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7. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim The College of Winterhold

The college of winterhold.

The College of Winterhold is a faction for the mages of Skyrim. It is situated far to the north near the city of 'Winterhold', on a cliff overlooking the 'Sea of Ghosts'. It is led by the Arch-Mage 'Savos Aren'. The guild is also independent from the Mage's Guild of Tamriel, so some arts, such as necromancy, are not illegal. A lot of people also distrust this guild and blame them for the 'Great Collapse'- a disaster that struck Winterhold some years ago when the land around the city crumbled and destroyed much of the city. However, the College itself was left completely unharmed. If you're interested in joining the college, and furthering your magical knowledge, simply head there and find the entrance to the bridge on the west side of Winterhold.

There are '3' achievements unlocked by completing the College of Winterhold quest line to the end. These are all quest based achievements and cannot be missed. You cross paths with the Main Story during the quest 'Elder Knowledge', this requires you to gain entrance to the College to talk to 'Urag gro-Shub' in the Arcanaeum.

Being suspended from the college

If you commit a major crime against any member of the College of Winterhold, such as assault or murder, you will be suspended from the college and will no longer be able complete quests for them until you have completed the automatically assigned quest 'Rejoining the College'. This simply involves finding 'Tolfdir', the college elder, and paying him a fine of gold. Tolfdir will move around depending on what stage you are at in the College of Winterhold quest line; after the quest 'Under Saarthal' he will most likely be found in the final chamber of Saarthal, studying the 'Eye of Magnus'. Later, after starting 'Hitting the Books', Tolfdir will move to the 'Hall of the Elements'. After The 'Eye of Magnus' quest is completed, he is usually found in the 'Hall of Attainment'. His room is the first to the left from the entrance on the ground floor. The fine for the first incident is 250 gold. If you commit another crime and receive the quest again, the fine climbs to 500 gold. It increases to 750 gold for the third incident, and 1,000 gold for each incident thereafter. Once the fine is paid you are free to continue your quests with the college.

First Lessons

Before heading out to Winterhold to join the college you may want to check if you have enough magicka to complete the quest's first challenge. You need as much as 135 magicka. If you do not have enough Fortify Magicka apparel or potions, one option is to visit the 'Temple of the Divines' in 'Solitude' and activate the 'Shrine of Julianos' to obtain 25 more magicka. If you have the Dragonborn DLC, you may choose the 'Secret of Arcana' power from the black book 'Filament and Filigree ' and all your spells will cost no magicka for 30 seconds.

> Once in Winterhold SAVE, follow the main road west and approach the bridge connecting the town to the College of Winterhold. Standing at the approach of the bridge is an Altmer sorceress named 'Faralda'. She will ask you about your intentions and what you expect to find by entering the college. There will be several dialogue options available. but regardless of what you choose, Faralda will say that you must take a small test to show that you have some degree of skill with magic.

> Agree to take the test and Faralda will randomly select a spell for you to cast. This may be either casting a Firebolt, conjuring a Flame Atronach, casting a Fear spell, or Casting Magelight at the eye-shaped seal next to her or it may be casting a Healing Hands spell on her. If you do not have the spell she asks of you, she will offer to teach it to you for 30 gold. You must cast the spell at the circular symbol on the floor behind Faralda. You can, if you wish, use a Speech skill of 100 to persuade Faralda and avoid the test. When Faralda is convinced she will let you pass into the college, SAVE.

This unlocks the first College of Winterhold achievement:

Join the College of Winterhold

> Faralda will take you across the bridge and then tell you to talk to a Breton elemental mage named 'Mirabelle Ervine', activate the quest 'First Lessons' in your journal if it isn't active already.

> Mirabelle Ervine welcomes you to the College, she gives you some mage's robes, and takes you on a short tour. After this you have to go and see the elder mage 'Tolfdir', who is giving a lecture on safety. He asks you to help him with a quick demonstration.

> He will give you a basic 'Ward' spell, equip it from the magic menu. Stand where the quest marker is then use the ward spell, Tolfdir will cast a low level destruction spell at you and it will hit the ward causing no damage to you.

> After this Tolfdir invites you to take part in an excavation at the old Nordic ruin of 'Saarthal', SAVE.

Under Saarthal

> Saarthal is only a short distance away, to the southwest of the college, so just head out on foot. Before you reach the ruin however, you should take this opportunity to visit the 'Tower' Standing Stone , (if you didn't during the Companions quest line), it's on a detour to your right as you approach Saarthal. The stone is on a high snowy cliff to the west of Winterhold, northeast of 'Hob's Fall Cave' and southeast of 'Yngvild'.

> Meet Tolfdir and the other students at the excavation site just outside Saarthal. After some dialogue head inside and SAVE.

> You're told to find a Breton conjurer called 'Arniel Gane', he can be found a bit deeper into the ruin, through the passageways west of the second chamber. Arniel will update your quest and mark four magical items for you that he wants you to retrieve, SAVE.

