Strixhaven

Infobox

Strixhaven

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Basic Information
Type Info
Primary Race Various
Founder Unknown
Current Leader Haldir Heleyarus
Key Members
File Gender Age Race
Agolin Winterbor Male Adult Human
Haldir Heleyarus Male Adult Human
Professor Varitan Leotoris † Male Adult Elf
Archivist Thalen Male Adult Human
The Barista Dragon Male Adult Red Dragon
Chenris Tallfellow ‡ Male Adult Half-Elf

Overview

Strixhaven is the most prestigious magic academy in The Amber Realms. It is both a city and university and fazes in and out of the material plane, reappearing in different locations depending on the academy's needs and interests. Their logo has an emblem of a bird on it, holding a banner.

Description

University stood as a breathtaking testament to the convergence of magic and knowledge, its five floating islands suspended in the sky by massive, pulsating blue rocks that thrummed with raw arcane energy. Each island bore a towering structure adorned with a glowing magical symbol—representing the schools of magic taught within—and was tethered to the central island by colossal, ancient chains that shimmered with enchantments. At the heart of it all loomed the central campus, a sprawling, 4,000-year-old edifice of stone and crystal, its spires reaching toward the heavens and its walls glowing faintly with the accumulated power of millennia. The air around the university crackled with magic, so thick it felt alive, as if every breath drew in the essence of creation itself. Beyond the campus, a vibrant residential district stretched outward, a harmonious tapestry of every race imaginable—elves, orcs, humans, dragons, and more—living side by side, their lives intertwined with the magic that flowed from the university like a river of light and possibility.

