It arrived in a flash of violet and pink, leaving a perfect circle burned around where the letter lay. Blank on the front, the envelope was yellowed with age and stuffed near to bursting.Flipping it to the back revealed it was sealed with wax, a dragon’s head with five wings pressed into the seal. The layers of protective sigils and wards hummed faintly but so long as the one it arrived in front of opened it, they simply dispelled themselves and faded. Another would find the letter suddenly burning in their hands and the memory of the letter quickly fading from their mind.

The first page of the letter shot out of the envelope and a soft, high voice began to read it aloud.

Congratulations on your acceptance to Strixhaven Institute of Magic! Many of the world’s premiere mages have passed through our gates, learned at our vaunted Professor’s feet, and left to change the world in ways even our oracles could not conceive of. We now have the pleasure of instructing you in these fantastic and ancient ways so that you too may unlock the hidden potential of your abilities.

Enclosed within are directions to Vale Rift, the magical markets of New York City, your required school materials, a temporary Gate pass and directions to the Gate, and a magical contract in which your parents must sign and send with you. If your parents are unaware of the magic world, failure to sign this contract will result in a memory removal spell and they will assume they have sent you out of the country. If your parents are aware, this contract is simply a release form and is required otherwise you will be removed until next year.

Your first day of orientation will be August 3rd. Please be sure to have crossed the gate by 8am and one of our campus guides will be happy to assist you.

I look forward to your attendance,
Professor Windry Sharpbeak
Dean of General Studies

As each portion of the contents were named, they slipped out of the envelope on their own and hung in the air for the reader to take them as they pleased.


Academy Commons


The trekk to Strixhaven was a comfortable two hour drive through a sleepy town in the New York mountains. Far beyond the town limits, deep in the mountain forest, lay an unassuming lake. At first glance, it was nothing but murky, still water but with the presentation of the metal gate pass, the water cleared and flawed upwards in a silver arch. Stars whirled and spun for mere moments before the image of a strange gold creature, standing on two wide feet and comprised of a pulsing blue crystal core crapped in a simple gold band and two arms made of the same metal waved. A pathway rose from the depths of the lake and offered a way to reach the portal.

Passing through the barrier felt like brushing through cobwebs and then sound slammed into the space. The portal faded away as the various shouts of flying students and the general murmur of people wandering the grounds filled the once silent air. Ahead stretched a beautiful and well manicured garden where the well known star arch hung overhead. Various statues and benches littered the gardens and in a few cases, a number of early birds had stretched out blankets and quilts, claiming spaces they could relax in the summer sun before the stress of classes stole it from them.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!” The strange gold and crystal creature spoke, it’s whiney voice coming from within the crystal. “I am one of the campus guides, your campus guide to be exact! Someone will be along to collect your things shortly so please just bring the clothes on your back and your wands for your orientation tour!”

A gnomish girl, red hair bundled up in a bun, adjusted her grip on her broom, looking distinctly uncomfortable at the thought but left it propped against a trunk as instructed.