Strixhaven University Brochure

About Strixhaven

Founded seven centuries ago by five ancient dragons, Strixhaven is the premier institution of magical learning, drawing promising young mages from all over. Each equipped with its own campus and faculty, Strixhaven's five colleges cover a vast array of academic and magical specialities.

The birth of Arcavios

Thousands of years ago, what was once two planes of existence, two completely different worlds, merged in a bizarre and unique way. The essences of the worlds overlapped, but not perfectly. The leylines of each world, conduits of mana, overlaid opposing elements of mana, rather than with their match. This resulted in a particularly unique twist on the magic of the plane. Each of these magical incongruities formed a small region called a snarl, where the effects are most apparent. The five elder dragons of Arcavios were born from these snarls, and millennia later they founded Strixhaven University at the epicenter of the snarls.

At the center of Strixhaven, located in the Hall of Oracles in the university's monumental library, the Biblioplex, students can see firsthand this very phenomenon as a luminous snarl sits at the very heart of campus.

The Oracle of Arcavios

The Oracle is the wisest and most accomplished mage on the plane, with a lifelong task dedicated to ensure that magic is being used to help people and not twisted to evil ends. To become the Oracle, one must understand fundamental truths about the nature of magic, know and wield hundreds or thousands of spells, and possess impeccable judgment and virtue.

Star Arches

All over Arcavios, gravity-defying arch shapes crop up. These mystical shrines or monuments are made from spokes of natural materials that float in an arch shape, with a precise inner curve and a rough and irregular outer arch. They can stand straight or lie at an angle; they can be small or enormous, whole or broken, grown over or mysteriously clean. These star arches are a mystery left over from the Dawning Age when the plane was young and no humanoids yet walked the earth.

In most cases, the arches simply sit there, floating inexplicably, silent, immovable, and inert. But many have said that they've seen an arch appear to them at a critical juncture in their lives, helping them understand a lesson or answer a burning question in their mind. Some believe that each arch marks a place of great magic, such as the site of the birth of a great mage or the location of a time-lost spell. Others believe that they're connected with the Archaics in some way, some claim they've seen an arch come to life with powerful magic in their presence.

The Colleges of Strixhaven

Strixhaven students begin their journey with a well-rounded education in a rigorous first-year program. In their second year, students choose a preferred speciality at one of the five colleges. During this time, students partake in a vibrant campus life with plenty of clubs and other activities.

Principles and Polarities

The fundamental work of Strixhaven University is the application of magic to academic study. Students and faculty aren't limited to magical topics alone; they pursue studies in every facet of existence—magical or otherwise—applying magic to whatever they study.

Each college and curriculum and Strixhaven are organized around the idea of philosophical principles joined in concordant opposition. Each school embraces the paradoxical unity of two polarity principles:

• Lorehold: Order and Chaos
• Prismari: Perfection and Expression
• Quandrix: Substance and Theory
• Silverquill: Radiance and Shadow
• Witherbloom: Growth and Decay

The five Founder Dragons embody the coexistence of these principles, while the two Deans in each college stand for the individual principles distinguished from their opposites.

A student's course of learning at Strixhaven involves exploring the tension of these opposing principles, and our philosophy is that exploring opposites leads to an understanding of a greater whole.

Our faculty and instructors are dedicated to their research and educating generations of mage-students who follow in their footsteps. All must find balance between the two opposing philosophies of their college. Similarly, Strixhaven graduate is expected to leave the university prepared to argue the fundamental issues of their school's philosophies.

Lorehold, College of Archaeomancy

Archaeomancy describes the exploration of ancient things through magic. Mages dedicated to Lorehold find themselves exploring the past by poring over archeological dig sites, calling forth magical energy from old tomes, and summoning the spirits of long-dead historical figures. Lorehold mages travel far and wide across the world, gathering relics of bygone ages and learning dead languages to unpack the secrets of history.

Studies and Philosophy

A student devoted to Lorehold College will study history, including the various aspects of culture, behavior, and social relationships that shape historical events. The two opposing philosophies of Lorehold revolve around Order and Chaos.

