Magical Schools of Ulverland

Ulverland has a long tradition of universities and schools that teach arcane magic to prospective students who have an aptitude for wizardry. The most prestigious of Ulverland's magic schools is the Orxham Academy. The Orxham Academy usually only accepts students at a young age—generally from ages ten-to-twelve—but they will accept older students who meet the minimum requirements of one of the four houses within the Academy's structure. Students must pay 1000 gold pieces per semester of attendance; after a full year of tutelage, a student of the Orxham Academy gains the benefit associated with the house to which they belong.

The four houses of the Orxham Academy are patterned after the four seasons:

The Spring House – the magic taught by the Spring House of the Orxham Academy deals with enchantment, charms, and control over the natural world. Wizards of the Spring House are famous for operating hospices that see to the needs of the poor, but any positive publicity from these endeavors is somewhat dampened by rumors that the members of the Spring House are rakes and slatterns. Senior wizards of the Spring House tend to wear laurel crowns and pure white robes.

Minimum Requirements for Entry: Int 15, Cha 14

Benefit: Anyone subject to a charm-effect spell you cast takes a -1 penalty to their Saving Throw.

The Summer House – the magic taught by the Summer House of the Orxham Academy deals with elemental magic and control over fire, ice, lightning, etc. Wizards of the Summer House are sometimes tapped to act as warmages in the armies of Ulverland, but many are also drawn to the life of the mercenary. Senior wizards of the Summer House tend to carry ornate staffs and dress in azure robes.

Minimum Requirements for Entry: Int 15, Dex 14

Benefit: +1 per die of damage from spells you cast that do elemental damage.

The Autumn House – the magic taught by the Autumn House of the Orxham Academy deals with illusion and trickery. Most wizards of the Autumn House are illusionists rather than magic-users. Wizards associated with the Autumn House are regarded as deceitful and untrustworthy; many are believed to be spies for foreign nations, but they are also enlisted by Ulverland to act as spies and secret agents abroad. Senior wizards of the Autumn House carry silver athames and dress in black robes.

Minimum Requirements for Entry: Int 15, Wis 14

Benefit: Anyone subject to an illusion you cast takes a -1 penalty to their Saving Throw.

The Winter House – the magic taught by the Winter House of the Orxham Academy deals with necromancy and the secrets of the grave. Wizards of the Winter House are greatly feared, but are often tapped to serve as warmages in the Ulverland armies. They are regarded as a grim, morbid lot; most common folk will avoid them at all costs, believing that they possess the evil eye. Senior wizards of the Winter House tend to wear veils and gray robes.

Minimum Requirements for Entry: Int 15, Con 14

Benefit: Any undead created by a Winter House mage gain +1 Hit Point per Hit Die.