Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Strixhaven Lore y Razas
Strixhaven Lore y Razas
Strixhaven Lore y Razas
discover and preserve magical knowledge, to rounded education in a rigorous first-year program.
disseminate that knowledge from one generation In your second year, you choose your preferred
to the next, to promote free and open study of
specialty at one of the five colleges. You can also
partake in a vibrant campus life, with plenty of clubs
magic in all its forms, and to enhance the lives of people and other activities. You might even play on one of
throughout the world through the use of magic. Strixhaven’s prestigious Mage Tower teams and
—Strixhaven mission statement bask in the adoration of cheering crowds!
ons, Strixhaven is the premier institution of magical Also called the College of Numeromancy.
learning, drawing promising young mages from all Silverquill Teaches the magic of rhetoric, poetry, ora-
over. Each equipped with its own campus and fac- tion, and writing. Also called the College of
ulty, Strixhaven’s five colleges—summarized in the Eloquence.
Colleges of Strixhaven table-cover a vast array of !
Witherbloom Harnesses the forces of life and death.
academic and magical specialties. Also called the College of Essence Studies.
i
WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN
4
Ab o u t Th is Bo o k Finally, student characters are part of a school
community. They live in university housing, eat in
This book is your guide to life at Strixhaven in Du n - dining halls, and spend the majority of their time on
g e o n s & Dr a g o n s —an introduction to the univer-
campus. They eat, sleep, study, socialize, and adven-
sity, a guide to creating student characters there, a ture as part of a community of students, faculty, and
campaign, and a collection of friends and foes. staff. The school is like a town, where a relatively
Chapter 1 gives an overview of life and study at small cast of characters can play significant roles
Strixhaven. It introduces the main features of the over the course of the campaign.
central campus and each of the five colleges.
Chapter 2 is your guide to creating a student It ’s a n Ac a d e m y of Ma g e s
character. It introduces the owlin race and five back-
Study at Strixhaven isn’t about learning to be a wiz-
grounds—one for each college—as well as a collec-
ard but about learning to be a historian, an artist, an
tion of feats, spells, and magic items.
orator, a scientist, or some other profession—while
Chapters 3-6 provide a campaign meant to ad-
using magic to enhance one’s studies. The univer-
vance characters from 1st to 10th level as they prog-
sity’s understanding of magic is expansive. Charac-
ress through their magical studies. Each chapter
ters of any class can study at Strixhaven, whether
covers a year’s worth of adventure, so characters
they’re full-fledged spellcasters like wizards, clerics,
begin chapter 3 as Ist-level characters and first-year
and druids; they manage a spell or two thanks to a
students and begin chapter 6 at the start of their
subclass or feat; or they manifest magical abilities
fourth year of studies (at around 8th level). Chapter
that aren’t even spells. (For example, a barbarian
3 includes an overview of the adventures and the
who follows the Path of the Ancestral Guardian, de-
overall campaign arc as well as special rules for
scribed in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, can excel
aspects of campus life: exams, relationships, extra- in studying history at Lorehold College by virtue of
curriculars, and jobs. their connection to an ancestral spirit.)
Chapter 7 is a collection of stat blocks for stu-
Magic is everywhere on campus. The campus
dents, faculty, and various creatures on and around
culture encourages finding magical solutions to the
the Strixhaven campus. Whether student adventur-
most mundane problems, and if characters need
ers get caught up in a duel with their rivals or face a
access to a spell they can’t cast, they have a strong
dreaded mage hunter, the stat blocks in this chapter chance of finding someone who can cast it.
give you the information you need to resolve the
situation. It ’s Co s m o po l it a n
Strixhaven draws students and faculty from across
Or ie n t a t io n the world and from other realms in the multiverse.
The following subsections present three important The university’s students and faculty are united by a
facts to keep in mind as you explore these pages and desire to learn and include humans, elves, dwarves,
prepare to play or run the book’s campaign. owlin (described in chapter 2), orcs, trolls, vampires,
and studious folk of many other origins.
St r ix h a v e n Is a Un iv e r s it y
In practical terms, for player characters, you can
This book’s campaign assumes that the player use the rules found in any D&D book to select a
characters are students at Strixhaven University. character’s race, if the DM approves. For nonplayer
Even as they get caught up in the adventures, the characters, you’re as likely to meet a pixie, a dryad,
characters have to continue going to class, doing a giant, a treant, or another fantastical creature on
homework, and studying for exams. Optional rules campus as you are to meet a Humanoid. The faculty
in chapter 3 reinforce the importance of study in the members mentioned in chapter 1 include genasi, tri-
adventures. tons, and even a bipedal brown bear.
The characters are also subject to the authority To the faculty and students of Strixhaven, it is un-
of the university’s faculty and staff members. Cir- remarkable to meet someone who hails from a far-
cumstances will at times cause player characters off land, since almost everyone on campus is from
to defy faculty authority—and even deans—during somewhere else. Strixhaven has a place for anyone
their adventures, and the threat of detention or even who is dedicated to magic-enhanced study.
expulsion might hang over their head.
WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN 5
St r ix h a v e n ’s Wo r l d a place of great magic, such as the site of a great
mage’s birth or the location of a time-lost spell.
Strixhaven bills itself as "the premier institution of Other folk believe these arches are connected with
magical learning in the world,” but the question that the archaics in some way (see "Archaics and the Or-
raises for your campaign is this—which world? acle” below). Some students have even seen an arch
In the multiverse of the Ma g ic : Th e Ga t h e r in g come to life with magic in an archaic’s presence.