Lorehold Student (Background)

You have spent your youth preparing to be a student of Lorehold College, reading every book on the college’s recommended reading list for prospective students. Your academic passions are in the broad field of history. You might dream of using magic to contact great historical figures or your own ancestors or of recreating the mighty magic of a distant age.

• Proficiencies: History, Religion
• Languages: Two of your choice
• Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a hammer, a hooded lantern, a tinderbox, a tome of history, a school uniform, and a pouch containing 15 gp
• Feature - Lorehold Initiate: You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Lorehold within it. In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature, the spells on the Lorehold Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class:

Prismari, College of Elemental Arts

Devoted to the study and practice of art intertwined with magic, the mage-students of Prismari wield magic in spectacles of creativity: masterpieces of showy, over-the-top magic. They use elemental magic to express who they are and how they see the world, often combining different types of energy—fire, water, air, earth, lightning, heat, cold—in powerful expressions of conflict and harmony.

Studies and Philosophy

A student devoted to Prismari College will be dedicated to the arts, focusing on visual arts and performing arts. The two opposing philosophies of Prismari revolve around Perfection and Expression.

Prismari Student (Background)

You are an artist, and you have been preparing to hone your craft according to the traditions of Prismari College. Whatever your medium—sculpture, dance, paint, music, drama, architecture, or any other field—you have grand visions of bringing your art to life in a fusion of magic and creativity.

• Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Performance
• Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument or artisan’s tools
• Languages: One of your choice
• Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a set of artisan’s tools or a musical instrument (one of your choice), a school uniform, and a pouch containing 10 gp
• Feature - Prismari Initiate: You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Prismari within it. In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature, the spells on the Prismari Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class:

Quandrix, College of Numeromancy

Numeromancy describes the study of patterns, fractals, and symmetries to wield power over the fundamental mathematics of nature. Quandrix mages can summon creatures made of fractals or turn abstract theories into towering, spiraling patterns. They love to expand and multiply; they can increase their knowledge or size by bending numbers. They dwell in the overlap between the theoretical and the natural.

Studies and Philosophy

A student devoted to Quandrix College will study mathematics, physics, logic, statistics, metaphysics, and various fields of theoretical magic. The two opposing philosophies of Quandrix revolve around Substance and Theory.

Quandrix Student (Background)

In preparation to become a student of Quandrix College, you have spent years working through the college’s math problems for prospective students. Your interests concentrate on the mathematical principles and patterns found in the natural world. You might lean more toward mathematics or physics, or you delve into more abstract studies of metaphysics, arcana, or logic.

• Proficiencies: Arcana, Nature
• Tool proficiencies: One type of artisan's tools
• Languages: One of your choice
• Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, an abacus, a book of arcane theory, a school uniform, and a pouch containing 15 gp
• Feature - Quandrix Initiate: You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Quandrix within it. In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature, the spells on the Quandrix Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class:

Silverquill, College of Eloquence

Mages from this college are stylish, intimidating, and driven - they become masters of the magic of words. They create spells from spoken-word battle poetry or magical manifestations of the written word, scribing patterns of runic ink in the air. These mages make for natural leaders, fiercely competitive, with a piercing wit and a never-second-place attitude.

Studies and Philosophy

A student devoted to Silverquill College will study spoken words and literature, languages, linguistics, oratory, rhetoric, and dramatic performance. The two opposing philosophies of Silverquill revolve around Radiance and Shadow.

Silverquill Student (Background)

You have spent years practicing your writing and oration in the hope of becoming a student of Silverquill College. Your studies focus on language, literature, and the power of words, both magical and otherwise. The metaphorical power of words to illuminate or conceal is joined with the literal ability of magic to do the same in your academic pursuits.

