Sagemore Family

The Sagemore family are halfbloods who many presume to be purebloods, given their long magical ancestry and rumours of being descendants of Rowena Ravenclaw -- though the latter is unconfirmed, and so often denied.

If someone says "wands", we think of Ollivanders. When someone says "toys", we think of the Sagemores -- who were among the first magical toymakers, and maintain their reputation as the best in the business to this day. They even dare encourage other magical toymakers, knowing it won't harm their own business because the Sagemores are unmatched / without competition. 

A Sagemore has two personalities, defined as their "Sagemore" or "first name" side. The Sagemore personality is for the public -- their confidence, professionalism, and refined manners. Yet, as many are often surprised by, also quite humble. They're leaders, teachers, and there to help where they can.

Their true personalities, not tied to their expectations or responsibilities, are much more relaxed and calculating. The children in particular have quite the sense of humour, even known to be goofy and a bit weird at home or away from the public eye. This family is inherently playful and creative, with few limitations. Yet can be fearsome when a situation calls for it, especially with their extensive knowledge of all manner of magic.

It was once said that a Sagemore could be a truly destructive and unstoppable force, if not for their ingrained and authentic goodness. It sends a chill down one's spine when a Sagemore themself agrees. That goodness always wins over -- yet in anger or grief, it is not without an intense internal battle first. But is it goodness of the heart that wins, or simply a sheer will to be good?

As whimsical and adventurous as their days may be, it is not without hardship. They work as a family; the children are always in training to take over the business someday, and there is always more to learn. Their travels often see them in places of poverty, distress, or ruin. It's not unusual to wake before the sun, or to glimpse it before collapsing into bed.

They don't trust outsiders easily, and fame has led them to feel rather awkward when fans or clients behave too casually / familiar despite being strangers. Because of this, and past events, the adults are very protective of the children. Unlike most kids who might rebel against such rules or precautions, the Sagemore heirs have learned the hard way to trust in the instructions or orders given to them.

Close proximity for long hours of the day, nearly every day, can naturally cause conflict -- even with how close the sisters are. So there's a firm rule that they can fight or argue, they can scream or break things, and they can disagree -- but it must be resolved within two days. They have two days to be angry or whatever they may be feeling, but then they talk or apologise and move on. This isn't always effective in practice, but the family must always be a team.

Communication is key -- as a family, and when dealing with clients / otherwise -- because of this, the children have always felt safe in talking to their family about things that bother them or struggles they're dealing with. The Sagemore adults are pillars of strength and support, though those can be tough footsteps to follow.

The Sagemore ancestry goes back as far as anyone can track, believed to be among the first to cast magic -- so it was only natural they also became one of the first magical toymakers. This tradition was carried on as a great honour among the family, passed down from parent to child of every generation. 

Business flourished every season, each generation... until one. Zareb and Taraji were born during a time when creative businesses were struggling, and their father was an only child -- the only possible heir to the Sagemore name and legacy. And he was not particularly imaginative or good with finance.

His wife was his partner for as long as she could be, but she got caught up trying to help their community deal with a toy scammer who used unstable spells to make a quick Galleon. During her efforts, she was badly injured by one of the spells. Zareb and Taraji were 13 and 10 at the time, when their father began to focus primarily on caring for their mother and supporting charitable foundations in her name.

A year later, and they'd become the faces of the business to keep it afloat. On the outside, the Sagemore struggles were minimal, but the family were worked to the ground to maintain that. Their father did his best to train them in everything they knew -- and it was Zareb's modern ideas, and Taraji's knack for management, that brought the Sagemore brand into a new era. They branched out from only making wonderful toys, but also storybooks, and practical toys like training brooms.

But it was a lot to put on their young shoulders; heirs don't typically inherit until married, so they got ahead of themselves. Zareb and Taraji also attended Uagadou; juggling the business with their education. By graduation, they were exhausted. Their mother passed away, and their father soon followed from a broken heart.

