Strixhaven - A Curriculum of Chaos

STRIXHAVEN

A Curriculum of Chaos

Credits Strixhaven World Designers: Doug Beyer (creative lead), Taylor
Ingvarsson (art director), Jess Lanzillo (creative director), Mens
Lead Designer Amanda Hamon Mullaley (creative producer), Fox Allison, Annie Sardelis, Emily
Assistant Lead Designers: Jeremy Crawford, James Wyatt Teng, Andrew Valias, James Wyatt, Ari Zirulmk
Art Director: Emi Tanji
Project Engineer: Cynda Callaway
Designers: Bill Benham, Makenzie De Armas, Dan Dillon, Steve Imaging Technicians: Kevin Yee
Kenson, T. Alexander Stangroom Prepress Specialist: Jefferson Dunlap

Assistant Designers: Sydney Adams, Taymoor Rehman D&D Studio
Rules Developers: Jeremy Crawford, Ben Petrisor
Editors: Judy Bauer, Michele Carter, Scott Fitzgerald Cray, lanara Executive Producer: Ray Winninger
Came Design Architects: Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins
Natividad, Christopher Perkins, F. Wesley Schneider Design Manager: Steve Scott
Design Department: Sydney Adams, Judy Bauer, Makenzie De
Graphic Designers: Trystan Falcone, Emi Tanji, Trish Yochum
Cover Illustrators: Hydro74, Magali Villeneuve Armas, Dan Dillon, Amanda Hamon, Ari Levitch, Ben Petrisor,
Cartographers: Francesca Baerald, Sean Macdonald, Mike Schley Taymoor Rehman, F. Wesley Schneider, James Wyatt
Additional Art Directors: Ovidio Cartagena, Taylor Ingvarsson, Kate Art Department Manager: Richard Whitters
Principal Art Director: Kate Irwin
Irwin, Thomas Jenkot, Zack Stella, Sarah Wassell Art Department: Trystan Falcone, Emi Tanji, Shawn Wood,
Interior Illustrators: Steve Argyle, Jinho Bae, Cristi Balanescu, Mike Trish Yochum
Senior Producer: Dan Tovar
Bierek, Zoltan Boros, Alex Brock, Filip Burburan, Dmitry Burmak, Producers: Bill Benham, Robert Hawkey, Lea Heleotis
Ekaterina Burmak, Paul Scott Canavan, Manuel Castanon, Jehan Director of Product Management: Liz Schuh
Choo, Billy Christian, Chris Cold, Justine Cruz, Alayna Danner, Product Managers: Natalie Egan, Chris Lindsay, Hilary Ross,
Jonas De Ro, Olga Drebas, Piotr Dura, Jesper Ejsing, Anna Fehr, Chris Tulach
Tony Foti, Caroline Gariba, Use Gort, Johan Grenier, Yeong-
Hao Han, Josh Hass, Hydro74, Izzy, Tomasz Jedruszek, Jihun, Marketing
Jason Kang, Igor Kieryluk, Mathias Kollros, Yigit Koroglu, Kekai
Kotaki, Andrey Kuzinskiy, Luiza Laffitte, Lius Lasahido, Ryan Director of Global Brand Marketing: Brian Perry
Alexander Lee, Lie Setiawan, Daniel Ljunggren, Lindsey Look, Global Brand Manager: Shelly Mazzanoble
Titus Lunter, Howard Lyon, Slawomir Maniak, Antonio Jose Senior Marketing Communications Manager: Greg Tito
Manzanedo, Joseph Meehan, Viko Menezes, Robson Michel, Community Manager: Brandy Camel
Francisco Miyara, Scott Murphy, Marta Nael, Hector Ortiz, Adam
Paquette, Alessandra Pisano, Steve Prescott, Chris Rahn, Jason
Rainville, Andreas Rocha, Denman Rooke, Sean Sevestre, Liiga
Smilshkalne, Bryan Sola, Craig J Spearing, Raymond Swanland,
YW Tang, Viktor Titov, Jokubas Uogintas, Randy Vargas, Svetlin
Velinov, Raoul Vitale, Johannes Voss, Sara Winters, Bayard Wu,
Kieran Yanner, Andreas Zafiratos

I

On the Cover On the Alt-Cover

Three Strixhaven students find distractions from their studies Hydro74 shows off the Strixhaven star, a symbol of unity and
in Magali Villeneuve's cover illustration. On the back, a harried magical fellowship. The sigils of each of Strixhaven’s five colleges
Biblioplex assistant tries to tidy the mess. adorn the back cover.

620D0148000001 EN UK __ Disclaimer: A degreefrom Strixhaven University does not provide
ISBN: 978-0-78 69-6745-2 [■I protectionfrom magic missiles, fireballs, freezing spheres, or any
First Printing: November 2021 CO
•Of- other deleterious effects spellcasters might generate Ifyou create
987654321 deleterious effects, Strixhaven kindly requests you refrainfrom mvok-

rJ< ing any names, symbols, or other references to the university should
■JK you find yourselfin a confrontation. Strixhaven University does

not take responsibilityfor any injury ofany nature sustained in the
course ofanything, magical or otherwise

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D. Wizards of the Coast, the dragon ampersand. Dungeon Master, Player's Handbook, Monster Manual, Dungeon Master's Guide, Strixhaven, Magic: The
Gathering, the pianeswalker symbol, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast in the USA and other countries.
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States of America and around the world under international intellectual property treaties. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the materials contained herein or artwork contained
herein is prohibited without the express written permission of Wizards of the Coast.

Printed in the USA. ©2021 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707. Renton, WA 98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by: Hasbro SA, Rue EmilcBoifchat 31. 2800 Delemont. CH.
Represented by: Hasbro. De Entree 240. 1101 EE Amsterdam. NL. Hasbro UK Ltd., P.O. Box 43 Newport, NP19 4YH, UK.

Contents

Welcome to Strixhaven 4 Shuvadri Glintmantle..... 58 Ch. 6: A Reckoning in Ruins.............. 156

About This Book............ 5 Tilana Kapule.................. 58 Running This Adventure..................... 157

Orientation...................... 5 Urzmaktok Grojsh.......... 59 A Sinister Shadow................................. 157

Strixhaven’s World......... 6 Zanther Bowen............... 59 A Brief Distraction................................ 158

Ch. 1: Life on Campus........... ..8 Campus Kerfuffle............... 60 Arcane Herbology

Magical Study.......................... ..9 Running This Adventure 60 Exam: Vegetation Identification........ 159

Campus Overview.................. . 11 First Day on Campus..... 61 Clue in the Bayou................................... 160

Lorchold College.................... 13 Orientation Challenge.... 66 Advance to 9th Level!........................... 165

Prismari College..................... 16 Frog’s the Word.............. 70 No Time to Lose.................................... 165

Quandrix College................... 19 Magical Physiologies Into the Badlands.................................. 166

Silverquill College.................. 22 Exam: Slaadi................... 72 This Is Surreal, Isn't It?....................... 172

Witherbloom College............. 25 Advance to 2nd Level!.... 74 Ruins of Caerdoon................................. 173

Ch. 2: Character Options..... Work Hard, Play Harder 74 Advance to 10th Level!......................... 178
28 Magical Physiologies
Race Option: Owlin................ 29 Exam: Owibcars............. Confronting Murgaxor......................... 178
Choosing a College................ 30 Campus Daredevils.......
Strixhaven Backgrounds....... 31 Advance to 3rd Level!.... 78 Ch. 7: Friends and Foes..................... 182
31 Magical Physiologies 78 Archaic................................................... 184
Lorchold Student................ 32 Exam: Otyughs.............. 86 Art Elemental Mascot.......................... 185
Prismari Student................ .33 All the World’s a Stage-
Quandrix Student............... .35 Secrets in Sedgemoor... Beledros Witherbloom........................ 186
Silverquill Student.............. .36 Advance to 4th Level!.... 86 Brackish Trudge................................... 187
Witherbloom Student......... .36 86 Cogwork Archivist................................ 188
Feats......................................... 92 Daemogoth............................................. 189
95 Daemogoth Titan.................................. 190

Strixhaven Initiate............. . .36 Ch. 4: Hunt for Mage Tower 96 First-Year Student................................ .191

Strixhaven Mascot............. .37 Running This Adventure...... 97 Fractal Mascot...................................... .192

Spells........................................ .37 Back in Session...................... 98 Galazeth Prismari................................ .193
Borrowed Knowledge........ .37 Mascots Everywhere!............ 99 Groff........................................................ .194

Kinetic Jaunt........................ .37 Scrivening and Symbology Inkling Mascot..................................... ..195

Silvery Barbs....................... .38 Exam: Glyph of Warding.... 106 Lorehold Apprentice........................... .197

Vortex Warp......................... .38 Advance to 5th Level!............ 107 Lorehold Pledgemage........................ .197

Witherand Bloom.............. .38 Party at the Rose Stage........ 108 Lorehold Professor of Chaos............. .198

Magic Items............................. .38 Practice Makes Perfect......... 111 Lorehold Professor of Order.............. .198
Bottle of Boundless Coffee .38 Scrivening and Symbology Mage Hunter......................................... .199

Cuddly Strixhaven Mascot .38 Exam: Symbol Glyphs...... 113 Oracle of Strixhaven........................... 200
Lorehold Primer................. .39 Getting Some Air................. . 114 Oriq Blood Mage.................................. .201
Prismari Primer................. .39 Dangerous Knowledge......... 116 Oriq Recruiter...................................... .202
..39 Scrivening and Symbology
Quandrix Primer................ Pest Mascot........................................... ..203

Silverquill Primer.............. ..39 Exam: Augury..................1..18 Prismari Apprentice........................... ..205

Strixhaven Pennant.......... ..39 Tell Us in Song!..................... 119 Prismari Pledgemage........................ ..205
Witherbloom Primer......... ..39 Battle of Strixhaven............. 121 Prismari Professor of Expression.... .206
123 Prismari Professor of Perfection..... .206
Advance to 6th Level!...........
40
Ch. 3: School Is in Session............... 41 Ch. 5: The Magister's Masquerade... 124 Quandrix Apprentice.......................... ...208
Running the Adventures..................... 43 Quandrix Pledgemage...................... ...208
Strixhaven Tracking Sheet................ 44 Running This Adventure......................125 Quandrix Professor of Substance... ...209
Extracurriculars................................... 46 Quandrix Professor of Theory........ ...209
.47 Cordially Invited.................................... 126 Relic Sloth........................................... ...210
Jobs..................................................... .48 Ruin Grinder....................................... ...211
.50 Reception at Bow’s End........................ 127 Shadrix Silverquill............................. ...212
Exams..................................................... .51 Silverquill Apprentice........................ ...214
Relationships........................................ .51 Fate at Furygale..................................... 130 Silverquill Pledgemage..................... ....214
Fellow Students................................... .52 Silverquill Professor of Radiance ... ....215
.52 Advanced Arcane History Silverquill Professor of Shadow.... ....215
Aurora Luna Wynterstarr.............. . .53 Spirit Statue Mascot......................... ....216
Bhedum Sooviij................................. .53 Exam: Relics...................... 134 Strixhaven Campus Guide.............. ....217
Cadoras Damellawar...................... .54 Tanazir Quandrix.............................. ....218
Drazhomir Yarnask......................... .54 Dressing for Success........... 135 Velomachus Lorehold....................... . 219
Grayson Wildemere......................... .55 Witherbloom Apprentice.................. . 221
Greta Gorunn.................................... .55 Party Preparations............... 138 Witherbloom Pledgemage............... . 222
Javenesh Stoutclaw.......................... .56 Witherbloom Professor of Decay... . 223
Larine Arneza................................... .56 Advanced Arcane History Witherbloom Professor of Growth . 223
Melwythorne.....................................
Mina Lee............................................ Exam: Devices.................. 139
Nora Ann Wu....................................
Quentillius Antiphiun Mclentor 111 Suspicions............................ 140

Fancying Up Footwork........ 140

Preparing the Hall.............. 141

Advance to 7th Level!........... 145

Advanced Arcane History

Exam: Unearthed Arcana 145

A Starlit Night...................... 146

Midnight at Lorehold.......... 149

Rosimyffenbip Wuzfeddlims......... ..57 Aftermath............................. 154 Appendix: Campus Map................ 224
Rubina Larkingdale......................... ..57 Advance to 8th Level!......... 155

HE MISSION OF STRIXHAVEN UNIVERSITY IS TO As a Strixhaven student, you start with a well-
rounded education in a rigorous first-year program.
discover and preserve magical knowledge, to In your second year, you choose your preferred
disseminate that knowledgefrom one generation specialty at one of the five colleges. You can also
to the next, to promotefree and open study of partake in a vibrant campus life, with plenty of clubs
magic in all itsforms, and to enhance the lives ofpeople 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
bask in the adoration of cheering crowds!
—Strixhaven mission statement
Colleges of Strixhaven
A magical world boasts many places where students
can study magic and many sages who take eager College Description
learners under their wings. But being accepted to
Strixhaven University is a special honor, the dream Lorehold Explores the past and preserves its lessons
of many young students. Strixhaven is a place of for future generations. Also called the Col­
enlightenment and learning, and both its graduates
and its delegates are typically welcomed and re­ lege of Archaeomancy.
spected wherever they go.
Prismari Uses the elements to practice the arts.
Founded seven centuries ago by five ancient drag­ Also called the College of Elemental Arts.
ons, Strixhaven is the premier institution of magical
learning, drawing promising young mages from all Quandrix Focuses on the mathematics of nature.
over. Each equipped with its own campus and fac­ Also called the College of Numeromancy.
ulty, Strixhaven’s five colleges—summarized in the
Colleges of Strixhaven table-cover a vast array of Silverquill Teaches the magic of rhetoric, poetry, ora­
academic and magical specialties. tion, and writing. Also called the College of

Eloquence. !

Witherbloom Harnesses the forces of life and death. i

Also called the College of Essence Studies.