> Although four items are marked you only need the 'Ancient Amulet', the other three rings that are scattered about the floor are irrelevant. The Ancient Amulet can be found at the northern-most end of the passageways, suspended in front of a brightly-lit, arched section of the wall. As soon as you pick up the Amulet, a spear trap activates behind you, locking you into the small space. Tolfdir will suggest that you try using the amulet. In your inventory, it is listed as the 'Saarthal Amulet' (under apparel), and has an enchantment that reduces spell costs by 3%. Equipping the amulet will trigger a visible resonance effect in the wall where you found it, causing Tolfdir to suggest casting any targeted spell or Shout at the wall while wearing the amulet to collapse it. This allows Tolfdir to approach you, SAVE.

> Once both you and Tolfdir have made it to the small burial room at the end of the new passageway, a ghostly apparition identified as 'Nerien' appears, with dire warnings. Nerien then vanishes, leaving you alone with Tolfdir, who didn't see or hear the ghost. When you tell him what happened, he is confused. Tolfdir suggests that you search the coffins in the room. Kill the two leveled draugr, who jump out and attack, uncovering the way forward through the back of one of the coffins, SAVE.

> From this point until the end of the dungeon, Saarthal is a typical Nordic Ruin, containing leveled draugr enemies. Tolfdir will accompany you one room further, to the end of the 'Saarthal Excavation' zone. However, you are on your own for most of the second zone of the dungeon. Tolfdir will re-appear when you are approaching the end of the dungeon SAVE.

> You'll come to a barred passage with a lever, turn the stone pillars with the symbols on to match the symbols behind each one, then pull the lever, SAVE after this as there will be a higher level draugr sub-boss here. A little further is another puzzle of the same type, you have to match the pillars with the symbols behind again but this time when you turn one pillar it will move others automatically. Just anticipate the next symbol and match them all up.

> After exploring the second zone, Tolfdir will catch up with you right before you enter a large room. At the far end of this room floats a massive spinning orb, surrounded by a swirling energy barrier, SAVE.

> Tolfdir approaches the orb but attracts the attention of 'Jyrik Gauldurson', a unique and powerful draugr who has been trapped in Saarthal for centuries. Your initial attempts to damage Jyrik will inevitably fail, because he is drawing energy from the orb to make himself invincible. Once Tolfdir realizes what is happening he rushes down to the orb and works on severing the connection between Jyrik and the orb. After four seconds, Tolfdir starts to cast a lightning-like spell at the barrier surrounding the orb, which succeeds in making Jyrik vulnerable. Tolfdir spends the rest of the battle maintaining his spell, leaving you to take care of Jyrik.

> Once you have killed Jyrik, SAVE. If you wish you can loot his corpse for the 'Gauldur Amulet Fragment' and 'Writ of Sealing', both of which are necessary for the 'Forbidden Legend' side-quest; if you had not previously started this quest, reading the writ or taking the amulet fragment will trigger it.

> Jyrik's death causes the energy barrier around the orb to disappear, allowing Tolfdir to at last examine the orb more closely (and also allowing you to access a door behind the orb). Use the door behind the orb as a shortcut back to the entrance of Saarthal, and don't miss the 'Ice Form' 'Word Wall' along the way.

> Head back to the College, SAVE, and talk to Savos Aren, in the 'Arch-Mage's Quarters'. Savos will thank you for your help and he will reward you. He will tell you find the Orc librarian 'Urag gro-Shub' in the 'Arcanaeum' of the college, and ask him for any possible leads regarding the nature of the orb in Saarthal. This will end the current quest and initiate the next quest 'Hitting the Books', SAVE.

NOTE: Completing this quest has several advantages. Your rank in the College of Winterhold is increased from Student to Apprentice, consequently your disposition with the other mages is increased. Multiple short side-quests related to the College of Winterhold are enabled, namely 'Brelyna's Practice', 'J'zargo's Experiment', and 'Onmund's Request'.

Hitting the Books

> Talk to Urag gro-Shub, he will mention that there may be relevant information in one of three specific tomes which, unfortunately, he no longer has. They were all borrowed some time ago by an apprentice mage named 'Orthorn' who left the college and joined a group of renegade mages in 'Fellglow Keep'. Urag needs you to retrieve these three books.

> Leave the college, SAVE and make your way to the Fellglow Keep. On your way out you may be approached by Faralda who tells you that the Thalmor visitor, 'Ancano', wants a word with you. If you do not see Faralda, Ancano will actively seek you out and ask you questions about what was found in Saarthal. During this discussion you can choose to provoke him, but he will always get the answer he seeks. Proceed out the door and SAVE.

> Fellglow Keep is located to the northeast of Whiterun, and just to the northwest of Valtheim Towers. Take this opportunity to visit 'Shearpoint' located just up the mountainside north of Fellglow Keep. Shearpoint is the only location where you can find the Dragon Shout known as 'Throw Voice' on a Word Wall, no other quest will take you this close to it. Be careful at Shearpoint however as you'll face a leveled dragon and a high level 'Dragon Priest' named 'Krosis' who both guard the Word Wall.

