One of the most interesting members of the amphibious clade is the magical toad, Bufo viatorem or, the Travelling Toad. An ancient breed that dates back well before the pre-Incan empire by over two thousand years, this species is known to have been used by the greatest leaders of the South American empires. Sensationalist researchers theorize B. viatorem is the last remaining representative of the same civilizations survived by the ancient drawings that span distances so great as to be visible from the air, but this is a concept the majority of the academic world disregards.

Bufo viatorem is an amphibian of the expected proportions. The largest on record was partnered to Majister Ley-de-Ran (1871-1999) as a true familiar, weighing 3.7 stone (apx. 50 pounds) and standing three feet in the seated position. In full extension, this monstrous representative of its species stretched a half rod (eight feet three inches), standing at near thigh height on the average wizard.

A physical description would be remiss in not including the visual aspect. B. viatorem, to the neophyte observer, is a terrifying sight. Typical colorations change over the course of the toad's lifespan, from a bright yellow (juvenile) to darker hues as B. viatorem ages. The average lifespan can be determined as variable, depending on the origin place and capabilities of the wizard with which it partners. Estimates range from decades to centuries, and give rise to the difficult aspect challenging experts in most regards.

B. viatorem is a species known to exist independent of wizards, able to maintain communes in remote locations. Like other species, it is leery of most trespassers within its territory. However, unlike most species, it is capable of removing itself from the presence of any interloper with a rapidity rivalled only by that of the Phoenix (Aeterna flamma). This is, of course, due to the spectacular nature for which B viatorem: the capacity to instantly transport itself and anything it is carrying to another location as noted by renowned zoologist Hernando Scamander Filanian in his work: Animales del Amazonas (see: Animals of the Amazon, by Filanian and Scamanader, 1521). The modern translation states:

"... my party and I had journeyed to the residing location of the supposed marvel as told by the native guides. Their strange stories of frogs that were invisible, benevolent guardians of the young, seemed fantastic. Like other supposed leads I received, I expected nothing more than perhaps a specialized salamander, or perhaps a new form of miniature dragon. But the actual result was far stranger than I anticipated.

"The guide suffered no noise to be made, in a most arrogant fashion commanding every member of the party to utter silence. As he had yet to lead me astray, I allowed his temerity, but resolved to remonstrate him later in private, as befitting my station. Glad I was to heed his directives however when we came upon a clearing, and heard the most astonishing sound. It fell upon my ears like the drumming call of an Italian oars-master, punctuated by strong beats that rose and fell in eerie harmony. My guide became anxious, motioning by signs that we must depart of a certainty, a course I was unwilling to maintain with such a mystery present.

"After securing the guide that he would not depart without warning, I pushed forwards alone, entreating my men with such words that they agreed to permit me this danger for my own valor. I crept closer to the clearing, and witnessed a sight I shall not forget to my dying days: such frogs that I had never seen before, of magnificent size and strength as to compel awe from any viewer that yet retained their heart.

"Keeping mindful of my duties, I took note of as much as I could. A good dozen of the largest specimens sat in the center of the clearing, which became known to me as a large pond, less than the size of my ship, yet larger than the clearing had evinced from a distance. These largest frogs filled their throat-sacs with air, releasing it in great throbbing beats, making the very air resonate with their thunder.

"In the water below there were many smaller creatures of the same shape, such that I took them to be their young. In that I later was proved correct, these were indeed the younger generations, but in the process of procreation.

"The largest looked like boulders, gray and browns that if they were still, would have been indistinguishable from the stones upon which they sat. Their young were brighter colored, yellows and oranges that dazzled the eyes.

"But when the largest of these marvelous creatures caught sight of me, for I had neglected to remove my helm and the sun did catch on its metal surface, he gave such a loud cry that I fell on my face, paralyzed. From this position I was scarce able to see, but had the greatest of fortune to witness the utter disappearance of every frog in the pond. Small ones I had taken to be pebbles on the beach vanished in a twinkling, medium-sized frogs scooped up small swarms of tadpoles in their large mouths and faded from sight, leaving only a small splash and an echo of the wondrous sound they had once made."