4 WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN

About This Book 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 Dun­ dining halls, and spend the majority of their time on
geons & Dragons—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
small cast of characters can play significant roles
Chapter 1 gives an overview of life and study at over the course of the campaign.
Strixhaven. It introduces the main features of the
central campus and each of the five colleges. It’s an Academy of Mages

Chapter 2 is your guide to creating a student Study at Strixhaven isn’t about learning to be a wiz­
character. It introduces the owlin race and five back­ ard but about learning to be a historian, an artist, an
grounds—one for each college—as well as a collec­ orator, a scientist, or some other profession—while
tion of feats, spells, and magic items. using magic to enhance one’s studies. The univer­
sity’s understanding of magic is expansive. Charac­
Chapters 3-6 provide a campaign meant to ad­ ters of any class can study at Strixhaven, whether
vance characters from 1st to 10th level as they prog­ they’re full-fledged spellcasters like wizards, clerics,
ress through their magical studies. Each chapter and druids; they manage a spell or two thanks to a
covers a year’s worth of adventure, so characters subclass or feat; or they manifest magical abilities
begin chapter 3 as Ist-level characters and first-year that aren’t even spells. (For example, a barbarian
students and begin chapter 6 at the start of their who follows the Path of the Ancestral Guardian, de­
fourth year of studies (at around 8th level). Chapter scribed in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, can excel
3 includes an overview of the adventures and the in studying history at Lorehold College by virtue of
overall campaign arc as well as special rules for their connection to an ancestral spirit.)
aspects of campus life: exams, relationships, extra-
curriculars, and jobs. Magic is everywhere on campus. The campus
culture encourages finding magical solutions to the
Chapter 7 is a collection of stat blocks for stu­ most mundane problems, and if characters need
dents, faculty, and various creatures on and around access to a spell they can’t cast, they have a strong
the Strixhaven campus. Whether student adventur­ chance of finding someone who can cast it.
ers get caught up in a duel with their rivals or face a
dreaded mage hunter, the stat blocks in this chapter It’s Cosmopolitan
give you the information you need to resolve the
situation. Strixhaven draws students and faculty from across
the world and from other realms in the multiverse.
Orientation The university’s students and faculty are united by a
desire to learn and include humans, elves, dwarves,
The following subsections present three important owlin (described in chapter 2), orcs, trolls, vampires,
facts to keep in mind as you explore these pages and and studious folk of many other origins.
prepare to play or run the book’s campaign.
In practical terms, for player characters, you can
Strixhaven Is a University use the rules found in any D&D book to select a
character’s race, if the DM approves. For nonplayer
This book’s campaign assumes that the player characters, you’re as likely to meet a pixie, a dryad,
characters are students at Strixhaven University. a giant, a treant, or another fantastical creature on
Even as they get caught up in the adventures, the campus as you are to meet a Humanoid. The faculty
characters have to continue going to class, doing members mentioned in chapter 1 include genasi, tri­
homework, and studying for exams. Optional rules tons, and even a bipedal brown bear.
in chapter 3 reinforce the importance of study in the
adventures. To the faculty and students of Strixhaven, it is un­
remarkable to meet someone who hails from a far-
The characters are also subject to the authority off land, since almost everyone on campus is from
of the university’s faculty and staff members. Cir­ somewhere else. Strixhaven has a place for anyone
cumstances will at times cause player characters who is dedicated to magic-enhanced study.
to defy faculty authority—and even deans—during
their adventures, and the threat of detention or even
expulsion might hang over their head.

WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN 5

Strixhaven’s World 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
come to life with magic in an archaic’s presence.
In the multiverse of the Magic: The Gathering
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 Founder Dragons___
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
summarized in the Founder Dragons table.
Whatever world you decide to place Strixhaven in,
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.
preferring to let the deans of the colleges speak in
Snarls and Star Arches their stead. The dragons’ knowledge is vast, but
their tempers can prove short. Mages seek them out
As described in the Player’s Handbook, magic only to learn the most elusive secrets. The dragons’
suffuses all existence in the worlds of D&D. In the stat blocks are presented in chapter 7.
Forgotten Realms, scholars describe the fabric of
magic as a Weave that allows spellcasters to inter­ Founder Dragons
act with the world’s underlying magical reality. In
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
in unpredictable ways. This phenomenon matters
for Strixhaven because a luminous snarl is situated Prismari Galazeth Prismari
at the very heart of campus, located in the Hall of
Oracles in the university’s monumental library, the Quandrix Tanazir Quandrix
Biblioplex.
Similarly, gravity-defying arch shapes appear Silverquill Shadrix Silverquill
throughout the world of Arcavios and, in particular,
tower over the Biblioplex. These star arches are Witherbloom Beledros Witherbloom
made from spokes of natural materials that float
in an arch shape, with a precise inner curve and Archaics and the Oracle
a rough and irregular outer arch. They can stand
straight or lie at an angle, and they can be small or The Oracle of Strixhaven is the wisest and most ac­
enormous, whole or broken, grown over or mysteri­ complished mage in the world of Arcavios, selected
ously clean. Their irregular spokes evoke the radiat­ by the Founder Dragons. The Oracle’s lifelong task
ing lines of a shining star. is to ensure that magic is used to help people and
The star arches are a mystery left over from the not twisted to evil ends. To be the Oracle, one must
birth of the world. In most cases, the arches simply understand fundamental truths about the nature of
float inexplicably—silent, immovable, and inert. But magic, know and wield hundreds of spells, and pos­
many people report seeing an arch appear to them sess impeccable judgment and virtue.
at a critical juncture in their lives, helping them un­
derstand a lesson or answer a burning question in Mysteriously linked to the Oracle, archaics are
their mind. Some scholars believe each arch marks wise, giant, long-lived beings with an innate talent
for magic. They can be seen striding through the
wilds, exploring sources of magic with their many
arms or contemplating existence through their
“eye,” which functions as a magical focus of some

6 WELCOME TO STRIXHAVEN

Strixhaven University, with the (Center) Biblioplex Surrounded by (Top)

SlLVERQUILL ANO (GOING ClOCKWISE) QuANDRIX, 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

During a duel in the Hall of Oracles,

STUDENT TRANSFORMS HER OPPONENT INTO A
GOAT, WHO IS HELD BACK BY A FRIEND

CHAPTER I

Life at Strixhaven

< £ trixhaven University sparkles with Faculty
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
dedicated to their research and to educating genera­
chapter offers an overview of life and studies on the tions of mage-students who follow in their footsteps.
university’s campus, as well as a look at each of the Some faculty members value research more than
five colleges where students explore different modes teaching, while others make education their highest
of magical study. priority. But all find some balance between the two.

Magical Study

The fundamental work of Strixhaven University Instructors

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 Professors
natural world. Simultaneously, mage-artists sculpt Professors who have distinguished themselves
elemental energy to create animate art, and arcane over the course of a long career—typically at least
symbologists teach students how to recognize and twenty years—hope to be recognized with the title
understand the magical glyphs they encounter. of esteemed professor. This honor is bestowed in

PRinciples and Polarities________ recognition of groundbreaking research as well as

The colleges and curriculum at Strixhaven are or­ exceptional teaching. -
ganized around the idea of philosophical principles Upon retiring, a professor receives the title of
joined in concordant opposition. Each school em­
braces the paradoxical unity of two polar principles: mage emeritus. Mages emeriti are held in high es­
teem and welcomed to campus as guest lecturers.

life and death, order and chaos, reason and emotion, Students

and so on. The five Founder Dragons are thought to Students at Strixhaven spend their first year in a
embody the coexistence of these principles, while course of general studies, which lays the foundation
the ten deans of the colleges stand for the individual
for the more specialized work to follow. During this
principles distinguished from their opposites. year, they wear a uniform of black, white, and gray.
A student’s course of learning at Strixhaven in­
They’re encouraged to study broadly so that they be­
volves exploring the tension between these oppos­
come acquainted with a wide range of disciplines.
ing principles, which typically involves late-night
First-year students live in dormitories located on
arguments in residence halls and study rooms. The
the central campus and often form close friendships
university’s teaching philosophy is built on the idea
there that last throughout their educational careers,
that exploring opposites leads to an understanding
even when members of tight-knit groups of friends
of a greater whole. Most people believe that only a
join different colleges in their second year. A few
being with the wisdom (and long life) of the Founder
students continue to live on central campus after
Dragons or the archaics can truly master both
choosing a college, particularly if they pursue exten­
halves of a school’s dichotomy, but a mage must
sive studies in multiple colleges or work as resident
learn at least the rudiments of those halves. A Strix­

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

! school's philosophies. lege’s campus in their second year.

i

CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 9

Choosing a College Administration
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
their lives to the university’s operations, numerous
Two Counselors. Upon choosing a college, a automatons and artificial life-forms—various kinds
student is assigned two professors to serve as coun­ of Constructs—serve in various roles, including
selors to help the student plan a course of studies. campus guides and library assistants.
The two deans of the college assign these two coun­
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
issue, and to supplement their academic studies herent course for Strixhaven, the Founder Dragons
with some practical martial training. The other are occasionally forced to intervene. They don't
counselor, meanwhile, might offer several ordered, step in directly, but a director known as the Voice of
rational proposals for course selection, focus on the the Founders—currently an imposing man named
political and human aspects of historical issues, and Taiva—speaks on the dragons’ behalf.
place less emphasis on martial prowess. The stu­
dent must then navigate this conflicting advice and Mascots
chart their own course.
Course ofStudy. Some students, having chosen Each of Strixhaven’s five colleges has a mascot—a
a college, spend virtually all their remaining school small creature associated with the magic of the
years on that campus and study with those profes­ school and often found wandering their respec­
sors, diving into their preferred area of study and tive campuses. Witherbloom’s mascots, pests, are
related fields. Other students take as many as a naturally found in the world around the campus.
third of their classes in other colleges, continuing The other colleges’ mascots are brought into being
the breadth of their first-year education and looking through magic. The Strixhaven Mascots table lists
for places where the perspectives of other disci­ the mascots by college. Each of these mascots is de­
plines can bring new insight to their studies. Both tailed in chapter 7.
approaches are encouraged at the university.
STRIXHAVEN MASCOTS
After Strixhaven
A student’s course of study at Strixhaven lasts at College Mascot
least four years but allows for advanced study for
several years beyond that time frame. Most stu­ Lorehold Spirit Statue Mascot
dents eventually graduate, though, and they walk a
variety of paths after leaving the university. Many Prismari Art Elemental Mascot
return to whatever home they came from, putting Quandrix Fractal Mascot
what they have learned to use in their communities.
Some mages travel the multiverse in search of ev- Silverquill Inkling Mascot
er-greater magic, continuing their research in some
form beyond the confines of an academic program. Witherbloom Pest Mascot
A few alumni return to Strixhaven, sooner or later,
as instructors themselves, and a small, select num­ The five kinds of mascots act as companions for
berjoin the Dragonsguard, an elite force of mages students and faculty, sometimes serving as willing
who work with the Founder Dragons. subjects for experiments or demonstrations, and
occasionally even helping out in a duel or a more
serious combat situation. Most notably, mascots
are also playing pieces of sorts in the Strixhaven
sport of Mage Tower, described in more detail in
chapter 4.

IO CHAPTER ] | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

<(7 dictable: they aren’t necessarily open all the time,
they don’t always lead to the same places, and some
Campus Overview require complicated conditions or keys to open.

Strixhaven occupies hundreds of acres, spread out Central Campus__________________
over six campuses. Each of the university’s five col­
leges has its own campus, and the central campus, The central campus—shown on map 1.1—is the
home to the Biblioplex and Strixhaven Stadium, heart of Strixhaven. Its extensive grounds include
serves as a hub for university life. See the appendix residence halls for first-year students, dining halls,
or the poster map for a view of the entire university. administration buildings, classrooms and laborato­
ries (mostly used for first-year classes and interdisci­
Well-maintained roads connect the six campuses, plinary studies), and space for social gatherings.
and walking from one to another can take a half-
hour or more. Regular shuttles—large carriages Two of the sites on map 1.1 are described else­
drawn by horselike automata—run on an hourly where in the book: Aerojaunt Field (see chapter 4)
schedule between a station near the Biblioplex and and Captain Dapplewing’s Manor (see chapter 3).
each of the satellite campuses, making the journey
in about 15 minutes. In addition, each campus has The Biblioplex
multiple permanent teleportation circles, which fac­ The center of Strixhaven is the Biblioplex, the uni­
ulty and more advanced students can use when they
require instantaneous travel, and several magical versity’s main library. At the heart of the library is
portals exist as well. These portals can be unpre- a snarl, a tangle in the fabric of magic, that glows
like a miniature sun in the grand Hall of Oracles. A
star arch called the Dawnbow curves across the sky
above the library, marking its location as a center of
mystic learning.

Archway Commons is a favorite spot

FOR STUDENTS TO GATHER.

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Map 1.1: Central Campus

Arches welcome inquisitive minds into the library. Firejolt Cafe e
Inside, almost every surface from the floor to the At the edge of Archway Commons and just outside
high ceiling is jammed with stacks of books. The the Biblioplex stands the cozy Firejolt Cafe, where 5
interior of the Biblioplex is vast, with long hall­ students cram both information and caffeine into
ways, archive chambers tall enough to have their themselves before exams. The cafe’s name comes B
own weather, and even pools and moat-passages from its trademark beverage, which the manager, an
crossable only by boat. elf mage named Ellina, brews with her fire magic. 3
The Firejolt has a reputation as a hangout for first-
Five lines of beacon-towers radiate from the Bib­ year students, but older students from all five col­ -j.
lioplex like enormous spokes. These Torches of leges can be seen inside at all hours.
Enlightenment stretch out to the five college cam­ Io
puses and beyond, more than a hundred miles into Bow’s End Tavern
the surrounding countryside. They burn perpetually At the western end of the Dawnbow, where it meets J
with magical flame, symbolizing the path toward the ground, stands a smaller university landmark:
learning and an escape from ignorance. Bow’s End Tavern, which serves as a hangout for I
older students. Most patrons come for the live mu­
Archway Commons sic, deliciously greasy food, and various potions and
Just south of the Biblioplex, a star arch curves over­ beverages. Others come to settle their differences in
head like a smaller echo of the Dawnbow, and a wild duels in the lot behind the tavern. The tavern’s
lush park, Archway Commons, marks the site. More manager is a kind but strict orc named Tulk “the
familiarly called the Commons, the park is a favorite Bulk” Tusktooth.
spot for students—especially first-years—to gather in
fair weather or to wander through on dates. Some of Strixhaven Stadium
the university’s clubs also use the park to host social The stadium where thousands gather to watch
gatherings and games, including live-action roleplay­ students play Mage Tower (and sometimes other
ing games and casual sports. sports) is located near Bow’s End Tavern. Chapter 4
offers more information about Mage Tower.

12 CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

4C V Order and Chaos

GA. Lorehold’s two deans carry the titles Dean of Order
and Dean of Chaos, as order versus chaos encapsu­
Lorehold College lates the fundamental conflict at the heart of Lore­
hold’s philosophy. This conflict revolves around the
Lorehold is the College of Archaeomancy—a term forces that underlie and drive history. Is the course
that describes the exploration of ancient things of time driving toward a well-ordered ideal state
through magic. Its mages explore the past by poring or slowly devolving into chaos? Are deep patterns
over archaeological sites, calling forth magical en­ hidden in historical texts, or is time a series of coin­
ergy from old tomes, and summoning the spirits of cidence and happenstance?
long-dead historical figures. Lorehold mages travel
far and wide across the world, gathering relics of The perspective of order emphasizes the struc­
bygone ages and learning dead languages to unpack tures that pull people together—-law, religion, eco­
the secrets of history. nomics, education, social class, and so on—and how
those structures drive historical events. Order fo­
Studies and Philosophy cuses on systemic changes and the actions of people
collectively.
Lorehold College is devoted to the study of history,
broadly understood to include the various aspects The perspective of chaos, by contrast, emphasizes
of culture, behavior, and social relationships that individual actions, personal bonds of families and
shape historical events. Its studies include various friends, and the disruptive force of lone, passionate
subdivisions of history (military history, social his­ people in history. Scholars of chaos gravitate toward
tory, cultural history), archaeology, anthropology, reckless discovery and the spirit of adventure in
psychology, sociology, religion, and economics. It their research of the past—the essence and emotion
overlaps with Prismari College in the field of art of history over precision or procedure.
history, with some students splitting their studies
between the two colleges. Lorehold mages use their Scholars of Lorehold
magic to unearth secrets and share illumination. The Lorehold Scholars table offers examples of
the scholars in Lorehold College. You may use the
table to randomly determine the scholarly focus of a
Lorehold student or faculty member. The Principle
column notes which side of the order-chaos conflict

Lorehold Scholars Plargg believes that history is full of unpredict­
able, war-filled chaos and that his students must
dlO Scholar Principle be ready for anything. He teaches that no rewards
come without risk, and his excursions typically end
1 Archaeoscribe, chronicling historical Order with students heading to the infirmary. He pays lit­
tle attention to Dean Tullus's work, usually dismiss­
truths for posterity ing her attempts to find order in chaos as foolhardy.