Business slowed while they went abroad to study at the Academy, which involved learning to use a wand -- something Zareb took a liking to. But Zareb had also grown bitter -- even as he accepted his duties as a Sagemore heir in honour of his parents -- and, to spare his sister, agreed to marry a girl from his hometown, chosen by his father to ensure tradition; it was his dying wish. Mae was kind and encouraged him; their marriage was arranged, not done out of love, but they became good friends.

Young and still trying to find their feet, Zareb, Taraji, and Mae were thrown further into the public eye. Expectations grew, and Zareb was the first to crack under the pressure. He took a year off to study magic and figure out if he wanted to be the first to break tradition. He sent Mae (who stayed behind to assist Taraji) his ideas, and helped in emergencies, but he was ready to quit. 

When the year was up, Zareb returned home. He was different; matured. To their surprise, he accepted his role as the heir; as the Head Sagemore, alongside Taraji. A shared position, but perfect for them. No one asked what changed his mind, but it was surely something profound because the business became his life.

They rebranded, and the Sagemores once again became a household name by bringing it back to what it was in the early days of their father's inheritance -- aided by their travelling, studying, and assisting smaller magical communities. They reconnected with nature, and shed materialistic views. A fresh start, back to their roots.

The change brought new beginnings, as they moved the entire business from Africa to the UK. Taraji became the face of the business, while Zareb and Mae worked on production and invention. Taraji's best friend, Irene, was a children's author -- so she wrote them a new line of magical storybooks. 

Mae and Zareb soon welcomed their first child, and the new future heir -- a miracle, as it was a stressful time under public pressure and rebuilding their brand in a new country. A few years later, their second daughter was born in easier circumstances. The joy of becoming a father shed Zareb of his bitterness. His daughters were always laughing and so full of energy; he vowed to work even harder for their future.

Yet the girls also became the perfect testers or inspiration for new toy ideas. With children in the family, their business rapidly bloomed. As per tradition, they started learning Sagemore way from their 2nd birthday. Kamari and Alora took to it well, brimming with ideas and keen to explore new places or forms of magic.

Zareb was eager to expand, despite Taraji warning that he was becoming reckless in his personal endeavors -- a bad habit Mae formed as well. They even explored the Muggle world further, trying to understand the differences and bridge that gap. It got Zareb in a bit of confused trouble with the Ministry, when he took to learning Muggle magic tricks and showed them off -- a cover for his ambitions to be able to provide magical toys to non-magical households, such as for muggleborns or children of squibs.

He liked Muggle tricks so much he also taught his daughters a few of them, hoping they could one day impress their friends at school or when they visited struggling communities with young children. Their travels introduced the children to a whole world of experiences, culture, magical variation, and even creatures they were fortunate enough to see in person.

But such an open childhood, with few limitations or discouragements, had an unfortunate side-effect. During a visit to Indonesia, tragedy struck.

Kamari was 5, and Alora was 3. Zareb camped recklessly, unaware of a creature living nearby -- napping inside a small yet dormant volcano. Zareb and Taraji were working in nearby villages when they heard of such a beast from the locals. They rushed back to their campsite -- Taraji arrived first, but Zareb was too late.

Kamari and Alora had explored further than they were told to, with a child's view of safety and wonder. They don't remember much of that day. Only that they'd wandered too far. The creature, flaming and enraged, charged towards them. Their mother and aunt protected them somehow, but it cost Mae her life. 

To the children, Mae was simply gone; they never saw or remembered that moment, as Zareb made sure to spare their young minds of such nightmares. All they remembered was fire, the charging bear-like creature, and their two protectors -- Mae and Taraji.

No one was the same after that. Zareb and Taraji became vigilant, and the children learned the hard lesson that not everything was wonderful and safe. They knew to always listen, and to be mindful of their surroundings. The loss of their mother was hard, but memories faded with time. She became a smile in their dreams, but a stranger in their hearts. 