History & Other Information

Known Previous Locations

History & Mentions

§ Interactions
Session 51 Halfbie excitedly asked if they could be fixed as Tereance got up and placed a huge book on his bookshelf, as he muttered to himself, which Halfbie was unable to hear. Instead, they had a look at the book the wizard was reading from. Although they didn't recognise it, Chenris instantly recognised it as a Strixhaven reference book. It was an ancient one that Haldir Heleyarus himself wrote while still lecturing. The martial arts cover was incredibly advanced, so much so that Chenris hadn't managed to study and understand the foundational concepts that were used in the book. The elf was practically salivating at the sight of such a book.
Session 48 Mordecai asked if they had ever talked to chenris, to which Halfbie explained that apart from that time at Strixhaven, they had never spoken to the man.
Session 45 Deep within Halfbie, knowledge of a past life bubbled to the surface. At Strixhaven, many studied Alchemy. Many of the higher-ranking scholars could transmute metals into other metals, like iron into gold. It was theorised that you could turn living matter to gold, but no one worked it out in Strixhaven. Halfbie was filled with scientific intrigue, seemingly the only thing keeping Halfbie from falling into panic.
Session 42 Korrigan's demeanour immediately shifted from astonishment to blind rage and fury. He did not need his Primal Savagery ability to draw blood from his hands. His rage was enough. They hadn't seen this rage since Korrigan temporarily received all his memories back during their last visit to Strixhaven [^1].
Session 38 Examining the arrow, Korrigan couldn't identify the poison but noticed that the name "Dave McDuffin †" was engraved on the shaft. Sensing some magic on the arrow, Halfbie took over the analysis. However, they could only determine that it was enchanted. CXhenris, on the other hand, immediately recognised it from an old class at Strixhaven as a "Name Poison," a technique from The Deadlands that creates especially deadly poisons targeted at a specific person. The arrow would not affect anyone else and could not be replicated. Chenris shared this knowledge with Halfbie, who explained it to the Party, much to their surprise.
Session 37 Korrigan ignored her alarming comments and instead focused on telling her all about Terathra and how they were sealed away and The Towers were hurting them. Korrigan explained that one of his goals in Lost Haven was to destroy the tower. Sylvia initially didn't believe him until he showed her the book he stole from Strixhaven, which explained everything to her. After reading the book, she was immediately on board and wanted to help.
Session 33 The dragon was less than impressed and, after Mordecai suggested to try Strixhaven's lost property office, left them to their business. Meanwhile, Halfbie asked drache what Make-A-Wish was. Drache explained that it was a scheme that helped young people who were dying achieve their wishes, like meeting a celebrity or something similar. Halfbie's face dropped as they exclaimed, "I HAVE CANCER?!?" Mordecai tried to explain that this wasn't the case, but none of them were convinced. Halfbie, for their part, got out a notebook and started writing out their bucket list, which was:
Session 33 Returning to The Party, Korrigan explained everything to them, and with little else they could do, they decided to head for Blackwall and see if they could find her along the way. They finally left Strixhaven and had an extremely good time. Along the way, they heard some strange singing; Korrigan sent Bobs to investigate and learnt that it seemed like people were dancing around a fire. Korrigan sarcastically asked if they should say hi, to which Mordecai sarcastically replied that they should. Missing the sarcasm, Halfbie says "OK!" before running over to say hi before the others could stop them.
Session 32 Soon a large golden portal opened and as The Party stepped through, they all returned to their normal forms and regained their powers. Outside, they found themselves in a Strixhaven courtyard. Stepping out of the portal korrigan soon realised that he had no recollection of what happened after the headmaster's spell was cast leaving Mordecai to wonder if they should tell him what happened as in this situation it seems like ignorance is bliss as Korrigan was incredibly angry and sad with all of his memories returned. Halfbie was not aware of Mordecai's thought process and told him generally what happened before something clicked and they fell quite [^4].
Session 32 Without hesitation, Korrigan put 10 gold on the table. the clerk smiled and said it would be sent soon. Mordecai asked how they knew where it needed to as halfbie had only written "To Obeus" on the outside. The clerk said it was magic, and it would know who to send to. With that done halfbie led to a small tavern in the residential area of Strixhaven. Along the way, with a sly smile, Mordecai suggested they do shot again, and they were thinking absinthe would be perfect. Halfbie was hesitant to agree after how bad their hangover was the last time they drank absinthe.
Session 32 As the night went on, The Party had even more to drink until they passed out. They awoke in a the Legally distinct Quidditch fields of Strixhaven. Mordecai was the first to wake up, and as their hangover wasn't so bad, they decided to have a look around to see if anything interesting was around. the field was littered with unconscious Strixhaven students , including the dragon that runs the cafe. Surprisingly, the dragon was actually wearing the necklace that Mordecai traded some months ago to cover the cost of Drache's coffee he accidentally ordered[^6].
Session 31 With their note written and left with Big Dave[^1], The Party headed out with their destination set for Strixhaven. Halfbie had marked the general area of the university but soon found that knowing the exact location wasn't necessary, as when they approached the area, Mordecai and Halfbie would feel the magic emanating off of the university miles away. Putting away the map, they followed the magic that filled the area around them.