2 Battle medium, strengthening sum­ Order Hofri Ghostforge
When Hofri (neutral good dwarf Lorehold pro­
moned spirits for use in battles fessor of order) first enrolled in Strixhaven. he

3 Chaos scholar, chasing down historical Chaos believed his future lay with Prismari. A diligent
student, he quickly mastered the technical skills of
anecdotes as a litany of happenstance art, but his magic left something to be desired. After
talking with the school’s counselor, Mavinda, Hofri
4 Conservator, preserving ancient spell Order decided to try his luck with Lorehold. It turned out
he had a natural talent for Lorehold’s spirit magic.
knowledge and other relics of the past
His time at Prismari was hardly wasted, however.
5 Dustspeaker, conversing with spirits Chaos Combining his artistic skill with his keen spiritu. I
sense, Hofri could visualize a spirit's mortal app<
of the past to learn their storiess ance and construct a viable statue form for them
inhabit. No one in Lorehold's history had previous:
6 Pastraiser, binding spirits into the Order created a spirit statue from scratch, and Hofri w;
offered a professorial position after graduation,
monuments that bear their likeness to which he happily accepted.

learn about their inspiring deeds Osgir, the Reconstructor
Even by Lorehold standards, Osgir (neutral stone
7 Relic reader, divining wisdom from the Order giant) is obsessed with relics of the past. A profes­
sor of order, he treasures every connection to old
past from the context of ruin sites civilizations, whether it’s a magnificent jeweled
crown or an old shovel. As a student, he constantly-
8 Ruin shaman, wielding magic that Chaos spent time in detention for hoarding the best finds
from Lorehold dig sites in his room; he lost count
helps delve into ancient sites of how many times he was sternly told. "History be­
longs to us all!’’
9 Tomewielder, summoning fiery magic Chaos
So, naturally, he mastered the magical art of dupli­
from the words in old writings cative restoration. Not only can he perfectly recreate
an ancient object or device from the smallest scrap,
10 Warsinger, studying the magic used in Chaos but he can also produce a second, identical version
for his personal collection. He displays something
ancient wars different every week in his Lorehold office, from a
mighty sword of demon-slaying to a delicate elven
Lorehold Faculty music box.

This section describes noteworthy members of the Golwandathe Bloodspiller
Lorehold faculty. Some of them use a Lorehold­
specific stat block from chapter 7. “Have you met Golwanda yet?” is a question that older
Lorehold students love to ask second-year students,
Augusta Tullus, Dean of Order new to the college. Sooner or later, one professor or
Augusta Tullus (lawful neutral human Lorehold another summons this spirit of a notorious stone giant
professor of order) is the current Dean of Order. A warmonger, ostensibly as a cautionary tale about the
professor of spirit studies, she has been called the dire fate that befalls a society that loses control of its
college’s most talented pastraiser. She can conjure aggressive impulses. Golwanda plays her role with
entire legions of ghostly apparitions to reenact his­ relish, doing her best to strike terror into the students
torical events for her lectures. with her bloodcurdling screams and howls of rage.

Augusta believes that history repeats itself as an
orderly progression toward an ideal. In her view, the
mistakes of the past can inform the choices of the
present, creating a world of peace and order. She
plays things by the book and frowns on students
who embark on Dean Plargg’s dangerous field trips.

Characters have ample opportunity to meet Dean
Tullus in the adventure presented in chapter 5.

Plargg, Dean of Chaos
Plargg (chaotic good orc Lorehold professor of
chaos) is the current Dean of Chaos. Specializing in
military history, Plargg is known for his perfect re­
call of historical stories, as well as his potent scroll
magic. Blind himself, he invented a form of magical
embossing called heat lettering, which provides a
tactile way to read texts.

14 CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

Losheel, Clockwork Scholar to another, often directly passing the enormous
Losheel (chaotic good loxodon Lorehold profes­ stone faces of old statues. Every Lorehold class has
sor of chaos) is a Humanoid resembling a bipedal a story of some careless student making a misstep
elephant. She proudly admits that she is willing to on one of these bridges or in some particularly
crumbling section of the ruins, sometimes with
work hard to be as lazy as possible. She turns her disastrous consequences—and sometimes finding
brilliant mind to constructing increasingly efficient deliverance when a spirit statue appears from no­
mechanical helpers, with the goal of one day being where to catch the hapless student before they suffer
able to do anything she wants without standing up. serious harm.

Lorehold Campus Effigy Row

The Lorehold campus—shown on map 1.2—is situ­ The heart of the Lorehold campus surrounds a
ated northwest of the central campus in a region of soaring bridge that crosses the chasm of Pillardrop.
stark vertical relief. Rugged mesas and steep hills The bridge and surrounding pathways are lined
rise from a wide plain, and a great chasm holds the with monuments depicting historic figures, includ­
excavated ruins of an ancient settlement. Several ing past professors and prominent mage-students,
star arches encircle rocky peaks and outcroppings, as well as war heroes and heads of state from
testifying to the powerful magical energy in the vi­ ages past.
cinity-energy once harnessed by the ancients who
used to inhabit this area. Kollema Hall
Kollema Hall is a grand, multitiered gallery built
Pillardrop into a large outcrop at the end of Effigy Row. Here,
Part natural chasm, part archaeological excavation, Lorehold mages gather for large lectures. At the
and part new construction, Pillardrop is a series center of the hall towers a magnificent statue of
of buildings excavated out of cliffs on the Lorehold Kollema, a wise monastic who was one of the first
campus. Ruins and upgraded halls together are now
used for research, classwork, and housing. Precar­ Lorehold professors.
ious bridges link one neighborhood of Pillardrop Chapter 5 includes a partial map of Kollema Hall.

Map i,2: Lorehold Campus

<m

u

CHAPTER I | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 15

Prismari College The perspective of perfection focuses on tech­
nique, analysis, theory, aesthetics, and universal
Prismari. the College of Elemental Arts, is devoted principles. It embraces intellect over emotion,
to the study and practice of art intertwined with strives to be thought-provoking and reflective, and
magic. The mage-students of Prismari wield magic aspires to mastery. Its mages tend to use elemental
in spectacles of creativity: masterpieces of showy, forces of cold, water, and wind.
over-the-top magic. They use elemental magic to
express who they are and how they see the world, The perspective of expression instead empha­
often combining different types of energy—fire, sizes the portrayal of personal emotional truths.
water, air, earth, lightning, heat, cold—in powerful Its mages value improvisation, innovation, and
expressions of conflict and harmony. rule-breaking, and they often favor elemental magic
using fire, lightning, and earth.
Studies and Philosophy
Scholars of Prismari
Prismari College is dedicated to the arts. Its schol­ The Prismari Scholars table offers examples of the
ars view art as the fundamental form of self-ex­ scholars in Prismari College. You may use the table
pression and magic as a tool, a medium, and an to randomly determine the scholarly focus of a Pris
inspiration. Prismari studies focus on visual arts mari student or faculty member. The Principle col
(including architecture, painting, and sculpture) and umn notes which side of the perfection-expressk>:i
performing arts (such as dance, music, and theater). conflict a scholar more likely aligns with.
The curriculum overlaps with Lorehold in the field
of art history and with Silverquill in the literary arts, Prismari Scholars
and some students divide their time between Pris­
mari and one of those other schools to pursue these d!2 Scholar Principle
interdisciplinary fields. Prismari mages use magic
to weave the elements into their creations; they 1 Aesthemancer, studying abstract prin­ Perfecti’ :
might juxtapose fire alongside paint, ceramics, or
fabric, or they might choreograph elaborate works ciples of beauty for insight into the
that unite a dancer's movements with gusts and ed­ workings of the multiverse
dies of air.
2 Electrovisionary, wielding the forms of Expression
Perfection and Expression
Prismari's two deans carry the titles Dean of Per­ lightning as a paintbrush
fection and Dean of Expression, and they often
express the fundamental conflict of their philosophy 3 Flamesinger, combining fire and music Expression
as perfection versus expression—or, sometimes, as
intellect versus emotion. What is the purpose of art? 4 Geosculptor, using earth and lava in Expression
Is it to make people think things or make people feel
things? Is it supposed to be carefully thought out or volatile emotional displays
raw and spontaneous? Is mastery of art a matter of
honing precise techniques to a point of perfection or 5 Heartrager, turning inner creative fire Expression
of perfectly expressing a raw emotional state? Does into personal strength
art aspire to express universal truths or intensely
personal ones? 6 Ice sculptor, crafting ice and cold into Perfection

Octavia, the Living Thesis immersive experiences Perfection

Crafted as a graduate's final project many years ago, 7 Mistmage, shaping cloud, fog, and
Octavia (a water elemental that looks like an enormous
octopus) took up residence on campus and never left. mist into lasting sculptures
After all, in its humble opinion, every student deserves
8 Muse channeler, projecting blasts of Expression
incoherent, but really, Octavia is just a very concep­
tual thinker. inspiration toward others
w--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9 Opusmancer, creating magical effects Perfection

on a monumental scale

10 Spectacle mage, hurling stormy dis­ Expression
plays into the sky

11 Waterbinder, shaping water into ani­ Perfection
mated elemental forms

12 Zephyrist, weaving wind with dance Perfection

Prismari Faculty

This section describes noteworthy members of the
Prismari faculty. Some of them use a Prismari-spe-
cific stat block from chapter 7. Several of them are
genasi, who are Humanoids touched by the Elemen­
tal Planes.

i6 CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

Uvilda Mistcoiler, Dean of Perfection Nassari believes that true expression comes from
Uvilda Mistcoiler (neutral good genasi Prismari the heart. They encourage their students to treat the
professor of perfection) is the current Dean of Per­ entire world as a canvas on which to spread emotion
fection. A master of artistic technique, Uvilda trains and excitement. Nassari takes little heed of Dean
with a range of elements whenever she isn’t focused Mistcoiler's quiet masterpieces and often feigns for­
on her teaching. She is known for giving students getfulness about Dean Mistcoiler’s very existence.
profoundly insightful feedback, which she tailors
to each individual. After a review, she often offers a Veyran, Voice of Duality
small piece of advice that alters the student’s point In addition to being an accomplished elementalist,
of view and work forever—for the better. Veyran (chaotic good genasi Prismari professor of
perfection) serves as a mentor to many Prismari
Uvilda believes that good art comes from the pledgemages. She advocates enthusiastically for
head. To her, carefully measured strokes and delib­ the importance of both passion and disciplined
erate object placement make the difference between technique in any artistic pursuit. If a new student
fully realized art and a total mess. If Dean Nassari is upset or overwhelmed, she eagerly calls forth
interrupts her careful work with bombastic expres­ playful, beautiful elemental creatures to cheer up
sions one more time, Uvilda is prepared to enroll in the student.
Quandrix to learn how to shrink Nassari.

Nassari, Dean of Expression Zaffai, Thunder Conductor

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.

CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 17

In addition to teaching, he serves as Grand Conjurot Hall
Maestro of Strixhaven's Orchestra of the Arcane, The center of the Prismari campus is Conjurot Hall,
an elite extracurricular activity for top Prismari a towering structure with a glassed-in observation
students. They practice only outdoors, and their area at the top. Constantly changing strands of ele­
concerts fill the sky with beautiful explosions of ele­ mental energy encircle the structure. Artist-mages
mental magic. can see for miles from Conjurot’s main turret, and
the view has inspired many artistic creations.
Arkin Minexes, Peppy Instructor
Arkin (lawful good human Prismari professor of Opus Walk
expression) is a newly hired instructor teaching a Hundreds of Prismari creations arc displayed along
few courses in choreography and dance ensembles. a path that winds through the central campus build­
He recently graduated from Strixhaven himself, ings, giving the path its name: Opus Walk. Some
and he bubbles with excitement at the prospect of famous pieces of magical art have been displayed
guiding a new generation of students on the course along Opus Walk for centuries, while other transit nt
of study he so greatly enjoyed. He particularly de­ bursts of creativity last only a few moments.
lights in finding new ways to help students work
collaboratively to unlock the heights of their creative Furygale
potential. At the outskirts of the Prismari campus, the ab
doned creations of thousands of past artist-ma*
Characters might encounter Instructor Minexes in have coalesced over the years into the notoriou
chapter 6. region of Furygale. Roped off by magical wards
and warning signs. Furygale is several acres <>l
Prismari Campus ever-changing magical energy, gales of ice and v
and fire, and elementals gone rogue. While dan
Southwest of the central campus, the Prismari ous, it also provides a source of wild inspiration,
campus—shown on map 1.3—is situated in a region and it remains a popular spot for students who w
ofjagged rocks, rugged spires, and intense geother­ to duel without being interrupted by faculty.
mal activity.

