The Daily Diviner - Issue 135

TABLE OF​	CONTENTS​
Feature​	Mid-year Updates​
Editorial​	Shade Alley Safety Tips​
Server Spotlight​	Building as a Magical Architect​
Lifestyle​	Magical Objects for Magical Students​

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Mid-year Updates
Feature
Written by Silquer
Edited by LMNJ
​

Hello, my dear readers, and welcome back to the Daily Diviner! A great number of updates have arrived on Potterworld in the past two months; in case you have missed any of the exciting news and releases, here is a showcase of some of the major news that Potterworld has to show for the summer so far.

The Potterworld Developers have been working on updating the server to version 1.18 for some time now, steadily making progress behind the scenes. This June, they released a new Developer’s Blog, giving us an update on their progress. The blog reveals the plugin process, database and world migrations, and more! The next steps for the 1.18 conversion will tackle vaults, inventories, and eventually the resource pack. If the technical details are intriguing to you, the blog post is linked here.

On June 10th, the Game Design team made a major announcement! The new Directium gameplay update is now on its way, bringing with it plenty of new and refurbished features to dive into. The last major update was Revelius, which made Potterworld into the gameplay experience it is today; only time will tell how Directium will change the server as well!

As of this issue, four systems of Directium have been announced. Herbology, Mob Revamp, Potions, and Magical Cuisine are the first four, with more to follow in the coming months. Herbology, Potions, and Magical Cuisine are all professions that will be released with Directium. They have their own blog posts, so check that out for more information! More systems will be announced with new blog posts, and a playtest will be coming in the future. To stay up to date, take a look at the dedicated Directium update page.

In other news, there have been two Store Releases from June and July respectively. June’s Trail Store Releases featured a collection of new wand effects and the return of five iconic broom appearances from before the Revelius update. Speaking of old classics, July’s Classic Store Releases came with a recolor of popular wand appearance, making a return as The White Dragon Staff. Check out both releases on the Store home to see the full collection of items!

Finally, the summer Map Rotations are out now. The summer seasonal maps are back once again, along with a new flying map: Journey of a Flying Car! The seasonal Hide and Seek map, Boardwalk, is the perfect summer setting with plenty of hiding spots to discover, and the Melting Floor map Underwater is a whimsical background to a hectic minigame. Gather some friends and get to playing!

It has been a busy summer for Potterworld! Every staff member has been hard at work to bring these updates to fruition. If you are interested in being part of the staff team, there are many applications for different departments currently open. Make sure to keep an eye on the forums for more updates, and happy adventuring this summer!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Shade Alley Safety Tips
Editorial
Written by yakko__
Edited by LMNJ
​

Having written for the Daily Diviner for 30 years, I have done plenty of boots-on-the-ground journalism in Diagonal Lane. Connected to the Lane is the infamous Shade Alley, considered one of the most dangerous parts of magical London. Some people consider that reputation overblown, while others believe it to be so true that they refuse to even go near the entrances to Shade Alley.

Over the years, I have learned many habits that help keep me safe when I enter the gloomy shopping district. It is completely possible to travel Shade Alley safely—as long as you keep these tips in mind.

One of the first possible dangers to be encountered in Shade Alley is the people. The Alley isn’t known for having scrupulous vendors, so many people passing through or shopping do not have the best interests of others at heart. Obviously not everyone there is a threat, but it is best to err on the side of caution and keep to yourself. Do not stop or slow down if someone tries to talk to you or starts making a scene, even if it is someone you think you know, as this could leave you more open to being mugged or otherwise hurt.

Shade Alley also still contains remnants of a Dark Follower sect. Dark wizards, affiliated with the Followers or not, are easy to find in the Alley. Luckily, they are usually easily avoided by simply staying in the main alley. Overall, mind your own business but make sure to pay attention to your surroundings.

Sticking to the main alley is important because the very layout and design of Shade Alley can get you into dangerous situations. The whole area is dimly lit, with plenty of sharp corners and narrow corridors to disappear into. Following the main path, staying near storefronts, and keeping one of the Alley exits in sight at all times is the safest way to navigate Shade Alley.

Still, occasionally trouble will break out in these more open areas (or the stinging bites received courtesy of the Imp infestation become too much), and seeking shelter in the nearby shops is best if you cannot quickly exit into Diagonal Lane. While these shop owners and their merchandise may also be harmful, they are unlikely to attack a customer.

Ironically, many magicals view the shops in the Alley as the most dangerous parts, when there are actually far fewer precautions to take within them. The most important rule is to never touch the merchandise. Many businesses sell cursed items, and the shopkeeper at Borkin and Brambles once made me purchase a metal cup I accidentally brushed with my elbow. The cup wasn’t cursed, but I didn’t appreciate being made to pay for it.

When dealing with these shopkeepers in general, particularly if you are ducking into a shop to lie low, do your best to seem uninteresting. Only make small talk if the shopkeeper initiates it, and keep all identifying information to a minimum. If you give a name, give a fake one, and if they ask where you are going or why you are in Shade Alley, respond vaguely that you’re just passing through or are simply browsing. Keep it simple, but polite.