Session 31 They soon crossed the board being greeted by the familiar but still awe inspiring site of Strixhaven. Strixhaven University stood as a breathtaking testament to the convergence of magic and knowledge, its five floating islands suspended in the sky by massive, pulsating blue rocks that thrummed with raw arcane energy. Each island bore a towering structure adorned with a glowing magical symbol—representing the schools of magic taught within—and was tethered to the central island by colossal, ancient chains that shimmered with enchantments. At the heart of it all loomed the central campus, a sprawling, 4,000-year-old edifice of stone and crystal, its spires reaching toward the heavens and its walls glowing faintly with the accumulated power of millennia. The air around the university crackled with magic, so thick it felt alive as if every breath drew in the essence of creation itself. Beyond the campus, a vibrant residential district stretched outward, a harmonious tapestry of every race imaginable—Elves, orcs, Human, Dragonborn, and more—living side by side, their lives intertwined with the magic that flowed from the university like a river of light and possibility.
Session 31 After some talking, it was revealed that the Strixhaven used to do a lot of research on The Towers, specifically The Tower of Ishnmel before they were kicked out of The Towers for causing too much hassle for the guards and priests. Most of their research had been taken or was locked away by the university, so the engineers couldn't be of much help. Halfbie then asked if it was possible to see Haldir Heleyarus, the headmaster, reasoning that he must know something about this research.
Session 31 The headmaster went silent for a moment before revealing that Ebis Daro used to be a lecturer at Strixhaven before being thrown out for being a shapeshifter and his fanatical worship of Ignatius (Sacrificing students). The headteacher explained that Ebis Daro was trying to make his own Ash Spawn army with all the sacrifices he was making. However, Haldir Heleyarus refused to elaborate beyond this. instead, The Party asked about the crystals and making more towers.
Session 31 The headmaster revealed that making more towers was possible but would involve getting crystals. The only way to do this was to convert people into purely magical energy and send them to The Realm of Mana to get crystals. However, the journey was one way as the people would often die or would slowly be turned mad. With sadness, the headmaster revealed that they lost a lot of very talented pupils doing this, which is why it is forbidden. Halfbie then went uncharacteristically serious and asked if, before this, there had been any known sightings of a beast known as the Magic Demons. The headmaster said yes and explained that the primary theory was that anyone who died in The Realm of Mana was turned into Magic Demons. After a short pause, they asked if someone called Agolin Winterbor studied at Strixhaven.
Session 30 Malin carried on talking, almost losing himself in his own words of doom and gloom. He explained that During the first Sundering, the world had The Auditors, Galen Verix ‡, and other strong warriors, like Caden SteelBreaker †. Now, most of those warriors are dead and missing. The Dawn Empire is fractured, and Ehobel has lost its most powerful Wizard queen, Ashira Yelris. Strixhaven, although still a strong faction, is nowhere near the same strength as before, with its renewed focus on research during times of peace. Tulan Fort is in shambles, and The Emerald Fort is without a leader.
Session 30 Halfbie mentions that they should probably drop off Obeus Yelris in Ehobel before she is gone for too long. Drache wants to check on The Tulan Fort and The Emerald Fort, while Mordecai wants to check up on Yokotori. After checking a few things, Halfbie declares that Strixhaven is currently docked south of Twopines Estate, so it might be worth going there as they might have some more information. Drache jokingly dubs this the Tour De Ashen plan, and they quietly cheer for their new plan.
Session 30 The atmosphere shifts to one of awkward silence as Aidan breaks the stillness, inquiring about Halfbie's enjoyment of their travels with The Party. Halfbie expresses contentment with their adventurous experience alongside interesting companions, although they voice some guilt for having seemingly abandoned their duties with the Strixhaven mages. When Aidan seeks clarity on the nature of these duties, Halfbie admits their ignorance, stating they were only informed that magic users were needed for an expedition, stirring their desire to leave Paraton.
Session 30 The meeting commenced after an awkward pause, when Halfbie excitedly inquired whether it was possible to incorporate other meats, such as pork or beef, into chicken noodle soup. Drache kindly explained that culinary creativity has no bounds. At this moment, Korrigan , upon examining a map of Tour De Ashen, recalled previous visits to Strixhaven, where they first learned about Terathra and The Towers. The group hoped that returning to Strixhaven could yield further insights.
Session 26 An hour after Rosehost, they all reach the remaining frame of the airship, with parts still on fire and a shattered crystal found in the centre of the wreckage. On the walls that hadn't burnt down, the Strixhaven logo could be seen, immediately raising suspicions of Korrigan and Mordecai. While investigating, Aidan is able to confirm that the ship is not the same one from earlier in their adventure. Upon seeing the dead bodies, Mordecai goes incredibly quiet as he tries to hold back his panic. They all begin to edge close (Mordecai less so) to try and learn more from the wreckage. Halfbie takes this time to analyse the magic around the ship and learns that there are faint traces of strange magical energy, information Korrigan instantly links to the large wave of magic that spread out from Dawnhaven after Velthis 's work. Halfbie also realises that that crystal absolutely shouldn't have shattered since they're quite durable and important to keeping the airship in the air. Mordecai
Session 26 Asked if their boss had the same Strixhaven logo on their clothing, and they confirmed that this was the case and had vague memories of the university but wasn't sure when asked if he knew who Professor Varitan Leotoris † was. They explained that they were on the airship because they were on some kind of expedition to The Dawn Empire, but they weren't sure what the expedition was for.
Session 15 Chenris, slightly ticked off from being unable to write up his notes, starts to explain his past. Chenris says, as everyone knows, he went to Strixhaven as a child. In his Magic Theory class, he met the late Professor Varitan Leotoris †, who became almost a father figure to Chenris - especially since his relationship with his father was…strained. Chenris and Leotoris would spend a lot of time together researching theories after class and significantly increased the world's understanding of magic theory.
