Give all the changes and the length of the previous SAWS thread, I thought it would maybe be a little easier to sort out if we just started a new one. If you're interested in the history of SAWS, you can brush up on a little information here in the Wiki ( SAWS).

Now, I've been gone for more than a year of RL time, but as I remember it things sort of fell apart after Zel was outed as a Werewolf and SAWS was put on a sort of probation. In that time a good many  things have changed in game; a new Headmistress for instance, as well as the addition of TWO Werewolves to the staff! Of course there have been less positive changes what with the Direwolves, Cults, and Werefights becoming a thing.

So my question to all interested parties are as follows:

Do we want to write it as thought SAWS "broke up" or "disbanded" at some point last year?
If we go with that option do we want the recent WereHappenings to have prompted a gathering between old members deciding to reestablish the group? Who (of the previous members) would be interested in threading something like that?

Or is a better option to act as though the group kept a low profile post-Zel's outing and while never disbanded spent more time on letter campaigns to the Ministry about legislation?

I am open to any and all suggestions/ideas/idea dreamy wishes.

Other things to consider: those who stand for or against the group in general, faculty feelings, organizing meetings, lobbying to be a part of club day (good idea or best idea),  anyone who might be interested in helping Sophie run things/being groomed to take over once the 7th years Graducate?

Discuss!

Once I get Ligeia active I'd love to do more with her relation to SAWS and werewolf plots. I had her as a 'newer' member last year but she didn't do much with it. There's her scarlet letter styled protest/werewolf support with those WLs she's embroidered on all her outfits.

Otherwise, her perspective of the aftermath isn't strictly anti-SAWS, but an almost vehement dislike (IC) for those that had a hand with blurting Zel's werwolf status without his consent. Which if memory serves was Figaro, unless there were others?

So to sum up Ligeia is all for the purpose of the group, with ire only towards specific individuals.

I think it's just Shona who is 'out' as a wolf, though Sly can probably clarify.

The fights will have possibly made the news in July/August (trying to get that plot motoring along again) but the cult business that Bri's got I think is long established but is only coming to wider knowledge as that plot takes shape.

It might work nicely if SAWS did drift apart the previous year as it did go a bit quiet on the plot and it gives extra incentive to get it stoked up again this year.

What if we had played - or NPCs - be actively anti-wolf whether as a knock-on from the summer, or generally in society. Perhaps some active bullying of werewolves in the Hogwarts community, perhaps even prejudiced professors (or even accidentally perceived to be prejudiced). Anything from dog collars and leads, dog food bowls, squeaky balls etc. might be horrible enough to trigger SAWs rearing back from obscurity to a fierce front.

Definitely can have Ambrose in to bulk up the numbers, and Ari if needs be (I'm not sure what her thoughts on it are, I'll have a think)

Will - Zel's outing really had nothing to do with SAWS,  it was a Figaro thing and the connection to SAWS was that several members then proceeded to brawl over it in The Great Hall. SAWS is definitely not in the business of outing anyone, but having an issue with Figaro is something you can work out with Sarah I'm sure!

Kit - All really helpful information (I'm still catching up on reading, so much as happened!), depending on how everyone feels about actively playing v. NPC the anti-werewolf climate I'm down for whatever. If we do go with the idea that everything went quiet last year (for whatever reason, we can hammer that out with more input from other writers), it could even be something as simple as Ollie coming back to school and her old group of friends wanting it to be a welcoming safe environment for her for 7th year. It really depends on how we want to handle it in general, in the previous school year Sophie had wanted to focus on a broader subject of education about Weres and the importance of the registry (though feelings about that might have changed what with the bad wolfsbane that went around), because they had achieved their main goal of getting Ollie back in school (and by default making sure Zel wasn't expelled).

I apologize for any inarticulateness on my part this is all pre-caffeine!

I absolutely agree! It'd be a great story to play in if the club fizzled last year, but that recent events have re-ignited interest.  I think that leaves space for people to make amends and for others to join for their own reasons.  In the past, SAWS was about helping Hogwarts werewolves get the respect and care they deserve. Under McGonagal, things are much more welcoming and safe.