> Now head out to Fellglow Keep, once inside the first area SAVE, you will be attacked by two elemental mages and a flame atronach. Dispose of them and locate the entrance to 'Fellglow Keep Dungeons'.

> After entering SAVE, head down the stairs and follow the path. The second flooded room is guarded by another hostile mage who has been experimenting with frostbite spiders, kill them then proceed southeast but beware of the pressure plate that triggers a dart trap along the way. You will arrive in a room filled with cages containing some vampire prisoners. You can use the four handles to release them, or pick their cell locks, and they will attack the mages in the next room before leaving the dungeon peacefully.

> In the next room SAVE, kill the mage and inspect the cages. Apart from the wolves, you will also find the renegade mage 'Orthorn', SAVE.

> Talk to Orthorn and he will offer to help you clear out the dungeon and find the missing books. Pull the lever in the middle and he will be released from the cage. If you collect the books before talking to Orthorn he may not recognize it when you free him. Messing with the levers can eventually trigger a quest update for him being freed. He will proceed to explain that the books were taken by someone known as 'The Caller'. If you accept his help you'll find him to be a powerful ally. If you decline, he will head out of the dungeon peacefully. Regardless of your choice, he is disabled later on and disappears from Skyrim.

> The nearby door leading back to Fellglow Keep is locked, so you'll have to go the long way. Go through the wooden door and make your way through the tunnels. The next chamber has three fire mages training their destruction skill on a living vampire, sneak past or kill them, then SAVE.

> Continue on, taking the northern path and you'll reach the 'Undercroft'. This area is guarded by necromancers, continue up the stairs leading to the next zone, Fellglow Keep, SAVE.

> The first part of Fellglow Keep is guarded by a conjurer and an ice mage, it also contains the Conjuration Skill Book 'The Doors of Oblivion', found on a pedestal. Open the eastern door and kill the patrolling necromancer, then proceed through the chambers and kill all the enemies. The eastern door leads to the sleeping quarters and more enemies. Take the path that heads upstairs to a room filled with shelves and the Destruction Skill Book 'A Hypothetical Treachery', found on a table, SAVE.

> Proceed forward, open the wooden door to the north and start climbing the tower. Before long you'll reach the 'Fellglow Ritual Chamber' and encounter 'The Caller', do not attack her straightaway, SAVE.

> The Caller is calm, although clearly insane, but she will not attack you. Talk to her, you will have two dialogue options to choose from: either ask her who she is, or ask for the three books. After this it is actually possible to persuade her to let you have the books. Alternatively, if you brought Orthorn along with you, you can negotiate with her for the books. Agree to her conditions, then pick up the book. If you simply pick up a book without first talking to her, she'll attack you. If you didn't bring Orthorn, you may have to kill her and claim the three books (two of them are behind the Caller on the pedestals; lifting either of which spawns a Frost Atronach), SAVE. Due to a possible bug, the door may still require a key, in this case, you will have to kill the Caller to obtain the key to the exit.

> Leave Fellglow Keep and head back to the college, when you arrive SAVE, you will find that Tolfdir has returned from Saarthal and placed the Orb in the Hall of the Elements. Head into the Arcanaeum and find Urag. Out of the three books, he will be particularly interested 'Night of Tears'.

> The quest ends when Urag gives you '6' Skill Books as a reward and asks you to speak to Tolfdir, the books are: the Alteration Skill Book 'Daughter of the Niben', the Conjuration Skill Book '2920 Hearth Fire V9', the Destruction Skill Book 'Response to Bero's Speech', the Enchanting Skill Book 'Catalogue of Weapon Enchantments', the Illusion Skill Book 'The Black Arts on Trial' and the Restoration Skill Book 'Racial Phylogeny'. Urag will then direct you to Tolfdir for the next quest, SAVE.

Good Intentions

> Speak with Tolfdir about the findings. Tolfdir can be found in the Hall of the Elements, pondering the nature of the orb found in Saarthal. He will explain how the markings on the orb seem to be unique, they do not appear to be Elven, Daedric, or Ayleid. The Thalmor representative 'Ancano' will interrupt Tolfdir and demand that you follow him to meet a 'mysterious visitor' who has asked to speak with you, SAVE.

> Follow Ancano to the Arch-Mage's quarters and you will meet a representative of the 'Psijic Order' named 'Quaranir'. Quaranir will cause time to freeze so he can speak to you privately. He will explain; that you must prevent anyone from using the orb, which he reveals to be known as 'the Eye of Magnus'. He will suggest that you seek out the 'Augur of Dunlain' who resides somewhere in the College of Winterhold. Quaranir will then unfreeze time and leave, SAVE.

> Speak to either Tolfdir or Mirabelle about the Augur of Dunlain. Tolfdir will tell you about the Augur immediately, but Mirabelle must be persuaded. Either way, you will learn that the Augur is a former student at the college, but something mysterious happened to him. He can be found in 'The Midden', a secret underground area of the college.

