Lorehold. The College of Ancient Exploration, also known as Archaeomancy, is an exciting and worthwhile endeavor. Here, students dig in archaeological sites, read and discover old tomes for ancient knowledge and forgotten magical energies, and experience the thrill of summoning a spirit to speak with the long deceased or creatures that do your bidding and can help you in and out of dangers. Our students travel across the globe, gathering ancient relics from long ago and learning lost secrets and languages that help us understand and shape our world.

The Studies and Philosophy of Lorehold College

Lorehold College offers a comprehensive curriculum that delves into the captivating study of history. Its program encompasses military history, social history, cultural history, archaeology, anthropology, psychology, sociology, religion, and economics, providing a thorough exploration of the diverse facets of human behavior, culture, and social dynamics that have shaped historical events.

Order and Chaos

Lorehold’s two deans carry the titles Dean of Order and Dean of Chaos, as order versus chaos encapsulates the fundamental conflict at the heart of Lorehold’s philosophy. This conflict represented the perfect microcosm that shaped the world we live in today and which continually shapes our future. Is the course of time driving toward a well-ordered ideal state or slowly devolving into chaos? Are deep patterns hidden in historical texts which trend towards history repeating itself in an endless loop, or is time a series of coincidence and happenstance with no real shape or behavior?

The perspective of order highlights the systems and institutions that unite individuals, such as law, religion, economics, education, and social class. It also examines how these structures influence historical developments and emphasizes systemic changes and collective actions.

The perspective of chaos focuses on the significance of individual actions, the intimate connections within families and friendship circles, and the influential power of impassioned individuals throughout history. Those who study chaos are drawn to unbridled exploration and the adventurous spirit in examining the past, valuing the essence and emotional aspects of history above strict accuracy or formalized methods, perhaps leading to more ancient, darker discoveries.

The latest music trending among students

Prominent members of Lorehold Faculty

Augusta Tullus, Dean of Order

Augusta Tullus, the esteemed Lorehold Dean of order, is renowned for her unparalleled skills as a pastraiser at Lorehold college. Rumor has it that she possesses the extraordinary ability to summon entire legions of spirits, bringing historical events to life for her students.

Augusta strongly believes that history tends to repeat itself in an orderly progression. In her view, cultural society can learn and progress from mistakes that were made in the past and can significantly influence the choices that can be made in the present to achieve order and stability.

Plargg, Dean of Chaos

Plargg, the current Dean of Chaos at Lorehold College, is an expert in military history and possesses an unparalleled ability to recall historical stories and wield dangerous scroll magic. What makes his prowess even more astonishing is the fact that he is blind. Despite his visual impairment, Plargg has invented a remarkable form of magical lettering called Heat Lettering, which enables him to read texts and continue his scholarly pursuits.

Plargg firmly believes that history is a tapestry of unpredictability, conflict, and chaos. Just as history has been shaped by the whims of individuals, the present explorer should embrace risk when seeking valuable discoveries. Without risk, there can be no reward, and many of his students have found this principle to be a source of motivation and growth.

Hofri Ghostforge

When Hofri Lorehold, a professor of order, first enrolled in Strixhaven, he believed his future lay with Prismari College. He was a diligent student and quickly mastered the technical skills of art, but his magic left something to be desired. After talking with the school’s counselor, Mavinda, Hofri decided to try his luck with Lorehold.

It turned out he had a natural talent for Lorehold’s spirit magic. Although his time at Prismari was not wasted, he combined his artistic skill with his keen spiritual sense, allowing him to visualize a spirit’s mortal appearance and construct a viable statue form for them to inhabit. This unique ability led to an offer of a professorial position at Lorehold after graduation, which he happily accepted.

