Welcome to Strixhaven University

Every great academic journey begins with a single step through unfamiliar doors.

On May 2, those doors will open.

For one day, a quiet hall will transform into the campus of Strixhaven University, and a group of new scholars will gather to begin their first year of study. Some will arrive with years of experience, confident in their craft. Others will come with curiosity, perhaps a little uncertainty, and a willingness to learn.

Both belong here.

This event was created to bring people together around a shared table, not just to play a game, but to experience something memorable. A day of friendly competition. A day of discovery. A day that feels structured, welcoming, and just a little bit magical.

Whether this is your first draft or your hundredth, you have been admitted to the same class.

And the University is ready to receive you.

At its heart, the Strixhaven Draft Party is still a Magic event. You will open packs. You will build a deck. You will play matches against fellow students.

But the experience surrounding those moments is designed to feel like a living campus rather than a tournament hall.

Throughout the day, you will:

• Study from your assigned Arcane Texts
• Build your own magical thesis
• Compete in Scholastic Trials
• Petition an intended college of study
• Celebrate achievement and camaraderie with your fellow Participants

The structure is intentional. The pacing is deliberate. The environment is designed so that every student, regardless of skill level, can participate confidently.

This is not a race.
This is a journey.

One of the guiding principles behind this event is simple:

No one should feel out of place.

Some Participants will arrive with competitive instincts sharpened like well-kept quills. Others will arrive to learn, explore, and enjoy the social experience of the day. Many will fall somewhere in between.

All of these students are welcome.

You do not need to memorize rules.
You do not need to own expensive cards.
You do not need prior tournament experience.

You only need curiosity, patience, and a willingness to participate.

The University will provide the rest.

Over the coming weeks, this Chronicle will serve as your guide.

Each new entry will introduce a different part of campus life, helping you understand the traditions, structure, and expectations of the day ahead. Think of these posts as orientation briefings, released one chapter at a time, so that no student ever feels lost or unprepared.

In the weeks to come, we will explore:

• The five great colleges of Strixhaven
• How your draft becomes your academic thesis
• The traditions and celebrations that define campus life
• What to expect on the day of Matriculation

By the time you arrive, nothing will feel unfamiliar.

Preparations are already underway.

Supplies are being gathered.
Tables are being arranged.
Arcane Texts are being prepared for study.

And a seat has been reserved in the class of 2026.

We are honored that you will be joining us.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus.

— The Office of First-Year Studies
Strixhaven University