> You can gain access to the Midden from a trap door in the northern corner of the courtyard, or by the stairwell in the Hall of Countenance. Once inside SAVE, make your way to the Augur; you will encounter a few ice wraiths, frostbite spiders, draugr and skeletons along the way, take care of them in your preferred manner and SAVE after any tricky fights.

> Proceed into 'The Midden Dark' and continue until you reach a locked door. When you approach this door, the Augur will warn you that your efforts will only end in disappointment, and then the door will open.

> Talk to the Augur, he will offer to help you and inform you that you will need the 'Staff of Magnus' to avert the disaster that the Psijics warned you about, he tells you to relay this information to Savos Aren, SAVE.

> Leave the Midden and find Savos, tell him the Augur's message. He will direct you to Mirabelle for more information about the Staff of Magnus and then give you the 'Mage's Circlet' as a reward, this completes the quest, SAVE.

Revealing the Unseen

> Speak to Mirabelle about the Staff of Magnus. She'll tell you that the members of a mystical group called the 'Synod' recently questioned her about it too. She told them that the college did not have the staff, but she remembers the group talking about a Dwemer ruin known as 'Mzulft'. She recommends traveling there and looking for any clues about the staff, SAVE.

> Mzulft will now be marked on your map, it's a very large Falmer infested dwarven ruin found south-southeast of Windhelm, along the main road between Windhelm and Riften. An easy way to reach it is by traveling on the road south from Windhelm Stables towards Riften way. Fast travel to Windhelm, SAVE and then start trekking south.

> When you enter Mzulft SAVE, you will find a Synod researcher called 'Gavros Plinius' uttering his final words as he dies in front of you. Search his body to find a research log; reading the log reveals that he was sent to Mzulft by the Synod Council to deliver something known as a 'focusing crystal' to the 'Oculory'. It seems this crystal has been taken from Gavros, so just take the Mzulft Key from his corpse to unlock the adjacent door.

> Proceed through the door and into a room containing a number of Dwemer metallic items. Ascend a ramp at the far end of the room, SAVE. At the entrance to the next large room you will encounter two dwarven spider workers, kill them and move on.

> After battling more Falmer and chaurus you will soon reach 'Mzulft Boilery', go through and SAVE.

> Continue through until you face a high-leveled Falmer in a room with a master-locked door leading to a chest and a copy of the Alteration Skill Book 'The Lunar Lorkhan'. SAVE.

> Proceed through until you reach 'Mzulft Aedrome', once inside SAVE. Continue toward a large, multi-leveled room that can be accessed through either of two open doorways. Inside are four leveled Falmer, one of them will be carrying Gavros' focusing crystal, you need this to complete the quest, SAVE.

> Although your objective marker will point you westward from here, you should first obtain a key from the east side. Leave the room through the doorway to the east and descend the ramp, then open the door at the bottom. Cross the next room and open another door leading eastward, SAVE.

> Proceed until you reach a room containing two dead Falmer. Beyond the next door to the east possibly waits a Dwarven Centurion of the strongest type at your level. The Centurion will not be able to fit through the door to attack you up-close, so keep your distance and use ranged attacks. After destroying it, obtain the Mzulft Observatory key from the chest on the east side of the room, and SAVE.

> Retrace your steps westward, back into the large room, climb the stairs to the west and open the door there with the Observatory key. When you try to open the next door you will hear a voice of another Synod member called 'Paratus Decimius', he will assume that you are Gavros and open the door to you, SAVE.

> Talk to Paratus and when he finds out that you have the focusing crystal, he'll agree to work with you and ask you to follow him. You will note in your journal that you have reached the Oculory, and that your plan now is to follow Paratus to investigate further, SAVE.

Due to a possible bug, after meeting Paratus and the journal entry changing to 'Follow Paratus', he may not move and only repeat the previous dialogue asking who you are. The only fix is to attack him and lure him to the Oculory, then use a Calm spell to get him out of combat and he will proceed with the quest.

> Follow Paratus as he leads you forward. When you begin to ascend a curved ramp along a giant sphere, be careful not to fall off, as doing so can cause you to become stuck. At the top, Paratus will ask you to place the crystal into the central apparatus.

> Place the crystal by activating the 'Dwarven Armillary'. If you leave the Mzulft Aedrome after inserting the crystal, but before focusing the Oculory with spells, it won't respond to them on your next visit, making the puzzle unsolvable; this may also occur if you save, quit and reload after placing the crystal. When you have placed the crystal, the ring will rotate so that the focusing crystal is positioned at the top. Your objective will become to 'focus the Oculory'. You will now have two objective markers; one pointing at the device in the center of the room, and another at an elevated control console at the southeast part of the room. You can ask Paratus what to do next.

> Paratus will indicate that you should direct some fire and frost spells onto the crystal to change the way the light beams point. If you look upward, you will see that the device receives one beam of light vertically, and splits it into three beams projected in various upward directions. The ultimate goal is to converge all of the beams into a pattern that will project an image on the wall below the control console.