Osgir, the Reconstructor

Even by Lorehold standards, Osgir the stone giant is obsessed with relics of the past. A professor of order, he treasures every connection to old civilizations, whether it’s a magnificent jeweled crown or an old shovel. As a student, he constantly spent time in detention for hoarding the best finds from Lorehold dig sites in his room; he lost count of how many times he was sternly told, “History belongs to us all!” So, naturally, he mastered the magical art of duplicative restoration. Not only can he perfectly recreate an ancient object or device from the smallest scrap, but he can also produce a second, identical version for his personal collection. He displays something different every week in his Lorehold office, from a mighty sword of demon-slaying to a delicate elven music box.

Losheel, Clockwork Scholar

Losheel, a chaotic professor at Lorehold, has a unique approach to life. She humorously describes herself as someone who is determined to work hard in order to be as lazy as possible. Her goal is to use her brilliant mind to create increasingly efficient mechanical helpers so that one day she can accomplish anything without having to get up. Despite the seemingly relaxed nature of her ambition, her dedication has led to the creation of remarkable mechanical wonders that can be spotted zooming around the Lorehold campus. Whether these inventions are helpful or will stir up trouble is anyone’s guess.

Lorehold Campus

“The Lorehold campus—shown above—is situated northwest of the central campus in a region of stark vertical relief. Rugged mesas and steep hills rise from a wide plain, and a great chasm holds the excavated ruins of an ancient settlement. Several star arches encircle rocky peaks and outcroppings, testifying to the powerful magical energy in the vicinity—energy once harnessed by the ancients who used to inhabit this area.” – From Ch. 1: Life at Strixhaven

Pillardrop

Pillardrop is an extraordinary blend of nature, history, and modern innovation! It’s a breathtaking complex of buildings carved into cliffs at the Lorehold campus. These ancient ruins and revamped halls now serve as hubs for cutting-edge research, immersive class experiences, and student accommodations. Suspended bridges connect different sections of Pillardrop, offering stunning views of colossal stone statues throughout the campus. Every Lorehold student has a tale about a thrilling close call on these bridges or within the crumbling ruins, with some encountering miraculous rescues from the spirits residing within these statues!

Effigy Row

The Lorehold campus is centered around a majestic bridge that spans the Pillardrop chasm. The bridge and its surroundings are adorned with towering monuments honoring legendary figures, from esteemed professors and powerful mage-students to valiant war heroes and illustrious leaders of bygone eras.

Kollema Hall

Kollema Hall stands as a magnificent testament to the pursuit of knowledge and the sharing of wisdom. It is a place where Lorehold mages come together for enlightening lectures, surrounded by the grandeur of a multitiered gallery built into a large outcrop. At its heart, a towering statue of Kollema, a venerable monastic and one of the earliest Lorehold professors, serves as a timeless symbol of wisdom and learning.

Solitude

“Solitude” is not your average coffee house. Housed in what used to be an ancient temple, it now serves as a popular spot for students and faculty to study and practice magic within the campus. The place is owned by Skervex, a blue dragon who takes the form of a human while at work. What makes “Solitude” unique is the floating chalkboard that presents nearly impossible trivia questions for the patrons to ponder. It’s rumored that Skervex will share a prized possession from his secret hoard if someone manages to solve one of these enigmatic riddles, but so far, no one has succeeded.

The Hole

Deep within the canyon lies ‘The Hole’ – a mysterious labyrinth of ancient ruins and treacherous dungeons. While officially off-limits, the faculty seems to conveniently overlook its forbidden status, perhaps because of the rumored treasures hidden within. It’s where only the boldest and most reckless dare to venture as if it’s a testing ground for the fearless. Interestingly, there’s talk of a magical machine created by Losheel that allows the curious to observe this forbidden realm. Plargg has given his tacit approval to this, and can sometimes be spotted keeping a watchful eye on the proceedings.

Falloff Point

At “Falloff Point,” a well-known student hangout spot situated right at the edge of a chasm, students gather for a unique tradition. After hours of intense studying just before finals, they unleash their stress by letting out a collective scream into the void. This ritual is followed by an exuberant celebration, marking the culmination of their hard work and the beginning of a well-deserved break.

