Arcanum Dona Viperia

"The so-called ‘schools’ of Morvathia are, by and large, trifling curiosities—save, of course, for the Arcanum Dona Viperia. A delightful bastion of knowledge, worthy of my attention (and praise). I’ve watched it bloom, from Nagastra’s binding of the serpent-demon to its more recent, noble decision to open its doors to the common-born. But what I admire most is their talent for spotting brilliance; after all, they summoned me as a guest lecturer. An astute choice, wouldn’t you agree?"

— From: "A Comprehensive Guide to Morvathia's Mysteries" by Salama the Dragonwitch

  The Arcanum Dona Viperia is the oldest, most distinguished academy of witchcraft in the entire Witchrealm of Morvathia. Established in the city of Serpenthall, the academy has long been regarded as the foremost institution for mastering the dark arts. Its reputation is built upon a demanding academic program and a broad curriculum—including magic forbidden in across much of the world.   Attending the Arcanum is a mark of distinction, with wealthy families often donating to secure a place for their children at the academy, rather than one of the numerous regional schools, such as the Auricent Academy in Guland's Crown, the Domu Sepulchralis in Talonia Haven, or the Grimoald University in Vilandsburg.   The Arcanum Dona Viperia's history is deeply tied to the legacy of the Morvathian Coven. After Morvathia's liberation from the Galdoric Empire using the "heretical magic" of witchcraft, this power became central to the realm’s identity. However, fears arose that the new Witchqueen and the seven founding houses might monopolize witchcraft as the Galdoric elites had done with wizardry. In response, a political movement known as the "Gathering under the Oak" led to the creation of the Morvathian Coven, advocating that magic be shared and accessible to all, not just a select few.   Though initially resisted, the Coven gained popular support, becoming an official institution shaping magical education. Founded in 1475 A.S. by House Nagastra, the Arcanum Dona Viperia was one of the Coven’s first efforts to institutionalize witchcraft and ensure that knowledge of the craft would not be hoarded by the ruling class. However, in its early decades, the Arcanum remained an academy primarily for the elite, with noble-born witches and those with connections to Morvathia’s great houses receiving priority admission.   True access to the Arcanum for all classes was only granted in 1522 A.S. with the Decree of Unity, a landmark ruling that allowed commonfolk to attend the school. This decree not only expanded enrollment beyond the noble class but also opened the doors to non-witches, permitting them to study theoretical fields of magic and associated disciplines such as magical history, alchemical sciences, and arcane engineering.

The Curriculum

Like any reputable institution of magical learning, the Arcanum Dona Viperia grounds its students in the essential principles of General Arcane Theory (G.A.T. for short). This foundational subject breaks down the nature of magic into structured theories and models, ensuring that every witch has a firm grasp of the mechanics that underpin all magical practice.   However, what truly sets the Arcanum apart from other magical academies is its offering of specialized studies in fields that are deemed highly controversial or even banned in some regions outside of Morvathia.   The school boasts an impressive and diverse curriculum with a total of twelve fields of study:  

Alchemagestry

This discipline fuses alchemy with sympathetic magic, allowing students to transform matter and link physical objects to metaphysical forces.

Artificery

Artificery teaches the creation of magical devices and mechanical constructs, blending arcane knowledge with technical craftsmanship.

Astroarcanism

Astroarcanism explores celestial forces to enhance magic, focusing on divination and fate.

Ceremonial Sorcery

This discipline focuses on performing intricate rituals to invoke powerful, long-term magical effects or large-scale enchantments.

Demonology & Sanguimancy

Students study the magical properties of blood and demons, learning to summon and bind infernal entities while wielding blood as a potent ritual tool.

Healing & Herbology

Students learn to heal through magical and herbal methods, blending natural remedies with arcane healing arts.

Hexcraft

Hexcraft teaches the art of crafting and dispelling curses, hexes, and jinxes to weaken or plague their targets.

Necrospiritism

Necrospiritism explores the manipulation of life and death, allowing students to communicate with spirits and control the forces of mortality.

Obscurism

Obscurism revolves around the manipulation of shadows and light for concealment, protection, and offense.

Oniromancy

Oniromancy teaches students how to enter and manipulate dreams, using them as a means of influence and control.

Venomancy

Unique to the Arcanum, Venomancy focuses on the magical properties of serpents and poisons, including bonding with serpentine familiars.

Zoomancy & Chimerology

Zoomancy deals with animal magic, while Chimerology focuses on hybrid creatures and familiars.