Trading Card Game, Strixhaven is located on a Both snarls and star arches are subjects of magi-
world called Arcavios, which (according to legend) cal research for students and faculty at Strixhaven,
formed from the collision or merging of two other who also study wild and dead magic zones, floating
worlds. It is situated in the northeastern portion of earth motes, and other weird locales.
a continent called Orrithia, also known as the Vast-
lands, which is populated by a tremendous variety Fo u n d e r Dr a g o n s ___
of peoples.
Strixhaven University was founded by five ancient
For the purposes of D&D, though, you can place
dragons who, according to legend, hatched from the
Strixhaven wherever it best fits the needs of your
magical energy of the newborn world of Arcavios.
campaign. It could be in a world of your own cre-
These Founder Dragons were among the first to
ation, in a published D&D setting (such as the For-
master magic, and they realized that only through
gotten Realms or Eberron), in the planar Cosmopo-
disciplined study would magic be safe in the hands
lis of Sigil, or in an interplanar nexus that allows it
of other peoples. They founded Strixhaven to fa-
to draw students from across the Material Plane or
cilitate that study and established the five colleges
the entire multiverse.
based on the magic that each dragon mastered, as
Whatever world you decide to place Strixhaven in,
summarized in the Founder Dragons table.
three elements of the wider world of Arcavios might
To this day, the Founder Dragons roam the world.
have some impact on adventures in the school.
They no longer associate directly with Strixhaven.
Sn a r l s a n d St a r Ar c h e s preferring to let the deans of the colleges speak in
their stead. The dragons’ knowledge is vast, but
As described in the Player’s Handbook, magic their tempers can prove short. Mages seek them out
suffuses all existence in the worlds of D&D. In the only to learn the most elusive secrets. The dragons’
Forgotten Realms, scholars describe the fabric of stat blocks are presented in chapter 7.
magic as a Weave that allows spellcasters to inter-
act with the world’s underlying magical reality. In Fo u n d e r Dr a g o n s
Arcavios, that fabric is knotted and tangled in some
College Founder
locations, creating a phenomenon called snarls. At
these places, spells can be amplified or distorted Lorehold Velomachus Lorehold
6 WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN
St r ix h a v e n Un iv e r s it y , w it h t h e (Ce n t er ) Bib l io p l e x Su r r o u n d ed by (To p )
SlLVERQUILL ANO (GOING Cl OCKWISE) Qu ANDRIX, WlTHERBLOOM, PRISMARI, ANO LOREHOLO
kind. Scholars seek out archaics for their vast soul and its fragmented memories coalesce into a
knowledge of history and magic, but archaics tend creature—a newborn archaic. Every archaic alive
to communicate in obscure allusions and cryptic today was born at the dawn of time from the mind
metaphors. of someone who has lived and died (or who will
Few know that archaics’ existence is linked to a one day live and die) as an Oracle. Archaics speak
time-warping phenomenon involving the Oracle. in cryptic allegories not only to tease and test the
When an Oracle dies, their mind and spirit is swept eager minds of young mages, but also to cleverly
off to the distant past, drawn backward through sidestep time paradoxes.
£ time toward the intense magical power that brought Stat blocks for archaics appear in chapter 7, along-
the world into being. Splinters of that Oracle’s side that of the current Oracle, whose name isjadzi.
5
WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN 7
Du r in g a d u e l in t he Ha l l of Or a c l e s ,
STUDENT TRANSFORMS HER OPPONENT INTO A
GOAT, WHO IS HELD BACK BY A FRIEND
CHAPTER I
Lif e a t St r ix h a v e n
< £ Un iv e r s it y s pa r k l e s w it h
t r ix h a v e n Fa c u l ty
the enthusiasm of its students and faculty,
The faculty members of Strixhaven are mages and
p* j as they study, debate about, and experi-
scholars—experts in their various fields and in the
menl with magic in its varied forms. This
use of magic to enhance their studies. They are
chapter offers an overview of life and studies on the
dedicated to their research and to educating genera-
university’s campus, as well as a look at each of the
tions of mage-students who follow in their footsteps.
five colleges where students explore different modes
Some faculty members value research more than
of magical study.
teaching, while others make education their highest
priority. But all find some balance between the two.
Ma g ic a l St u d y
The fundamental work of Strixhaven University In s t r u c t o r s
is the application of magic to academic study. Stu- Strixhaven’s faculty begin their careers as instruc-
dents and faculty aren’t limited to magical topics tors, focusing primarily on teaching classes and
alone: they pursue studies in every facet of exis- crafting curriculum, while the school administration
tence-magical or otherwise—applying magic to evaluates their performance. At the end of a provi-
whatever they study. At Strixhaven, historians call sional period, which can last from one to several
the spirits of the dead to aid their lessons about the years, an instructor is elevated to the rank of profes-
past, and arcano-biologists use necromancy to pull sor or let go.
at life and coax out death when teaching about the
natural world. Simultaneously, mage-artists sculpt
Pr o f e s s o r s
elemental energy to create animate art, and arcane Professors who have distinguished themselves
symbologists teach students how to recognize and over the course of a long career—typically at least
understand the magical glyphs they encounter. twenty years—hope to be recognized with the title
of esteemed professor. This honor is bestowed in
PRin c ipl e s a n d Po l a r it ie s ________ recognition of groundbreaking research as well as
exceptional teaching. -
The colleges and curriculum at Strixhaven are or-
Upon retiring, a professor receives the title of
ganized around the idea of philosophical principles
mage emeritus. Mages emeriti are held in high es-
joined in concordant opposition. Each school em-
teem and welcomed to campus as guest lecturers.
braces the paradoxical unity of two polar principles:
life and death, order and chaos, reason and emotion, St u d en t s
and so on. The five Founder Dragons are thought to
embody the coexistence of these principles, while Students at Strixhaven spend their first year in a
the ten deans of the colleges stand for the individual course of general studies, which lays the foundation
principles distinguished from their opposites. for the more specialized work to follow. During this
A student’s course of learning at Strixhaven in- year, they wear a uniform of black, white, and gray.
