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World Overview

Welcome to a World of Magic and Intrigue

The world is vast, filled with wonders both arcane and mundane, and shaped by the ambitions of its people. Your story takes place in a realm where power, politics, and ancient mysteries collide. You will begin as first-year students at Strixhaven University, the most prestigious institution of magic, where scholars from every corner of the world gather to study, experiment, and push the boundaries of the arcane.

Your Journey Begins

As first-year students at Strixhaven, you are stepping into a world where knowledge is power and magic is ever-changing. You will make allies, rivals, and perhaps uncover secrets that could shake the very foundations of the world.

What will you discover? Will you chase the path of ambition, knowledge, or power? The world awaits—where will your story lead? But most importantly, Welcome to Strixhaven.

The Nations of the World

L'aimer – The Elven Empire

A land of breathtaking beauty and rigid traditions. L'aimer prides itself on being the pinnacle of civilization, with cities like Serenar, nestled in a crater of waterfalls, and Lorhoel, the capital, where Fey Lords hold court alongside elven nobility. Beneath its elegant surface, however, L'aimer guards many secrets.

Tithan – The Human Kingdom

A land of ambition, industry, and knighthood, Tithan is still recovering from the wounds of its past.

  • Capital: Bowerstone – The heart of the kingdom, a city of banners and steel, where the nobility and knights hold power.
  • Leadership: A King and his Knights, bound by honor, lead the nation. However, Tithan has not fully recovered from the devastation of the Cognitum Catastrophis, a terrible plague that claimed the previous king and plunged the realm into civil war forty years ago.

The Enclave of Il Drunn – Keepers of the Wild

  • Beyond the knights and nobility, Tithan’s soul is tied to its lands and forests, carefully maintained by the druids of Il Drunn.
  • Il Drunn is a sacred enclave hidden deep within the heart of Tithan’s wilderness, where druids and shamans gather to monitor and manage the balance of Dr’Riosa—the great cycle of nature and magic.
  • Unlike the knights of Bowerstone, the druids of Il Drunn see balance as fluid, ever-changing. They believe the land must be nurtured, not conquered, and often find themselves at odds with Tithan’s expansionist ambitions.
  • The enclave serves as a council, where druids from across Tithan meet to determine how to protect the kingdom’s wild places from overdevelopment, war, and arcane corruption.
  • Though they do not rule, the druids hold sway, and even kings have learned to respect the wisdom of Il Drunn, lest they invite nature’s wrath upon their lands.

Ventre – The Wildlands of Beasts and Dark Elves

Ventre is a land of shifting power, where the wild and the civilized meet in a delicate balance. Unlike the monarchies and empires of other nations, Ventre is ruled by city-states, each with its own distinct culture and leadership.

Ithildin – The City of the Marian Elves

Nestled at the base of Tamara’s Sacred Mountain, Ithildin is a city of faith, wisdom, and tradition. It serves as the spiritual heart of Ventre, where the Marian Elves (dark elves who follow Tamara, the goddess of mercy and redemption) reside. The city is a place of sanctuary, where those seeking second chances find refuge.

  • Tamara’s Mountain is said to house the physical manifestation of the goddess herself, though few have ever seen her. Pilgrims from across the world come to Ithildin seeking her guidance.
  • Despite its beauty, Ithildin is often dismissed by outsiders as a "place of the weak," a perception the Marian Elves quietly endure. They believe in patience, knowing that mercy is a strength, not a weakness.

Varenza – The Gilded Furnace

A city of industry, magic, and danger, Varenza is ruled not by kings or priests, but by guilds.

  • Innovation is king, and the greatest of these innovations is Ashen Essence, a volatile magical residue harvested from the city's active volcano. It has the unique property of turning mundane items into magical ones, making it one of the most valuable resources in the world.
  • The city is diverse, populated by beastfolk, humans, elves, and everything in between. While the guilds hold power, political intrigue, backstabbing, and underground dealings are common.
  • Though Varenza thrives, some fear that overharvesting Ashen Essence could lead to disaster. The volcano is not merely a source of magic—it is alive, and its secrets run deep.

Ventre is a land of contrast—where faith and science, tradition and progress, coexist uneasily.

Hrodel Island – The Whims of Winter and Trade

Nestled in the western seas, Hrodel Island is a land of mirth, mischief, and masterful craftsmanship.

The Threefold Trade Cities of the Hrodel Association

Hrodel Island is home to three closely linked towns, each playing a vital role in the island’s booming trade network. Together, they form the Hrodel Association, a neutral trade coalition that provides goods to anyone with coin—even nations under embargo or at war.

  • Haggle Thorne (The Halfling Town) – A fertile town, known for its lush farmlands, breweries, and textile mills. Halflings here are exceptional growers and producers, supplying raw materials to Swift Hallow’s gnome artisans.
  • Swift Hallow (The Gnome Town) – Perched in the cliffs, Swift Hallow is a vibrant hub of inventors, alchemists, and craftsmen. Here, gnomes refine, tinker, and create, turning Haggle Thorne’s raw goods into artisanal products, enchanted wares, and innovative contraptions.
  • Port Brandy (The Pirate Port) – A bustling coastal city, Port Brandy is the lifeblood of Hrodel Island’s economy, shipping goods—legal or otherwise—to every corner of the world. Rogues, merchants, and sea captains thrive here, ensuring that Hrodel’s goods reach even the most forbidden markets.

A Rivalry of Snow and Shenanigans

Haggle Thorne and Swift Hallow have an age-old rivalry, and every year, they settle their differences the only way they know how—an island-wide snowball war.

  • This legendary battle takes place on the Winter Solstice, when teams from both towns prepare fortresses, siege engines, and ambush tactics.
  • The losing town must endure a year of pranks and playful humiliations until they can reclaim their honor next winter.
  • This tradition is said to honor Saint Hrodel, the Saint of Mischief, who was once a mortal trickster that fooled a dragon into sparing the island—by pelting it with enchanted snowballs until it gave up.

Saint Hrodel – The Patron of Pranks and Prosperity

The people of Hrodel Island revere the Saint of Mischief, believing that cleverness, humor, and bold trickery bring fortune and favor.

  • Many merchants and sailors whisper a quick prayer to Saint Hrodel before making a risky deal or setting sail on dangerous waters.
  • Trickster spirits are said to roam the island, rewarding cleverness and wit, while cursing those who take life too seriously.

Strixhaven – The University of Magic

A beacon of learning and magical mastery, Strixhaven stands apart from any single nation, welcoming scholars, spellcasters, and seekers of knowledge. Here, students from all corners of the world come to hone their craft, from fledgling mages to future archmages and warlords.

The Chancel – Faith of the Dragon Gods

At the heart of the world’s religion stands The Chancel, a powerful faith led by the High Chancellor. Devoted to the Dragon Gods, the Chancel teaches that the world was shaped by these great beings, each contributing to existence in their own way:

Sardior is also revered alongside his saints:

Diversity and Inequality in the World