Coils of a Snake

The Arcanum’s primary purpose, like all witchcraft schools in Morvathia, is to prepare students for roles in magical institutions. Graduates often go on to serve in the Morvathian Coven, work such as Widowbird Investigators for the Court of the Chalice, Demonologists for MERRA (Morvathian Extraplanar Research & Regulation Authority), Necrotheurges for the Funerary Guilds, or pursue careers as teachers, scholars, and researchers within the wider network of magical academies.   To cultivate these future witches, the Arcanum divides its students into a tiered structure known as the Five Coils, representing their level of mastery and progression through the school.
 

Each student receives a Coilring, forged from Nhagroth's demon blood, upon initiation. The serpent-shaped ring coils around their finger, growing with each ascent through the Coils.

The Campus Ground

  At the heart of the school lies the Central Campus, a wide, open courtyard where students from all Coils gather. Dominating the space is the Crown Serpent, a magnificent fountain shaped like a coiled snake, affectionately called "Crowny" by students. Lush trees and stone benches line the courtyard, offering a space for socializing, study, and contemplation. Surrounding the courtyard are key administrative offices, general lecture halls, and the school’s main library, accessible to all students and faculty.
To the north, the Nest serves as the starting point for First Coil students—often referred to as "eggs" by their more advanced peers. It’s a secluded garden space filled with greenhouses, herb plots, and small courtyards. The classrooms are modest stone buildings with wide windows overlooking the lush gardens, which serve as living laboratories for learning about plants, potions, and the natural components of magic.
To the west are the Halls, where Second Coil students begin to specialize in their chosen disciplines. This area features interwoven corridors of lecture halls and laboratories, centered around the Spiral Atrium, a spacious gathering space marked by intricate and enchanted floor mosaics. The spiral staircases that wind through the Halls connect to dormitories, lecture halls, and specialized labs where students conduct magical experiments in their respected fields.

South of the Central Campus, the Ascent is a collective of towers with dominant terraced platforms overlooking the still waters of the Quiet Eye lake. Third Coil students study here, balancing personal research and advanced course work. The terraces and towers house individual study chambers and larger outdoor laboratories. Each tower is dedicated to a different magical discipline. The view of the Quiet Eye adds a sense of calm, ideal for students as they prepare for more independent work.

To the east stands the Elderstone Cloister, the oldest and most storied part of the Arcanum, dating back to the Galdoric Empire. Originally a temple dedicated to the Divine Parents, the Elderstone is now the domain of the Fourth Coil students. The Cloister is a maze of ivy-covered stone structures, with tall, narrow windows casting light into its peaceful, overgrown courtyards. Beneath the Elderstone lies a network of catacombs, which students are strictly forbidden from entering without the explicit permission of the administration.




Hovering above the main campus is the Viper’s Gift, a floating, ring-shaped structure held aloft by powerful arcane forces. Reserved for Fifth Coil students, this structure constantly shifts and rotates, with interconnected segments forming lecture halls, dormitories, and training areas. The Living Bridge connects it to the main campus, solidifying only under the feet of faculty members and Fifth Coil students. At the heart of the Viper’s Gift is the Oculus, a grand chamber where final trials are conducted. It is also home to the guardian demonic serpent, a creature from the Netherhells, bound to the school through ancient rites.

Noteworthy Members

As both the head of House Nagastra, one of the thirteen ruling houses, and the High Witch of the Morvathian Coven, Lady Isadora Nagastra wields immense political power, second only to the Witchqueen herself. Despite her lofty titles, Lady Isadora prefers the scholarly atmosphere of the Arcanum over the political intrigue of Guland’s Crown. She entrusts most of her political responsibilities to her brother, Lucian Nagastra, allowing her to focus on the education and cultivation of Morvathia’s next generation of witches as the Arcanum's Headmistress.   An unparalleled expert in demonology, Lady Isadora is a sought-after authority on demonic summoning, binding, and the prevention of infernal breaches. She frequently advises the Court of the Chalice on cases of illegal summoning and has presided over some of the most complex and dangerous summonings in recent history.   In addition to her demonological prowess, she is a skilled serpent witch, often accompanied by her black mamba familiar, Kyda. At the Arcanum, Lady Isadora teaches Demonology, Venomancy, and occasionally Ceremonial Sorcery to the upper Coils. Her calm, authoritative leadership defines the Arcanum, inspiring respect and awe from students and faculty alike.