volves exploring the tension between these oppos- They’re encouraged to study broadly so that they be-
ing principles, which typically involves late-night come acquainted with a wide range of disciplines.
arguments in residence halls and study rooms. The First-year students live in dormitories located on
university’s teaching philosophy is built on the idea the central campus and often form close friendships
that exploring opposites leads to an understanding there that last throughout their educational careers,
of a greater whole. Most people believe that only a even when members of tight-knit groups of friends
being with the wisdom (and long life) of the Founder join different colleges in their second year. A few
Dragons or the archaics can truly master both students continue to live on central campus after
halves of a school’s dichotomy, but a mage must choosing a college, particularly if they pursue exten-
learn at least the rudiments of those halves. A Strix- sive studies in multiple colleges or work as resident
haven graduate is expected to leave the university advisers to first-year students. But most students
prepared to argue the fundamental issues of their move to dormitories located on their chosen col-
! lege’s campus in their second year.
school's philosophies.
i
CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN
9
Ch o o s in g a Co l l e g e Ad m in is t r a t io n
Before starting their second year of studies, stu-
The day-to-day functioning of Strixhaven relies on
dents choose one of the five colleges—Lorehold,
hundreds of laborers, clerks, coaches, administra-
Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, or Witherbloom—to
tors, and others. These personnel include folk like
be their academic home for the remainder of their
Mavinda Sharpbeak, the kindly owlin guidance
education. From this point, students wear uniforms
counselor who takes first-year students under her
featuring the colors of their college, though these
wing, and Gyome, the troll chef of Witherbloom
outfits aren’t as unvarying as the first-year garb.
College. In addition to legions of people who devote
Two Counselors. Upon choosing a college, a
their lives to the university’s operations, numerous
student is assigned two professors to serve as coun-
automatons and artificial life-forms—various kinds
selors to help the student plan a course of studies.
of Constructs—serve in various roles, including
The two deans of the college assign these two coun-
campus guides and library assistants.
selors, who represent the poles of the college’s phil-
All these operations are managed by an admin-
osophical opposition. By design, the two counselors
istration overseen by the ten deans, two in each
tend to offer conflicting advice, forcing the student
college. Each dean is an esteemed professor who
to navigate opposing principles. For example, a
embraces one side of their school’s philosophical
student pursuing historical studies in Lorehold Col-
dichotomy. The deans, like the professors who serve
lege might have one counselor who focuses on the
as counselors to students, view it as their role to dis-
unpredictable, war-filled chaos of historical reality
agree with each other and guide the college by way
and another who dwells on the idea of an orderly
progression toward an ideal. The former might
the deans only exacerbate this combative attitude.
encourage the student to choose courses based on
When the argumentative deans fail to chart a co-
gut feeling, to delve into the military aspects of an
herent course for Strixhaven, the Founder Dragons
issue, and to supplement their academic studies
are occasionally forced to intervene. They don't
with some practical martial training. The other
step in directly, but a director known as the Voice of
counselor, meanwhile, might offer several ordered,
the Founders—currently an imposing man named
rational proposals for course selection, focus on the
Taiva—speaks on the dragons’ behalf.
political and human aspects of historical issues, and
place less emphasis on martial prowess. The stu- Ma s c o t s
dent must then navigate this conflicting advice and
chart their own course. Each of Strixhaven’s five colleges has a mascot—a
Course ofStudy. Some students, having chosen small creature associated with the magic of the
a college, spend virtually all their remaining school school and often found wandering their respec-
years on that campus and study with those profes- tive campuses. Witherbloom’s mascots, pests, are
sors, diving into their preferred area of study and naturally found in the world around the campus.
related fields. Other students take as many as a The other colleges’ mascots are brought into being
third of their classes in other colleges, continuing through magic. The Strixhaven Mascots table lists
the breadth of their first-year education and looking the mascots by college. Each of these mascots is de-
for places where the perspectives of other disci- tailed in chapter 7.
plines can bring new insight to their studies. Both STRIXHAVEN MASCOTS
approaches are encouraged at the university.
College Mascot
Af t e r St r ix h a v e n Lorehold Spirit Statue Mascot
A student’s course of study at Strixhaven lasts at Prismari Art Elemental Mascot
least four years but allows for advanced study for Quandrix Fractal Mascot
several years beyond that time frame. Most stu-
Silverquill Inkling Mascot
dents eventually graduate, though, and they walk a
variety of paths after leaving the university. Many Witherbloom Pest Mascot
return to whatever home they came from, putting The five kinds of mascots act as companions for
what they have learned to use in their communities. students and faculty, sometimes serving as willing
Some mages travel the multiverse in search of ev- subjects for experiments or demonstrations, and
er-greater magic, continuing their research in some occasionally even helping out in a duel or a more
form beyond the confines of an academic program. serious combat situation. Most notably, mascots
A few alumni return to Strixhaven, sooner or later, are also playing pieces of sorts in the Strixhaven
as instructors themselves, and a small, select num- sport of Mage Tower, described in more detail in
berjoin the Dragonsguard, an elite force of mages chapter 4.
who work with the Founder Dragons.