• Proficiencies: Intimidation, Persuasion
• Languages: Two of your choice
• Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a book of poetry, a school uniform, and a pouch containing 15 gp
• Feature - Silverquill Initiate: You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Silverquill within it. In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature, the spells on the Silverquill Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class:

Witherbloom, College of Essence Studies

Mages from Witherbloom draw power from the opposing forces of life and death. These mages brew their spells from natural components and the essence of living creatures, using that power to heal or harm the living or to raise or entreat the dead. They can cause entire forests to blossom out of nowhere or call down old curses that scourge flesh from bone. Some Witherbloom mages defend ecosystems from pollution, while others revel in the power of corruption. They’re at home riding zombie crocodiles down a languid river, picking herbs for a potion to treat a disease, brooding over a chorus of swamp frogs, or summoning fearsome avatars of nature.

Studies and Philosophy

A student devoted to Witherbloom College will study various sciences, revolving around the life sciences. Biology, ecology, botany, chemistry, and related sciences that study the manipulation of the magical energy of the Positive Plane and Negative Plane, the primal forces of life and death. The two opposing philosophies of Witherbloom revolve around Growth and Decay.

Witherbloom Student (Background)

You filled your childhood with rudimentary alchemical experiments, all in the hope of becoming a student of Witherbloom College. The life sciences are the focus of your reading, which include biology and necromancy. Brewing strange concoctions with medicinal properties, exploring the anatomies of monsters, and cataloging swamp flora are the kinds of studies you might pursue at Witherbloom College.

• Proficiencies: Nature, Survival
• Tool proficiencies: Herbalism Kit
• Languages: One of your choice
• Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a book about plant identification, an iron pot, an herbalism kit, a school uniform, and a pouch containing 15 gp
• Feature - Witherbloom Initiate: You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat and must choose Witherbloom within it. In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact Magic feature, the spells on the Witherbloom Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class:

Campus Life

Strixhaven occupies hundreds of acres, spread out over six campuses. Each of the university's five colleges has its own campus. The Central Campus, home to the Biblioplex and Strixhaven Stadium, serves as a hub for university life.

Travel on Campus

Well-maintained roads connect the six campuses with shuttles that run between each campus. Additionally, each campus has permanent teleportation circles available to faculty and more advanced students when required.

Central Campus

Located in the center of Strixhaven, the Central Campus is the heart of the University. It has extensive grounds that include residence halls for first-year students, dining halls, administration buildings, classrooms and laboratories, and space for social gatherings.

Hotspots in Central Campus

• Archway Commons: This beautiful park (featured on this guide's front page) is a favorite spot for students to host social gatherings, games, and other club events.
• Bow's End Tavern: At the western end of the Dawnbow, where it meets the ground, patrons come for the live music, deliciously greasy food, and various potions and beverages.
• Firejolt Café: At the edge of Archway Commons and just outside the Biblioplex stands the cozy Firejolt Café, where students cram both information and caffeine into themselves before exams. The café’s name comes from its trademark beverage which is brewed with fire magic.
• Strixhaven Stadium: Thousands gather at this location to watch students play Mage Tower and other sports.

Student Expectations

Upon enrollment at Strixhaven University, all students accept established policies, procedures, guidelines, and behavioral expectations. All policies are enforceable via Strixhaven faculty and staff. If accepted at Strixhaven, our University is dedicated to helping you make the most of your college experience and set you on a course of success by providing an exemplary education from the greatest magical minds of Arcavios.

Behavioral Conduct

Weapons in Class

For the safety of our students, weapons are strictly prohibited from being brought to class. The classroom is for studying within a confined and protected space. Self-provided weapons are not necessary. If the classroom lesson requires a weapon of any sort, the professor will provide them.

Exceptions may be formally requested via paperwork filed in the administration building.

Focuses and spell components are allowed.

Weapons Outside of Class

Strixhaven is a magical academy, so students are encouraged to find magical solutions to problems. Even martial based students should focus on improving their magical acumen. While not all students are magical, they should be encouraged to propel the art of mystical solutions.

Any student wishing to carry a weapon outside of class should request approval from the administration office at the beginning of the term.

Use of Magic

Destructive use of magic is unlawful and may be punishable through detention or expulsion, including the cost of repair. Dueling between students is strictly prohibited.

