-- Strixhaven mission statement
Hello everyone, today I'm reviewing Strixhaven: a Curriculum of Chaos for Dungeons and Dragons. I received the book from Amazon and have been reading it forwards and backwards. This book was produced and released in November of 2021, and it describes a magical University setting coming out of the Strixhaven set for Magic: the Gathering. Strixhaven: a Curriculum of Chaos is a Wizards of the Coast product. The original designers for Strixhaven are Doug Beyer, Taylor Ingvarsson, Jess Lanzillo, Meris Mullaley, Fox Allison, Annie Sardelis, Emily Teng, Andrew Vallas, James Wyatt, and Art Zirulnik.
Strixhaven University is a college setting that is set in the World of Arcavios. It was originally a Magic: the Gathering product produced by Wizards of the Coast. Apparently, the people at Hasbro felt that it was such a success that they told Wizards to cross it over in D&D. And so they did. What we got is Strixhaven: a Curriculum of Chaos.
First of all, I think this product is twenty years too late. With the Harry Potter craze in the early nineties as well as the early 2000s, this product could have cashed in on the Harry Potter mania that swept the world with the Harry Potter movies. However, we know that Wizards did approach J.K. Rowling about doing a Harry Potter roleplaying game based on then, the d20 System. She didn't like the idea. However, great ideas take time. I think, while not a direct translation of Hogwarts to D&D, you can't help but wonder if Strixhaven was actually inspired by Harry Potter.
Strixhaven, itself is divided into seven chapters, although most of the relevant information is in the Introduction. Unlike Hogwarts, which is designed to teach very young wizards and witches, Strixhaven is an University. Designed to teach older, college age kids. Strixhaven's university is laid out like Cambridge or Oxford. There are colleges mixed in a town. Currently, there are five colleges. The first college is Lorehold, which explores the past and preserves the history for future generations. It was founded by the dragon Velomachus Lorehold.
Second is Prismari College, and students of Prismari use the elements to practice the arts. It was founded by the dragon Galazeth Prismari. Quadrix college is third, and it focuses on the mathematical aspects of nature. Quandrix was founded by the dragon Tanazir Quandrix.
The fourth college of Strixhaven is the Silverquill college. Students of Silverquill study the magic of rhetoric, poetry, oration, and writing. It was founded by Shadrix Silverquill. The last is the college of Witherbloom. The college teaches the magics associated with life and death. The founder was the dragon Beladros Witherbloom.
Although the University can be placed in any world, again the University takes place on the world of Arcavios. The world itself was formed when two other worlds collided and coalesced into one. At least according to Arcavian legends.
Chapter One of the book goes over life on Campus. It gives an overview of the entire University. From the Central Campus to the various colleges. And there are maps to the whole thing. This part of the book isn't very detailed, allowing players and DMs to fill in the blanks with their own creativity. although there are a few locations that are given detail, DMs and players can fill in the blanks and cracks. This is a good thing about the book, in my opinion.
Chapter two of Strixhaven provides Character Creation details for Dungeons and Dragons 5e (2014). It introduces a new race called the Owlin, and provides character options for different characters, although I feel that the whole world is geared towards mages. But there are options for the other classes of D&D. Included are new feats, new spells, and new magic items.
Chapter seven includes the monsters of Strixhaven. From the dragon founders, right down to the students. This chapter contains stat blocks for forty different new monsters. From those who learn to those who are trying to undermine the college. They are all there. In the back of the book is a map you can tear out.
Hits
The art in the book is beautiful. Taken from the Magic: the Gathering cards, the art is expressive, full color, and bring Strixhaven to life. Wizards hits it out of the bull park with the art. The art is expressive, gorgeous, and takes you to a world where the University of Strixhaven could exist. The art is Realistic. Whether oil paintings, or digital, it's very expressive.
The layout of the physical book is two columns, with no justifications. The book is laid out so it's a fast read. With a simple layout such as that, I suggest getting a copy of the physical book. I must have read it ten times before doing this review.
Misses
The book could have been bigger. The art of storytelling is part of roleplaying. The adventures seem rather luckluster. More could have been a part of the adventures. They could have actually got real storytellers to work on the adventures and make them better. The villain in the story is well developed, but when you see the art for him, he's rather comical. They should have focused on the Oriq, as they are real threats to the campus than a bullywug looking for revenge.
The Future
So, what holds to the future of Strixhaven? Well, that remains to be seen. There is a rumor that Magic the Gathering might return to Strixhaven for their 2026 line up. If you play Magic the Gathering, this is good news to revisit the world of Arcavios. However, I must tell you that I bought the book for business purposes. I'm going up to Wizards of the Coast to buy the copyrights and trademarks to eight campaign settings, and Strixhaven is one of them. I'm also buying the copyrights and trademarks to D&D 3e. I'll own Strixhaven. I'll be able to develop Strixhaven for Dungeons and Dragons 3.0.
Is this what the future holds? Well, I'm old school D&D, and Old School is best. There are things that can be done for Strixhaven to improve on it. Especially in the adventure department. But we will see what the future will hold. Maybe Wizards will change their mind and not let me have Strixhaven.