The list of Scholarly Focus’ at Lorehold College

An Archaeoscribe diligently preserves historical truths through thorough research and writing for future generations. Their task is to capture the objective truth without any bias. Despite this, many advanced classes demand new research, compelling students to seek information themselves. While it’s rare for an Archaeoscribe to embark on adventures, it’s not entirely unheard of. Students often enroll in captivating courses like ancient Faerunian history, exploring literature, and honing the skills of a truth seeker.

The Battle Medium is dedicated to empowering summoned spirits for combat. The strength of the summoned spirits is a reflection of the medium’s expertise, so the Battle Medium delves deeply into spiritual, historical, and practical studies to nurture and fortify the connection between the medium and their summoned spirit. Fundamental courses cover topics such as introduction to religion, existentialism, and advanced summoning techniques.

Imagine a Chaos Scholar as a daring explorer of historical mysteries, piecing together stories of chance and fate. To prove their theories, these scholars must embark on thrilling adventures to uncover evidence in ancient dungeons and long-forgotten vaults. Their work is like an Archaeoscribe but with the added excitement of exploration. They study topics like the history of the Abyssal Plague, hone their writing skills on the move, and delve into the fascinating world of experimental psychology.

A Conservator preserves ancient spell knowledge and other relics of the past. Much like the Archaeoscribe, the Conservator seeks to preserve ancient wisdom from the past; however, instead of the written word, they tend to protect ancient spells and magical relics. Standard classes may include folklore theory in practice, Conflict of the gods: The history of Kobold and Gnomish rivalry and their effects on their modern culture attributed to their respective gods, and classical mythology.

The Dustspeaker has the incredible ability to communicate with spirits of the past and uncover their fascinating stories. This unique skill requires a strong will and constitution to delve into the realm of the dearly departed. Dustspeakers specialize in firsthand accounts from the deceased, offering invaluable insights into historical events and bygone eras. Their expertise encompasses a range of captivating subjects, including interpreting ancient texts about higher deities, the art of gathering information from summoned spirits and delving into the mysteries of metaphysics.

A Pastraiser binds spirits into the monuments that bear their likeness to learn about their inspiring deeds. A pastraiser and a dustspeaker have somewhat similar goals, that is to speak with the dead. However, the Pastraiser’s goal is a more permanent one, binding that soul into a statue for further research, conveying great wisdom, or perhaps just being a great conversationalist. Standard classes may include classical art and archaeology, summoning your consciousness, and multicultural counseling skills and communication.

The study of relics and ruins offers unique insights into the past. Relic Readers gain a comprehensive understanding of history and culture by immersing themselves in various locations such as ancient ruins, temples, and graveyards. Their studies encompass learning languages, understanding cultural practices, deciphering ancient writings, and grasping historical concepts. Additionally, they acquire practical skills such as identifying and avoiding potential hazards. Some standard courses in this field include observational research, Dwarvish traditions, and introductory archaeology.

Unleashing ancient magic to uncover long-lost secrets, the Ruin Shaman is a fearless explorer of forgotten dungeons and temples. Their quest for knowledge takes them to the edge of danger but armed with wisdom and preparation; they fearlessly embrace the challenges that await. With classes like “The Rise and Fall of Empires” and “Developing Adaptive Leaders for Combat,” they are always ready to delve deeper into the mysteries of the past. As Dean Plargg wisely puts it, without risk, there can be no reward.

Behold the Tomewielder, harnessing the fiery magic hidden within the ancient texts. With knowledge gleaned from age-old books, they command powerful spells and magics capable of reshaping our world. But caution is vital, for a single misspoken word could bring disastrous results. Typical courses for aspiring Tomewielders might cover topics like folklore in action, deciphering ancient languages, and the ethical application of magical abilities.

The Warsinger delves into the secrets of ancient war magic, harnessing the immense power of bygone eras. A valued ally in any adventuring group, the Warsinger wields devastating offensive spells capable of inflicting immeasurable damage. They draw inspiration from a variety of classes such as public health, Violence, religious studies: prophets, messiah, and the apocalypse, and psychopaths: born or made?