Ce n t r al Ca m pu s __________________
Ca m pu s Ov e r v ie w The central campus—shown on map 1.1—is the
Strixhaven occupies hundreds of acres, spread out heart of Strixhaven. Its extensive grounds include
over six campuses. Each of the university’s five col- residence halls for first-year students, dining halls,
leges has its own campus, and the central campus, administration buildings, classrooms and laborato-
home to the Biblioplex and Strixhaven Stadium, ries (mostly used for first-year classes and interdisci-
serves as a hub for university life. See the appendix plinary studies), and space for social gatherings.
or the poster map for a view of the entire university. Two of the sites on map 1.1 are described else-
Well-maintained roads connect the six campuses, where in the book: Aerojaunt Field (see chapter 4)
and walking from one to another can take a half- and Captain Dapplewing’s Manor (see chapter 3).
hour or more. Regular shuttles—large carriages
drawn by horselike automata—run on an hourly Th e Bib l io pl e x
schedule between a station near the Biblioplex and The center of Strixhaven is the Biblioplex, the uni-
each of the satellite campuses, making the journey versity’s main library. At the heart of the library is
in about 15 minutes. In addition, each campus has a snarl, a tangle in the fabric of magic, that glows
multiple permanent teleportation circles, which fac- like a miniature sun in the grand Hall of Oracles. A
ulty and more advanced students can use when they star arch called the Dawnbow curves across the sky
require instantaneous travel, and several magical above the library, marking its location as a center of
portals exist as well. These portals can be unpre- mystic learning.
Ar c h w ay Co mmo n s is a f a v o r it e s po t
mi
A-v
• y! ' ' *' /i' d ‘ z‘ ' \
JHElBlBLIOPLEXj
•?
*■
1
iTO
sofZ S'-'i
Til
WffiNpjAVERti ; -
-(■ - i
)
e .Wi
Ma p 1.1: Ce n t r a l Ca mp u s
IJ
o
gatherings and games, including live-action roleplay- The stadium where thousands gather to watch
ing games and casual sports. students play Mage Tower (and sometimes other
sports) is located near Bow’s End Tavern. Chapter 4
offers more information about Mage Tower. I
12 CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN
4C V Or d e r a n d Ch a o s
Lorehold’s two deans carry the titles Dean of Order
and Dean of Chaos, as order versus chaos encapsu-
GA.
lates the fundamental conflict at the heart of Lore-
hold’s philosophy. This conflict revolves around the
Lo r e h o l d Co l l eg e forces that underlie and drive history. Is the course
Lorehold is the College of Archaeomancy—a term of time driving toward a well-ordered ideal state
that describes the exploration of ancient things or slowly devolving into chaos? Are deep patterns
through magic. Its mages explore the past by poring hidden in historical texts, or is time a series of coin-
over archaeological sites, calling forth magical en- cidence and happenstance?
ergy from old tomes, and summoning the spirits of The perspective of order emphasizes the struc-
long-dead historical figures. Lorehold mages travel tures that pull people together—-law, religion, eco-
far and wide across the world, gathering relics of nomics, education, social class, and so on—and how
bygone ages and learning dead languages to unpack those structures drive historical events. Order fo-
the secrets of history. cuses on systemic changes and the actions of people
collectively.
St u d ie s a n d Ph il o s o ph y The perspective of chaos, by contrast, emphasizes
Lorehold College is devoted to the study of history, individual actions, personal bonds of families and
broadly understood to include the various aspects friends, and the disruptive force of lone, passionate
of culture, behavior, and social relationships that people in history. Scholars of chaos gravitate toward
shape historical events. Its studies include various reckless discovery and the spirit of adventure in
subdivisions of history (military history, social his- their research of the past—the essence and emotion
tory, cultural history), archaeology, anthropology, of history over precision or procedure.
psychology, sociology, religion, and economics. It
Sc h o l a r s of Lo r e h o l d
overlaps with Prismari College in the field of art
The Lorehold Scholars table offers examples of
history, with some students splitting their studies
the scholars in Lorehold College. You may use the
between the two colleges. Lorehold mages use their
table to randomly determine the scholarly focus of a
magic to unearth secrets and share illumination.
Lorehold student or faculty member. The Principle
column notes which side of the order-chaos conflict
Lo r e h o l d Sc h o l a r s Plargg believes that history is full of unpredict-
dlO Scholar Principle
able, war-filled chaos and that his students must
be ready for anything. He teaches that no rewards
1 Archaeoscribe, chronicling historical Order
come without risk, and his excursions typically end
truths for posterity
with students heading to the infirmary. He pays lit-
2 Battle medium, strengthening sum- Order tle attention to Dean Tullus's work, usually dismiss-
moned spirits for use in battles ing her attempts to find order in chaos as foolhardy.
3 Chaos scholar, chasing down historical Chaos
Ho f r i Gh o s t f o r g e
anecdotes as a litany of happenstance
When Hofri (neutral good dwarf Lorehold pro-
4 Conservator, preserving ancient spell Order
fessor of order) first enrolled in Strixhaven. he
knowledge and other relics of the past believed his future lay with Prismari. A diligent
5 Dustspeaker, conversing with spirits Chaos student, he quickly mastered the technical skills of
of the past to learn their storiess art, but his magic left something to be desired. After
6 Pastraiser, binding spirits into the Order talking with the school’s counselor, Mavinda, Hofri
monuments that bear their likeness to decided to try his luck with Lorehold. It turned out
learn about their inspiring deeds
he had a natural talent for Lorehold’s spirit magic.
His time at Prismari was hardly wasted, however.
7 Relic reader, divining wisdom from the Order
Combining his artistic skill with his keen spiritu. I
past from the context of ruin sites
sense, Hofri could visualize a spirit's mortal app<
8 Ruin shaman, wielding magic that Chaos ance and construct a viable statue form for them
helps delve into ancient sites inhabit. No one in Lorehold's history had previous:
9 Tomewielder, summoning fiery magic Chaos created a spirit statue from scratch, and Hofri w;
from the words in old writings offered a professorial position after graduation,
which he happily accepted.