Map 1.3: Prismari Campus

18 CHAPTER 1 I LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

Quandrix College Scholars of Quandrix
The Quandrix Scholars table offers examples of
Quandrix is the College of Numeromancy—a term the scholars in Quandrix College. You may use the
that encompasses the study of patterns, fractals, table to randomly determine the scholarly focus of a
and symmetries to wield power over the funda­ Quandrix student or faculty member. The Principle
mental mathematics of nature. Quandrix mages
can summon creatures made of fractals or turn column notes which side of the substance-theory
abstract theories into towering, spiraling patterns. conflict a scholar more likely aligns with.
They love to expand and multiply; they can increase
their knowledge or size by bending numbers. They Quandrix Scholars Principle
dwell in the overlap between the theoretical and the d8 Scholar Theory
natural—from the fabric of their robes to the nature 1 Abstractor, using magic to stretch the Substance
of their spells, they make use of repeated elements, Theory
clever symmetries, and surprising geometry to ex­ possibilities of space
press the complex truths they study. Substance
2 Augmenter, making creatures and
Studies and Philosophy things larger Theory
Substance
The studies undertaken within Quandrix College 3 Fractalologist, creating beautiful illu­ Theory
include mathematics, physics, logic, statistics, meta­ sory patterns Substance
physics, and various fields of theoretical magic. Stu­
dents from the other colleges occasionally delve into 4 Mana scholar, studying snarls, ley-
Quandrix courses to bolster the theoretical under­
pinnings of their studies, and Quandrix’s studies of lines, and star arches
nature and Witherbloom’s explorations of practical
biology have some significant overlap. 5 Metamancer, studying metaphysics to
alter reality
Substance and Theory
Quandrix’s two deans carry the titles Dean of Sub­ 6 Scale druid, manipulating the size of
stance and Dean of Theory, reflecting the philosoph­
ical division within the college. Is mathematics a plants and animals
natural force that exists in the universe independent
of the constructs of intelligent minds, or is it a the­ 7 Sequence prophet, studying repeating
oretical framework created by those who study it? patterns that bend the mind

Is the work of the scholar to discover what is or to 8 Vivifier, conjuring fractal creatures
define what could be?
based on biological life
The perspective of substance emphasizes physical
reality. In this view, math is embodied in the natural Quandrix Faculty__________ __
forces of the multiverse, waiting to be discovered
by those with the intellectual fortitude to delve into This section describes noteworthy members of
those secrets. Quandrix mages who embrace this the Quandrix faculty. Some of them use a Quan-
view use magic to bring numerical concepts to life, drix-specific stat block from chapter 7.
creating or altering physical reality out of mathe­
matical possibility. Kianne, Dean of Substance
Brilliant and eccentric, Dean Kianne (neutral elf
The perspective of theory focuses on the abstract Quandrix professor of substance) is one of the pre­
realms of conjecture and possibility. Its scholars eminent mana scholars of the world. She has visited
view math as a lens through which a mind can un­ and studied countless bizarre magical phenomena,
derstand the cosmos, not something that exists in­ from snarls to star arches to ancient shrines. She
dependently in the world. Mages who embrace this loves to share her wild theories with anyone who
perspective use their spells to weave illusions and
manipulate the fabric of magic itself. will listen.
Kianne believes in using mathematics to better

understand nature. She places an emphasis on prac­
tical magic that improves daily life through applied
calculations. She rolls her eyes at Dean Imbraham’s
theories, dismissing them as evidence that her fel­
low dean lives in an imaginary world.

CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 19

Imbraham, Dean of Theory Adrix and Nev now teach as a duo, blending mas­
Dean Imbraham (neutral owlin Quandrix profes­ tery of both of Quandrix’s philosophical perspec­
sor of theory) is stern and shrewd, with a mind as tives. They constantly debate the merits of various
piercing as his curved beak. He is known for the esoteric mathematical principles, but if one of their
unnerving habit of fully rotating his head around to students is in danger, they leap into action in per­
address his students, while still rapidly chalking up fect harmony.

complex theorems and equations on a chalkboard. Deekah, Fractal Theorist
Imbraham loves numbers more than people or the Deekah (lawful neutral human Quandrix professor
out-of-doors; some say he hasn’t gone outside cer­ of theory) sees the world as an endless sequence
tain chambers of the Quandrix campus in years. of interconnected equations, which to her is the

Imbraham wants nothing more than to crack the most beautiful thing imaginable. She explores new
mysteries of the world through dauntingly complex theorems by giving them physical form, and her
theories. He offers his students standing bounties exquisite geometric creations are thrilling sights
on any of his unsolved equations. on campus.

Adrix and Nev, Twincasters Ruxa, Patient Professor
The twins Adrix (neutral good triton Quandrix Ruxa (neutral good Quandrix professor of sub­
professor of substance) and Nev (neutral good stance) looks like a bipedal brown bear and knows
triton Quandrix professor of theory) grew up that wild new theories, though exciting, are worth­
literally swimming in magic, in an ocean region less without a deep understanding of the basics.
near a powerful magical snarl. At an early age, they He teaches students of all levels, and even his most
experienced pupils benefit from a much deeper un­
began to see patterns in the tides and currents that derstanding of the fundamental building blocks of
eluded even the most esteemed scholars of their
society. Once, they saved a hundred lives by pre­ the world.
dicting the sudden arrival of a tsunami, despite the
deceptively calm seas—washing away any doubts in
their prowess.

20 CHAPTER 1 I LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

Quandrix Campus Esix, Fractal Bloom

The Quandrix campus—shown on map 1.4—is situ­ Tasked with devising an infinite equation, a group
ated in a coastal area to the northeast of the central of Quandrix students accidentally created Esix, a liv­
campus, surrounded by lush woodland and abun­ ing theorem obsessed with infinity. Over the years,
dant rivers and streams. a few professors have tried to deactivate it, but all
their formulas somehow end up dividing by zero
Torus Hall and fizzling out. Esix never seems to register these
The central hall of Quandrix campus lies at the would-be threats, as it remains consumed by its own
end of a geometric series of walkways, terminat­ calculations.
ing at ascending ramps to the towering building.
Inside. Torus Hall’s architecture is mapped to an inner expanse called the Arithmodrome. From the
ever-changing three-dimensional grid, which slowly outside, the Arithmodrome looks like a large cube
evolves. Some Quandrix faculty members insist that of water, ten feet on each side. The inside is an ap­
mage-students shouldn’t linger too long inside the parently boundless theory-space that suspends the
hall, lest its geometry eventually turn itself inside rules of reality. Mages use this space to explore the­
out while students are still within it. oretical numerical possibilities.

The Arithmodrome The Cultivarium
The Quandrix campus is alive with dynamic The Cultivarium is an eye-popping, sun-drenched
sculptures made of water behaving in odd ways: garden of spiraling, cyclical plants and fractalized
cube-shaped fountains, arching aqueducts that animals. Quandrix faculty members have repeatedly
flow through the air, towers of solid-seeming water. taught growth spells in this part of campus, and
One water structure holds a secret: a mysterious over the centuries, the area has come to intensify
any growth magic cast within it.

Map i.4: Quandrix Campus

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CHAPTER I | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 21

Silverquill College Scholars of Silverquill
The Silverquill Scholars table offers examples of
Silverquill is the College of Eloquence, and its the scholars in Silverquill College. You may use the
mages—stylish, intimidating, and driven—are table to randomly determine the scholarly focus of a
masters of the magic of words. They create spells Silverquill student or faculty member. The Principle
from spoken-word battle poetry or magical mani­ column notes which side of the radiance-shadow
festations of the written word, scribing patterns of conflict a scholar more likely aligns with.
runic ink in the air. These mages make for natural
leaders, fiercely competitive, with a piercing wit and Silverquill Scholars Principle
a never-second-place attitude. d8 Scholar Shadow
1 Bantermage, using incisive observa­ Shadow
Studies and Philosophy Shadow
tion to pierce rivals' confidence Radiance
The curriculum of Silverquill College revolves 2 Duskmage, conjuring inky voids of
around words, encompassing literature (including Shadow
fiction, essays, drama, and poetry), languages, shadow magic Radiance
linguistics, oratory, rhetoric, and dramatic perfor­ Radiance
mance. Students from other colleges often take 3 Inkcaster, summoning living inklings
Silverquill courses to improve their communication Radiance
skills, learning to speak and write more effectively to service
about their primary field of study. Silverquill and 4 Lumimancer, bringing light to bear on
Prismari see overlap in the area of performing arts,
with Silverquill emphasizing verbal performance shameful situations and holding cor­
and Prismari focusing more on dance and other rupt institutions to account
forms of movement.
5 Shadewing, forming weapons from
Radiance and Shadow darkness to slice and stab at foes
The two deans of Silverquill are called the Dean
of Radiance and the Dean of Shadow, highlighting 6 Silvertongue, bathing others in the
the college’s use of metaphor in describing its philo­
sophical differences. The metaphor of radiance and light of inspiring words
shadow takes concrete form in Silverquill magic, 7 Vainglory, wielding the power of a per­
as students learn to manifest brilliant light or inky
darkness with their spells. The fundamental argu­ fectly crafted compliment to enhance
ment among Silverquill’s scholars centers on the a person’s best qualities
purpose of communication. Is it to help others or
further a personal agenda? Does literature selflessly 8 Warsinger, stirring hearts through po­
better society or selfishly advance one’s own goals?
etic performance and song
The college’s perspective of radiance envisions
language as sunlight emanating from the speaker Silverquill Faculty
or writer to illuminate others and make the world
a brighter place. Mages who embrace this view use This section describes noteworthy members of the
their language skills—and their magic—to uplift and Silverquill faculty. Some of them use a Silverquill-
empower others, to shine light on the evils of soci­ specific stat block from chapter 7.
ety, and to inspire the best in those around them.
Shaile Talonrook, Dean of Radiance
The college’s perspective of shadow focuses on Dean Shaile Talonrook (lawful good owlin Silver­
the power of language to stab, to expose stinging quill professor of radiance) is a perennially op­
truths, and to obfuscate secrets. The magic of timistic orator. A master of literature, she often
shadow mages often manifests as bolts or blades of quotes obscure passages from famous texts. Her
darkness or blotches of flowing ink, and its effects soul-filling advice and educated references have
range from a sting of shame to an assault on the tar­ been known to make people literally glow.
get’s 1’fe energy.
Shaile believes that all people have the potential
for good and wishes to teach her students how to
make the world a better place. She and Dean Lu
often clash over Silverquill’s curriculum, but the bal­
ance found between them is far more eloquent than
even their words can describe.

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. Nils, Discipline Enforcer
Nils (lawful neutral human Silverquill professor of
A cynic, Embrose believes that most people are radiance) is an optimist, as he believes in every stu­
in it for themselves. He demands his students learn dent’s potential for greatness. However, this outlook
how to use language-based magic to “get what they also means he’s constantly disappointed by their
deserve.” While he often argues with Dean Talon­ suboptimal choices, and he is well known for his
rook, he holds a deep (if begrudging) respect for strictness and abrupt scoldings.
the owlin.

Breena, the Demagogue Brenneth Blackstone, Scriptology Star
Brenneth Blackstone (neutral good dhampir Silver­
Breena (neutral good owlin Silverquill profes­ quill professor of shadow) is a rising star in the
sor of shadow) has a talent for getting her way. If study of magical writing and symbols. With a
she wants you to do something, you won’t just do dynamic lecturing style, this dhampir—a partial
it—you’ll be sure it was your idea all along. Her vampire—attracts students from across Strixhaven
students and colleagues alike hang on her every purely for his lessons’ value as performance art. He
word, and in front of a crowd, she’s a powerhouse teaches a course in scrivening and scriptology that
of charisma, enhancing her speeches with elegant characters take over the course of chapter 4.
swirls of ink magic. Though she’s an elite mage who

Ia: can easily hold her own in a fight, Breena prefers to
defeat her foes with words alone.

2s

CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 23

Fain, the Broker The Rose Stage
Lost an important textbook? Craving some rare del­ The Rose Stage is a rotating circular platform on
icacy from home? Need something inconveniently the Silverquill campus. It has a backdrop of roses
forbidden? Enter Fain (neutral human Silverquill made of magical ink (tributes left by spectators of
professor of shadow). He has an extensive network past performances), which creates excellent acous­
of connections on and off campus, and he can pro­ tics. Mage-students meet at the Rose Stage to prac­
cure just about anything—so long as you can afford tice performances, spar, or engage in honor duels.
his price. Faculty members often observe performances at the
Rose Stage, coaching the students in their magical
Silverquill Campus______________ and rhetorical displays.

The Silverquill campus—shown on map 1.5—is The Dramarium
located due north of the central Strixhaven campus The Dramarium is a facility where Silverquill stu­
and looks much like an extension of it. Silverquill is dents train in fitness, dance, martial arts, and other
the most urban of the five colleges, with a campus acts of physical performance. Students can avail
that features buildings of stately elegance. themselves of the preparation space called the Gray
Room (actually a chain of rooms), which has hair
Grandloft Hall and makeup salons, voice rehearsal booths, mir­
The main Silverquill building is Grandloft Hall, a rored rehearsal spaces, and spa facilities. The back
vast space with shafts of light streaking in from of the Dramarium has a special sensory deprivation
the enchanted windowpanes far above. Grandloft chamber for mage-students who want complete si­
teems with balconies, loges, booths, daises, and lence in which to meditate.
other spaces where orators can perform their craft.
Inklings, the college’s mascots, flit around the high
ceiling, and enchanted spotlights automatically fo­
cus on any mage who uses powerful magic.

Map 1.5: Silverquill Campus

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24 CHAPTER 1 I LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

Witherbloom College Scholars of Witherbloom
The Witherbloom Scholars table offers examples of
At Witherbloom, the College of Essence Studies, the scholars in Witherbloom College. You may use
mages draw power from the opposing forces of the table to randomly determine the scholarly focus
life and death. These mages brew their spells from of a Witherbloom student or faculty member. The
natural components and the essence of living crea­ Principle column notes which side of the growth-de­
tures, using that power to heal or harm the living or cay conflict a scholar more likely aligns with.
to raise or entreat the dead. They can cause entire
forests to blossom out of nowhere or call down Witherbloom Scholars Principle
old curses that scourge flesh from bone. Some d8 Scholar Decay
Witherbloom mages defend ecosystems from pollu­ 1 Banelock, using concoctions of nox­ Decay
tion. while others revel in the power of corruption. Growth
They’re at home riding zombie crocodiles down a ious ingredients for withering magic Growth
languid river, picking herbs for a potion to treat a
disease, brooding over a chorus of swamp frogs, or 2 Bleed doctor, drain the essence of liv­ Decay
summoning fearsome avatars of nature.
ing creatures to fuel sinister spells Growth
Studies and Philosophy _ ____ 3 Boon witch, brewing drafts to em­ Growth
Decay
The curriculum of Witherbloom College focuses on power the living
various sciences, revolving around the life sciences.
Biology, ecology, botany, chemistry, and related 4 Boughcaller, summoning creatures
sciences combine with the study and manipulation
of the magical energy of the Positive Plane and the from bogs
Negative Plane, the primal forces of life and death.
Witherbloom’s curriculum shares some overlap with 5 Dreadbones, infusing dead tissue with
Quandrix’s analysis of the mathematical patterns magic to create Undead servants
in nature.
6 Earthcroucher, connecting directly
Growth and Decay
The two deans of Witherbloom are traditionally with the land to power nature magic
called the Dean of the Root and the Dean of the
Vein. These titles are a somewhat abstract way of 7 Leafbinder, using medicinal herbs to
framing the core division in the college’s philoso­ soothe wounds
phy: is growth or decay the driving force in nature?
8 Pestcatcher, harvesting life energy
The philosophy of the root (growth) focuses on
life and its irrepressible drive to thrive. This view from the pests of the bayou
celebrates the diversity and adaptability of life­
forms, from the tiniest cells to the most complex Witherbloom Faculty
networks of living things. The growth philosophy
asserts that the urge to survive and reproduce is the This section describes noteworthy members of
most essential principle in the cosmos. Mages who the Witherbloom faculty. Some of them use a
adopt this view wield positive energy and practice Witherbloom-specific stat block from chapter 7.
healing magic.
Lisette, Dean of the Root
The philosophy of the vein (decay) focuses on the Dean Lissette (neutral good human Witherbloom
inevitability of death and decay. Its traditional name professor of growth) is a world-class healer and
comes from the prominence of vampires within the herbalist; it’s even said she once cured the Lorehold
college, whose conceptions of draining life through founder dragon of a secret illness. Lisette’s classes
the vein have long proven an important counter­ lean more toward demonstration and hands-on ex­
weight to the growth philosophy of Witherbloom. perience than lectures. When Lisette speaks, her
The decay philosophy sees life energy as a resource words are soft and full of colorful metaphors.
to be consumed, rather than a good to be nourished
for its own sake. Mages who adopt this view wield Lisette believes in preserving nature and life, and
negative energy and practice necromancy. she instills in her students a respect for all living
things. While Dean Valentin’s exploitation of living
creatures disgusts her, she also knows she can use
the results of his cruelty to help future lives.

