"There’s an extracurricular activity that characters can join called the Strixhaven Star, which is essentially the student newspaper (but distributed magically, of course!)," said Hamon, noting the alliterative name is reminiscent of both the Eastern Echo and her previous publication The Indianapolis Star. To build Strixhaven's "shenanigan-filled" atmosphere in Dungeons and Dragons, Hamon drew on her own college experiences, including her time as editor-in-chief of Eastern Michigan University's student newspaper The Eastern Echo. 'Fizban's Treasury of Dragons' puts the dragons back in 'Dungeons and Dragons' "We leaned into those themes, and the adventures include events like a rowdy night of socializing and games at Bow’s End Tavern, an outdoor improv festival, an impromptu frog race, and a late-night dare from a group of friends - or rivals." The adventures include some very lighthearted elements and are awash in the type of barely controlled chaos that is rampant on university campuses - think more Pitch Perfect and 10 Things I Hate About You, but on a college campus. "In fact, I wanted to go in completely the opposite direction. "When it comes down to it, Strixhaven’s gameplay has very little to do with the tone and thematic elements of Hogwarts, and that’s by design," Hamon told Mashable via email. Fortunately it's an inevitability that Hamon was well aware of when designing Strixhaven, and made an active effort to address. Of course, the global popularity of the Harry Potter series means any new magic school will immediately be compared to J.K. "Beyond the expression of magic on campus, the atmosphere of the adventures is whimsical and shenanigan-filled - until, of course, the dire plot comes to a head," said Hamon. However, the lighthearted fun eventually ends when Strixhaven comes under threat by an enemy with a centuries-old grudge.
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"The colleges are very intermingled socially, especially on Central Campus, where students from all colleges study at the Biblioplex, hang out at Bow’s End Tavern, grab a snack at Firejolt Cafe, take in a game at Strixhaven Stadium, or jump on the field with their buddies in a pickup game of any sort on Aerojaunt Field." "The adventures are full of extra-academic events, whether they’re social gatherings or student competitions or interdisciplinary endeavors," said Hamon.
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"As a writer with a deep appreciation of the art inherent in all forms of human expression and storytelling, joining that college is just too appealing to pass up."Īll the colleges have separate campuses and classes in Strixhaven, though Hamon noted that Dungeons and Dragons player groups which include members across different colleges aren't just feasible, but encouraged - so hopefully nobody's choosing a major just to stay closer to their boyfriend. "Silverquill students use the power of language to fuel literal magic," Hamon said. Speaking to Mashable via email, senior designer Amanda Hamon shared that her preferred college is Silverquill, the College of Eloquence - though she's sorely tempted by Witherbloom College ("I feel the siren call of being a bog witch"). Each of Strixhaven University's colleges focus on separate and distinct types of magic, whether that be the mathematical Quandrix College, the archeologically-inclined Lorehold College, or the artistic Prismari College.