Make sure to SAVE before you start the sequence:

• If you do not have both the Flames and Frostbite destruction spells, you can climb the ramp at the southeast and obtain either spell from the tomes on the table there. Only the 'Frostbite' frost spell will work; if you attempt to use any other type of frost spell it won't move the beams into the correct position.
• Return to the same position you assumed when placing the crystal.
• Notice that there are three horizontal blue bands circling the upper portion of the room, each with a round reflector positioned at some point around it.
• Direct a Frostbite spell into the middle of the ring where you placed the crystal. When the beams move, cast a second Frostbite spell. When the beams move again, cast a third Frostbite spell. Note that other combinations of the Flames and Frostbite spells may also work. Do not use other spells.
• Ensure that each of the three beams of light are now pointing into the middle of each blue band (none of the beams should point to the horizontal gold rims that separate the bands). You will need to move around to check all three beams.
• Walk up the ramp in the southeast part of the room and use the buttons to rotate the bands until the round reflector on each band aligns with a light beam. The left button controls the top band, so press that until the beam aimed at the centre of the top band meets the reflector. Then use the middle button to do the same for the middle band, and the right button to do so for the lower band. A sequence that will result in the proper alignment is:
• Activate the left button once.
• Activate the middle button six times.
• Activate the right button five times.

> When the Oculory is correctly focused Paratus will be excited, but then he'll realize that there is something wrong. He will say that the map should show more, and speculate that there is some kind of interference coming from Winterhold. Paratus will accuse you of trying to sabotage the Synod's efforts and demand that you explain yourself, but whatever the course of the conversation Paratus will let you know that the map indicates the Staff of Magnus is in the gigantic Nordic ruin known as 'Labyrinthian'. You must now report this information to the Arch-Mage, Savos Aren, SAVE.

> Take the shortcut out of Mzulft; leave the room containing the Oculory. A short distance ahead, just past the barrels in the hallway, there is an exit door to the right. If you turn toward it, 'Nerien', the Psijic Order member who appeared to you in Saarthal, will visit you again. Nerien will warn you that you will encounter great difficulties ahead, but he'll also assure you that you are on the right path and that you will prevail. He will then urge you to return to the College of Winterhold immediately.

> Return to Winterhold but do not leave your horse there as it will be killed during the next quest (unless it's Shadowmere). Go to the College and SAVE, enter the Hall of the Elements, you'll find Arch-Mage Savos and Mirabelle in a panic. The gate to the room containing the Eye of Magnus is blocked by a barrier that Mirabelle says is some kind of unknown magic ward, and she thinks Ancano is using the Eye to produce it. They will then start to break it down by casting destruction spells.

> If you speak to Savos, he will ask for your help in destroying the barrier, and say that they need to know what Ancano is doing in there. You can help break down the barrier with destruction spells, but you don't have to, the barrier will break and they will rush into the room and confront Ancano.

> Mirabelle will warn Savos not to go near Ancano, but Savos will cast a spell at him, the room will go all white, and the next thing you know you will be waking up in the Hall of the Elements with Mirabelle. She will ask for your help in finding the Arch Mage Savos, SAVE, this will complete the quest, activate the next quest 'Containment' and unlock the achievement:

Complete "Revealing the Unseen"

Containment

> After speaking with Mirabelle go out into the College's main courtyard and you will find the body of Arch Mage Savos with a group of mages there. Tolfdir will come over and tell you that whatever killed Savos has also affected the town of Winterhold.

> Tolfdir sends you out to the town to see if you can help. Go over the bridge, Faralda and Arniel will be waiting for you. Faralda will ask you about the situation. You can tell her that Winterhold is in danger and then proceed to the town. Faralda and Arniel will follow you.

> Once in the town SAVE, you'll find 'Magic Anomalies' floating around, these are hostile fast moving spheres of energy that attack you with frost damage. They explode upon defeat, leaving behind soul gems in their 'ghostly remains'.

Magic Anomalies are levelled without a set maximum, this leads to much longer fights for high level players but also presents a good opportunity to fill many grand soul gems.

> Destroy all ten of them with the help of Faralda and Arniel, and secure the town. One of the anomalies may not appear and is likely under the world or in a wall, or it has fallen to the bottom of the cliff near the city. Fast traveling back to the town may fix this.

> Return to the College and report back to Mirabelle. When you find her, SAVE, she will tell you that she and Tolfdir are trying to keep the Eye of Magnus contained, but they are struggling without the Staff of Magnus. Tell her that you have to travel to Labyrinthian to gain the staff, she gives you the 'Torc of Labyrinthian' and 'Savos Aren's Amulet' to help you on your journey there. This completes the quest and begins 'The Staff of Magnus quest', SAVE.

Even after this quest has been completed anomalies will continue to spawn and attack the people of Winterhold, so it's best to leave as soon as you are prompted to, to avoid character's deaths.