The text continues on with multiple references to his attempt to find what we now understand to be B. viatorem. He was successful only once more, which permitted him the opportunity to acquire a specimen for his own personal dedication; the familiar bond began immediately, as his later notes showed.

What he did not realize until a later date is the significance of his discovery. As is known to most wizards of the modern age, methods of such instantaneous travel are restricted to the sapient magical beings or creatures of such power as the phoenix (Gloria latis, or Aeternum gallum). This restriction has been demonstrated time and again throughout our history, from the Tales of Beedle the Bard and his Blasting Great Grim to the lore discovered in abandoned monasteries in the Himalayan Secret Range (see Wandering with Yeti by G. Lockhart, 1990). Yet B. viatorem was able to move itself through magical transportation in a place that had not been touched by the Atlantic.

The species became an instant success, in high demand for the richest bloodlines. The physical capabilities of B. viatorem were considered exceptional, its appearance no less remarkable. It was then discovered that if bonded to a young wizard before his First Wanding, the B. viatorem in question would grow much faster, and soon determine its wizard as a safe place, if treated correctly.

Such treatment, however, is a draining process. The wizard hoping to establish the B. viatorem as his familiar must dedicate time to learning about his unique companion, observing its likes and dislikes, taking care to ensure its safety and defend it from potential harm. A simple enclosure does not work, as the B. viatorem will establish that enclosure as its 'safe place' and return to it in times of stress.

By keeping the Travelling Toad with him, the wizard continually exposes the familiar to his own magic, establishing a link that has been shown to transcend mere geography. This is the great benefit of acquiring B. viatorem as a familiar.

Should the wizard earn the trust of his familiar, it will indeed bind with him. Unlike other familiars, it will not object to the wizard acquiring more familiars, although the opinion of that second familiar to the B. viatorem may differ in varied cases. A Familiar Bind B. viatorem will view its wizard as an unshakable constant in its world, a reliable fixture to which it may always return. Every location the wizard apparates will retain a touch of his signature, and be thus made available to the B. viatorem as well. In situations of need, the B. viatorem is able to transport itself and small objects to any place its master has travelled, making it quite invaluable for messengers and counselors alike.

According to the diaries of Empress Lu'na'tican of the Tur'kming dynasty in Tibet (see: Diary of an Empress, Short Excerpts and Quotes from the Last Queen of the East, by Wisdom's Promise Publications, 1829), the messengers of her realm were required to bond with a Travelling Toad known in the region as the Tiāntáng de lǐwù, or Gift of Heaven (see: Dynasties and the Divine, Gifts of the Magi, by Mrs. Shard). Were the messenger to meet an untimely fate in an era of bandits and war, the familiar would carry on the message, ensuring the transportation of vital intelligence in even the most stringent of times.

This brings us to the present era, and the current regulation of Magical Familiars. Unless a member of an Ancient and Noble bloodline, the process for gaining a permit to gift, obtain or otherwise acquire a B. viatorem will take a minimum five year period of deliberation, following the Dark Lady Kadashian's attempted takeover of the Lesser Chechnyan Principalities. Her ingenious use of utilizing such things as the Travelling Toad as subtle deliverers of contraband was overlooked as many forced their adherents to do likewise. But by taking advantage of the then-little-known ability to utterly bypass wards, the Dark Lady demonstrated a security weakness. Since then, the number of B. viatorem familiars has dropped into the single digits, available to only a select few.

Those in this modern time fortunate enough to hold a B. viatorem may look into their bulbous eyes and witness history in their depths. No one knows the exact origin of these remarkable creatures, or how they came to be. But their species has outlasted empires and nations, surviving what many believe to be the utter depths of (redacted: two paragraphs) which no wizard may pass whilst retaining their sanity. In all likelihood, they shall thrive in eras long after our petty disagreements fade into the mist of history, but they will remember us, we may hope.

Charles Levinhand, General Scrivner, Temporal Master, Wielder of the Flame of Manor, Princeps of the Un-Real Society, and Lover of Good Reading

BrilliantShard: Writer-of-Worlds, Scrivner diu Suspiriosus, and Maleficar Cognitionis