Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

Creating your character

Creating your character is part of the fun! This campaign takes place in the magical university of Strixhaven, where your character will navigate school life, magical mysteries, and chaotic events. This guide explains how to create characters before the first session. Characters are created during Session Zero, a meeting before play begins. This is a chance to design characters together, coordinate backstories, discuss magical interests, personal goals, and college choices. Final adjustments can be made after the session. Characters begin at Level 1, representing first-year students. This emphasizes growth and discovery. Characters gain new powers as they progress, reflecting their studies and adventures at Strixhaven. Any official D&D 5e race is allowed. Racial traits affect mechanics only—Strixhaven is inclusive, and all students are treated equally. Backgrounds give a story beyond class. Standard options (Acolyte, Sage, Guild Artisan, etc.) are allowed. Players may choose the Strixhaven Initiate background, representing a student committed to Strixhaven who selects their college before first-year exams. This can reflect a quirky talent, personal reason, or unique approach to study. It adds roleplaying flavor while functioning mechanically like other backgrounds. Any official 5e class is allowed. Subclasses are chosen at the appropriate level. Classes should reflect magical studies: Wizards may focus on theory, Bards on lore, Rogues on investigation, etc. Creative adaptations for school life are encouraged (e.g., a Fighter learning magical dueling). Homebrew subclasses require approval. We will use point buy or standard array for ability scores to ensure balance while allowing your character’s strengths to shine. Alternatives can be discussed during Session Zero. Choosing a Strixhaven college is central. Colleges emphasize different magical themes—lore, chaos, craft, ambition, elemental focus—and affect social dynamics, optional abilities, and story hooks. Develop traits, flaws, bonds, and ideals that make your character alive. The Strixhaven Initiate background can provide a reason for early college selection, offering roleplaying hooks. Strixhaven is a place of friendship, rivalry, and personal growth, shaped by your choices. Use the Player’s Handbook primarily. Additional official sourcebooks (Xanathar’s Guide, Tasha’s Cauldron) are allowed. I will share all necessary books through D&D Beyond, giving everyone access to tools needed for character creation and play. Homebrew requires approval. The goal is to create characters who feel like students in a living, magical school while remaining mechanically functional. Your characters are scholars, pranksters, and sometimes troublemakers navigating a campus that seems alive. Thoughtful creation during Session Zero sets the stage for a campaign

Preparing for the session

Before the game begins, there are a few steps to ensure you’re ready to play smoothly. This will make Session Zero and future sessions more fun and organized. 1. D&D Beyond Account All characters and game mechanics will be managed using D&D Beyond. Players should create a free account on D&D Beyond if they don’t already have one. I will share all necessary sourcebooks and resources through my account, so you’ll have access to everything needed for character creation and play. Familiarize yourself with the character builder and how to navigate your character sheet in advance. 2. Discord Account All voice and video chat will take place on my Discord server. Players need to have a Discord account and join the server before the first session. I will create a private channel for the game where we will hold all sessions, discuss game logistics, and communicate during play. Make sure your microphone and camera are working if you plan to use video and voice chat. 3. Maps and Visuals Maps, tokens, and other visual tools will be used from D&D Beyond. You should ensure your account is linked and that you can access the maps shared in our campaign. Familiarity with navigating D&D Beyond’s map tools will help you move your character and understand the environments during sessions. 4. Session Zero Preparation Before Session Zero, think about your character concept, including race, class, background, and college preference if using the Strixhaven Initiate background. Having ideas ready will speed up character creation and allow more time for discussion about backstory, personality, and roleplaying hooks. 5. Optional Tools You may use any additional tools for note-taking or organizing your character (Google Docs, Notion, etc.), but they are not required. All core gameplay will happen through D&D Beyond and Discord.

What Andrea Castelli brings to the table

Tone & Roleplay I do character voices when it feels natural and enhances the scene, though not every NPC will have a fully distinct voice. Roleplay is encouraged, and social interaction matters—especially in a Strixhaven setting where relationships, reputation, and academic life are as important as combat. Music & Atmosphere I use custom ambient and encounter music, composed specifically for the game. Music is a major part of how I set mood, pacing, and emotional beats—expect everything from calm campus ambience to intense combat themes and dramatic story moments. Combat Style Combat is tactical and meaningful, but not needlessly punishing. Fights are designed to challenge you and reward smart play, teamwork, and creative thinking rather than raw optimization alone. Expect a mix of encounters: duels, chaotic magical battles, and narrative-driven conflicts that fit the Strixhaven tone. Rules vs. Rule of Cool I value the core rulebooks and Rules as Written as a foundation for fairness and consistency. That said, I do embrace the Rule of Cool—if a creative idea is exciting, cinematic, and fits the moment, I’ll often allow it, even if it bends the rules slightly. The goal is for rulings to feel fun, logical, and memorable, not restrictive. Player Agency & Creativity Your choices matter. Clever plans, strong roleplay, and character-driven decisions can reshape the story. Strixhaven is a living world, and your actions—inside and outside the classroom—have consequences. Overall Experience Expect a story-forward campaign with strong atmosphere, magical academia vibes, character growth, and moments of cinematic flair. The game aims to balance structure and freedom, tactics and storytelling, rules and spectacle.

How Andrea Castelli creates a safe table

Keeping players safe and comfortable is a priority in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos. We will use multiple safety tools and practices to ensure everyone feels respected and in control of their experience. Lines and Veils Before the game begins, I will provide a Lines and Veils document. Lines are topics that will never appear in the game, and Veils are topics that may occur but are handled off-screen or briefly mentioned. Players can review this document before Session Zero to communicate boundaries clearly. X Cards During play, we will use X Cards. If a player is uncomfortable with a scene or topic, they can mark it with an X card. This signals to the table that the content should be skipped or adjusted. X cards can be digital (messaged privately) or held up on video for easy visibility. Session Zero Safety Instruments In Session Zero, we will discuss boundaries, consent, and comfort levels. Players can communicate any sensitive topics, preferred content, or triggers. This is also when we establish lines, veils, and expectations for tone, humor, and interaction. Respectful Play At all times, communication is encouraged. Players are free to pause, clarify, or adjust content if they feel uncomfortable. The goal is to create a fun, engaging, and safe environment where everyone can enjoy the story and roleplay without fear of harm or distress.