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Ascendio Moderator (ascendio_mod) wrote,
@ 2010-07-14 12:56:00

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ASCENDIO

Game History and Canon

Political Climate ♦ The Purist Movement ♦ Purist Society Ministry of Magic ♦ Civilian Life ♦ Grindelwald's War
Political Climate The Wizarding World has in many ways paralleled the Muggle world, starting before Grindelwald 's rising at the time of Hitler and extending into the current day. The year is 1969 and the Muggle and Magical worlds are both immersed in a sociopolitical clash between modern liberal movements and the conservative mores of the past. In recent years, the Magical world has been inundated with Muggle influences previously unheard of in earlier times. Magical children frequently wear Muggle style clothing, and Muggle music, literature, and even slang is becoming increasingly popular, particularly amongst the younger set. This is fairly natural, as Muggleborns enter the Magical world and bring parts of their heritage with them. However, unlike in earlier times when these cultural touchstones gradually faded as the Muggleborn acclimated to the Magical world, it is becoming increasingly common for the two societies to blend. Whereas Witches and Wizards marrying or having children with Muggles was once relatively rare, it is becoming more and more common. At a decline as well is the Social Stigma of being Muggleborn or marrying a Muggleborn, except amongst the Pureblood elite. Muggleborns are now found much more commonly in positions of authority. Whereas the purebloods once had a strong hold on high powered political seats, Muggleborns are now increasingly found on the International Confederation of Wizards and the Wizengamot in numbers far greater than in past decades. In 1965 Muggle Studies was introduced as an elective at Hogwarts, replacing the much maligned Dueling Elective, which was eradicated after the Hogwarts Board of Governors decided it fostered an environment of violence and contributed to inter-house disciplinary infractions. With the increasing liberal nature of Wizarding society, other social groups began to agitate for their own rights as well. The sixties marked the beginning of the Squib Protest Marches, which increased in frequency after the Tinworth Riot of 1967 during which three Squibs and two Wizards were killed during the MLES standoff. The following year, Minister of Magic Nobby Leach resigned in disgrace after he was revealed to have issued an order to "take no prisoners". Increasing rumours have swelled revolving an appeal to end house elf enslavement, as well as granting goblins the right to bear wands. Werewolf rights has also been an issue, with werewolves increasingly agitating for fewer regulations against them including the abolishing of the Werewolf Registry which has been in place since Newt Scamander first introduced it in 1947. The increased political changes of the past five years have led to a relatively unstable Wizarding society, and a backlash from the conservative purebloods seemed largely inevitable. Anxious to preserve what they saw as their heritage and way of life, a small segment of society began to mobilize both in ideology and force. Emergence of the Purist Movement The British Purist Movement has roots dating back Pre-Grindelwald and should be noted as distinct from both Grindelwald’s War and Purism on the Continent in general. Many pureblooded wizards lost their lives in the battle against Grindelwald and few if any actively supported his actions or his regime during the 1940’s. After Grindelwald’s fall, Britain entered a peaceful twenty years that few knew would be the last of traditional Wizarding society as it was then known. At this point, the overall population of purebloods entered a period of decline, caused partly by large numbers of casualties during the war as well as a decreasing birthrate. Whereas pureblood couples once wed quite young, the average age of marriage for purebloods has increased significantly, partly from the increased presence of young women in the work force due to financial necessity. The war years were not kind to many financially, and many of the traditional sources of wealth for Pureblood families have evaporated. While the genetic pool of purebloods was always smaller than that of their half blood counterparts, by 1969 the number of families able to trace its wizarding roots back more than seven generations has shrunk to more than half of what it was two centuries before. In recent years families such as the Gamps, the Gaunts, the Rabnotts, and the Wellbeloveds have become extinct or extend along only the maternal line and others have only one or two remaining descendants. By the sixties, the following families are the only remaining Pureblooded lines. Avery, Bagman, Black, Bletchley, Bones, Bulstrode, Burke, Crabbe, Crouch, Dolohov, Flint, Goyle, Greengrass, Higgs, Lestrange, Longbottom, Macmillan, Macnair, Malfoy, Mulciber, Nott, Parkinson, Potter, Prewett, Rookwood, Rosier, Selwyn, Smith, Travers, Weasley, Wilkes, Yaxley, Zabini. In response to the changing world around them, the Pureblooded families drew in upon