Valentin, Dean of the Vein
Dean Valentin (neutral vampire) is ancient and
drinks the blood of living creatures throughout the
bayou. Valentin is a kind of sangromancer—he re­
ceives visions from the blood he consumes, which
he uses to learn things about a creature or place.
He has no qualms about exploiting the bayou’s crea­
tures for personal gain.

CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STR1XHAVEN 25

He and Dean Lisette often clash over his cavalier It’s tough to study the secrets of life and death with­
treatment of animals, but that hasn’t stopped her out getting your hands dirty—which is the first thing
from using his discoveries for her research. Tivash (neutral human Witherbloom professor of
decay) teaches Witherbloom students. Some call
Willowdusk, Essence Seer the forces he manipulates evil, but he asserts that
No one knows how old Willowdusk (neutral good power is only as good or evil as how you use it.
treant) really is. This professor of growth claims to
be older than Strixhaven itself, and although many Verelda Lang, Arcano-Biologist
suspect that she exaggerates, no one else who has Verelda Lang (chaotic neutral dryad) is a respected
lived long enough to refute her cares to do so. Many Witherbloom professor of growth who teaches in­
years ago, a group of rebellious students got lost in troductory courses in magical physiologies, helping
Detention Bog and took shelter in what turned out students in every college learn about the many un­
to be Willowdusk’s roots. She protected them from usual creatures they’re likely to encounter, whatever
a pack of hungry groffs and shepherded them back the students’ field of study. Her research extends
to Widdershins Hall, offering a lecture on proper to the vital functions of fractal creatures and other
herb-gathering practices during the journey. artificial life-forms, leading her to teach courses at
Her lessons proved so effective that she was asked Quandrix College as well.
to stay as a professor. She loves passing on her
knowledge of medicinal herbs, pest mascot culti­ Characters have multiple opportunities to study
vation, and dissection techniques to generations of with Professor Lang in chapters 3 and 6.
new students, and she almost always has a pot of
i
tea brewing.
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26 CHAPTER 1 I LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN

Yedora, Grave Gardener swamp creatures: bats, crocodilian monsters, zom-
Ycdora (neutral treant) is the head groundskeeper bified animals, lumbering beasts called brackish
and unofficial undertaker of Strixhaven. Students trudges, and canine creatures called groffs (brack­
ish trudges and groffs are described in chapter 7).
and graduates often wish to spend their afterlife at Sedgemoor is an excellent place to find pest mas­
their beloved university, and she honors that wish. cots, herbs, spider silk, fungi, and other ingredients
Each tree she plants represents the essence of a for potions and spells.
fallen mage, and she remembers them all by name.
Characters have the opportunity to explore
Gyome, Master Chef Sedgemoor in chapter 3.
Anyone who thinks a troll can't be a great chef has
never met Gyome (neutral troll). He combines local WlDDERSHINS HALL
ingredients with flavors from his homeland into an
ever-changing menu of delicacies. Students from The center of the Witherbloom campus is Widdersh-
ins Hall, a bog mansion that looks like it grew out of
every college trek through Sedgemoor in droves for Sedgemoor itself. Widdershins is a network of inter­
his food. The only complaint he ever receives is that connected wooden pods, with planked walkways
he gives out unreasonably large portions. leading out of it like tendrils. The hall has a cozy
inner chamber where students gather for classwork.
Witherbloom Campus
Detention Bog
Withcrbloom’s campus—shown on map 1.6—is A stinking, thoroughly unpleasant marshland lies
tucked away in a wide bayou to the southeast of
Strixhaven’s central campus. Wiltroot Hall is de­ adjacent to Sedgemoor: the Detention Bog. Wither­
scribed in chapter 4. bloom faculty members send misbehaving students
to this bog as punishment, but it’s also an excellent
Sedgemoor place to gather herbs for certain cures and curses.
Sedgemoor, the bayou area that encompasses
the Withcrbloom campus, is known for a range of The adventure presented in chapter 6 offers char­
acters the opportunity to enter this bog.

Map i.6- Witherbloom Campus

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CHAPTER 1 | LIFE AT STRIXHAVEN 27

A GROUP of Strixhaven students —each from
a different college —descend INTO THE
DEPTHS BELOW AN ANCIENT RUIN.

G n A P IE 1< 2

Character Options

^-^=3=* HE CAMPUS OF STRIXHAVEN DRAWS A Creature Type
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
spell specifies that the spell doesn’t work on a crea­
“Race Option” presents the owlin, a character race ture that has the Construct type.
option perfect for playing an owl-like student.
Life Span
“Choosing a College” gives advice on building a
character for adventuring in Strixhaven. The typical life span of a player character in D&D
is about a century, assuming the character doesn’t
“Strixhaven Backgrounds” presents a background meet a violent end on an adventure.
option for each Strixhaven college, linking a char­
acter to one of the five colleges. Height and Weight

“Feats” offers Strixhaven-thcmed feats for use with Player characters, including owlin, typically fall into
A Curriculum of Chaos and other adventures. the same ranges of height and weight that humans
have in our world. If you’d like to determine your
“Spells” reveals some spells that were developed at character's height or weight randomly, consult the
the university. Random Height and Weight table in the Player's
Handbook, and choose the row in the table that best
“Magic Items” collects magic items that Strixhaven represents the build you imagine for your character.
students might acquire on their adventures.

Race Option

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
Creating Your Character 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.

Ability Score Increases 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. Owlin Traits
The “Quick Build” section for your character’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.

Languages 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.

og book offers a list of widespread languages to choose

CD from. The DM is free to add or remove languages

5
5s from that list for a particular campaign.

CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 29

Flight. Thanks to your wings, you have a flying A Strixhaven Party
speed equal to your walking speed. You can't use
this flying speed if you’re wearing medium or If you’re starting a Strixhaven campaign with the intro­
heavy armor. ductory adventure in chapter 3, that adventure gives all
the advice you need to bring a party of characters to­
Silent Feathers. You have proficiency in the gether. The adventure assumes that the characters are
Stealth skill. first-year students who are participating in orientation
activities together.
Choosing a College
If you start the campaign at higher level, using one of
At Strixhaven, students choose their colleges at the the adventures in later chapters of this book (or an ad­
start of their second year. But even during a charac­ venture of your DM’s creation), give some thought to
ter’s first year, you make college-related decisions what has brought your characters together as a group.
for your character, such as a background choice. The easiest explanation is that you met as first-year
From the start, your character is making decisions students, perhaps living in the same residence hall or
that will lead to their eventual college choice. taking the same classes, or united by a common extra­
curricular interest.
Chapter 1 describes each of the colleges. How do
you decide which of these colleges is right for your It’s also possible that your characters are just meet­
character? Consider these approaches: ing for the first time. The events of the adventure
might throw you together more or less at random. You
• Read the college descriptions in chapter 1, and could all be taking the same class, you might be work­
choose the college that appeals to you. ing the same campus job, or you could be introduced
by mutual friends.
• Read the descriptions of backgrounds and feats
in this chapter. If one of them catches your eye, I
choose that college. I

. If you have access to Magic: The Gathering
cards from the Strixhaven set, find a card that ap­
peals to you and build that character.

30 CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS

V
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Strixhaven Backgrounds Building a Lorehold Character

This section presents five backgrounds that you can Any class or subclass that deals with knowledge of
choose to reflect your character’s studies preparing the past can be a good fit in Lorehold. Bards thrive
to enter one of Strixhaven’s colleges. You aren’t in Lorehold, and wizards (particularly those of the
limited to these backgrounds in a Strixhaven cam­ School of Divination) are numerous among its stu­
paign; they’re just one way you can choose to dive dents. Clerics (often with the Knowledge or Light
deeply into your character’s college affiliation. domains) are also quite common.

If you do choose one of these backgrounds, you For a more unusual take on a Lorehold student,
can assume that your life to this point has been con­ you could consider playing a barbarian with a pri­
sumed by the education that has made enrolling at mal connection to the past (perhaps adopting the
Strixhaven possible for you, and you might not have Path of the Ancestral Guardian from Xanathar’s
much experience of the world beyond that prepara­ Guide to Everything) or a paladin whose Oath of the
tory work. You’re ready to excel as a student—and Ancients gives a concrete link to history.
that, in turn, will prepare you to excel at whatever
path comes after graduation. Suggested Characteristics. Methodical histo­
rians and daring adventurers alike can be found
Lorehold Student among the ranks of Lorehold college. The Lorehold
Personality Traits table suggests a variety of traits
You have spent your youth preparing to be a student you might adopt for your character.
of Lorehold College, reading every book on the col­
lege's recommended reading list for prospective stu­ Lorehold Personality Traits
dents. Your academic passions are in the broad field
of history. You might dream of using magic to con­ d6 Personality Trait
tact great historical figures or your own ancestors or 1 I thrive on esoteric lore. The more obscure the his­
of recreating the mighty magic of a distant age.
torical references I can include in everyday conver­
Skill Proficiencies: History, Religion sation, the better.
Languages: Two of your choice
Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a 2 By searching for these lost artifacts, I hope to find

hammer, a hooded lantern, a tinderbox, a tome who I really am along the way.
of history, a school uniform, and a pouch con­
taining 15 gp 3 I can barely go a minute without talking about my
research. I have so much knowledge in my head,
Feature: Lorehold Initiate and it needs to be let out somewhere!
You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat (presented later
in the chapter) and must choose Lorehold within it. 4 The spirits of the dead are so much more interest­

In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact ing to talk with than living classmates.
Magic feature, the spells on the Lorehold Spells
table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting 5 I can speak eloquently about the historical ramifica­
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi­ tions of an ancient war. But ask me to add two-digit
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.) numbers together, and I’m a mess.

Lorehold Spells 6 In the end, it’s all just entropy. Everything falls
apart someday.
Spell Level Spells
Lorehold Trinkets. When you make your char­
1st Comprehend Languages, Identify acter, you may roll once on the Lorehold Trinkets
table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s
2nd Borrowed Knowledge (in this book), Handbook, for your starting trinket.

Locate Object Lorehold Trinkets

3rd Speak with Dead, Spirit Guardians d6 Trinket

4th Arcane Eye, Stone Shape 1 A map made of concentric circles that can be ro­
tated around the page
5th Flame Strike, Legend Lore
2 A puzzle box bedecked with amber
Consider customizing how your spells look when 3 A dented brass compass with a red needle
you cast them. Your Lorehold spells might create 4 The head of a broken statue that houses the con­
displays of golden light. You might use a tome or a
scroll as a spellcasting focus, and your spell effects sciousness of a snarky sage
might reflect the appearance of the reference books
you study. 5 A sheet of parchment embossed with tactile letter­

ing, glowing red

6 A broken dagger with a wavy blade and a serpen­

tine hilt

CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 31

Prismari Student Prismari Spells MJ
X
You are an artist, and you have been preparing to Spell Level Spells
hone your craft according to the traditions of Pris­ K—
mari College. Whatever your medium—sculpture, 1st Chromatic Orb, Thunderwave
dance, paint, music, drama, architecture, or any IM
other field—you have grand visions of bringing your 2nd Flaming Sphere, KineticJaunt (in this book) iz>
art to life in a fusion of magic and creativity. -z
3rd Haste, Water Walk
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Performance IM
Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical instrument 4th Freedom of Movement, Wall of Fire U’

or artisan’s tools 5th Cone ofCold, Conjure Elemental
Languages: One of your choice
Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a set Consider customizing how your spells look when
you cast them. You might wield your Prismari spells
of artisan’s tools or a musical instrument (one of with dynamic, gestural movement—as much dance
your choice), a school uniform, and a pouch con­ as somatic component. Even a blast of fire in your
taining 10 gp hands is a sculpted work of art; elemental forces
make grand designs as you hurl spells. These forces
Feature: Prismari Initiate might linger on your body or in your clothes as dec­
You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat (presented later orative elements after your spells are dissipated,
in the chapter) and must choose Prismari within it. as sparks dance in your hair and your touch leaves
tracings of frost on whatever you touch.
In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact
Magic feature, the spells on the Prismari Spells Building a Prismari Character
table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting Any class or subclass that wields elemental forces
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi­ of cold, fire, lightning, and wind can be a good fit in
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.) Prismari. Druids and sorcerers are common in Pris­
mari, and wizards who study the Schools of Evo­
cation or Transmutation are also well represented.

32 CHAPTER 2 I CHARACTER OPTIONS

Clerics aren't very common in this school, but some Quandrix Student _ _______
with the Tempest domain end up here.
In preparation to become a student of Quandrix Col­
Beyond the ranks of traditional spellcasters, Lo­ lege, you have spent years working through the col­
rehold students also include monks who follow the lege’s math problems for prospective students. Your
Way of the Four Elements. Some acrobatic rogues interests concentrate on the mathematical princi­
and fighters (including those who emulate the ar­ ples and patterns found in the natural world. You
chetype of the Eldritch Knight) also delight in the might lean more toward mathematics or physics, or
athleticism of Prismari performance. you delve into more abstract studies of metaphysics,
arcana, or logic.
Suggested Characteristics. Though the curric­
ulum of Prismari College attracts many outgoing Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Nature
and driven artists, the school has no shortage of Tool Proficiencies: One type of artisan’s tools
shy scholars and lackadaisical blowhards among Languages: One of your choice
its ranks. The Prismari Personality Traits table Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, an
suggests a variety of traits you might adopt for your
character. abacus, a book of arcane theory, a school uniform,
and a pouch containing 15 gp
Prismari Personality Traits
d6 Personality Trait Feature: Quandrix Initiate
1 I'm the life of the party, and I expect everyone's at­
You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat (presented later
tention when I walk into a room. in the chapter) and must choose Quandrix within it.

2 Two weeks ago, I was enthralled with my latest In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact
project. Now, I think it’s garbage and deserves to Magic feature, the spells on the Quandrix Spells
be destroyed. table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi­
3 I believe everyone has the ability to express their ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)

truest selves through art, and I’m happy to quietly Quandrix Spells
push them in the right direction.
Spell Level Spells
4 Everyone is a critic, and I work to win them all over.
1st Entangle, Cuiding Bolt
5 I’m beset with such an overwhelming sense of
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
channel them into explosive artistic displays. 4th Control Water, Freedom of Movement

Prismari Trinkets. When you make your char­ 5th Circle of Power, Passwall
acter, you may roll once on the Prismari Trinkets
table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s Consider customizing how your spells look when
Handbook, for your starting trinket. you cast them. Your Quandrix spells might manifest
amid kaleidoscopic swirls of fractal patterns, ampli­
Prismari Trinkets fying the tiniest movements of your somatic compo­
nents. When your magic creates or alters creatures,
d6 Trinket it might briefly surround the targets with shimmer­
ing fractal designs or tessellated patterns.
1 A pair of rose-tinted glasses with glittery frames
Building a Quandrix Character
2 A stoppered glass bottle that, when opened, plays
a brassy orchestral piece Any spellcasting class or subclass can work well
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
in Quandrix, and many druids explore the patterns
harmless lightning of nature in Quandrix as well. A few clerics, particu­
larly those with the Knowledge or Nature domains,
6 An iridescent quill 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.

CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 33

Suggested Characteristics. With subjects rang­ Quandrix Trinkets. When you make your char­ 3
ing from the physical and tangible to the paradox­ acter, you may roll once on the Quandrix Trinkets
ical and strange, the student body of Quandrix table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s I
College includes an eclectic mix of individuals. The Handbook, for your starting trinket.
Quandrix Personality Traits table suggests a variety I
of traits you might adopt for your character. Quandrix Trinkets

Quandrix Personality Traits d6 Trinket
d6 Personality Trait 1 A small succulent in a dodecahedral clay pot
1 When I find a subject I’m interested in, I won’t stop 2 A blue knit hat that looks a bit like a bottle folding

studying until I know everything about it. It keeps in on itself
me up at night. 3 A model hypercube carved from green crystal,

2 I hope this all makes sense to me one day. Until showcasing the fourth dimension

then, I'm going to keep faking it. 4 A crumpled test on the theory of gravity manipula­

3 Equations and patterns come naturally to my mind. tion, with a failing grade on the front and the name
I wish friendship came just as easily. of a famous Quandrix professor
5 A blue tetrahedron that, when tapped twice, proj­
4 I believe I’m always the smartest person in the ects a recording of an old mathematics lecture
room. And I’ll prove it, even if no one asks me to. 6 A round bread roll cut so that someone could
spread butter on both halves without ever lifting
5 If these classes have taught me anything, it’s that the knife
reality is a lie, and nothing matters. So why bother?

6 Before I graduate, I want to achieve something
mathematically impossible. I must leave a legacy!

34 CHAPTER 2 I CHARACTER OPTIONS

SlLVERQUILL STUDENT_________________ A number of both paladins and rogues attend Sil­
verquill College as well, highlighting the diversity of
You have spent years practicing your writing and the student body.
oration in the hope of becoming a student of Sil­
verquill College. Your studies focus on language, Suggested Characteristics. With the college’s
literature, and the power of words, both magical and intense standards looming over them, Silverquill
otherwise. The metaphorical power of words to illu­ students range from cocky and cutthroat to over­
minate or conceal is joined with the literal ability of whelmed perfectionists. The Silverquill Personality
magic to do the same in your academic pursuits. Traits table suggests a variety of traits you might
adopt for your character.
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Persuasion
Languages: Two of your choice Personality Trait
Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a
high social status.
book of poetry, a school uniform, and a pouch con­ 2 I prefer saying the blunt truth over a pretty lie, and
taining 15 gp
I don’t particularly care whose feelings I hurt.
Feature: Silverquill Initiate 3 I believe that uplifting my peers is the best way to
You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat (presented later
succeed.
In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact
Magic feature, the spells on the Silverquill Spells 4 I’ve mastered the art of using humor as a defense,
table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi­ and I always have a charming joke ready.
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.) 5 I always wait before speaking, analyzing the situa­

Silverquill Spells tion for whichever angle is most advantageous to
Spell Level Spells my goals.
6 No one knows about the all-nighters I've pulled to
1st Dissonant Whispers, keep my magic looking effortless, and I’m going to
keep it that way.
Silvery Barbs (in this book)
Silverquill Trinkets. When you make your char­
2nd Calm Emotions, Darkness acter, you may roll once on the Silverquill Trinkets
table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the Player’s
3rd Beacon of Hope, Daylight Handbook, for your starting trinket.

4th Compulsion, Confusion Trinket
A black leather notebook filled with half-finished
5th Dominate Person, Rary's Telepathic Bond poems
2 A set of flashcards detailing different colloquial­
Consider customizing how your spells look when isms and their meanings
you cast them. Your Silverquill spells might be ac­ 3 A canteen that makes any liquid drunk from it taste
companied by visual effects resembling splotches of sweet
ink or radiating ripples of golden light. Any auditory
effects of your spells often sound like amplified 4 A forged permission slip granting access to the
echoes of your own voice speaking the spells’ verbal
components—even amid the crash of lightning or a special archives of Strixhaven’s libraries
fiery eruption. 5 A stylish silver pin that references a famous series

Building a Silverquill Character of novels about warlocks
6 A stack of small pieces of parchment, each en­
Many bards find a home in Silverquill, putting the
power of their voices to use with Silverquill magic. chanted to stick to whatever surface it's pressed
Wizards (especially those who study the Schools of against and peel off easily
Illusion and Enchantment) are common in Silver­
quill, as are warlocks. Clerics with the Divine Do­
mains of Light and Trickery also fit in well among
the mages of Silverquill.

CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 35

Witherbloom Student Suggested Characteristics. Students of Wither­
bloom College are equally likely to be found picking
You filled your childhood with rudimentary alchem­ herbs for a healing tincture or riding zombified
ical experiments, all in the hope of becoming a stu­ swamp beasts through the bayou. The Witherbloom
dent of Witherbloom College. The life sciences are Personality Traits table suggests a variety of traits
the focus of your reading, which include biology and you might adopt for your character.
necromancy. Brewing strange concoctions with me­
dicinal properties, exploring the anatomies of mon­ Witherbloom Personality Traits
sters, and cataloging swamp flora are the kinds of d6 Personality Trait
studies you might pursue at Witherbloom College. 1 I love brewing up a new recipe, even if some might

Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival be repulsed by my choice of ingredients. Or the
Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit final product. Or both.
Languages: One of your choice 2 My fashion sense is like my garden: withered,
Equipment: A bottle of black ink, an ink pen, a black, and weird.
3 I’m going to befriend every single monster in this
book about plant identification, an iron pot, an swamp if it's the last thing I do.
herbalism kit. a school uniform, and a pouch con­ 4 Everything in this world dies eventually. The ques­
taining 15 gp tion is, what will you do with the time you have left?

Feature: Witherbloom Initiate 5 I know we just met, but when you die, may I have
You gain the Strixhaven Initiate feat (presented
later in the chapter) and must choose Witherbloom your bones? For research.
within it. 6 Don’t interrupt me; I’m brooding.

In addition, if you have the Spellcasting or Pact Witherbloom Trinkets. When you make your
Magic feature, the spells on the Witherbloom Spells character, you may roll once on the Witherbloom
table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting Trinkets table, instead of on the Trinkets table in the
class. (If you are a multiclass character with multi­ Player's Handbook, for your starting trinket.
ple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)
Witherbloom Trinkets
Witherbloom Spells
d6 Trinket
Spell Level Spells
1 A black bird-shaped mask, trimmed with glowing
1st Cure Wounds, Inflict Wounds green thread

2nd Lesser Restoration, 2 A set of rabbit bones
3 A pair of thick knee-high waders, stained with muck
Wither and Bloom (in this book)
and moss
3rd Revivify, Vampiric Touch
4 A slimy green tentacle, which occasionally wriggles
4th Blight, Death Ward 5 A notebook containing waterproof paper
6 A necklace of five small vials, each filled with lumi­
5th Antilife Shell, Greater Restoration
nescent white liquid
Consider customizing how your spells look when
you cast them. Your Witherbloom spells might rely Feats
on material components or a spellcasting focus
drawn from the swamp environment of Wither­ This section introduces feats that give your char­
bloom, and your spells might take on an appearance acter benefits associated with the colleges of Strix­
suggesting those natural elements. Spectral shapes haven. These feats are available to you whenever
of swamp animals or plants might form amid your you normally choose a feat, and they follow the feat
spell effects. rules in the Player’s Handbook.

Building a Witherbloom Character Feat Descriptions
Druids and warlocks make up most of Wither­
bloom’s student body. A few wizards (mostly those These feats are presented in alphabetical order.
who study the School of Necromancy) and clerics
(including those with the Divine Domains of Life or Strixhaven Initiate
Nature) also find their home in Witherbloom. You have studied some magical theory and have
learned a few spells associated with Strixhaven
A number of rangers and barbarians study at University.
Witherbloom as well, and some rogues learn how
to create and use poisons during their studies at
this college.

36 CHAPTER 2 I CHARACTER OPTIONS

Choose one of Strixhaven’s colleges: Lorehold, Spells
Prismari, Quandrix, Silverquill, or Witherbloom.
You learn two cantrips and one lst-level spell based Created at Strixhaven, the spells presented in this
on the college you choose, as specified in the Strix­ section are available to the backgrounds offered in
haven Spells table. this chapter. The spells also appear on the class
spell lists indicated in the Spells table below.
You can cast the chosen lst-level spell without a
spell slot, and you must finish a long rest before you Spells School Class
can cast it in this way again. You can also cast the
spell using any spell slots you have. Level Spell Enchantment Bard, Sorcerer,
1st Silvery Barbs
Your spellcasting ability for this feat’s spells is In­ Wizard
telligence, Wisdom, or Charisma (choose when you 2nd Borrowed
select this feat). Knowledge Divination Bard, Cleric,

Strixhaven Spells 2nd KineticJaunt Warlock, Wizard

2nd Vortex Warp Transmutation Artificer* Bard,

College Cantrips Ist-Level Spell 2nd Wither and Sorcerer, Wizard
Bloom
Lorehold Choose two from Choose one 1st- Conjuration Artificer*

light, sacredfame, and level cleric or wizard Sorcerer, Wizard

thaumaturgy. spell. Necromancy Druid, Sorcerer,

Prismari Choose two from fre Choose one 1st- Wizard

bolt, prestidigitation, level bard or sor­

and ray offrost. cerer spell. *The artificer class appears in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
and Eberron: Risingfrom the Last War.
Quandrix Choose two from druid­ Choose one 1st-

craft, guidance, and level druid or wizard Spell Descriptions

mage hand. spell. These spells are presented in alphabetical order.

Silverquill Choose two from sacred Choose one 1st- Borrowed Knowledge

fame, thaumaturgy, level bard or cleric 2nd-Level Divination

and vicious mockery. spell. Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Wither­ Choose two from chill Choose one 1st- Components: V, S, M (a book worth at least 25 gp)
bloom touch, druidcraft, and level druid or wizard Duration: 1 hour

spare the dying. spell. You draw on knowledge from spirits of the past.
Choose one skill in which you lack proficiency. For
Strixhaven Mascot the spell’s duration, you have proficiency in the cho­
sen skill. The spell ends early if you cast it again.
Prerequisite: 4th Level, Strixhaven Initiate Feat
Kinetic Jaunt
You have learned how to summon a Strixhaven
mascot to assist you, granting you these benefits: 2nd-Level Transmutation

• You can cast the find familiar spell as a ritual. Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Your familiar can take the form of the mascot Range: Self
associated with the college you chose for the Components: S
Strixhaven Initiate feat: a spirit statue mascot Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
(Lorehold), an art elemental mascot (Prismari),
a fractal mascot (Quandrix), an inkling mascot You magically empower your movement with dance­
(Silverquill), or a pest mascot (Witherbloom). Stat like steps, giving yourself the following benefits for
blocks for these creatures appear in chapter 7. the duration:

• When you take the Attack action on your turn, you • Your walking speed increases by 10 feet.
can forgo one attack to allow your mascot familiar • You don’t provoke opportunity attacks.
to make one attack of its own with its reaction. • You can move through the space of another crea­

• If your mascot familiar is within 60 feet of you, ture, and it doesn’t count as difficult terrain. If you
you can teleport as an action, swapping places end your turn in another creature’s space, you are
with the familiar. If your destination space is too shunted to the last unoccupied space you occu­
small for you to occupy, the teleportation fails and pied, and you take ld8 force damage.
is wasted. Once you teleport in this way, you can’t
do so again until you finish a long rest, unless
you expend a spell slot of 2nd level or higher to
do it again.

CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 37

Silvery Barbs and regain a number of hit points equal to the roll
Ist-Level Enchantment plus your spellcasting ability modifier.

Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when a At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell us­
creature you can see within 60 feet of yourself ing a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage
succeeds on an attack roll, an ability check, or a increases by 1 d6 for each slot above 2nd, and the
saving throw number of Hit Dice that can be spent and added
to the healing roll increases by one for each slot
Range: 60 feet above 2nd.
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous Magic Items

You magically distract the triggering creature and This section presents some magic items that are
turn its momentary uncertainty into encouragement created at Strixhaven. These items, along with a few
for another creature. The triggering creature must from the Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG), can be
reroll the d20 and use the lower roll. purchased on campus using the prices in the Magic
Items for Sale table.
You can then choose a different creature you can
see within range (you can choose yourself). The Magic Items for Sale
chosen creature has advantage on the next attack
roll, ability check, or saving throw it makes within 1 Item Rarity Cost
minute. A creature can be empowered by only one 100 gp
use of this spell at a time. Bottle of Boundless Coffee Common 100 gp
300 gp
Vortex Warp Cuddly Strixhaven Mascot Common 300 gp
300 gp
2nd-Level Conjuration Lorehold Primer Uncommon 300 gp

Casting Time: 1 action Prismari Primer Uncommon 50 gp
Range: 90 feet 100 gp
Components: V, S Quandrix Primer Uncommon 300 gp
Duration: Instantaneous 300 gp
Silverquill Primer Uncommon
You magically twist space around another creature
you can see within range. The target must succeed Spell Scroll (Ist-Level Spell; DMG) Common
on a Constitution saving throw (the target can
choose to fail), or the target is teleported to an unoc­ Strixhaven Pennant Common
cupied space of your choice that you can see within
range. The chosen space must be on a surface or in Weapon, +1 (DMC) Uncommon
a liquid that can support the target without the tar­
get having to squeeze. Witherbloom Primer Uncommon

At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell us­ Magic Item Descriptions
ing a spell slot of 3rd level or higher, the range of
the spell increases by 30 feet for each slot level These items are presented in alphabetical order.
above 2nd.
Bottle of Boundless Coffee
Wither and Bloom
Wondrous Item, Common
2nd-Level Necromancy
This metal bottle carries delicious, warm coffee.
Casting Time: 1 action The bottle comes with a stopper, which is attached
Range: 60 feet to the bottle by a little chain. Even when open, the
Components: V, S, M (a withered vine twisted bottle won’t accept any liquid other than the coffee
it produces. The coffee inside is always comfortably
into a loop) warm, and none of the heat can be felt through
Duration: Instantaneous the bottle.