10 Warsinger, studying the magic used in Chaos
ancient wars Os g ir , t h e Re c o n s t r u c t o r
Even by Lorehold standards, Osgir (neutral stone
Lo r e h o l d Fa c u l t y giant) is obsessed with relics of the past. A profes-
sor of order, he treasures every connection to old
This section describes noteworthy members of the civilizations, whether it’s a magnificent jeweled
Lorehold faculty. Some of them use a Lorehold-
crown or an old shovel. As a student, he constantly-
specific stat block from chapter 7.
spent time in detention for hoarding the best finds
Au g u s t a Tu l l u s , De a n o f Or d e r from Lorehold dig sites in his room; he lost count
Augusta Tullus (lawful neutral human Lorehold of how many times he was sternly told. "History be-
professor of order) is the current Dean of Order. A longs to us all!’’
professor of spirit studies, she has been called the So, naturally, he mastered the magical art of dupli-
college’s most talented pastraiser. She can conjure cative restoration. Not only can he perfectly recreate
entire legions of ghostly apparitions to reenact his- an ancient object or device from the smallest scrap,
torical events for her lectures. but he can also produce a second, identical version
Augusta believes that history repeats itself as an for his personal collection. He displays something
orderly progression toward an ideal. In her view, the different every week in his Lorehold office, from a
mistakes of the past can inform the choices of the mighty sword of demon-slaying to a delicate elven
present, creating a world of peace and order. She music box.
plays things by the book and frowns on students
who embark on Dean Plargg’s dangerous field trips. Go l w a n d a t h e Bl o o d s p il l e r
Characters have ample opportunity to meet Dean “Have you met Golwanda yet?” is a question that older
Lorehold students love to ask second-year students,
Tullus in the adventure presented in chapter 5.
new to the college. Sooner or later, one professor or
another summons this spirit of a notorious stone giant
Pl a r g g , De a n o f Ch a o s
warmonger, ostensibly as a cautionary tale about the
Plargg (chaotic good orc Lorehold professor of dire fate that befalls a society that loses control of its
chaos) is the current Dean of Chaos. Specializing in aggressive impulses. Golwanda plays her role with
military history, Plargg is known for his perfect re- relish, doing her best to strike terror into the students
call of historical stories, as well as his potent scroll with her bloodcurdling screams and howls of rage.
magic. Blind himself, he invented a form of magical
embossing called heat lettering, which provides a
tactile way to read texts.
Ma p i ,2: Lo r e h o l d Ca mp u s
m
<
u
The curriculum overlaps with Lorehold in the field ciples of beauty for insight into the
of art history and with Silverquill in the literary arts, workings of the multiverse
and some students divide their time between Pris- 2 Electrovisionary, wielding the forms of Expression
mari and one of those other schools to pursue these lightning as a paintbrush
interdisciplinary fields. Prismari mages use magic 3 Flamesinger, combining fire and music Expression
to weave the elements into their creations; they
4 Geosculptor, using earth and lava in Expression
might juxtapose fire alongside paint, ceramics, or
volatile emotional displays
fabric, or they might choreograph elaborate works
that unite a dancer's movements with gusts and ed- 5 Heartrager, turning inner creative fire Expression
dies of air. into personal strength
6 Ice sculptor, crafting ice and cold into Perfection
Pe r f e c t io n a n d Ex pr e s s io n
immersive experiences
Prismari's two deans carry the titles Dean of Per-
fection and Dean of Expression, and they often 7 Mistmage, shaping cloud, fog, and Perfection
express the fundamental conflict of their philosophy mist into lasting sculptures
as perfection versus expression—or, sometimes, as 8 Muse channeler, projecting blasts of Expression
intellect versus emotion. What is the purpose of art? inspiration toward others
Is it to make people think things or make people feel 9 Opusmancer, creating magical effects Perfection
things? Is it supposed to be carefully thought out or on a monumental scale
raw and spontaneous? Is mastery of art a matter of
10 Spectacle mage, hurling stormy dis- Expression
honing precise techniques to a point of perfection or
plays into the sky
of perfectly expressing a raw emotional state? Does
art aspire to express universal truths or intensely 11 Waterbinder, shaping water into ani- Perfection
personal ones? mated elemental forms
12 Zephyrist, weaving wind with dance Perfection
Oc t a v ia , t h e Liv in g Th e s is
Crafted as a graduate's final project many years ago,
Octavia (a water elemental that looks like an enormous
Pr is m a r i Fa c u l t y
octopus) took up residence on campus and never left. This section describes noteworthy members of the
After all, in its humble opinion, every student deserves Prismari faculty. Some of them use a Prismari-spe-
cific stat block from chapter 7. Several of them are
incoherent, but really, Octavia is just a very concep-
tual thinker.
genasi, who are Humanoids touched by the Elemen-
w-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- tal Planes.
Na s s a r i , De a n o f Ex pr e s s io n Za f f a i , Th u n d e r Co n d u c t or
Nassari (chaotic good genasi Prismari professor As soon as Zaffai (chaotic neutral human Prismari
of expression) is the current Dean of Expression. professor of expression) came of age, his parents
Nazzari always want to see art that is bigger, more sent him to Strixhaven, assuring him his budding
radical in concept, and more emotionally powerful. musical genius deserved the finest instruction in the
For their final project as a mage-student, Nassari world. (In truth, though he did possess prodigious
famously “turned in” an earthquake, which almost talent, they were also growing tired of their house
t
destroyed three campus buildings. The piece re- being randomly struck by lightning or engulfed in
o ceived a standing ovation from the mage-student cyclones whenever he practiced.) Even as he flour-
a.
body—and a grumpy thumbs down from the campus ished as both mage and musician, he discovered a
Q
construction golems. new aptitude: conducting.