themselves, becoming more insular and forming a society within a society, one which served as a last bastion of the more traditional values of the Wizarding World including the notions of Blood Purity, Traditional Roles for Women, and Magical Superiority. It is safe to say that in the past decades, the notions of what defines the traditional wizarding way of life have become even more stringent, in response to the liberation of wizarding society as a whole. Young pureblooded boys and girls continue to be educated at home in their early years, surrounded by family and others of their status, and they often find Hogwarts a difficult transition when they finally emerge to continue their education. Women are expected to work only if financially necessary, and then only until marriage, and most men work to support their families and provide a positive role model in society, even if the family has retained their wealth. The most important role of both men and women is emphasized to be procreation and the continuation of the family line, and marriage to anyone not of a similar bloodline is strictly taboo. With the decline of Purist social mores on the whole, the purebloods have taken it upon themselves to maintain their way of life. Families are expected to educate their young people appropriately and keep any and all more lenient tendencies in check. Any deviation from the expectations of society is met with great displeasure and in the cases of marrying outside of one’s social standing, a complete disassociation from the family. The term blood traitor was coined in the early part of the century and has now come into more common use to define a person who has turned their back on their own blood and on traditional pureblood society. While largely content to be silent at first, in recent years the purebloods have become more and more outspoken in regards to the changing world around them. Young men and women, in particular, have found themselves in a larger world they were grievously unprepared for by their upbringing, and the response has been uniform and in some cases, violent. The first of what came to be known later as The Pureblood Riots erupted in August 1965, when a group of seventh year Hogwarts students ransacked Flourish and Blotts in protest of the Hogwarts Board of Governor’s decision to place Muggle Studies as an elective class in their senior year. The riot spilled out into the street, and two students, Alfred Burbage, a Muggleborn, and Damicus Burke were killed in a duel. The incident was censured by the Ministry of Magic and society at large, and it was used by Anti-Dueling activists to urge stronger sanctions against dueling. The Hogwarts community was stunned, but the Pureblood community’s reaction was a quiet determination to not let Damicus’ death be in vain. Other incidents and riots began to occur in increasing frequency with riots in June, August, and December of 1966. The mysterious death of a Jeremy Ricketts, a Ministry of Magic MLEP officer and a Muggleborn during the February 1967 Hogsmeade visit led to an increased scrutiny of all students and the banning of Hogsmeade weekends for the following year. A period of quiet ensued as the purebloods, concerned their children might be targeted for violence of their own, urged caution, and so a period of grudging peace has temporarily ensued. Notes on Purist Society The tenets of Purist society are based heavily on "traditional values" similar to those existing during Victorian England. The Victorian Era was highly repressive and restrictive, and in this game all Purist characters are expected to uphold a standard of values consistent with the following tenets. Those that do not risk social censure at the very least or complete and total ostracism depending on the severity of the offense. Blood Purity: Pureblood is defined as being of magical lineage traced back at least seven generations on both sides. Fullblood is defined as being of magical lineage at least three generations, meaning that all grandparents must be born of magical blood (not Muggleborn or Muggle). Halfblood is defined as having magical lineage of less than three generations, either a parent or a grandparent is Muggleborn or a Muggle. Muggleborn is defined as being of non-magical lineage with both parents being Muggles. The Continuation of Blood Purity: Purist men and women are expected to marry those of equal blood status, with the goal of furthering the purity of their family line through their children. Fullblood purists are expected to marry those of equal generational status, with the goal of continued refinement of the blood line. All Purebloods are expected to produce children, and those who do not or do not wish to are regarded with disdain or pity. Women who do not wish to have children in favour of a career are considered to be beyond the pale and would be considered outcasts in society provided their family did not pressure them into marriage. Behaviour and Families: Pureblood society is distinct and separate from that of the rest of the wizarding world. It is a world of teas and social calls and noblesse oblige. Manners are of the utmost importance, including ladylike comportment