Lesson 1 -Intro, What is a beast?, Ashwinder

Available: Sept 4
Due Date: Sept 24. Please try to hand in assignments before the due date. Due to time zones, while you may think you still have an hour left, in actuality the assignment may have closed 2 hours ago.

In this class we will be learning about many different creatures. We will be learning how to recognize the beasts, what they are most useful for, how to care for them, and what to do if you come into contact with creature. For the purpose of this class we will define a beast as any living creature that is not human. Beasts may have human characteristics, such as a centaur or mermaids. In the fourteenth century Burdock Muldoon of the Wizards’ Council stated, “Any member of the magical community that walked on two legs would henceforth be granted the status of ‘being’, all others to remain ‘beasts’.” This definition produced many difficulties as goblins, pixies, fairies and trolls were then defined as a ‘being’ and tried to attend a meeting that was called for all ‘beings’. Chaos erupted and Muldoon was forced to withdraw his attempt at defining a beast.

In 1811 Grogan Stump decreed “a being was any creature that has sufficient intelligence to understand the laws of the magical community and to bear part of the responsibility in shaping those laws”. Merpeople were the only ones to become ‘beings’. Trolls and goblins were judged not to understand anything being said to them. Fairies, pixies and gnomes were placed in the beast category despite having a human like appearance. Centaurs refused ‘being’ status. There will always be a need for a better definition of a beast.

The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures gives a rating to all beasts, beings and spirits. They offer a guide to the dangerousness of a creature.
                Ministry of Magic Classification (MoMC)
                XXXXX – Known wizard killer- impossible to train or domesticate
                XXXX – Dangerous- requires specialist knowledge or a skilled wizard
                XXX – Competent wizard should cope
                XX – Harmless- may be domesticated
                X – Boring

And with the introduction to this course over, on to our first beast of the year!

 

ASHWINDER – MoMC- XXX

An ashwinder is a thin, pale-gray serpent with glowing red eyes. It is created when a magical fire burns unchecked for too long. Ashwinders rise from the embers and slither into the shadows and into the nearest dwelling. It will leave an ash like trail behind it. They only live for an hour during which they find a dark secluded spot in which to lay eggs. After they have laid their eggs the ashwinder collapses into a pile of dust. The eggs are a brilliant red and give off an intense heat. They have been known to ignite the building they are in within minutes if they are not found. If found a suitable freezing charm will control the eggs. Once the eggs are frozen they are of great value in love potions and may be eaten as a cure for ague. Ashwinders can be found all over the world.

 

Please be sure to complete Assignment 1.