The Staff of Magnus

NOTE: If you are a vampire you should take extra caution in Labyrinthian, there is a possible glitch that causes vampires to take sun damage in the daytime even when inside this ruin. It may be advantageous to finish any vampire related quests or achievements and then return to this quest later.

> Now it's time to head out to Labyrinthian, it'll be marked on your map, it's in the mountains somewhat southeast of Morthal, it is quite a large ruin so you should take some time to prepare yourself.

> Once there SAVE, after fighting some frost trolls outside you will arrive at the 'Ceremonial Door', here a ghostly image of a younger Savos Aren and five mage adventurers from the college; 'Atmah', 'Girduin', 'Takes-In-Light', 'Hafnar Ice-Fist' and 'Elvali Veren', will appear. Apparently, the late Arch-Mage explored the ruins years before and you are going to be able to witness this expedition on your way through.

> Labyrinthian is a pretty straightforward dungeon, however it is quite large and there are lots of undead enemies within. At the opposite end of the first room, on your right, you will find a spell tome on an altar. Proceed through a passage leading to a closed gate opening to a wide room. Levers on each side of the gate can be used to raise it, but it will fall down after a few seconds. A number of skeletons await beyond the gate, as well as a dangerous 'Skeletal Dragon'. It is possible to raise the gate and shoot through the open entrance without entering, so you can eliminate the dragon before going into the room. In addition, the dragon doesn't seem to be able to fit through the gate, so if you have entered, you can retreat back through it to take cover. Whatever you do, do not use 'Nightingale Subterfuge' on the Skeletal Dragon' you can cause a glitch that reanimates it permanently.

> After all enemies are dead, SAVE, descend the stairs where another ghostly scene will show the events of Girduin’s death. Take a moment to read the etched tablet introducing visitors to the great city of 'Bromjunaar', then proceed into 'Labyrinthian Chasm', SAVE.

> Opening the door, you will find twin staircases, take the right-hand staircase leading down. When you emerge into the chamber you will hear the Dragon Priest 'Morokei’s' voice, he will address you in the dragon language. As he speaks, a large portion of your magicka will drain. As his voice subsides, you'll notice a closed door covered in ice, from which a frost spirit will emerge. After destroying the enemies in this room, cast a flame spell at the icy door to open it.

> Enter the chasm beyond, SAVE, Morokei will speak again, draining your magicka. From the doorway, you will see a draugr standing below. There are several more draugr roaming this area, after eliminating them enter the tunnel to find a door guarded by a lightning rune, you can destroy these using destruction spells, preferably ranged. Behind the next door is another draugr along with a useful 'Equilibrium' spell tome.

> Return to the chasm and descend another level, SAVE. There are several more draugr down here, so be on your guard. The passageway will fork, with a bridge in front of you and a side passage going deeper into the chasm. You will hear Morokei's voice for a third time, this time speaking in English, trying to engage you in conversation.

> Take the path along the side wall, instead of the bridge, to reach the bottom of the chasm. A door at the far end of the passage leads to the next section of the ruins.

> Once inside, SAVE, open the next gate that leads to a waterlogged cavern where a skeleton and a draugr reside. Once you eliminate them, take the passage to the north, as you travel through, Morokei speaks to you once again, this time taunting you as your magicka drains away.

> In the next large room, SAVE, take care of the troll here and proceed. The entrance to the next cavern is located to the right of the windows. You will battle more skeletons as you descend into the cavern. Go down the second set of stairs to the lever-controlled gate. When you approach the gate, Morokei will again speak to you, SAVE, and if you use magic wait for your magicka to regenerate before opening the gate. After the gate you will find skeletons and a swarm of wisps with their wispmother.

> Defeat the wispmother using your preferred means and continue up a short flight of stairs in the west corner and across the raised dais to a door sealed with fire. As you approach, you will hear Morokei acknowledge that your power feeds his own, and then a fire spirit will spawn and attack. Once the spirit is dead, cast a frost spell on the door to open it.

> Go through the door, SAVE, and proceed along a short passage and through a gate leading into a circular room. As you enter, another vision of the adventurers will appear, their numbers somewhat depleted by now. The next room is guarded by a skeleton, a spectral warhound and a ghostly draugr wight. Be careful as you approach, Morokei’s voice invites you to your doom while draining your magicka once again. A cascade of water flows into a trap door in the floor, avoid it and take the passage down.

> Proceed through the tunnel system where you'll find more draugr wights. Fighting through you will find the door leading to the next zone, 'Labyrinthian Tribune'.

> Once inside SAVE, proceed a short distance past the door and kill the enemies there. Around the next corner you will find a spell tome for Steadfast Ward on a podium. Be careful as you approach the room down the stairs as there are five spellcaster traps that will unleash powerful destruction spells at you. Also destroy the frost rune trap on the floor midway down. Go up a short flight of stairs to a ledge overlooking another cavern with a small pool below and another draugr, SAVE. To the right is a dirt path leading down to the room below.

