D&D is well known for its schools of magic, but today we’re talking about the schools of magic that are schools, you know, with classrooms.
D&D’s schools of magic describe a wide variety of kinds of spells you can cast. Evocation is for calling big elemental forces into being, except for when it’s Conjuration doing that. Necromancy is all about the power of life and death, except for when that falls into Conjuration. Divination is all about learning things about the world, and asking spirits questions, unless you’re summoning them to do so in which case it’s Conjuration. Conjuration summons creatures and also energy and lets you move around and a couple of other things besides.
But what about actual schools of magic? Like with classrooms and books and deans and bursars and the whole nine yards? Well, the many worlds of D&D are, unsurprisingly, bristling with arcane universities dedicated to higher (magical) learning. What are they, you ask? Well scroll on.
The University of Magical Arts, Greyhawk
In all of Oerth, perhaps the most famous magical university might be the University of Magical Arts, also known as the School of Wizardry or simply the College of Magic, which rests in the heart of the free city of Greyhawk. It’s hard to miss it, since it’s a dramatic triangular pyramid with no apparent entrances that’s surrounded by an imposing wall.
This is the premiere place in all of Greyhawk to come to learn magic. Many of the greatest wizards and arcansists throughout the Flanaess and beyond have come through its hallowed, multi-dimensional halls that encompass more floors than its exterior belies.
The Towers of High Sorcery, Krynn
On Krynn, the study of magic is nigh-synonymous with the Towers of High Sorcery and the Robes of White, Black, or Red that its mages are known for. But what you might not know is that the Towers are actual towers, scttered across Krynn. There are five all in all, each a place where study and artifice and practical wizardry are practiced often at peril to those who live too near.
Just… don’t ask anyone about the unbuilt sixth Tower of High Sorcery.
Arcanix, Eberron
Of all the schools of wizardry across D&D’s multiverse, Arcanix is probably the most magical. Situated on the banks of Lake Galifar, you’ll find the humble farming and fishing village of Arcanix; but look up and you’d see Arcanix’ floating towers, where the most prestigious magic users gather to teach and experiment and perform.
The University of Wynarn might be bigger, but Arcanix is THE destination for the finest magical minds of Khorvaire (and parts beyond). This humble village is known for its spellcasters, and was named after one of the first recorded human archmagi, who settled there after he retired and trained up students. Since then, it has become home to the forefront of magical research and learning in Eberron.
Strixhaven
Strixhaven, you might know as the magical college from Magic: the Gathering. But the multiverse is strange and portals to Strixhaven (or copies of Strixhaven) can be found anywhere and everywhere. This college of arcane learning is known for its distinct “houses” which focus on different kinds of magic (and aesthetics) that leads to healthy competition between students.
Just be careful not to steal the wrong arcane mascot.
The Conclave of Silverymoon
Sometimes called the University of Silverymoon, the Conclave of Silverymoon is the legacy of Alustriel Silverhand. And if that name sounds familiar, you might recognize her as one of the Seven Sisters, an immortal ‘Chosen of Mystra’ who, for a time, was the High Mage and ruler of Silverymoon. One of her last acts, before her disappearance, was the foundation of Silverymoon University.
The Conclave was founded to teach all forms of magic, arcane and otherwise—and it could be likened to a series of Community Colleges in a way. Because, there was no central campus, but rather a series of campuses throughout Silverymoon, including a cluster of fourteen buildings that make up the prominent Southbank Campus which absorbed earlier institutions like the Lady’s College or Miresk’s School of Thaumaturgy. If you want to be a mage of any kind, the sprawling campuses of Silverymoon are where you should make your way.
Just in time to figure out where you’ll enroll once summer break ends!
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Source: Bell of Lost Souls
