What are some monsters that could make good wandcores and are native to the western part of the US?
Look, Nonny, darling, Iâm from the UK and I honestly am pretty shit at Geography and beyond that thereâs like the whole thing where different bits of the US like to consider them North/East/West/South/their state predominantly, which makes this like. Not at all simple.Â
Itâs also worth noting that wandcores are something which can be traded - while a wandmaker is going to want to select the wood themselves, as only some woods can work for a wandwood, and they must therefore inspect the tree personally, the cores are required as a magical item by which they may channel magic through the wand - the wood directs, the core channels. Finding suitable wood is the hard part, the core is a much simpler thing, and, in cases such as dragon parts, is an object with legal restrictions on trade, and therefore one which cannot be collected in person. Therefore, many cores are traded, so a core from the western part of the US might be found up in Canada or on the east coast instead.
Iâm going to go over canon cores and then cores from headcanoned creatures and you can pick ones which seem interesting and see if theyâre found in the area youâre looking for, ok? Iâve organised both lists in the rough order of most to least powerful as a wandcore.
Dragon heartstring - In America this could utilise the Heartstring of the dragonish-occamy-ish Snallygaster [monsterblog post], or Heartstrings from my American Thunderwing dragons, Florida Swamp Dragons, or Canyon or River Dragons.
Thunderbird tail feather - [monsterblog post] A cousin to Firebird-type birds, though not of the type themselves, the feather of a Thunderbird makes for a powerful, though difficult to master core, with a knack for Transfiguration.
Phoenix feather - From the American Eagle-Phoenix, most likely, though sometimes traded from other specimens. You can read about the specifics of its tendencies as a core over Here on @wandmore .
Rougarou hair - [monsterblog post] Though strongly linked to dark magic it is more that this core is very capable. Highly self-aware and very powerful, it takes a certain measure of will to manage such a core but, once managed, is the most loyal helpmate one could ask for.
Veela hair - [monsterblog post] While reputed to be a temperamental core, cores of Veela hair are nonetheless powerful and are capable of being especially loyal if in the hands of someone related to the Veela who donated a hair.
Horned Serpent horn - [monsterblog post] Very rare. Preference for Parselmouths and resistant to magic cast on it by way of Parseltongue. Likes the intelligent.
Wampus cat hair - [monsterblog post] Very powerful cores, the hairs of these creatures can only be collected by Cherokee wixes who have spent time studying the creatures and how to safely interact with them - due to this, many wandmakers who use this core maintain cordial relationships with Cherokee wixes so as to maintain the trading relationship, though these interactions have been strained (and outright called off) at several points in history due to the behaviour of MACUSA.
Unicorn hair - [monsterblog post] Due to various reasons, Unicorns were introduced to America by immigrant wixes and, to this day, the hair is used in wandmaking due to itâs power, loyalty and reliability.
White River Monster spine - [monsterblog post] Very nearly only found in inherited wands, these days, it makes for a wand of force and elegance. In recent years, since the death of wandmaker Thiago Quintana, who knew how to lure the creatures, wands with this core have only been made using found spines, washed up on dead specimens.
Kelpie Hair - [monsterblog post] Often, though not always, imported, the hair of Kelpies is most usually a wandcore found in imported wands, though this hasnât stopped more experimental wandmakers experimenting with it.
Jackalope antler - [monsterblog post] a lively core but not the strongest. Nonetheless popular with some wandmakers, as it is known to help liven up more quiet woods.
Kneazle Whisker - [monsterblog post]As one might suspect, not the strongest of cores, and rather an aloof and tricky one at that. Often obtained from a wixes pet and used more as a practice wand than anything else.
Troll whisker - [monsterblog post] A very weak core, nonetheless, one found and occasionally used, depending on region.
Wendigo Spinal Cord - An incredibly rare and dangerous core, most wandmakers who are willing to use it will only bind it to a peaceable wood, lest it select too dangerous a wix and lend the wix means to do more harm than good. Not actively malicious, the core nonetheless likes those with a certain level of viciousness and a distinct strength of mind.
Vampire Venom - Usually only found in wands for the children and grandchildren of vampires, on some very rare occasions a vampire may donate a fang for the wands of their human bloodline. A very quick and subtle wandcore.
Dryad Hair - be it of the American Tree Dryad, or the splintery tendrils of the Swamp Dryad, these hairs are used as wand cores which do not âflavourâ the wood, leaving the wood with the same personality, unaltered by the core.
North American Swamp Nixie Hair - Usually only donated to those who are actually related to them, they may sometimes give bundles of hair as part of alliance or trade agreements to âanchorâ the promise. These hairs are usually then made into wands for the children of those who made the agreement.Â
Pacific Moon Serpent Rib - Very rare but surprisingly powerful, the ribs of these creatures make for solid wands with a knack for reflective magics.
Winged Horse Feather - Be it from Volucens, Azazelan, or another breed kept in the USA, the feathers of these creatures are occasionally used as wandcores.
Griffin Feather - Usually from the Krizogryph, also called the Mississippi Heron Griffin, Pheasant Griffin (not the strongest) or the Rocky Mountain Griffin, these wandcores have a noble tendency.
American Hellhound Sinew - A dangerous wandcore in the wrong hands, it is, thankfully, not as powerful as some other cores on this list. However, when bonded to a sweet-natured wandwood, it makes for the most loyal helpmate a wix could ask for.
Ball-Tailed Cat Hair - Distant cousins to Wampus Cats, Splintercats and Cactus Cats, Ball-Tailed Cats are not as magically powerful as the former, though they are more powerful than the latter two. Prone to making for stubborn wands.
Splintercat Spines - Spines of these creatures make for accurate and almost sharp wands, though not as risky as Cactus Cat.
Cactus Cat Spines - Cactus Cat Spine cored wands have an unfortunate tendency to occasionally turn on the wix handling them, if they disagree on what to do, sometimes burning a wixes palm. This, however, is nothing compared to what they will do if a wix tries to steal them.
Chupacabra Spines - Wands made with this core are playful but curiously loyal, in that they will express as much loyalty to one their master willingly loans them to so long as the wix offers no threat to their true master.
Hidebehind Hair - Rather like Demiguise hair, this core can be very hard to see and is very hard to obtain. Despite this, it is not very powerful, hence itâs lack of popularity.
Hodag Horn - Not particularly remarkable, Hodag Horns rarely grow large enough to be of use.
Chama-lincis Whisker - Often very resistant to magic it is rare to find a whisker suitable for wandmaking.
Magical Raven Feather - Be it from Nebiros / Curious Raven, Valravn, or Nachtkrapp, these wands are not the most powerful but are not uncommon (though this varies depending on source), as they are wonderfully reliable.Â
Ceribim Feather - Usually collected from pet specimens, such a core is not especially strong but can be interestingly flamboyant.
Argopelter Hair - Very rarely used due to sheer weakness and the trouble one must go to obtain, these hairs make for playful wandcores.
Warpgle Feather - Useful for those who might wish to enchant objects, but otherwise not particularly powerful enough.
Boletum crinis Tendril - A cheeky wandcore, these tend to enjoy working on jinxes, hexes and pranks, but rarely anything to do actual harm unless truly willed by their master or part of a wand with a more vicious wandwood.