> Exit the cave, SAVE, to the right is a set of iron doors. When you approach the doors, you will see a visualization of Morokei's voice, but no voice is heard. However, your magicka will still be drained again.

> Open the doors to see a throne facing away from you with a high-leveled draugr and another spectral warhound. Kill them and once the fight is over, make sure to approach the Word Wall to the southeast of the throne to learn a word of the 'Slow Time' shout, SAVE.

> After the throne room, you will enter a corridor with a series of columns on each side. Progress with care, as your magicka will be drained again, and activate a group of skeletons and ghostly draugr. At the opposite end of the corridor, Savos and a diminished band of his companions lament that all of their number have not made it this far. One of them mentions a feeling that the final trial lies beyond the next door, and they vow to stick together and move forward. Open the iron door to the south and SAVE.

> As you enter the large room, Morokei will be there and he is protected by an impenetrable energy shield cast by two enthralled wizards. You will soon learn that they are two of Savos' companions that were sacrificed to keep the Dragon Priest contained so Savos could escape.

> To be able to defeat Morokei you first need to remove the wizards. The platforms around the walls of the room provide elevated positions that should give you an edge in the fight. It is possible to climb the wall immediately to the left and approach from above. You can sneak attack both wizards and have a good vantage point to attack Morokei. Be careful casting summoning spells as he can turn your them against you. If he does, then you must recast the summon spell.

> Once the Dragon Priest has been defeated, collect both Morokei's Mask and the Staff of Magnus. Your next objective will be to return to Tolfdir at the College of Winterhold, SAVE.

> Proceed through the door toward a shortcut out of Labyrinthian. Savos will appear for the last time, he apologizes for sacrificing his companions to keep the Dragon Priest imprisoned, and swears to seal the ruin. Unbar and open the wooden door to the exit.

> As you open a gate to the next room, Ancano's associate 'Estormo' will enter the room from the other side and block your path. He will tell you that he was sent to kill you and take the Staff of Magnus back to Ancano. Defeat Estormo in your prefer manner and leave Labyrinthian.

> Outside, SAVE, you will not be able to fast travel directly back to the College. The nearest destination you can fast travel to is Winterhold.

> Once you arrive there, SAVE, enter the gate to the College. You will find Tolfdir, Faralda and Arniel Gane battling magic anomalies, help them defeat them all.

> Once the anomalies are gone, speak to Tolfdir. He tells you that Ancano's power is growing, and that they cannot stop him. If you ask about Mirabelle, Tolfdir will tell you that she is dead; killed while ensuring everyone's escape from Ancano. Tolfdir asks you to equip the Staff of Magnus and lead the charge against Ancano. This completes the quest and initiates the next and last quest 'the Eye of Magnus', SAVE.

The Eye of Magnus

> With the Staff of Magnus equipped proceed into the college. Use the staff to destroy the magic barrier and allow safe passage into the College. The objective now is to get to the Hall of the Elements where Ancano is trying to activate the Eye of Magnus, keep a SAVE from before entering the Hall of Elements. As a possible bug; when you get to the Hall of Elements only Tolfdir will run in and bypass the scripted event, making the staff useless. If this happens, you cannot harm Ancano in any way. Tolfdir may also fail to follow you into the Hall of Elements, which prevents the start of the fight. If this happens go through one of the side doors near the entrance, then come back in. Should that fail to help, fast travel elsewhere and return to Winterhold. You may have to use the staff to gain access to the college again.

> Once in the Hall of Elements, Ancano will proclaim that he has the power to destroy the world at his fingertips, and that he cannot be stopped. He is now connected to the Eye at this point and he is absorbing more and more power from it. Tolfdir will cast a fire spell at Ancano, but it will have no effect.

> Tolfdir tells you to use the Staff of Magnus on the Eye itself. Do so and the Eye will begin to crack open, it will also emit a blinding flash and you will be briefly stunned. When the Eye is fully open it will spawn magic anomalies and Ancano will lose his connection with the Eye. After this happens, continue to use the Staff on the Eye until it fully closes again. Ancano is vulnerable at this time and he should be busy dealing with the magic anomalies. Start inflicting damage and Tolfdir will help in defeating the anomalies.

> When Ancano is defeated, SAVE, talk to Tolfdir, he explains that he does not know how to contain the Eye. At this point the Psijic, Quaranir, will appear again. Speak to him and he will congratulate you, saying that you met the Order's expectations. He will reassure you and Tolfdir by saying that the Psijic Order will safeguard the Eye from now on. As a possible bug; Tolfdir may not be in the Hall of Elements for the final scene. He can usually be found walking along the road on the other side of the mountains south of Winterhold, but will not have the dialogue option required to complete the objective, making the quest impossible to finish. Reloading the previous save from before entering the Hall of Elements for the final battle is the only known fix.

> Quaranir will now declare you the new Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold. Two additional members of the Psijic Order will appear, surround the Eye, and then vanish in a glow of light, taking the Eye with them. Tolfdir will then acknowledge you as the new Arch-Mage, and he'll give you the key to the Arch-Mage's Quarters and the Archmage's Robes, SAVE.