But, werewolf friends like Zel will be leaving Hogwarts in less than a year - then what? It's dangerous out there right now.

Tulojow certainly remains willing to be supportive in any way they wish, either as a Healer or staff member or etc.  She definitely respects that it's a student run organization so would generally take a back seat unless she was approached.  However, she's happy to offer advice, encouragement or a meeting place with fresh cookies. 

Also, should you ever want or need friction, Sasha remains pretty werephobic...lycanphobic...a lycanphobe.  He's awkwardly trying to come to terms with Zel's lycanthropy but has also spent the last year learning strong anti-werewolf defense tactics with the help of Landis and others.  Definitely no intentions to disrupt SAWS regrouping, but should the friction of opposing views ever help plotting anywhere, I've got a natural candidate. 

Ayla would be right there with SAWS coming back. She was involved right from the get go (or at least from when I started writing her) She took a break from a lot of things last year so whether it fizzled out or just remained under the radar she wouldn't have been involved as much (if at all) while she took some personal time - IRL I actually retired Ayla for almost a year of writing until I missed her so much that I felt in a good spot to bring her back to the game.

Xavier started to show a small amount of interest in the group at the beginning of his sixth year as he was desperately searching for help and answers to sort through what had happened to him. He's never been anti werewolf but he wasn't exactly pro SAWS in the past either. I think if/when it starts up again he might make an appearance, any further involvement might depend on how his presence is perceived.

Cadance and Peyton wouldn't be involved and I'm still not really sure where they lie on the werewolf subject.

Harri might attend a meeting to see what it's about. She's fascinated by the fact that werewolves are actually real and hasn't really gotten to the point of comprehending just how dangerous they can be.

As for SAWS itself I think it would work well that it fizzled out last year. With Zel getting outed and the drama that was born of that, not to mention Ollie trying to come back to school and ultimately leaving, Fauna and many founding members having graduated and then with Sophie taking some time away I think it would make sense that the drive for the group dropped off and now with everything happening over the summer with werewolves coming to the attention of the public again it's a good time for the interest of the club to be renewed.

I think Serenity is the only character I have that might show an interest in SAWS, but she doesn't have any real experience with werewolves or anything. I suppose Leo could be dragged along by a housemate if they're needing just anyone to come along so they're not going alone..

But I would definitely be willing to play an anit-werewolf NPC that creates friction for the SAWS. Bullying, cruel pranks, spreading nasty gossip and misinformation.. Sounds like fun, honestly. I've never RP'd a nasty character before, but I think the SAWS group definitely needs that sort of push within Hogwarts, not just outside affairs.

Not that Ollie will have a great involvement in SAWS I figured I could weigh in as SAWS was my baby to begin with.

Ollie is all for SAWS reforming but she will be quite firm on not wanting to be a soapbox stance for the group itself. She loves the concept as there does need to be supporting force, but Ollie is definitely coming to terms with accepting what she has done and it has been a long hard road. She has come back and doesn't want that to be a big deal, even if it is.

That said, I completely see the group having fizzled after some of the events of the past. With people like Fauna who took over for Astrid gone, there was probably nobody really willing to pick up the pieces. If Sophie is willing to pick up the reigns again now seems like a good time to regroup and reform and try to get the message out there. Not a lot of people will like it, so some opposition is a must because it is such a stigmatized condition. I think the group could find some great success maybe in spreading an understanding of the people behind the condition, and that those attacks and issues that have presented are from errors, incidents, and are not always regular. I think spreading information and not trying to make people feel poorly for having their fears might be a good first branch? I think just trying to get the message out there that even werewolves are people and are people most of the time save that 1 day a month (sometimes 2).

Anyway that is a lot babble I am not sure makes much sense.

But not to say don't use Ollie or Zel or others as a soapbox, just knowing that if Ollie is chosen candidate as a soapbox she would not respond to it so great. But then that is a natural push back on people trying to help. So that is definitely a plot progression and something to think about.