Cramped Quarters

In an effort to encourage additional relationship building between party members, we will be instituting a homebrewed relationship-building mechanic called "Cramped Quarters." When prompted by the DM, a party member may select a fellow party member to experience this moment with. A (d20 + Charisma) roll helps determine how the interaction goes: bond over an experience, reveal some information about your backstory, or clash over some disagreement. Through this method, players are encouraged to roleplay the scene and help develop each other's backstories over time.

Schooling

Development at Strixhaven is managed by a collection of tasks: Attending classes and lectures, participating in labs, studying textbooks, and taking exams. Students are expected to spend time studying before an exam, brushing up on their coursework and using creative techniques to absorb academic material (mnemonics, memorization techniques, etc). There are multiple opportunities to prepare for an exam: Pulling an all-nighter, studying in a group session, or in some cases, not studying at all. Rules for attending classes, studying, and completing exams will be explained by your DM during Session 0.

Exams Matter!

There are a few benefits to studying and performing well on an exam. Passing a test will reward the student with Student Dice, which is a d4 that the student can roll and add to ability checks that the character makes related to the content on the exam. The better a student performs on an exam, the more Student Dice they may receive.

On the other hand, if a student fails an exam, Strixhaven bylaws require them to attend tutoring until they can pass a new exam. Students attending tutoring cannot take part in any extracurricular activities or jobs until the exam has been passed. This is school, so study up!

Life Outside of Class

While pursuing an academic education is crucial to success at Strixhaven, social development and practical experience is just as valuable to prepare a student for life after school. Students are encouraged to engage with their fellow peers, participate in extracurricular activities, and if time permits, seek on-the-job experience through our campus work-study positions.

Relationships

Students at Strixhaven are encouraged to interact with fellow classmates to cement friendships, establish rivalries, deepen bonds, and otherwise develop relationships. In this setting, players will track how many relationship points their character has with each NPC they encounter; whether Friend, Rival, or Beloved. Players will also track if the relationship has garnered Beloved Inspiration, Bond Boon, or Bond Bane, whichever is applicable.

• Beloved Inspiration: After some time, students may develop deeper relationships that go past more than just a typical friendship. When players are Beloveds, the character gains beloved inspiration at the end of each long rest. This functions just like normal inspiration, except it can be recovered.
• Bond Boon/Bane: These effects vary based on the student you have this relationship with and whether it's a friendly or rivalrous response.

Jobs

Working in gainful employment while at school can help provide a character with a modicum of cash and help forge connections with student coworkers. A character can hold one job at a time. Having a job does take up time out of your busy schedule. Students with jobs can only participate in one extracurricular. Students can change jobs at any time.

Extracurriculars

Campus clubs and societies are a key part to student life at Strixhaven. All students are encouraged to participate in at least one extracurricular activity, provided it does not hinder their academic studies. Being members of these clubs and societies will give students a chance to befriend - or irritate - their classmates.

Participating in Clubs

Students are encouraged to participate in clubs in order to develop the social and practical skills required in life after Strixhaven. When a player participates in an Extracurricular Activity, they gain a Student Die and a relationship point with a fellow club member.

Prestigious Clubs and Societies

There are tons of extracurricular activities, with both social and academic clubs. Here is just a few examples of some of our most popular extracurriculars that you may be interested in joining:

📕 Dead Languages Society

Calling all linguistics lovers! Take advantage of Strixhaven's deep repository of tomes written in ancient and near-extinct languages, teaching yourself tongues and translating favorite works!

♟️ Dragonchess Club

We offer our members community, fun and games, mentoring & support to help you improve, and humbling beat downs to challenge you to re-evaluate every decision you've ever made in your life up to this point.

🌱 Fantastical Horticulture Club

Consider yourself to have a green-thumb? Come join other talented experts that love to mix magic and gardening, creating new strains of vegetation to cultivate on campus!