You invoke both death and life upon a 10-foot-radius Each time you drink the coffee, roll a d20. On a
sphere centered on a point within range. Each crea­ 1, the bottle refuses to dispense coffee for the next
ture of your choice in that area must make a Consti­ hour. If you pour coffee from the bottle, rather than
tution saving throw, taking 2d6 necrotic damage on drinking from it, the coffee vanishes the moment it
a failed save, or half as much damage on a success­ leaves the bottle.
ful one. Nonmagical vegetation in that area withers.
Cuddly Strixhaven Mascot
In addition, one creature of your choice in that
area can spend and roll one of its unspent Hit Dice Wondrous Item, Common

Representing one of the mascots of Strixhaven, this
soft, Tiny, magic toy is perfect for cuddling. If you
press it to your arm, shoulder, or leg as an action,
the toy stays attached there for 1 hour or until you
use an action to remove it.

38 CHAPTER 2 I CHARACTER OPTIONS

This toy can also be used to fight off fear. When In addition, if you study the primer at the end of
you make a saving throw to avoid or end the fright­ a long rest, you can choose one lst-level spell from
ened condition on yourself, you can give yourself the druid or wizard spell list. Before you finish your
advantage on the roll if the toy is on your person. next long rest, you can cast the chosen spell once
You must decide to do so before rolling the d20. If without a spell slot if you are holding the primer.
the save succeeds, you can’t use the toy in this way Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice
again until you finish a long rest. of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.

Lorehold Primer SILVERQUILL PRIMER

Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement
by a Spellcaster) by a Spellcaster)

The Lorehold Primer is a magic textbook created The Silverquill Primer is a magic textbook created
at Strixhaven’s Lorehold College. The primer has 3 at Strixhaven’s Silverquill College. The primer has
charges, and it regains 1 d3 expended charges daily 3 charges, and it regains ld3 expended charges
at dawn. If you make an Intelligence (History) or daily at dawn. If you make a Charisma (Intimi­
an Intelligence (Religion) check while holding the dation) or a Charisma (Persuasion) check while
primer, you can expend 1 charge to give yourself holding the primer, you can expend 1 charge to give
a ld4 bonus to the check, immediately after you yourself a ld4 bonus to the check, immediately after
roll the d20. you roll the d20.

In addition, if you study the primer at the end of In addition, if you study the primer at the end of
a long rest, you can choose one lst-level spell from a long rest, you can choose one lst-level spell from
the cleric or wizard spell list. Before you finish your the bard or cleric spell list. Before you finish your
next long rest, you can cast the chosen spell once next long rest, you can cast the chosen spell once
without a spell slot if you are holding the primer. without a spell slot if you are holding the primer.
Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice
of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.

Prismari Primer Strixhaven Pennant
Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement
by a Spellcaster) Wondrous Item, Common

The Prismari Primer is a magic textbook created This magic pennant bears the symbol of Strixhaven
at Strixhaven’s Prismari College. The primer has 3 or one of its colleges: Lorehold, Prismari, Quandrix,
charges, and it regains ld3 expended charges daily Silverquill, or Witherbloom. While you wave the
at dawn. If you make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) or a pennant, the symbol on it glitters, and the pennant
Charisma (Performance) check while holding the sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light
primer, you can expend 1 charge to give yourself for an additional 10 feet.
a ld4 bonus to the check, immediately after you
roll the d20. Witherbloom Primer
Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement
In addition, if you study the primer at the end of by a Spellcaster)
a long rest, you can choose one lst-level spell from
the bard or sorcerer spell list. Before you finish your The Witherbloom Primer is a magic textbook cre­
next long rest, you can cast the chosen spell once ated at Strixhaven’s Witherbloom College. The
without a spell slot if you are holding the primer. primer has 3 charges, and it regains ld3 expended
Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice charges daily at dawn. If you make an Intelligence
of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma. (Nature) or Wisdom (Survival) check while holding
the primer, you can expend 1 charge to give yourself
Quandrix Primer a ld4 bonus to the check, immediately after you
Wondrous Item, Uncommon (Requires Attunement roll the d20.
by a Spellcaster)
In addition, if you study the primer at the end of
The Quandrix Primer is a magic textbook created a long rest, you can choose one lst-level spell from
at Strixhaven’s Quandrix College. The primer has the druid or wizard spell list. Before you finish your
3 charges, and it regains ld3 expended charges next long rest, you can cast the chosen spell once
daily at dawn. If you make an Intelligence (Arcana) without a spell slot if you are holding the primer.
or an Intelligence (Nature) check while holding the Your spellcasting ability for this spell is your choice
primer, you can expend 1 charge to give yourself of Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma.
a ld4 bonus to the check, immediately after you
roll the d20.

CHAPTER 2 | CHARACTER OPTIONS 39



CHAPTER 3

School Is in Session

•I HE FOLLOWING FOUR CHAPTERS PRESENT A Strixhaven Campaign _

a series of Dungeons & Dragons adven­ If you run these adventures as a campaign, one
villain is behind the chaos on campus: the bul-
tures optimized for four to six characters. lywug Murgaxor Grenshel, a disgruntled former
student who attended Strixhaven centuries ago.
—L- Each adventure takes place on and around Murgaxor—who uses evil magic to sustain his life
force—focuses his all-consuming desire for revenge
the Strixhaven campus. In these adventures, the on destroying Strixhaven University.

player characters are students attending the univer­ The adventures assume you’re playing a Strix­
haven campaign, and each adventure provides in­
sity, and they become heroes in their own right as formation about how Murgaxor’s influence corrupts
and warps creatures and places on campus. The
they navigate plots, overcome monsters, and thwart end of each adventure provides information that
foreshadows or sets up the events of the next adven­
dangers that arise in each adventure. ture. The characters ultimately confront Murgaxor
in chapter 6, where the villain is described in detail.
Chapters 1 and 2 contain all the information the
Character Creation
players need to play Strixhaven students. Each ad­
Before starting any of this book's adventures, con­
venture takes place over the course of one academic sult chapter 2 for guidance on making Strixhaven
characters and uniting those characters in a group.
year. For instance, “Campus Kerfuffle,” the adven­
Character Advancement
ture in this chapter, takes place during the char­
In these adventures, the characters receive experi­
acters’ first year at the university. “Hunt for Mage ence points for achieving story milestones, rather
than for defeating monsters. Each adventure tells
Tower," in chapter 4, takes place during the charac­ you when the characters advance to the next level.

ters’ second year at the university, and so on. The Standalone Adventures

adventures can be run consecutively as a campaign Rather than playing the four adventures as a cam­
paign, you can run them as standalone adventures.
or individually, as described below. A section near the start of each adventure tells you
how to use the adventure in this way.
Running the Adventures
If you run any of these adventures separately, you
To run these adventures, you need the fifth edition should ask the players to create characters of the ap­
core rulebooks: the Player’s Handbook, the Dun­ propriate starting level for the adventure, as shown
geon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual. in the Adventure Levels table.

Text that appears in a box like this is meant to be
read aloud or paraphrased for the players when their
characters first arrive at a location or under a specific
circumstance, as described in the text.

When a creature’s name appears in bold type, Adventure Levels Starting Level Chapter
that’s a visual cue pointing you to its stat block. In 1st 3
other words, when you see a name in bold type, you Adventure 4th 4
should get the creature’s stat block ready because Campus Kerfuffle 6th 5
you’re going to need it soon. If the stat block appears Hunt for Mage Tower 6
in chapter 7, the text tells you. Otherwise, you can The Magister’s Masquerade 8th
find the stat block in the Monster Manual. A Reckoning in Ruins

Spells and equipment mentioned in these adven­
tures are described in the Player’s Handbook. If an
adventure doesn’t describe a magic item, you can
find the magic item’s description in the Dungeon
Master’s Guide.

a

a

vu

O

5

CHAPTER 3 | SCHOOL IS IN SESSION 41

Relationships Poster Map
If you run chapter 4, 5, or 6 as a standalone adven­
ture, you should ask each player to choose at least ers. One side shows the Strixhaven University cam­
one student to be a Friend, a Beloved, or a Rival, pus, with a focus on the central campus and the five
as described in the Relationship rules later in this surrounding colleges. The other side of the poster
chapter. The Starting Relationship Points table lists shows detailed maps of key campus locations, some
the number of points a character has at the start of which the characters visit in multiple adventures.
with the chosen Friend, Beloved, or Rival.
The Passage of Time
Starting Relationship Points
Each adventure in this book takes place over the
Person Relationship Points course of an academic year, which is no longer than
a calendar year. The adventures include events, but
Friend 2 those events aren’t the entire extent of the charac­
ters’ experience on campus that year. Unless explic­
Beloved 3 itly stated, assume that anywhere from a few days
to a few weeks passes between the events of an ad­
Rival -2 venture. You can decide how quickly the year passes
and work with your players to decide what else they
Using the Maps get up to. You can conduct roleplaying scenes with z
the characters’ fellow students, taking into account
This book contains a number of interior maps and is their Friends, Rivals, and Beloveds. You might also 2
accompanied by a poster map, all of which will aid narratively describe developments in their courses
you as you run these adventures. to help the academic year feel varied and robust. z

Interior Maps Finally, as the characters are completing tasks o
Maps in the book primarily depict areas for the together for their courses or hanging out with their
characters to explore or areas where combat is fellow students, consider challenging them with £
random monster encounters that crop up on cam­
likely to occur. These maps are designed to be eas­ pus. These encounters might be truly random, or
ily reproduced on graph paper, a wet-erase mat, or they could be unexpected side-effects of the more
some other surface to help the players visualize lo­ significant events unfolding in the adventure. Each
cations and devise combat strategies. You can alter chapter includes a table tailored for that adventure.
a map’s features as you see fit.

On interior maps, an arrow on a slope or staircase
points in the ascending direction. When elevation
numbers appear on a map, a plus sign indicates a
rise of the indicated number of feet, while a minus
sign indicates a depression.

42 CHAPTER 3 I SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

Fi. v

i

Strixhaven Opting Out of These Rules

Tracking Sheet The rules for Extracurriculars, Jobs, Exams, and Rela­
tionships combine with the adventures in this book to
The sections on the following pages give special enhance the flavor of life at a university of magic.
rules for ceriain aspects of university life. Players
can use the sheet below to keep track of the effects If you find these rules aren't the best fit for your
of those rules on their characters. Each player group, you can run this book's adventures without
should have a copy to use during the course of the those rules, simply narrating the effects of related en­
adventures. The tracking sheet includes the fol­ counters without using rules to resolve them.
lowing parts:
character participates in an Extracurricular, they
Relationships. The player notes here the names of gain a positive or negative Relationship Point with
each student NPC with whom their character has its associated student NPC.
a Relationship. The player should track how many Job. The player should note their character’s job, if
Relationship Points their character has with each any. Remind the player that while their charac­
N PC; whether that N PC is a Friend, a Rival, or a ter holds a job, the character gains a positive or
Beloved; whether that NPC confers Beloved Inspi­ negative Relationship Point with its associated
ration; and that NPC’s Bond Boon or Bond Bane, student coworker, whom they should also note on
whichever is applicable. this sheet.
Student Dice. The player should track the Student
Report Cards. This section includes places to track Dice their character has from passing Exams and
the results of each Exam. from Extracurriculars. They should also note the
skills their character can expend the Student Dice
Extracurriculars. The player notes the Extracur­ on. They should check the “d4" box whenever they
riculars in which their character is participating. gain a Student Die, and they should erase the
The player should also note each Extracurricular’s check mark when they expend the die.
NPC member. Remind players that while their

STRIXHAVEN MEMORIES

RELATIONSHIPS ------------------------- —

I

Name j______ Relationship Inspiration Boon/Bane

Points

REPORT CARDS EXTRACURRICULARS

Year 1 Year 2 I

#1 □□ □□ #1 □□ □□ i

it2 □□ #2 □□ .1

#3 □□ □□ #3 □□ □□□ Name d4 Skills Member

I Rerolls d4s Skills Rerolls d4s Skills

Year 3 Year 4 JOB

#1 □□ □□ #1 □□ □□

□□ NO TIME! D Perception, Nature

#3 □□ □□ Rerolls d4s Skills Employer

Rerolls d4s Skills GRADUATION Job Coworker

»**• *»■

CHAPTER 3 | SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

Extracurriculars new adventure. Typically, joining an Extracurricular o
in between academic years isn’t eventful. Players
Extracurriculars—the campus clubs and societies should note the changes on their tracking sheet. tl
students can join—are a key part of student life at
Strixhaven. Using the rules that follow, characters Extracurricular Benefits o
can join Extracurriculars to add flavor to the book’s
adventures, gain minor rules benefits, and perhaps While a student participates in an Extracurricular, I
more easily befriend—or irritate—their classmates. they gain a Student Die and a Relationship Point, as
explained below. 5
Joining an Extracurricular
Student Dice
At any point during the book’s adventures, a charac­ Each character gains one Student Die for each Ex­
ter can gain the benefit of two of the Extracurricu­
lars noted below, as described later in this section. tracurricular they are participating in. A Student
If a student character also works on campus using Die is a d4 the player can roll and add to an ability
the Job rules, the character can benefit from only check that the character makes, provided the check
uses one of the skills listed in the Extracurricular’s
one Extracurricular. description. The player can wait until after rolling
Characters can gain the benefit from a new Ex­ the d20 before rolling the Student Die, but must do
so before you say whether the check succeeds or
tracurricular only by joining it at the start of an aca­ fails. No more than one Student Die can be rolled
demic year, which corresponds to the beginning of a per check. After rolling a Student Die, a player can't
roll it again until the character finishes a long rest.

Relationship Point
While a student participates in an Extracurricular,
the student gains either a positive or a negative Rela­
tionship Point (the player’s choice) with one student
NPC who is also a member of the Extracurricular
(see the Relationship rules later in this chapter).

Quitting an Extracurricular

Characters can quit an Extracurricular at any time,
updating their tracking sheet accordingly. When a
student quits an Extracurricular, they immediately
lose its benefits. If a character quits during an ad­
venture, you might want to roleplay the situation,
since NPCs are likely to take an interest in why the
student is leaving.

Extracurricular Options________

Student characters can join any of the following Ex­
tracurriculars.

Dead Languages Society
Skills: Athletics, History
Member: Drazhomir Yarnask, Quentillius A.

Melentor III

These linguistics lovers take advantage of Strixhav-
en’s deep repository of tomes written in ancient and
near-extinct languages, teaching themselves these
tongues and often translating their favorite works.

Distinguished Society of Fine Artists
Skills: Performance or Sleight of Hand

Member: Cadoras Damellawar, Nora Ann Wu

These painters, sculptors, printmakers, and mosaic
artists gather to create fine works and to discuss the
latest techniques and trends in the world of art.

CHAPTER 3 I SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

44

Dragonchess Club Live-Action Roleplaying Guild
Skills: Animal Handling, Performance
Skills: Deception. Investigation Member: Cadoras Damellawar, Rosimyffenbip
Member: Bhedum “Rampart” Sooviij,
“Rosie” Wuzfeddlims
Tilana Kapule
These storytelling enthusiasts engage in a mix of
These experts in the game of dragonchess discuss strategy and playacting—often involving mascots—
the latest in strategy, compete against one another, when they enact fantastical narratives that they re­
and test out homemade variations of game rules. solve with special rules.