Ma p 1.3: Pr is ma r i Ca mp u s
Ma p i .4: Qu a n d r ix Ca mp u s
a
<
rn
s
VI
UJ
U
22
22 CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN
41*1 <
Dean Embrose Lu (lawful neutral human Silver- cruit her, threatening her students’ lives if she didn’t
quill professor of shadow) is a master poet whose comply. Within an hour, she convinced him to free
ink magic is merciless. Scant with praise and quick her, abandon his wicked ways, and seek wisdom
with a cutting remark, Dean Lu has seen many from the archaics.
mage-students scrub out of Strixhaven and has
nothing good to say about those who can’t hack it.
Nil s , Dis c ipl in e En f o r c e r
A cynic, Embrose believes that most people are Nils (lawful neutral human Silverquill professor of
in it for themselves. He demands his students learn radiance) is an optimist, as he believes in every stu-
how to use language-based magic to “get what they dent’s potential for greatness. However, this outlook
deserve.” While he often argues with Dean Talon- also means he’s constantly disappointed by their
rook, he holds a deep (if begrudging) respect for suboptimal choices, and he is well known for his
the owlin. strictness and abrupt scoldings.
Br e e n a , t h e De m a g o g u e Br e n n e t h Bl a c k s t o n e , Sc r ipt o l o g y St a r
Breena (neutral good owlin Silverquill profes- Brenneth Blackstone (neutral good dhampir Silver-
sor of shadow) has a talent for getting her way. If quill professor of shadow) is a rising star in the
she wants you to do something, you won’t just do study of magical writing and symbols. With a
it—you’ll be sure it was your idea all along. Her dynamic lecturing style, this dhampir—a partial
students and colleagues alike hang on her every vampire—attracts students from across Strixhaven
word, and in front of a crowd, she’s a powerhouse purely for his lessons’ value as performance art. He
of charisma, enhancing her speeches with elegant teaches a course in scrivening and scriptology that
swirls of ink magic. Though she’s an elite mage who characters take over the course of chapter 4.
a:
can easily hold her own in a fight, Breena prefers to
I defeat her foes with words alone.
2
s
Ma p 1.5: Sil v e r q u il l Ca mp u s
1 XSC
1
1
5
I
CHAPTER 1 I LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN
24
Sc h o l a r s o f Wit h e r b l o o m
The Witherbloom Scholars table offers examples of
the scholars in Witherbloom College. You may use
the table to randomly determine the scholarly focus
of a Witherbloom student or faculty member. The
Wit h e r b l o o m Co l l e g e Principle column notes which side of the growth-de-
At Witherbloom, the College of Essence Studies, cay conflict a scholar more likely aligns with.
mages draw power from the opposing forces of
life and death. These mages brew their spells from Wit h e r b l o o m Sc h o l a r s
natural components and the essence of living crea- d8 Scholar Principle
tures, using that power to heal or harm the living or 1 Banelock, using concoctions of nox- Decay
to raise or entreat the dead. They can cause entire ious ingredients for withering magic
forests to blossom out of nowhere or call down
2 Bleed doctor, drain the essence of liv- Decay
old curses that scourge flesh from bone. Some
ing creatures to fuel sinister spells
Witherbloom mages defend ecosystems from pollu-
tion. while others revel in the power of corruption. 3 Boon witch, brewing drafts to em- Growth
They’re at home riding zombie crocodiles down a power the living
languid river, picking herbs for a potion to treat a 4 Boughcaller, summoning creatures Growth
disease, brooding over a chorus of swamp frogs, or from bogs
summoning fearsome avatars of nature. 5 Dreadbones, infusing dead tissue with Decay
St u d ie s a n d Ph il o s o ph y _ ____ magic to create Undead servants
6 Earthcroucher, connecting directly Growth
The curriculum of Witherbloom College focuses on
with the land to power nature magic
various sciences, revolving around the life sciences.
Biology, ecology, botany, chemistry, and related 7 Leafbinder, using medicinal herbs to Growth
sciences combine with the study and manipulation soothe wounds
of the magical energy of the Positive Plane and the 8 Pestcatcher, harvesting life energy Decay
Negative Plane, the primal forces of life and death. from the pests of the bayou
Witherbloom’s curriculum shares some overlap with
Quandrix’s analysis of the mathematical patterns
in nature.
Wit h er bl o o m Fa c u l t y
This section describes noteworthy members of
Gr o w t h a n d De c a y the Witherbloom faculty. Some of them use a
The two deans of Witherbloom are traditionally Witherbloom-specific stat block from chapter 7.
called the Dean of the Root and the Dean of the
Vein. These titles are a somewhat abstract way of Lis e t t e , De a n o f t h e Ro o t
framing the core division in the college’s philoso- Dean Lissette (neutral good human Witherbloom
phy: is growth or decay the driving force in nature? professor of growth) is a world-class healer and
The philosophy of the root (growth) focuses on herbalist; it’s even said she once cured the Lorehold
life and its irrepressible drive to thrive. This view founder dragon of a secret illness. Lisette’s classes
celebrates the diversity and adaptability of life- lean more toward demonstration and hands-on ex-
forms, from the tiniest cells to the most complex perience than lectures. When Lisette speaks, her
networks of living things. The growth philosophy words are soft and full of colorful metaphors.
asserts that the urge to survive and reproduce is the Lisette believes in preserving nature and life, and
most essential principle in the cosmos. Mages who she instills in her students a respect for all living
adopt this view wield positive energy and practice things. While Dean Valentin’s exploitation of living
healing magic. creatures disgusts her, she also knows she can use
The philosophy of the vein (decay) focuses on the the results of his cruelty to help future lives.
inevitability of death and decay. Its traditional name
comes from the prominence of vampires within the Va l e n t in , De a n of t he Ve in
college, whose conceptions of draining life through Dean Valentin (neutral vampire) is ancient and
the vein have long proven an important counter- drinks the blood of living creatures throughout the
weight to the growth philosophy of Witherbloom. bayou. Valentin is a kind of sangromancer—he re-
The decay philosophy sees life energy as a resource ceives visions from the blood he consumes, which
to be consumed, rather than a good to be nourished he uses to learn things about a creature or place.
for its own sake. Mages who adopt this view wield He has no qualms about exploiting the bayou’s crea-
negative energy and practice necromancy. tures for personal gain.