Zareb took it the hardest, not only for the loss of his best friend but the horror of how he'd nearly lost his entire family that same day. For many months, it was as if life hit pause. The family were stuck and emotionally hurt -- during this time, as Taraji had to physically recover from the event, the family moved in with her best friend, Irene.

Little by little, they moved on. Irene was a force of warmth and support -- knowing how to make them laugh, or when to be a shoulder for them to cry on. When the girls were scared to adventure again, or Zareb considered giving up on inventing, it was Irene who taught the Sagemore's the most important lesson; that you should never let a bad experience take away something you love.

Irene's imagination and hard-working optimism earned her a partnership in the business, just as she'd earned a place in Zareb's heart. They were the perfect team. By the time Kamari was 7, Irene and Zareb had married -- full of love and joy. It was also the point that Kamari and Alora could finally move on. They had their Papa, their Aunt, and their Mama... while not forgetting their Birth Mother who gave them life, then gave her own to save them.

As heirs, they continue learning -- and have forged an incredible bond as sisters. Although Kamari and Alora aren't the first Sagemores to attend Hogwarts, they are the first in a long time. Irene, having attended herself, was sure to tell them stories about the castle and adventure awaiting them at Hogwarts.

They were raised without the crushing pressure Zareb and Tanji felt growing up, as everyone insisted the new young heirs were given all the time in the world to consider their place in the business -- to only take it over when they were truly ready.
They live a rather unusual yet highly magical life. For most of the year, their home is an enchanted tent -- due to always travelling, and to maintain a close connection to nature. Given their family's talents, it is quite lavish, and capable far beyond even the best tents on the market. The girls each have their own room, with huge four-posted beds and various reading nooks or bookshelves.

The Sagemore kids are serious in public, but a bit chaotic at home. Despite this, they listen well and respect the rules or chores in place. Sometimes, the adults call upon their more mischievous skills and high energy to cause a diversion or for other sneaky tasks. Professional as they may appear, this family is not as innocent or rule-abiding as one might think. 

With the family cat, Ringwald, the children do not have their own pets -- nor any desire for one, with their constant exposure to magical creatures. Quidditch is a shared interest, and trips to Hogsmeade (3rd years and above) must be requested -- though with the hope no one recognises them; a Sagemore is essentially a celebrity.

They're expected to always be home for the summer to keep up with their training and experience, but also during the Christmas holidays -- as of course that's the busiest time of year for a toymaker. Kamari and Alora are excellent wrappers, and have learned the owl-ordering system well enough to help run supervised checks that everything's ready to be sent off.


A South African habit that's stuck, despite the kids growing up primarily in Europe, is that they'll likely use howzit instead of "how is it?" or even "how are you?"

Also, braai meaning "barbeque" -- it's a huge part of their culture. South African families may gather around and braai every week. It's also a Sagemore's favourite food; something they do regularly, even if not visiting Africa. Nowhere else does it quite like the braai at home.
Given their unique background and historical relevance, these characters have a preset name to be used. If you have a suitable alternative to suggest, it may be taken into consideration, but please be willing to keep the preset one regardless. 

Code is below. Copy and paste it into a reply and fill it out. The summary is a rough idea of their personality, interests, or otherwise. If approved, that information must be consistent when you submit your character application but doesn't have to be word-for-word; the summary is just your general concept and ideas, which will properly fleshed out later.

Your RP sample is essentially an audition for RPing as this character, which includes the average post length expected from you. Godmodding is allowed in the sample, if needed. Please do not create an account for the character until approved.

[b]Character ID:[/b]
[b]Summary:[/b]
[b]RP Sample:[/b]

[i]By submitting this request, I pledge to be/remain an active member. I also confirm that I've read the Bloodline Guide and understand how this feature works. If my request is approved, I know I will have 7 days to submit a character application for this character or it will no longer be reserved for me.[/i]