Dragonsguard Historical Society Mage Tower Cheer Squad
Skills: Arcana. History Skills: Perception, Persuasion
Member: Bhedum “Rampart” Sooviij
Member: Zanther Bowen
These historians are fascinated by all time periods,
and they regularly meet to discuss, debate, and deep With their coordinated cheers, outfits, and school
dive into members’ favorite topics. spirit, these cheerleaders inspire pride in the official
Strixhaven University Mage Tower teams.
Fantastical FIorticulture Club
Skills: Nature, Survival Playactors Drama Guild
Member: Urzmaktok Grojsh Skills: Arcana, Deception
Member: Quentillius A. Melentor III, Rubina
These green-thumbed experts love mixing magic
and gardening to create new strains of vegetation, Larkingdale
many of which they cultivate on campus.
These actors work together to create productions of
Future Entrepreneurs of Strixhaven brilliant stagecraft, often involving new spins on old
Skills: Insight, Persuasion classics as well as displays of magic and music.
Member: Grayson Wildemere
Strixhaven Iron-Lifters Society
These enterprising students discuss business theo­ Skills: Athletics, Medicine
ries. They often create small start-ups to sell wares Member: Greta Gorunn
and services appealing to students. The funds they
generate fuel the club’s activities. These bodybuilders support each other in develop­
ing strong muscles and even stronger friendships.
Intramural Gymnastics Club
Skills: Acrobatics, Performance Strixhaven Show Band Association
Member: Zanther Bowen Skills: Sleight of Hand, Performance
Member: Aurora Luna Wynterstarr, Rubina
These graceful gymnasts work to hone their craft,
and they compete against each other in dazzling Larkingdale
floor routines.
These music enthusiasts play instruments such as
Intramural Silkball Club hurdy-gurdies, bagpipes, flutes, and drums, and they
Skills: Athletics, Intimidation regularly perform rousing concerts.
Member: Javenesh Stoutclaw, Melwythorne, Ti­
Strixhaven Star
lana Kapule Skills: Investigation, Insight
Member: Grayson Wildemere, Mina Lee
These hardy athletes train together and compete in
the rough-and-tumble Strixhaven game of silkball, These truth seekers and wordsmiths report on cam­
which is played in muddy fields with balls made of pus news, regularly interviewing important figures
spider silk. and producing the monthly Strixhaven Star newspa­
per, which is distributed across the campus.
Intramural Water-Dancing Club
Skills: Athletics, Performance Student-Mages of Faith
Member: Larine Arneza Skills: Insight, Religion
Member: Melwythorne, Shuvadri Glintmantle
These swimming enthusiasts combine their athletic
skills with the finesse of artists as they choreograph These pious students of many faiths gather to share
water dances to the latest popular songs. prayers and theological debates and to celebrate one
another’s high holidays.

CHAPTER 3 | SCHOOL IS IN SESSION 45

Jobs Dormitories
Jobs: Cleanup crew member, events assistant, front­
Working in gainful employment while at school can
provide a character with a modicum of cash and desk worker, resident assistant
help forge connections with student coworkers. Coworker: Nora Ann Wu

Getting or Losing a Job Firejolt Cafe
Jobs: Barista, cashier, cleanup crew member, server
A character can hold one Job at a time, and they can Coworker: Mina Lee
participate in only one Extracurricular while they
have a Job. A student can switch Jobs whenever they Intramural Fields
wish, even in the middle of the academic year, as Jobs: Cleanup crew member, crowd manager, equip­
long as they don’t work more than one Job at a time.
At your discretion, switching Jobs in the middle of ment assistant, groundskeeper, referee
the year might lead to a roleplaying scenario. Coworker: Rosimyffenbip “Rosie” Wuzfeddlims

Job Benefits Strixhaven Performing Arts Society
Jobs: Cleanup crew member, general assistant, re­
While a student has a Job, they earn a wage and a
Relationship Point, as explained below. freshments expert, stagehand, ticket taker, usher
Coworker: Larine Arneza
Wage
A student who works a Job gains 5 gp at the start of Strixhaven Stadium
each week that they hold the Job. If a student quits
during the academic year, they stop earning this Jobs: Cleanup crew member, entertainment assis­
money at the end of the week in which they quit. tant, equipment assistant, groundskeeper, refresh­
ments expert, ticket taker, usher
Relationship Point
While a character works a Job, they gain a positive Coworker: Aurora Luna Wynterstarr, Greta Gorunn
or negative Relationship Point (the player’s choice)
with one student NPC at that Job. This represents a r
coworker with whom the character is often sched­ o
uled and with whom they can easily form a connec­
tion (see the Relationship rules later in this chapter). a

Job Options .u

Student characters can find work at the places be­ L*
low. A number of possible positions are noted for
each place, along with NPC coworkers.

Biblioplex
Jobs: Book clerk, book shelver, cafe worker, cleanup

crew member, garden tender, store worker
Coworker: Drazhomir Yarnask

Bow’s End Tavern

Jobs: Assistant manager, cleanup crew member,
cook, host, server

Coworker: Javenesh Stoutclaw

Campus Grounds

Jobs: Graffiti eraser, lawn manicurist, litter re­
triever, sidewalk sweeper, statuary repairer,
trash collector

Coworker: Shuvadri Glintmantle

Campus Magic Labs

Jobs: Cleanup crew member, specimen preparer,
volunteer lab partner

Coworker: Urzmaktok Grojsh

46 CHAPTER 3 I SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

Exams Pulling an All-Nighter
After pulling an all-nighter, a character gains two
The characters’ years at Strixhaven are covered by rerolls to use during the next Testing phase if the
each of this book’s adventures, which focus on the character succeeds on the ability check. Doing so
notable and even shocking events that take place at imposes a cost: the character gains 1 level of ex­
the university. Even though the characters’ studies haustion that takes effect at the start of the day of
include the trappings of academic life—attending the Exam. This level of exhaustion can’t be removed
lectures, participating in labs, reading textbooks— until after the Exam.
those everyday academic activities mostly take place
in the background. The exam rules presented here Studying Together
are thus designed to help the players keep their If two or more characters engage in a group study
characters’ studies part of the game. session, each participating character has advantage
on their ability check during the Studying phase.
Using These Rules
Skipping Studying
Each of the book’s adventures includes Exams. A character can skip the Studying phase if they
Though each character might be a member of a dif­ wish, forgoing the chance of gaining these rerolls.
ferent college at Strixhaven, the adventures assume
that the characters take at least one general educa­ Testing Phase
tion or interdisciplinary course together each year.
It is this course that the Exam rules represent. Once the Studying phase of an Exam is over, have
the players record any rerolls their characters re­
Each Exam encounter has a Studying phase fol­ ceive, then begin the Testing phase.
lowed by a Testing phase. In general, a character
can approach Studying in any way they desire, with Ability Checks
that phase then culminating in a single ability check Each Exam’s Testing phase consists of two ability
of their choice. In contrast, Testing requires ability checks, with specifics (including the DC) noted
checks using specific skills. in the encounter. If a character gained any rerolls
during the Studying phase, the character can use
In each phase, resolve the outcome of one char­ one reroll when making a Testing ability check, re­
acter’s ability checks before moving on to another rolling the check’s d20 and using the new roll.
character. (If any characters are studying together,
however, resolve their ability checks at the same Each character’s Testing phase has three possi­
time. See below for more information.) ble results:

Don’t forget to have each player mark the results Failed. No successful ability checks means a char­
of an Exam on their tracking sheet! acter failed, having gotten fewer than half the
questions correct.
Studying Phase
Passed. One successful ability check means a char­
The Studying phase of an Exam represents the acter passed, having gotten half or more of the
characters brushing up on their coursework, questions correct, but not all the questions. The
prompting sparks of insight when faced with diffi­ character gains one Student Die, explained below.
cult questions, or using mnemonics or other memo­
rization techniques to absorb academic material. Aced. Two successful ability checks mean the char­
acter aced the Exam, having gotten all the ques­
During the Studying phase, each character must tions correct. The character gains two Student
succeed on an ability check against a DC noted in Dice, explained below.
the encounter. They can use any ability and skill
they wish when making this check, but they can Cheating
make it only once. An unscrupulous character can cheat on an Exam.
Doing so requires a successful Charisma (Decep­
For example, one student might make an Intel­ tion) check and a successful Dexterity (Sleight of
ligence (History) check to pore over their books, Hand) check, both using the DC set for the Exam.
while another student makes a Charisma (Perfor­ If a character cheats, they can’t use any rerolls from
mance) check to create a series of spoken mne­ their Studying phase.
monic devices. A third student might make a Dex­
terity (Sleight of Hand) check to create reminding If the character fails either of these checks, a proc­
gestures or practice any physical components that tor or other authority figure notices the cheating,
are part of a course, such as the somatic gestures and the student fails the exam.
involved in spellcasting.
If the Charisma (Deception) and Dexterity (Sleight
On a successful check, the character gains one re­ of Hand) checks are both successful, the character
roll to use during the character’s next Testing phase. successfully cheats and aces the Exam.

CHAPTER 3 | SCHOOL IS IN SESSION 47

Failed Exam Relationships ■5
If a character fails an Exam, Strixhaven’s bylaws
require them to attend tutoring with a junior faculty As students, the characters have the opportunity 5
member until they achieve at least a passed Exam to cement friendships, establish rivalries, deepen 3
in a different Exams encounter. This tutoring can be bonds, and otherwise develop relationships with
narrated through roleplaying, or you might simply student NPCs in this book’s adventures. Although s
inform the player of this result. these pursuits could be played out entirely with
roleplaying, you can use the following Relationship
A student who must attend tutoring can’t take part rules to reinforce this aspect of the adventures.
in any Extracurriculars or Jobs until they achieve at
least a passed Exam during one of that academic These rules provide characters with benefits—or
year’s Exam encounters. The character thus loses drawbacks!—based on their social endeavors, infus­
any benefits from Extracurriculars or Jobs, and ing their interactions with other students with rules
their player should indicate this suspension on their weight, and making this integral part of student life
tracking sheet. a more significant part of the game.

Student Dice The rules encompass only interactions with stu­
A Student Die gained from an Exam is a d4 the dent NPCs. Professors, administrators, and other
player can roll and add to an ability check that the older adults aren’t part of the Relationship rules.
character makes, provided the check uses one of the
two skills featured in the Exam. The player can wait Session Zero
until after rolling the d20 before rolling the Student
Die, but must do so before you say whether the If you’re interested in using these rules in your
check succeeds or fails. No more than one Student game, consider holding a session zero to introduce
Die can be rolled per check. After rolling a Student the rules to the players. Such a session zero allows
Die, a player can’t roll it again until the character you to ascertain players’ comfort with these rules.
finishes a long rest.
Players should note any Student Dice they gain If some players want to use these rules and other
and the skills those dice can apply to on their players don’t, using these rules only for some char­
acters, or not using them at all, doesn’t unbalance
tracking sheet. these adventures. Similarly, if you are uncomfort­
At the end of each academic year, players lose able engaging with the roleplaying encounters these
rules describe, we recommend you don’t use them.
any Student Dice their characters have earned
If any players exhibit trepidation, err on the side
from an Exam. of caution and don’t use these rules for some or all
of the characters. Characters who use these rules

48 CHAPTER 3 I SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

will have more focused roleplaying time than those Friendly Response. A friendly response earns 1
who don't, so you might want to compensate for that Relationship Point. A friendly response is posi­
lack of "on-screen” time with additional roleplaying tive; it might take the form of showing warmth
encounters for the other characters. or providing affirmation and camaraderie, as the
encounter dictates.
Using These Rules______
Rivalrous Response. A rivalrous response earns
The book’s adventures include Relationship encoun­ -1 Relationship Point. A rivalrous response is
ters, featuring events during which characters can negative, and might take the form of being rude to
interact with one or more of the student NPCs in the the NPC, antagonizing the NPC, or taking similar
“Fellow Students" section. When such an encounter unkind actions.
begins, use the adventure’s read-aloud text to de­
scribe the scene. Then work with the characters one Each time a character’s number of Relationship
at a lime until each has had a turn to interact with Points changes for an NPC, the player should note
the student NPCs. that on their tracking sheet. The sheet can also be
used to track other details about the Relationship.
The character of each participating player gains
1 Relationship Point or more with student NPCs Making Friends and Rivals
during Relationship encounters. A character's num­
ber of Relationship Points with a specific NPC de­ While a character has 2 Relationship Points or more
termines their status with that NPC. with a student NPC, that NPC becomes a Friend,
and the character receives a Bond Boon from that
Introducing the NPCs ____ person as long as the NPC is a Friend.

Use the entries in the “Fellow Students” section While a character has -2 Relationship Points or
to populate Strixhaven as the characters explore less with a student NPC, that NPC becomes a Rival,
it. both during and between adventures. Highlight and the character receives a Bond Bane from that
those NPCs when the characters are at a Job or par­ person as long as the NPC is a Rival.
ticipating in an Extracurricular, and draw from the
entries whenever you want to roleplay an NPC in a Bond Boons and Bond Banes are noted in each
classroom setting. NPC entry in the "Fellow Students” section. When
a character makes a Friend or a Rival, the player
When it comes time for a Relationship encounter, should note it on their tracking sheet.
you might ask a player whether a specific NPC has
intrigued them. If so, make sure that NPC interacts At any time during the adventures in this book,
with them during the encounter. Alternatively, char­ a character can end their friendship with an NPC,
acters who have joined an Extracurricular or taken effective immediately. When they do so, that charac­
on a Job might encounter an NPC associated with ter’s Relationship Points with the NPC reset to 0.
that endeavor.
Deepening Relationships________
You may also allow your players to browse
the "Fellow Students” section to learn more Once a student NPC has become a character’s
Friend, the character has the option of deepening
about the NPCs. the Relationship. The next time a Relationship en­
counter happens with the Friend, the character can
Relationship Points express a wish for a deeper connection with that
NPC. This might be a romantic pairing, a deeper
The characters have opportunities throughout the platonic camaraderie, or a sibling-like bond. Before
adventures in this book to gain Relationship Points this encounter takes place, talk to the player to en­
with student NPCs. At your discretion, in addition to sure a clear understanding of what sort of Relation­
Relationship encounters, other roleplaying encoun­ ship they seek with the NPC.
ters might also provide Relationship Points.
Becoming Beloveds
A character’s total number of Relationship Points If a player wants a deeper Relationship between
with an NPC determines their status with that NPC, their character and a Friend, the Friend can become
as described below. Relationship Points start at 0 the character’s Beloved if the character has 2 Rela­
and increase or decrease by 1 each time a char­ tionship Points or more with the NPC. During the
acter interacts with one of the NPCs covered by next Relationship encounter, they can deepen their
these rules, whether in a Relationship encounter or Relationship and become Beloveds, in addition to
during another roleplaying scene. the normal interaction the Relationship encoun­
ter allows.
When a character interacts with a student NPC,
that character’s player decides which of the follow­
ing categories they wish their response to fall under:

CHAPTER 3 | SCHOOL IS IN SESSION 49