Ma p i .6- Wit h er bl o o m Ca mp u s
I
i
i
s
s
I
CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 27
A GROUP of St r ix h a v e n s t u d e n t s —e a c h f r om
a d if f e r e n t c o l l eg e —d e s c e n d INTO THE
DEPTHS BELOW AN ANCIENT RUIN.
G n A P IE 1< 2
Ch a r a c t e r Opt io n s
^-^=3=* HE CAMPUS OF STRIXHAVEN DRAWS A Cr e a t u r e Ty pe
2 I student body from across the world—or Every creature in D&D, including every player char-
many worlds. With your DM’s permission, acter, has a special tag in the rules that identifies the
you can create just about any Strixhaven type of creature they are. Most player characters,
character you can imagine, drawing on player char- including owlin, are of the Humanoid type. Creature
acter rules from the Player's Handbook and other types don’t have rules themselves, but some rules in
D&D books. This chapter adds to that wealth of op- the game affect creatures of certain types in differ-
tions with the material in the following sections: ent ways. For example, the text of the cure wounds
“Race Option” presents the owlin, a character race spell specifies that the spell doesn’t work on a crea-
option perfect for playing an owl-like student. ture that has the Construct type.
“Choosing a College” gives advice on building a Lif e Spa n
character for adventuring in Strixhaven. The typical life span of a player character in D&D
“Strixhaven Backgrounds ” presents a background is about a century, assuming the character doesn’t
option for each Strixhaven college, linking a char- meet a violent end on an adventure.
acter to one of the five colleges.
“Feats” offers Strixhaven-thcmed feats for use with He ig h t a n d We ig h t
A Curriculum of Chaos and other adventures. Player characters, including owlin, typically fall into
“Spells” reveals some spells that were developed at the same ranges of height and weight that humans
the university. have in our world. If you’d like to determine your
“Magic Items” collects magic items that Strixhaven character's height or weight randomly, consult the
students might acquire on their adventures. Random Height and Weight table in the Player's
Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best
Ra c e Opt io n represents the build you imagine for your character.
The owlin is a race option for player characters in
OWLIN______________________________
Strixhaven and other D&D settings.
Distant kin of giant owls from the Feywild, owlin
Cr e a t in g Yo u r Ch a r a c t e r come in many shapes and sizes, from petite and
If you create an owlin character, follow these addi- fluffy to wide-winged and majestic. Owlin have arms
tional rules during character creation. and legs like other Humanoids, as well as wings
that extend from their back and shoulders.
Ab il it y Sc o r e In c r e a s e s Like owls, owlin are graced with feathers that
When determining your character’s ability scores, make no sound when they move or fly, making it
increase one of those scores by 2 and increase a dif- easy for them to sneak up on you in the library.
ferent score by 1, or increase three different scores Your owlin character might be nocturnal. Or per-
by 1. Follow this rule regardless of the method haps your character is simply prone to rise later,
you use to determine the scores, such as rolling or embodying the common nickname of night owl.
point buy.
The “Quick Build” section for your character’s Ow l in Tr a it s
class offers suggestions on which scores to in- You have the following racial traits.
crease. You’re free to follow those suggestions or Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
to ignore them. Whichever scores you decide to in- Size. You are Medium or Small. You choose the
crease, none of the scores can be raised above 20. size when you select this race.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
La n g u a g e s Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 120
Your character can speak, read, and write Common feet of yourself as if it were bright light and in dark-
and one other language that you and your DM agree ness as if it were dim light. You discern colors in
is appropriate for the character. The Player's Hand- that darkness only as shades of gray.
o
g book offers a list of widespread languages to choose
from. The DM is free to add or remove languages
CD
5
5
s from that list for a particular campaign.
V ■’U % .■ t Mai
St r ix h a v e n Ba c k g r o u n d s Bu il d in g a Lo r e h o l d Ch a r a c t e r
Any class or subclass that deals with knowledge of
This section presents five backgrounds that you can
the past can be a good fit in Lorehold. Bards thrive
choose to reflect your character’s studies preparing
in Lorehold, and wizards (particularly those of the
to enter one of Strixhaven’s colleges. You aren’t
School of Divination) are numerous among its stu-
limited to these backgrounds in a Strixhaven cam-
dents. Clerics (often with the Knowledge or Light
paign; they’re just one way you can choose to dive
domains) are also quite common.
deeply into your character’s college affiliation.
For a more unusual take on a Lorehold student,
If you do choose one of these backgrounds, you
you could consider playing a barbarian with a pri-
can assume that your life to this point has been con-
mal connection to the past (perhaps adopting the
sumed by the education that has made enrolling at
Path of the Ancestral Guardian from Xanathar’s
Strixhaven possible for you, and you might not have
Guide to Everything) or a paladin whose Oath of the
much experience of the world beyond that prepara-
Ancients gives a concrete link to history.
tory work. You’re ready to excel as a student—and
Suggested Characteristics. Methodical histo-
that, in turn, will prepare you to excel at whatever
rians and daring adventurers alike can be found
path comes after graduation.
among the ranks of Lorehold college. The Lorehold
Lo r e h o l d St u d e n t Personality Traits table suggests a variety of traits
you might adopt for your character.
