after whom it is named. The school, predictably, specializes in Hoodoo magic. (Wendy)

Liminals: An elite unit of the U.S. Aurors, specializing in crimes against Muggles and Muggleborns. They often have to pass for Muggle law enforcement to do their jobs, thus the name. (Wendy)

Little Barrington: a mixed Muggle and wizard community in western Massachusetts, U.S.A., between the towns of Great Barrington and Sheffield. (Matty and Wendy)

Lyonesse Mago-Botanical Gardens: see Lyonesse Magical Nature Preserve, below. (Nads and Wendy)

Lyonesse Magical Nature Preserve: an extremely large nature preserve dedicated to magical creatures and plantlife. The Preserve offers facilities for scholars who study magical creatures and plants and a zoo and botanical gardens for more casual visitors. The Preserve is located on the Unplottable island of Lyonesse, in the English Channel. (Nads and Wendy)

Lyonesse Zoo: see Lyonesse Magical Nature Preserve, above. (Nads and Wendy)

Magical Affairs Administration: the Russian equivalent of the Ministry of Magic. (Jack)

Mensmage: a wizard or witch possessed of extraordinary natural Legilmental and Occlumental power, through a natural extension of the mind called the second channel or overmind. The second channel typically remains inactive well into middle age (50-60 for wizards and witches) and is usually opened by a traumatic experience (though it can be opened deliberately by a Mindwalker or Bloodwalker). Once the second channel is opened, it takes some time to activate fully, and often Mensmagi train for years before reaching full power. All Mensmagi are Level 1 Legilimens and Occlumens, though their specializations and abilties vary; see individual types for further information. Other forms of the word: Mensmagus (masc.), Mensmaga (fem.), and Mensmagi or Mensmages (plural). (Adam)

Methers's Trampoline Spell: a two-part defensive spell secretly developed by Harrison Methers. The first part captures an incoming attack spell in a silvery orb, and the second part hurls it back at attacker. The catching spell requires semicircular twist of the the wrist to the right, then an upwards flick; the incantation in Capto. The release requires a wave from right to left and a small jab; the incantation is Jacto. Note: this spell is known only to those whom Harrison Methers taught it and certain members of the Order of the Phoenix. (Grammar Sam, incantation by Wendy)

Mindwalker: A Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate others' minds. They can mine, adjust, and generally screw with other people's heads; alternately, they can heal Legilimental and some psychological damage. Cannot be stopped by normal Occulmency, only by Mensmagic. (Adam)

Miskatonic University: a Muggle university in Arkham, Massachusetts. Unbeknownst to the Muggles, Miskatonic offers a degree program for wizards and witches in Dark Arks and Demonic and Ritual Magic. Their Dueling Team, culled from students in this program, is consistently nationally rated. The Orne Library on campus has an extensive collection of occult books. [Note: Miskatonic University was also created by classic horror author H.P. Lovecraft and has been used and adapted by many other authors in their stories.] (H.P. Lovecraft, with additions by Wendy)

MLE: Magical Law Enforcement, the Ministry's civil law enforcement agency. See also Enforcers. (J.K. Rowling)

Mole Valley Vintners: Professional Quidditch team based on Box Hill, Surrey in England. The stadium is located in the dense woodland on the top of the hill, and is magically protected against muggle discovery. Est. 1932 (Benji)

Moscow University of Advanced Magic: a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located beneath Moscow, Russia. Offers programs in almost every known branch of magic. Offers bachelors, masters, and doctoral programs. Serves as the Horcrux to Lord Ivan the Terrible. (Adam)

MUAM: see Moscow University of Advanced Magic, above. (Adam)

Murray College of Natural Magics: a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located in the Murray region of New South Wales, Australia (west of Sydney, north of Melbourne). Best known for their programs in Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, Transfiguration, and nature magic. Offers bachelors and masters programs. (Nads and Wendy)

NDE: see Neo-Death Eaters, below. (Adam)

NDEY: see Neo-Death Eater Youth, below. (Adam and Jess)

Necrotallica: a wizarding world classic rock / heavy metal band, most active 1976-83. Still on reunion tours. Their lead singer is rumored to be undead. Closest Muggle equivalents: a cross between Black Sabbath and either AC/DC or Metallica. (Wendy)

Neo-Death Eaters: a group formed by Coldstone Harshing to promote his agenda of pure-blood domination and his own personal power. (Adam)

Neo-Death Eater Youth: a student group formed by Coldstone Harshing to advance his agenda within Hogwarts. See also NDEY, NDE, Neo-Death Eaters, above. (Adam and Jess)

Overmind: another word for the second channel. See below. (idea by Adam, term by Wendy)

Paracelsus: a wizarding world classic rock band, most active 1969-78. The lead guitarist suffered a massive spell backfire during a particularly spectacular light show and is currently in St. Mungo's Closed Ward for Spell Damaged Individuals. Closest Muggle equivalent: the Who. (Wendy) Also, a great Swiss wizard, alchemist, and scholar who lived in the 15th and 16th centuries.

PMS: see Pro-Ministry Students, below. (Jess)

Pro-Ministry Students: the opposing group to HAMM and the NDEY, formed by Kenneth Bormann. PMS members support Ministry actions and efforts, specifically anything that Simon Beckett does. Most members have not yet realized the unfortunate acronym that their name forms. (Jess)

RATC: see Reserve Auror Training Corps, below.