🚀 Future Entrepreneurs of Strixhaven

We provide enterprising young students a chance to discuss business theories with experienced professionals. We have a long history of successful start-ups to sell wares and services on campus.

🧶 Intramural Silkball Club

ARE YOU QUICK? CAN YOU TAKE A BEATING? IF YOU SAID YES TO EITHER OF THESE QUESTIONS THEN COME JOIN US FOR SILKBALL. BE PREPARED FOR MUD AND BLOOD!!!

⚔️ Live-Action Roleplaying Guild

Adventurers wanted!! Explore a fantasy world 300 years in the making. Become a true legend as you enact fantastical narratives with your fellow LARPers!

📣 Mage Tower Cheer Squad

Not good enough to take on the Mage Tower itself but have a ton of school pride, spirit, and pep? Do you LOVE wearing coordinated outfits with tons of other cute squad members? Join Cheer! On Fourthday we wear Pink!

🏋️ Strixhaven Iron-Lifters Society

STRONG? SO ARE WE.

📰 Strixhaven Star

Are you a truth seeker? Looking to disband FAKE NEWS and report the HERE AND NOW? Interested in being on the scene FIRST? Want to interview important figures across campus? Come join the Strixhaven Star - producing monthly news across campus!

🥁 Strixhaven Show Band Association

TEN REASONS TO JOIN BAND: We have lots of fun. We do fun field trips! We perform across campus! WE MAKE NEW FRIENDS! We all SUPPORT each other! We can be creative and express ourselves! We develop lots of skills. If you join band you get to stay with your friends ALL YEAR LONG! You become part of a family! Join band!

Find out about all of our clubs and societies when you join us at strixhaven!

Student Profiles

Strixhaven draws students and faculty from across the world and from other realms in the multiverse. The university’s students and faculty are united by a desire to learn and include humans, elves, dwarves, owlin, orcs, trolls, vampires, and studious folk of many other origins. As a student on this diverse campus, you are just as likely to meet a pixie, dryad, giant, treant or other fantastical creatures as you are to meet a Humanoid.

Strixhaven has a place for anyone who is dedicated to magic-enhanced study.

Character Creation Rules

Players may create just about any Strixhaven character they can imagine, drawing on rules from the Player's Handbook and official WotC content. For this campaign, we have a few differences in character creation that you should follow:

Stat Allocation

To ensure a fair approach and maximize the creativity for each player, we'll be using the Point Buy system for acquiring ability stats.

Background Selection

For Year 1, Players will not select a background. Strixhaven Backgrounds are based on college selection which does not happen until Year 2. At the beginning of Year 2, when players decide which college to study, they will select the background associated with that college.

To compensate for the lack of background, Year 1 players will begin with a feat of their choosing. This feat should have story-based implications - be prepared to explain why your character has this skill when entering University.

Family Heirlooms & Trinkets

Once your character backstory has been developed, share it with your DM. You will receive a family heirloom or trinket to bring with you to Strixhaven. These items are meant to help supplement for the lack of background initially, with an opportunity to upgrade them later in the adventure.

The mechanics and flavor of these items will be customized to align with the story of your character.

Admissions Process

The most elite institution of higher magical learning in the entire multiverse, Strixhaven University receives an astronomical amount of applications from prospective students every year. However, competition to get enrolled at Strixhaven is extremely fierce. If you believe that you have what it takes to become a student at Strixhaven, you may apply with the information described in this section.

Recruitment

There are several ways a student may be recruited to apply for enrollment at Strixhaven:

• Known Children of Strixhaven Alumni receive letters of invitation directly from our admissions office
• Outstanding potential mages may get scouted at high-profile events
• Cities where magic is common will have recruitment advertisements in high-profile locations
• Any Staff, Faculty, or Alumni member may recommend and refer a candidate
• Representatives from Strixhaven travel to major cities to host recruiting events and fairs

Why Study at Strixhaven?