from women and courtliness from men. Women are expected to speak quietly, to not shout, to show kindness to others, to honour and obey their husbands, and to behave with a certain delicateness in all matters that might be considered to be more of a men's duty. Men are expected to provide for their wives and families, to treat women with respect and tender affection, defend them and their honour, and to largely shield them from life's more unpleasant things. Both parents are expected to help provide loving guidance for their children, with the primary responsibility for daily care residing with the mother. Ostentation or flaunting of wealth is considered to be poor manners and indeed, many Purebloods retain little of their family's initial wealth and are considered to be land rich and vault poor. They are expected to accept this with grace and dignity or amused self deprecation. Both men and women are expected to work before marriage, and indeed many young couples delay marriage for a number of years in order to have a more sound financial footing for their eventual family. All Pureblooded men are expected to work, even if it is not financially necessary, both to provide for their families and contribute positively to society. Women are also expected to contribute to society, through the raising of children and social causes or volunteering. Children are expected to respect their elders, to work hard at their studies, and in general be helpful and courteous at home. Parents are expected to have a loving yet stern hand, and many families believe in the tenet spare the rod and spoil the child. Most parents grew up in an era where corporal punishment in school was considered the norm, and in fact it still is allowable at Hogwarts depending on the nature of the offense. Society: The expectations of Society are similar to that of the family. Members are expected to be helpful and gracious, contributing to the improvement of the wizarding world through social causes, art, music, or politics. They are expected to treat the lesser 'classes' with kindness and philanthropy but to not be intimate with them beyond at a superficial level. Society is a closed circle, and membership is exclusive, through birth. It cannot be bought or married into, and is xenophobic enough that foreign purebloods are welcomed politely and included, but never fully belong until they have accumulated enough generations for the stigma of not being English to have worn off. Society is inclusive and outsiders are looked at askance and with suspicion. Dances, parties, teas, political meetings, musical nights, volunteering, and gardening are all considered to be social opportunities and a good way for potential matches to be made. As schooling is done within the home and by the parents or tutors, friendships are encouraged from an early age, and many purebloods have known their friends since infancy as their parents were friends when they were young. Young women are expected to socialize only with other youngsters until they are of age, at which point they are considered to be "out" and may attend adult functions. Whereas once elaborate parties were common for girls at their society debut, financial circumstances have necessitated the formation of a "Debut Ball" during which all Pureblooded girls born within a specific debut will make their debut into society together. Isolation: As the world around them has becoming increasingly less familiar, the Purists have withdrawn into their own community and have less and less contact with other groups. Many pureblood children have never met a child of lesser birth up until the time they attend Hogwarts. Whereas it is inevitable that purebloods should interact with those of less than pure birth in the workforce or in daily life, friendships and close personal relationships are discouraged. Fullbloods are considered to be of appropriate enough blood that they may be friends, but it is made clear that they are not to be considered a prospect for marriage. Sex and Sexuality: Is the one aspect in which Purism is not fully comparible to Victorian sensibilities. Intimate relations are expected within the confines of marriage and are considered to be a way of fostering a loving relationship between husband and wife. Intimate relations prior to marriage are expected to be restricted to kisses and caresses and only in complete privacy. Anything more is frowned upon between young people, and both men and women are expected to be chaste until marriage. Infidelity is not generally encouraged, however if it does occur, many people tend to sweep it under the rug provided that no children arise from the affair and it is conducted with discretion. Relations occurring outside of marriage between consenting adults do occur, but are not spoken of and it is considered to be the utmost in ill manners to refer to anyone's illicit affairs. Some couples who are unable to have children might resort secretly to a tryst in order to beget an heir, although this is considered to be ill advised. Regarding sexuality, the norm is considered to be heterosexual. Homosexuality occurs but is heavily closeted. It understood that some men and women