You have spent your youth preparing to be a student
of Lorehold College, reading every book on the col- Lo r eh o l d Pe r s o n a l it y Tr a it s
lege's recommended reading list for prospective stu-
d6 Personality Trait
dents. Your academic passions are in the broad field
1 I thrive on esoteric lore. The more obscure the his-
of history. You might dream of using magic to con-
torical references I can include in everyday conver-
tact great historical figures or your own ancestors or
of recreating the mighty magic of a distant age. sation, the better.
2 By searching for these lost artifacts, I hope to find
Skill Proficiencies: History, Religion
who I really am along the way.
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a 3 I can barely go a minute without talking about my
hammer, a hooded lantern, a tinderbox, a tome research. I have so much knowledge in my head,
of history, a school uniform, and a pouch con- and it needs to be let out somewhere!
taining 15 gp 4 The spirits of the dead are so much more interest-
ing to talk with than living classmates.
Fe a t u r e: Lo r e h o l d In it ia t e
5 I can speak eloquently about the historical ramifica-
You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat (presented later
tions of an ancient war. But ask me to add two-digit
in the chapter) and must choose Lorehold within it.
numbers together, and I’m a mess.
In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact
Magic feature, the spells on the Lorehold Spells 6 In the end, it’s all just entropy. Everything falls
table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting apart someday.
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi-
Lorehold Trinkets. When you make your char-
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)
acter, you may roll once on the Lorehold Trinkets
Lo r eh o l d Sp e l l s table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s
Handbook, for your starting trinket.
Spell Level Spells
1st Comprehend Languages, Identify Lo r eh o l d Tr in k e t s
2nd Borrowed Knowledge (in this book), d6 Trinket
Locate Object 1 A map made of concentric circles that can be ro-
3rd Speak with Dead, Spirit Guardians tated around the page
4th Arcane Eye, Stone Shape 2 A puzzle box bedecked with amber
5th Flame Strike, Legend Lore 3 A dented brass compass with a red needle
4 The head of a broken statue that houses the con-
Consider customizing how your spells look when
sciousness of a snarky sage
you cast them. Your Lorehold spells might create
displays of golden light. You might use a tome or a 5 A sheet of parchment embossed with tactile letter-
scroll as a spellcasting focus, and your spell effects ing, glowing red
might reflect the appearance of the reference books 6 A broken dagger with a wavy blade and a serpen-
you study. tine hilt
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi- Prismari. Druids and sorcerers are common in Pris-
X
K
—
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.) mari, and wizards who study the Schools of Evo- IM
iz>
-z
ennui regarding my art. Nothing quite captures my 2nd Enlarge/Reduce, Vortex Warp (in this book)
attention anymore. 3rd Aura of Vitality, Haste
6 Instead of confronting my negative emotions, I 4th Control Water, Freedom of Movement
channel them into explosive artistic displays. 5th Circle of Power, Passwall
Prismari Trinkets. When you make your char- Consider customizing how your spells look when
acter, you may roll once on the Prismari Trinkets you cast them. Your Quandrix spells might manifest
table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s amid kaleidoscopic swirls of fractal patterns, ampli-
Handbook, for your starting trinket. fying the tiniest movements of your somatic compo-
nents. When your magic creates or alters creatures,
Pr is ma r i Tr in k e t s it might briefly surround the targets with shimmer-
d6 Trinket ing fractal designs or tessellated patterns.
1 A pair of rose-tinted glasses with glittery frames
Bu il d in g a Qu a n d r ix Ch a r a c t e r
2 A stoppered glass bottle that, when opened, plays
Any spellcasting class or subclass can work well
a brassy orchestral piece
for a Quandrix character. Both the scholarly focus
3 A quartet of hovering water motes in a vial
of wizards (especially those who study the Schools
4 A bandolier of watercolor paints of Abjuration, Illusion, or Transmutation) and the
5 A tiara capped with a crystal that crackles with metamagic manipulations of sorcerers are welcome
harmless lightning in Quandrix, and many druids explore the patterns
6 An iridescent quill of nature in Quandrix as well. A few clerics, particu-
larly those with the Knowledge or Nature domains,
study in Quandrix as well.
Aside from traditional spellcasters, a few charac-
ters of other classes find homes in Quandrix. Some
fighters, monks, rangers, and rogues study here,
using Quandrix principles to train their minds.
Spell Level Spells 6 No one knows about the all-nighters I've pulled to
keep my magic looking effortless, and I’m going to
1st Dissonant Whispers,
keep it that way.
Silvery Barbs (in this book)
2nd Calm Emotions, Darkness Silverquill Trinkets. When you make your char-
3rd Beacon of Hope, Daylight acter, you may roll once on the Silverquill Trinkets
4th Compulsion, Confusion
table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s
Handbook, for your starting trinket.
5th Dominate Person, Rary's Telepathic Bond
Magic feature, the spells on the Witherbloom Spells Witherbloom Trinkets. When you make your
table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting character, you may roll once on the Witherbloom
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi- Trinkets table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.) Player's Handbook, for your starting trinket.
Wit h er bl o o m Sp e l l s Wit h er bl o o m Tr in k e t s
Spell Level Spells d6 Trinket
1st Cure Wounds, Inflict Wounds 1 A black bird-shaped mask, trimmed with glowing
2nd Lesser Restoration, green thread
Wither and Bloom (in this book) 2 A set of rabbit bones
3rd Revivify, Vampiric Touch 3 A pair of thick knee-high waders, stained with muck
4th Blight, Death Ward and moss
5th Antilife Shell, Greater Restoration 4 A slimy green tentacle, which occasionally wriggles
5 A notebook containing waterproof paper
Consider customizing how your spells look when
you cast them. Your Witherbloom spells might rely 6 A necklace of five small vials, each filled with lumi-