Having all of the possible hazards of Shade Alley presented here may have scared many of you away from visiting, and it may have encouraged many of you to go. Either way, being fully informed of the risks and how to minimize them is a must before even thinking of stepping foot in the Alley. You can also brush up on defensive and healing spells if you want to feel a bit more secure if you choose to go. No matter what, stay safe, readers!

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Building as a Magical Architect
Server Spotlight
Written by Creme_de_Creme
Edited by littledead
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Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Magical Career Column! Have you ever felt anxious about the future? Have you ever had any relatives come up to you and ask, “What are you planning on doing after your schooling is finished,” and then act all huffy when you do not have a good enough answer? Fear not! We at the Daily Diviner have created this special column just for you!

While I have found my own career as a Writer for the Daily Diviner, I understand that not everyone is so skilled in journalism. Our past few articles have covered Magizoologists, Magical Nurses, and Magical Criminalists, so if you have not seen them yet, I highly recommend you give them a glance! If those magical careers are not for you, maybe this next one may be.

Have you ever heard of a Magical Architect? You might be thinking, ‘Are they the people that dig up old buildings for artefacts and historical items?’ That is a Magical Archeologist!

A Magical Architect develops designs for various buildings and structures. Jacques D'Houdetot is one of the most famous Magical Architects, as he designed the plans for Hogsworth in tandem with the school’s founders. Not only did he design the plans for the school, but he also oversaw the construction, making sure the school was built according to his vision.

Not every Magical Architect receives the honour of designing and overseeing the creation of a renowned magical school. This is a privilege given to a select few who have spent years honing their skills. If you dream of designing a school one day, you must have exceptional skills in mathematics and magical architecture. More credit to you if you have a knack for thinking outside of the box.

It takes years to become a skilled architect, either through refined schooling or years of apprenticeship at an architectural firm. Magical architecture is a career path that is not to be taken lightly, especially as they have the important task of designing buildings that Unmagicals can walk into without discovering the secret nature of magical life.

If this is a career that interests you, the sooner you start designing, the better. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect! I highly recommend talking to your school career counsellor or even your Magical Architecture Professor if this is something that interests you. They will be able to give you further guidance on what your next steps should be.

Do not fret if Magical Architect is not the job for you. There are other careers in former articles, so hopefully you will find something that inspires you. In the meantime, have a wonderful day! This has been Creme_de_Creme reporting for the Daily Diviner.

 

[The Daily Diviner]

Magical Objects for Magical Students
Lifestyle
Written by snotflower
Edited by LMNJ
​

Welcome back to the Lifestyle column! There are many wonderful and convenient magical objects in the wizarding world that it is easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. This can be especially tough for students, who can only choose a select amount of objects to bring with them to school. If you are in this boat, have no fear! Read on for some unique items that might inspire you in your own packing endeavors.

The first item is the Everlasting Watering Can! As implied by its name, it never runs out of water by pulling from a large water source such as the ocean. This would be handy for anyone taking Herbology classes or even those that garden at home, as it means you would never have to struggle with water spells, which may accidentally drown delicate plants.

This incredible object was actually created by a student at Hogsworth for a Runes project, which I hope is inspiring for all readers! However, due to the watering can’s massive potential for destruction, it was confiscated and banned from use. To this day, the can is hidden somewhere in Hogsworth’s Room of Hidden Things…

Next are Mood Rings! These should be familiar to both magical- and Unmagical-borns. Similar to its Unmagical counterpart, the rings show the mood of the person wearing them through easy-to-identify colors. The magical version has a unique twist, however, as rings are usually bound between two people so they can see each other’s moods!

For students who are prone to homesickness, this is a perfect object to remind them of home. Wear one and give the other to a parent or sibling, and they can always see how that person is doing. It is also a sweet gift for friends, whether for a birthday, anniversary, or just-because! These beautiful symbols of appreciation are incredibly popular in the wizarding world, so you should be able to find them at any magical shop.

Late-night studiers may take an interest in this next item: the Never-Cold Ceramics. Typically taking the form of a bowl, mug, or pitcher, these enchanted objects keep their contents warm until they are empty. While heating spells are always an option, Never-Cold Ceramics are a handy, no-risk way of having a hot, comforting snack or drink whenever you need it! They are also useful for keeping potion ingredients warm.

Unfortunately, as each enchanted ceramic is made by hand in a lengthy process, they are not widely available if you want the real deal. If you happen upon the chance to have one, definitely take the opportunity! You can also try making one yourself if you are confident in your skills, though it will likely not last as long as the original version.

Last, but certainly not least, is a defunct item that serves as a lesson in what could have been. Invented in the 1980s by a British toymaker, Stringed Worms were enchanted fuzzy worms that took the wizarding world by storm. They were a cute, no-responsibility pet that was entertaining without causing any problems. Sounds delightful, right?

Tragically, the Stringed Worms were tampered with by a group of unknown wizards, who altered the charms on the worms. This caused the worms to steal children’s powers and strength! Once this was discovered, the worms were destroyed or confiscated and locked up by the manufacturers. As such, it is not possible to obtain them anymore… but imagine how fun they would be if they were still around!

I hope this was a fascinating look into some lesser-known magical objects! They may not be obtainable or practical for every reader, but they might certainly come in handy if you have the chance to obtain one. Use these as inspiration for what you might pack once the school year starts. Thanks for reading, and have a magical day!