Salama, often just called "the Dragonwitch", is one of the most controversial figures associated with the Arcanum Dona Viperia. While not officially a professor, her presence as a guest instructor has left an indelible mark on the academy. Unlike other faculty members, Salama lacks formal education, being entirely self-taught. Through her own dangerous experiments, she infused her blood with demonic essence, transforming herself into a witch—a feat viewed as blasphemous by most of dragonkind.   Residing in the Red Thunder Ridge, Salama is notorious for her fiery temperament, immense arrogance, and unparalleled hoard of arcane knowledge. Over the centuries, she has frequently clashed with Morvathian authorities due to her defiance of the Coven’s protocols. Despite this, Lady Isadora Nagastra extended an invitation to Salama, offering her the opportunity to teach at the Arcanum. For Salama, this was an irresistible chance to gain recognition and validation for her achievements as a rogue witch.   While her unpredictable nature and abrasive personality caused initial concern, Salama has proven herself to be a strict but highly effective teacher. She teaches Hexcraft, Astroarcanism, and Alchemagestry, and offers elective courses on Dracology.


Professor Glyn Quenndralis is a rare sight in the halls of the Arcanum Dona Viperia—a varlori from Cauldron City and the first of his kind to hold the title of professor at the academy. Glyn is a second-generation witch, inheriting his magical potential from his grandmother, Flyn Quenndralis, who underwent a risky demon blood infusion to become an artificial witch. His family’s unique embrace of witchcraft stems from their long-standing connection with House Siegmund.   One such connection is Glyn's grandfather, Marl Quenndralis, being a board member of Siegmund's Golem Tech Ind. and whose influence enabled Glyn to attend the Arcanum as a student. Once admitted to the Arcanum, Glyn’s talent for magic was undeniable. He quickly climbed through the Coils, earning his place as a professor and establishing himself as an authority in arcane engineering, the field his family specializes in.   As the youngest professor at the academy, Glyn teaches Artificery to students across all Coils, offering occasional lectures in Magic Augmentation, Advanced Spell Theory, and basic Obscurism. His approachable demeanor and keen intellect have made him a favorite among students, while his groundbreaking career continues to inspire witches of all backgrounds.



Born into the aristocracy of the Golden Marquisate of Dorcroix, Professor Édouard Charlemance was once heir to a prestigious nachtgiger lineage. However, for reasons known only to him, he was disowned by his family and forced to flee his homeland. Stripped of his wealth and status, he arrived in Morvathia’s Blackfeather Isle with nothing to his name. There, he found work as an assistant funerary alchemist, a profession that led him down the path of necromantic study. Determined to reclaim his future, Édouard completed his education in witchcraft at the Domu Sepulchralis in Talonia Haven, graduating as the top student of his class.   It was during his time at the Sepulchralis that he befriended Percival Caladrius of House Caladrius, a connection that granted him entry into Morvathian high society. When the Arcanum Dona Viperia sought a new professor of necromancy, House Caladrius eagerly recommended him for the position.   At the Arcanum, Édouard has earned a reputation as a peacock—vain, willful, and reveling in admiration. However, beneath his cultivated charm lies a dedicated scholar and an endlessly patient instructor. He teaches Necrospiritism, Sanguimancy, and Ethics and Responsibility in Witchcraft.



It is no secret that the Arcanum Dona Viperia was founded upon the site where a powerful demonic serpent was bound—a creature known as Nhagroth, daughter of Nehushtan, the Writhing Serpent of the Netherhells. How exactly Nhagroth came to be tethered to the school remains a matter of speculation, and despite the official accounts, myths and rumors persist about her true origins.   The most widely accepted tale states that Castyr Nagastra, the academy’s founder, engaged in a wager with Nhagroth and emerged victorious, using his triumph to bind her as the Arcanum’s eternal guardian. However, a far more romantic (and sinister) version of the story suggests that Castyr and Nhagroth were lovers. According to legend, Nhagroth willingly anchored herself to the Material Reality to remain with him, and when his natural life came to an end, she consumed him entirely—allowing his essence to live on within her. This tale, though officially dismissed by House Nagastra and the faculty, remains a popular legend among students, whispered in candlelit dormitories and debated in hushed voices.   Regardless of the truth, Nhagroth’s presence is both unsettling and reassuring. Her immense power is woven into the protective enchantments surrounding the academy, and she watches over the school from her domain in the Oculus, the floating heart of the Viper’s Gift. Few have ever seen her in person, as she rarely reveals herself outside of critical moments. Only the Headmistress, Lady Isadora Nagastra, and a select few faculty members are permitted to meet with the demonic serpent face to face. To most, Nhagroth remains a lingering shadow, a presence felt but never truly seen, a reminder of the dangerous magic practiced within the Arcanum’s walls.