have these "inclinations" but it is not spoken of or alluded to, and those who elect to participate in intimate relations of this kind are still expected to marry and have children, many times with the spouse aware cognizant but tolerant provided they uphold their duty to their family. Public revelation of such tendencies would result in societal disgrace. Homosexual relations occurring in young adulthood between close friends are generally unremarked provided that they are discrete and the attachment does not interfere with their future prospects and is terminated upon marriage. Marriage and Courtship: As stated, marriage is expected of all young people. Whereas arranged marriages were once common, it is now more usual for a partnership to arise where a natural affection or friendship already exists. Starting in their teens, acquaintances are struck up with the eventual intention of marriage. Dating for its own sake is discouraged, however if a connection springs up it is not forbidden provided it is an appropriate one. Once they have left school, children are encouraged to develop those relationships with the purpose of courtship. Courtship is less formal than in previous decades, but consists of the couple going on outings, to parties, and participating in activities together. Typically a couple will court for some time, often several years or longer depending on financial circumstances, but never for less than a year. By the time of marriage it is presumed the couple is financially secure enough that the wife will be able to leave the work force and the husband be the sole provider of the family. Rushed marriages are frowned on and assumed to be due to "necessity". Marriage ceremonies are typically at the family home of the bride or groom and attended by other members of Society. Ministry of Magic The Ministry of Magic has been one of the driving forces in the Wizarding world since its inception. Through countless years and administration after administration, the governing body of the Minister and the Wizengamot have upheld the laws of the land and helped preserve Wizarding society in an increasingly populated Muggle world. The Ministry has struggled with issues with other Magical beings such as the Goblins, with magical beasts such as the Trolls and the centaurs, and the spirit world, all the while trying to provide a sense of cohesion with the Wizarding World. As time has passed laws have changed and the prejudices and opinions of society have as well, but the Ministry has always been a solid entity, slow to change and accept change in the world around it. From time to time great leaders have stepped up to fill a void and enact sweeping social change, but for the most part the Ministry has been content to keep things at a comfortable status quo. Since the defeat of Grindelwald, the Ministry has struggled to find its footing amid the current social revolution. The Post War Prime Minister, Zephyrinus Worme (1944-1961) was a war hero and a former head of the MLES. He focused on the rebuilding of war torn Britain, and by the end of his tenure in office, he was largely considered to be one of the most popular Ministers in history. His replacement, Nobby Leach (1962-1968), was a hard line conservative fiscally, who focused on rebuilding the Minister's coffers. His tenure was marked by staff and spending cuts, a decrease in the presence of the MLES and the Aurors, and the disbanding of the British Magical Army. The war was long over, he declared, and there was no point in essentially keeping a standing army when it was obvious that the Ministry would never be at war again. He was responsible for replacing the human guards at Azkaban with Dementors, a magical beast halfway between spirit and monster. Protests at this decision and on the part of prisoner rights groups were swept under the carpet, and as the years of his tenure passed, the Ministry's grip became tighter as society itself became more liberal. Nobby was unprepared for the Squib rights movement. The Squib marches were intended to be peaceful protests, but when he ordered the poorly manned and trained MLES to use any means possible on the protesters, three people were killed. It was too much, the public outcry demanded he be removed from office, and the next year the Wizengamot removed him and elected Orpheus Oglethorpe, a middle ground politician and former Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Orpheus was a peacemaker and helped guide the wizarding world through the Purist Riots. He also began rebuilding the Auror office and the MLES, and in the past year, Auror recruitment efforts have doubled. He has a fair performance record, but a low overall approval. His middle of the road stance has made the Purists dislike him on grounds he is too supportive of liberal issues, and the liberals feel much the same. In many ways, in trying to make everyone happy, he has continued to mire the wizarding world deeper in a sea of unrest. Civilian Life Life for the average person in the Wizarding world is fairly uneventful. After the end of Grindelwald's war there was a period of economic crisis as society began to rebuild, but this soon turned into a rather