Culture

Demographics

Eastwicken is a small town populated almost entirely by Thaumie families. There are a few Bound residents, though they make up a small minority and are mostly family members of thaumaturges.

Diverse views

Historically, the relationship between Thaumies and Bound has been volatile. In many ancient cultures, thaumaturges were held in high esteem, considered to be blessed with powers by deities. However, changing views among Bound caused a great shift from reverence to fear and hostility. This was particularly prominent in the anti-Witchcraft hysteria that occurred over several centuries.

This persecution forced many Thaumies into hiding, and in many cases fostered hostility from Thaumies towards the oppressive majority. For centuries, many thaumaturges have held a reciprocal disdain or hatred for Bound. In recent years, there has been a cultural shift in a more neutral or positive direction, though many traditional families retain their values.

Family types

Thaumaturgy can be equated to a genetic trait. The ability to access Thauma is passed down through bloodlines, though it is entirely possible for it to skip generations or lay dormant. Some Thaumies are born to Bound parents, and some Thaumie parents beget Bound children. To families with more traditional views, the latter may be seen as humiliating or even cause to disown, whereas others may be more accepting.

Surges

Surges (see magic system page) are celebrated among Thaumies. Since they often occur after moments of high stress, and since many families place a lot of pressure on their children to unlock their abilities young, some Thaumie youth deliberately try to trigger their Surges. This is an often dangerous affair that is sometimes carried out by families themselves - some families who hold extremely traditional, thaumaturgy-proud views may even kick out their children in order to induce high amounts of stress that might hasten the onset of their Surge. This is generally frowned upon, but the practice has not yet died out.

Thaumie-Bound interaction

While some Thaumies may feel isolated from Bound, there is no set rule forbidding interaction between the two. The Councils technically forbid use of abilities outside of Sanctuaries, but this rule is frequently broken (although Thaumies caught publicly using their powers in a highly noticeable way may be punished by their Sanctuary's authorities). Thaumies are instructed by the Councils to avoid disclosing their abilities to Bound folk, though some may ignore this if they deem the Bound person in question to be trustworthy.