A Guide To American Wandlore

American Wand Cores Part 2

Extremely rare cores: The following are wand cores that are almost impossible to look for. In the U.S., these cores are acquired only through trade. Except for the Gowrow Tusk.

Gowrow Tusk - Native to the Ozarks, the gowrow is reported to be a large dragon-like creature with tusks, but no wings. It is twenty feet long and has a long tail with an end like a blade. It scurries forth on short legs and webbed feet. Semi-aquatic, its favored habitat is deep caverns by rivers and other bodies of water. In one story, a gowrow is captured because it was lured out of its cave with dried apples. It ate so many that it could no longer fit into its burrow, and could not move fast enough to escape. Their soft and leathery eggs are the size of beer kegs.

In the 1920s, A witch from Arkansas by the name of Generosity Kneller, aka Gen Kneller, bred this species to protect her apple orchard and moonshine empire from envious rivals as well as the law. She created the gowrow by crossing a variety of creatures. The speculated genetics include snallygaster, white river monster, and her pet alligators, Zebedee, and Lenore. However, her pets attracted much notice when a young gowrow by the name of Thimble was captured and 'killed' by a No-Maj named Milner. His body was almost sent to the Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. Fortunately, MACUSA became involved just in time to take the necessary measures to sweep this breach of the international statute of wizarding secrecy under the rug. They crafted the story into a hoax and made Milner take the part of the fool. Though MACUSA tried to take Kneller into custody, they never managed to catch her. Her legacy lives on in the hundreds of gowrow that occupy the Ozarks and the acres of apples she abandoned. Vintage Knellergator moonshine is one of the most expensive libations that can be purchased in the wizarding United States.

Gowrows occasionally get into fights with white river monsters where their territories cross. They live solitary lives, but both the males and females are involved in raising their hatchlings. As their eggs are huge and soft, they are often preyed upon by creatures like thunderbirds and horned serpents. Two to three eggs are the average for gowrow nests. About fifty percent of gowrow eggs make it to their hatching point with their incubation period being about four and a half months. They emerge from the egg about the size of a full-grown Labrador retriever. Sixty percent of these hatchlings make it through their first year. The greatest factors against their survival are thunderbirds, pollution, and illegal poaching. It takes ten years for the gowrow to reach its full length. Another seven years after that, the females of the species can reproduce. Twenty years old is the age for a male gowrow to reach full sexual maturity.

Both males and females use their tusks to establish dominance and mating rights. These tusks are also used to dig holes in the ground, including their burrows. It is believed that Kneller used gowrows like plows and planted seeds for her orchard and gardens in holes dug out by their tusks. Their tusks seem to help them sense minute magical vibrations, but further study is needed. Gowrows eat whatever they can find, but have a special love for apples. They have been known to eat humans, but gowrows that are raised around or by humans are known to refrain from such a practice. The act of playing dead is common among gowrow, especially their young.

Gowrow tusk wands seek an owner that is creative, dramatic, and protective. They are often good actors and have an adoration for flamboyant and theatrical magic. A large or healthy ego is common, they are bursting with confidence. They like to show off their abilities and don't like to feel they have to dim their shine for anyone or anything. Overindulgence or gluttony is a common issue as these witches and wizards prefer the fine things in life. They are also not the best at refraining from purchasing unnecessary items. They love to buy items and food for others, and this generosity can quickly sap their finances if not kept in check. Wands with this core enhance their owner's magic sensitivity, though they are often sensitive before attaining this wand.