golden and peaceful age of prosperity. The 1950's were a peaceful decade, and people began to forget and put behind them the tragedy and difficulty of the past. As the changes of the 1960's came around, styles, music, and way of life became slowly more liberated. Women, who played an important part in the war, began working more and more commonly outside of the home, and a much greater equality in the roles men and women played in society evolved. By the mid 1960's, the average wizarding home had a wireless radio and a magical stove, with fireplaces gradually being relegated to Floo only, status. More wizards ended up living in urban areas, with Diagon Alley seeing an increase in its population, and many people moving from rural areas to wizarding neighbourhoods in pockets of London or Glasgow. As fewer people worked traditional farms, the use of Muggle suppliers for non-conjurable necessities such as food, cloth, wood, and metals increased as did the demand for them. The work week shortened, with Ministry offices and Gringotts making the decision to stay closed on Saturday as well as Sunday, many people found themselves with an increase in leisure time. In many ways it was a decadent time, robes became much more elaborate, with large amounts of fabric and decoration, and people began turning to diversions such as music, books, and the arts. A fascination with celebrities began to emerge, and magazines devoted to following Quidditch Players or Musical Artists became common place. Artists such as Celestina Warbeck became household names, and fanclubs are very popular with the Hogwarts set, and even some adult wizards. Outside of the pureblood wizards, the general wizarding population experienced something of a boom after the war. Whereas in the early part of the century there were three halfblood or fullblood births for every pureblood birth, by the 1960's it had changed to five to one. The increasing population has led to an increased workforce, but also an increased demand for infra-structure such as housing, commerce, and education. The Hogwarts Board of Governors, recognizing a need for earlier and more cohesive education of children, enlisted the assistance of the Ministry of Magic in the formation of small primary schools in centers of Wizarding population, and thus the small Wee Wizards Schools were born, in Diagon Alley, Hogsmeade, Tinworth, and Upper Flagley with a focus on English, Mathematics, Geography, and Wizarding Skills and Knowledge. These children found themselves better prepared to continue their education at Hogwarts as well as better socialized with their own peers. Their parents, less burdened with having to provide their education at home, were then better able to join the workforce that was so badly needed. Whereas Ministry jobs decreased, opportunities in housing, hospitality, retail, and medicine rose sharply. During this time a sexual revolution took place as well. With an increase of women in the workforce, there came a demand for contraceptive methods in the form of potions and charms in order for women to more accurately plan their families and their careers. As the use of such methods rose, young people began to experiment more often with sex before marriage, particularly those with ties to the Muggle world. While hardly subversive, a much more open attitude towards sex and intimacy prevails amongst the general populace than even one or two decades before. Homosexuality, however, is still heavily closeted, although young people are more likely to experiment with it than they were in previous decades. Grindelwald's War* No treatise on the wizarding world of the current era would be complete without some discussion of the most important event of the modern era, the war against Grindelwald. The Dark Wizard, bent on complete power, terrorized Europe in a large swath of death and destruction. His forces killed a great many Muggles and Wizards alike over the course of the war, throughout continental Europe. While he hesitated initially to attack Britain, his own rivalry with Albus Dumbledore eventually overcame his need for caution, and he launched a series of attacks on English soil, only to be driven back by the British Magical Army who joined the fight to defeat his forces. He was eventually defeated by Albus Dumbledore in summer of 1943. Whether or not they actively participated in Grindelwald's war, the effect of the war on the population of Britain was undeniable. Between the strain of this and that of the Muggle War in Europe at the same time, England took a heavy hit, and it took nearly a decade for things to rebuild, any characters who were alive during this time should at the least have had some recollection of the difficulties and hardships involved during the 1940's and be cognizant of their role in the current political climate. Note: The dates and details of Grindelwald's War reflect canon established in and borrowed with permission from blurred_war* and are not canon compliant. For most characters unless they were alive during the time period, the details would not be terribly important, only the knowledge that Britain was at war, which, during WWII it already essentially was.