A degree from Strixhaven University is a highly sought-out qualification in realms which place great value on magical mastery. The university's name commands respect in all corners of the multiverse; any student who graduates from one of Strixhaven's colleges will reap the benefit of multiple job opportunities opening up to them. Certain exclusive doors will in fact remain shut to anybody without a Strixhaven diploma, regardless of the quality of their alternative magic education.

As for more unorthodox students who won’t directly benefit as much from a diploma, they too may have ample reason to attend Strixhaven if they crave any knowledge of the arcane or the multiverse, for the university's scholastic resources are second to none. Due to its prestige, Strixhaven is also involved in numerous cultural and student exchange programs. The school takes great pride in not only offering hospitality to the best and brightest of the multiverse, but also in turn being able to give its own students a chance to travel abroad and study the wonders of magic.

The Application Process

To be accepted into Strixhaven University, applicants must meet at least two out of the following three requirements:

• Sponsorship. The applicant procures a letter of recommendation from a sponsor. Authorized nominating sponsors include nobles, other public officials or military officers of equivalent stature, spiritual hierarchs, and Strixhaven professors. Sponsors may vet applicants extensively to determine who is worthy of sponsorship... or may instead cynically award them as favors for supporters who want to get their kids into Strixhaven.
• Personal Essay. The applicant writes an essay detailing their background, extracurricular pursuits, and reasons for wanting to attend Strixhaven. Any previous magical training an applicant has received is to be detailed in this essay, along with any requests for financial aid.
• Entrance Examination. The applicant must pass an entrance exam which tests their academic and magical aptitude. These assessments are administered by proctors either at the campus itself or sent out elsewhere.

Tuition

Like most other academic institutions of its pedigree, Strixhaven University charges students tuition to attend. A student’s tuition covers class enrollment fees, textbook costs, Biblioplex access, and living expenses for modest room and board. Tuition is paid on an annual basis, and is due the day classes begin. Costs for miscellaneous supplies such as paper, ink, and spell components are not covered by tuition.

A student's performance in the application process will affect the academic cost per year.

First-Year Starting Costs

In the interest of player convenience, tuition and school supplies for the first year are already paid for at the start of the Strixhaven Campaign.

Interested in applying? Begin here!

Financial Aid

Strixhaven University has vast financial resources to aid students in need. Applicants are encouraged to pursue any avenue of relief that is available to them. To apply for any financial aid, contact your DM.

Scholarships

Awarded only to students who show immense academic potential, students can earn a scholarship to have all tuition costs paid for and receive a stipend for additional expenses.

Scholarships require students to stay in good academic standing. Should you perform poorly on exams, you will put your scholarship at risk.

Grants

Awarded based on a student's economic circumstances, grants can also be provided by other authorized sponsors (other than the university itself). Grants cover all tuition costs and include a yearly stipend similar to scholarships. Unlike scholarships, most grants require a minimum of four years of service upon graduation from Strixhaven, usually working with the institution providing the grant.

Unaffiliated Sponsors

A student may choose to seek patronage from other sources. Students from wealthy or aristocratic backgrounds may enjoy financial support from their families. Students who are less economically well-off may have instead caught the eye of a generous donor. Be careful who sponsors you, as you may have little recourse should the funds be cut off or if the patron has ulterior motives for sponsorship.

Adventuring Gigs

Researchers and other Strixhaven-affiliated professionals are always in need of lowly temporary assistants to handle dirty work. In cases where that dirty work is quite hazardous, people tend not to apply unless suitable incentives are provided. In the case of university students, the most popular incentive is often the waiving of all tuition fees for the following academic year. High-risk gigs (along with field study programs) are also desired as a source of valuable career-building experience.

Most characters signing up for a high-risk adventuring gig typically undertake a research quest when school’s out of session in-between academic years; a period lasting four months.

Student Loans

If a student is unable to acquire the aforementioned methods of relief or experiences a sudden shortfall of funds, the university may allow that person to take out a loan. Because of the high-risk lifestyle of post-graduate adventurers or arcane professions, the typical interest rate is higher for a mage-student loan. Be prepared to deal with monthly installments and late fees if your payment is late.

We hope to see you at Strixhaven!