Session 15 After some time like this, Professor Varitan Leotoris † was going on a field trip to a local dungeon that Strixhaven had wrapped nearby. Having never really been out of the confines of the city, Chenris begged to go on the trip. Leotoris finally relented and snuck his name on the list. Unfortunately, because Chenris was inexperienced with dungeons, he accidentally triggered a trap, but at least in the second, Leotoris jumped in, saved him, and died in his place. With his dying breath, he passed him Leotoris' Last Problem and said, "Learn all the secrets of this world and solve this problem, if it's the last thing you do."
Session 12 The item he didn't burn was note from the late Professor Varitan Leotoris †, Chenris' professor at Strixhaven. Chenris would often stay with Leotoris after class to work on experiments leading to chenris seeing him as a father figure since his actual dad wasn't the kindest. However, when on a field trip in ancient ruin chenris accidentally set of trap that got the professor killed and with his final words he gave Chenris a note with a problem they were never able to solve.
Session 12 Chenris states that by the time they returned to Strixhaven, Leotoris' classroom and house where cleared away; including all their research. leading to this note being the only thing he had to remind him of the once kind professor. So when it came to completing the The Black Ritual, Chenris froze and he cant quite understand why his body wont let let go a note he's already memorised and poured over for years. Mordecai takes pity of chenris and says hell sort the rest out with group.
Session 05 The journey to Strixhaven began with trepidation and wonder as the party ascended a winding stone staircase carved into the side of a steep cliff. The stairs extended upwards, seemingly into the void, with no visible destination in sight. The researchers accompanying them climbed without hesitation, their confidence reassuring yet unsettling in the surreal landscape. When the party reached the top, the world below vanished as if consumed by a misty veil, and before them emerged Strixhaven, the legendary floating city. Suspended on colossal glowing rocks, the city’s architecture seemed to defy gravity itself, an ethereal marvel held aloft by ancient magic.
Session 05 The city stretched out in all directions, its towers and spires piercing the sky like crystalline needles. Bridges of enchanted crystal connected the floating islands, each step illuminating the paths with faint pulses of energy. The faint hum of arcane power filled the air, accompanied by the soothing sounds of fountains and cascading waterfalls. The main island at the heart of Strixhaven was dominated by a grand hall with gilded rooftops that glistened in the sunlight. The emblem of the academy, a bird with wings spread wide, perched atop its highest spire, a symbol of knowledge soaring above the mundane world. Surrounding this central hub, islands dedicated to each school of magic floated in a loose circle, each a microcosm of its discipline. The gardens of Transmutation were lush and alive, their vibrant flora shifting hues in a mesmerising display. Illusion’s domain shimmered like a mirage, its buildings reflecting light in ways that made their boundaries seem uncertain, while Necromancy’s grounds brooded in muted shadows, their spectral energy palpable even from afar.
Session 05 As the party traversed the shimmering crystal bridges, their footsteps resonated with subtle vibrations, as though the city itself acknowledged their presence. The streets bustled with students and scholars, robed in an array of vibrant colours representing their fields of study. Conversations floated on the air, ranging from debates on magical theory to hushed whispers about the complexities of spells. The sheer magnitude of knowledge housed in Strixhaven was both awe-inspiring and humbling and for a moment, the party could almost forget the weight of their mission.
Session 05 The group regrouped near Strixhaven ’s teleportation hub, their next destination The Emerald Fort. The hub was a grand hall filled with travellers and bustling attendants. A blue-scaled kobold manned the reception desk, efficiently arranging their passage and handing them a slip with their room number and departure time. With an hour to spare, the party dispersed to explore. Korrigan, drawn to a coffee shop run by a golden-scaled dragon, convinced Mordecai to join him for tea. However, the cost of their drinks—fifty gold —left Korrigan floundering. Mordecai, with a resigned sigh, unclasped his golden chain and offered it as payment. The gesture went unacknowledged as Korrigan accepted his tea in silence, a heavy mix of gratitude and guilt weighing on him.
Session 05 When the time came, the party entered the portal room, its polished marble floors and glowing walls humming with arcane energy. The room’s intricate archway shimmered like a pool of water, beckoning them to step through. As the party prepared to leave Strixhaven behind, they couldn’t shake the feeling that the academy had left its mark on them. The knowledge gained and sacrifices made in this city of magic would shape the choices and challenges that lay ahead, their journey only just beginning.
Session 01 Chenris Spiritual Weapon to distract the haunter and give everyone time to get out. Everyone runs for the clearing and gets out of The Not World. Kal burns the house down which summons a bunch of White Robed mages from Strixhaven, who look at Chenris with distain before putting out the fire.
Session 00 Inside the mansion, they encountered a spectral old man clutching a page and an infant’s decayed body. Using illusions, Mordecai tricked him into relinquishing the page, but the man’s anguish summoned the Ethertwist Haunter. The battle was brutal; the Haunter’s incorporeal form resisted their attacks, and Steve Ulan fell to its tendrils, his screams echoing through the cursed halls. Drache and Chenris managed to retrieve the page, while Kal’s near-death forced Aiden to act swiftly, saving his life. The group escaped through a flaming breach, leaving the mansion to burn as Strixhaven mages arrived to extinguish the blaze. Their silent judgement weighed heavily on Chenris, a haunting reminder of his past. Weary but resolute, the party moved forward, knowing their perilous quest to banish the Haunter was far from over.