In this world, there are many tools one may use to direct magic. One of the most well-known of these is the wand. Of course, it is a common saying that "The wand chooses the wizard," with all wands having a degree of awareness with which they select...
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Fagus grandifolia, the American beech or North American beech, is a species of beech tree native to the eastern United States and extreme southeast Canada. The genus name Fagus is Latin for "beech," and the specific epithet grandifolia comes from grandis, "large," and folium, "leaf." In wandlore, the American beech is revered for its connection to wisdom and creativity, with its wood being highly sought after for crafting wands that value the experience and open-mindedness of their owners. Its reputation is well-known among magical historians, who appreciate the wand's ability to provide nuanced and artistic magical expressions. This has made the American beech significant in both historical and contemporary wizarding communities.
The following insights are adapted from Pottermore and the notes of renowned wandmaker Ollivander. The actual match for a beech wand will be, if young, wise beyond his or her years, and if full-grown, rich in understanding and experience. Beech wands perform very weakly for the narrow-minded and intolerant. Such wizards and witches, having obtained a beech wand without having been suitably matched (yet coveting this most desirable, richly hued, and highly prized wand wood), have often presented themselves at the homes of learned wandmakers such as myself, demanding to know the reason for their handsome wand's lack of power. When properly matched, the beech wand is capable of subtlety and artistry that is rarely seen in any other wood, hence its lustrous reputation.
Wandlore
Popular on the East Coast of the United States, American Beech is drawn to those with old souls who desire to understand the world through various lenses and are tolerant of a wide range of beliefs and lifestyles. The magic produced by this wand is subtle and best revealed in artistic and abstract endeavors. Their owners are notably long-lived. Pairing well with specific wand cores, American Beech wands are often complemented by unicorn hair, which enhances their natural ability for subtle magic and warmth. When combined with phoenix feather cores, the wand's artistic magic is elevated, providing a highly adaptive and powerful tool for the most creative spellcasters. Conversely, dragon heartstring cores imbue the wand with a more assertive magic, balancing the gentle nature of American Beech and bringing out its potential for stronger spellwork. These nuanced pairings allow for a wide range of magical expressions that enthusiasts find deeply intriguing.
Owners are often referred to as bookworms and learn best through reading and visuals. Their physical coordination may be a bit off, and they have the bruises to show for it. Because they spend so much time in books and their own head, others may perceive them as spacey or over-reliant on written knowledge. However, these people highly value others' emotions and experiences and see reading as another avenue for accessing perspectives different from their own.
Thus, they also tend to read fiction, as well as biographies, autobiographies, sociological studies, and world history. Risk-taking is uncommon among beech owners, and they may miss out on some life experiences as a result. Spells to do with fermentation and aging are a specialty of this wand. As such, they excel at complex, lengthy potions. These people and their wand have incredible patience and pay thorough attention to even the smallest detail. Another specialty involves divining the locations of water, ores, gemstones, and oil (specialty depends on the wand core).
This wand emits moss green, copper, and cream-colored tendrils during spellwork. Its magic smells of aged paper, bluebells, and a hint of hops. It goes well with fire-based cores and most cores in general, preferring active or assertive cores, as the beech influence can make passive cores even slower to perform spellwork. Those with beech wands possessing passive cores may take too long to deliberate before acting and overthink constantly. Small mushrooms may grow off the wand on occasion due to an excess of magic that the mushrooms feed on. This keeps the wand healthy, and the fungi can be used in various potions or dried for poultices. To care for your beech wand, it is advisable to gently brush the fungi with a soft cloth or brush to prevent overwhelming growth that may sap the wand's energy. Regularly check for cracks or any other signs of wear, as beech wands thrive when treated with respect and attention. Store your wand in a dry, cool place to maintain its vitality and ensure its longevity.