Redwoods High School: A U.S. school of magic located in the depths of the Redwood Forest, near Crescent City, California. The school teaches a well-rounded curriculum, but is especially well known for its nature magic, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures programs. (Wendy)

Remagus Potion: the antidote to the Demagus Potion.

Reserve Auror Training Corps (RATC): In the U.S., Aurors training for certain specialized units like the Liminals and Archangels may choose to enter the RATC and attend university while they train. Candidates concentrate their classes in Defense and all the appropriate disciplines to an Auror, as well as specialized classes necessary for the unit which they intend to enter. Candidates attend practical training during the summers and school breaks. The program generally takes four years. (Wendy)

Roswell Academy: A U.S. secondary school of magic located in Roswell, New Mexico. The school endorses a unique hybrid of science and magic, and an alien is rumored to be on the staff. (Wendy)

Rue de Magique: a market street for wizards and witches in Paris. The French equivalent of Diagon Alley. There is a Metro stop nearby. (Taryn)

Saint Agnes' School for Witches: a small private school for witches in Melbourne, Australia. (Mia)

Salem Witches' Institute: An all-girls wizarding school located in Salem, Massachusetts, U.S.A., near the city of Boston and (fictional) town of Arkham. Founded in 1699 by Guinivere Briggs, a former Ravenclaw. Sister school to Arkham Academy. (J.K. Rowling, with additions by Wendy)

Santa Catalina Preparatory School: A co-ed wizarding school located in Los Brujos, Texas, located between the towns of San Angelo and Crane. It was founded in 1518 by the Jesuit wizard Jose Luis Fanez de la Vega and therefore is the oldest wizarding school in the Americas. Originally attached to the monastery of Nuestro Senor Brujo Milagroso (Our Lord the Miraculous Wizard), Santa Catalina's teachers were traditionally wizard-monks and witch-nuns, and the school accepted only Catholic students until 1912, when it became eccumenical. Often abbreviated to SanCatPrep. (Wendy, with additions by Kris).

Sankare College: see College of Sankare, above. (Wendy)

Second channel: also called the overmind. A natural extension of the mind formed specifically for and naturally adept at performing Mensmagic. All Mensmagi possess the second channel. This is an extremely rare genetic trait, that may lay dormant for several generations. People who have inherited a second channel do not always develop into Mensmagi. The second channel typically remains inactive well into middle age (50-60 for wizards and witches) and is usually opened by a traumatic experience (though it can be opened deliberately by a Mindwalker or Bloodwalker. Once the second channel is opened, it takes some time to activate fully, and often Mensmagi train for years before reaching full power. (Adam)

The Seraphim: the highly trained and elite bodyguards of the Minister of Magic and other high Ministry officials. (Wendy and ?)

The Shrewsbury Saints: a British Quidditch team, headquartered in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. (Wendy)

Siren Banshee: Lead singer of rock band Velvet Cadaver. It is generally assumed that she(?) is female, although no one, save for Banshee, can be sure at this point. Banshee's offensive language, argumentative demeanor, and anger management issues often make the news. Her(?) closest equivalent in the Muggle world is a mix of Linsday Lohan and Axl Rose. See also Velvet Cadaver. (Jess)

Studia Incantationum: An academic journal dedicated to the study of Charms and Ritual Magic, the equivalent in those subjects to Transfiguration Today. (Wendy)

SWI: See Salem Witches' Institute, above.

Telemirror: Devices invented by Jacksmith's Potions that work on the principle of James Potter and Sirius Black's two-way mirrors. Similar to cellphones, they allow for instant communication and are capable of sending both sounds and images all over the globe at the touch of a button. Certain phones are equipped with other capabilities, such as eavesdropping and mass communication. (Matty)

Templar University: see Université de Templier, below.

Terrene Stars: - miniature, artificial stars, created by Edward Lavishstock. through magical and Muggle science. Their glow and heat correspond in relative terms to those of natural stars, and are hermetically sealed in vials with heat resistance and stability charms. They are bright and powerful enough to penetrate most known magical darkness (and thus, like real stars, should not be stared at for extended periods). There are only two currently in existence, and they are predicted to shine for 200-250 years.

Timewalker: a Mensmage who uses the powers of the second channel to read and manipulate memories of people, places, and objects. Memories are viewed as clearly as in a Pensieve. They are also extremely adept at adjusting people's memories. (Adam and Wendy)

Université de Templier: a post-secondary college of wizardry and witchcraft, located in Paris, France. Best known for their programs in magical law, magical business, and the magical sciences (Potions, Alchemy, Astonomy, etc.). Offers bachelors and masters programs. Also called Templar University.(Taryn)

Velvet Cadaver: a wizarding world hard rock / goth band, most active 1993-current time. The band's popularity comes greatly from their efforts to offend everyone listening to their music, specifically conservative pureblood parents. See alsoSiren Banshee. (Jess)

Vendetta: a student group formed by Sabine London to assist Coldstone Harshing and resist the Ministry.(Jess)

Waterwalker: a Mensmage who uses the second channel to manipulate water and its derivatives (liquids, ice, steam, etc.). (Adam and Wendy)