This concludes the College of Winterhold quest line and unlocks it's final associated achievement:

Complete "The Eye of Magnus"

A big thank you to The Unofficial Elder Scrolls Pages with permission for use of content granted under the Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 License with due acknowledgement and thanks.

Thank you also to the guys from Bethesda Softworks LLC for providing additional information and writing the Official Elder Scrolls V Skyrim Game Guide.

Visit the College of Winterhold

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Walkthrough [ | ]

This objective is obtained by asking about magic training.

Visit the College of Winterhold [ | ]

Travel to Winterhold and gain access to the College of Winterhold there. This leads to the quest First Lessons .

• TESWiki Featured Articles
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College of Winterhold (Skyrim)

• View history

The College of Winterhold is a guild of mages centered in Skyrim . It is a faction of magic -users similar to the Mages Guild of Cyrodiil and Morrowind . When the Dragonborn appears, the current Arch-Mage is Savos Aren , with Mirabelle Ervine serving as the Master Wizard . During the faction's main quest, Tolfdir replaces her as Master Wizard. The College is located in the northern section of the city of Winterhold , in northern Skyrim. Instructors of each magical discipline reside within, offering training and various magical wares to members.

• 1.1 Bypassing
• 1.2 Rules and expulsion
• 2 Architectural design
• 3.1 Historical documents
• 4 Relation to the Mages Guild
• 6.1 Colette Marence: Restoration
• 6.2 Faralda: The Synod and The College of Whispers
• 6.3 Drevis Neloren: Doomstones
• 6.4 Urag gro-Shub: Shalidor's writings
• 6.5 Phinis Gestor: Eye of Magnus
• 7.1 Main quests
• 7.2 College of Winterhold quests
• 7.3 Side quests
• 7.4 Follower quests
• 7.5 Master-level spell quests
• 8.1 Former Members
• 8.2 Trainers
• 9 Achievements
• 12 Appearances
• 14 References

Upon visiting the College, it can be joined by passing a test of merit which requires the casting of a spell . The College must be joined during " Elder Knowledge " in order to progress the main quest . However, this can be avoided if the Dragonborn travels directly to Septimus Signus' Outpost to pick up the next part of the quest there.

Before entering the College, the gatekeeper, Faralda , will wish to see a demonstration of the Dragonborn's magical powers. She requests to see a spell appropriate for the Dragonborn's level before gaining passage. These spells include:

• Healing Hands
• Conjure Flame Atronach
• Conjure Familiar

A high-level persuasion check bypasses this test. Additionally, revealing one's identity as the Dragonborn causes Faralda to ask for a demonstration of the Thu'um . Successfully using it bypasses the spell-casting test. This option can only be used during the quest " Elder Knowledge ."

Rules and expulsion

Killing a student causes other College members to refuse to speak with the killer, starting the quest " Rejoining the College ." Stealing items from college members is also considered a crime if caught.

Architectural design

A map of the College of Winterhold. Notable locations are indicated with numbers.

The College of Winterhold is located just north of Winterhold, on a large cliff. A narrow bridge in a state of disrepair connects the city to the College.

The central courtyard is dominated by a statue of the first Arch-Mage of the College, Shalidor , who is also the supposed founder of the city; this is the hub of the facility, offering access back out to the bridge and into the three Halls. The exterior windows offer exceptional views of the coastline.

The courtyard branches off to the three halls of the College. The Hall of Attainment , the living quarters for mage apprentices, is off to the left upon entering the College, while the Hall of Countenance , the living quarters for more advanced mages, is off to the right. Straight ahead lies the Hall of the Elements , the lecture hall of the College.

From the Hall of the Elements, the Arch-Mage's Quarters branches off on the left while The Arcanaeum , the College's library, branches off on the right.

The Midden , a prison or storage area beneath the College, houses the Atronach Forge , the Augur of Dunlain , and a Daedric Relic encountered in the quest " Forgotten Names ." Ice Wraiths , Draugr , and Frostbite Spiders inhabit the halls of The Midden. A tunnel here leads to the Skyrim overworld just outside of the College.

The banner of The College of Winterhold.

Winterhold was once a great, powerful and wealthy hold, [1] [2] and its relationship with the College of Winterhold was good. [3]

In 4E 122 , an unprecedented, cataclysmic event struck Winterhold and most of the areas along the coastline. A massive storm came in from the Sea of Ghosts , which brought huge waves which crashed into Winterhold. Most of the city fell into the sea, leaving the city in ruins both physically in terms of the destruction of the city itself, and the emotional and psychological damage to Winterhold's people. This event would eventually be referred to as "The Great Collapse." The disaster left Winterhold in ruins, and some had said that things would never be the same again, including Winterhold's relationship with the College. The people of Winterhold would eventually begin to blame the College for causing the Great Collapse. [4] Winterhold has yet to recover from the Great Collapse. [5] [6] [7]

Historical documents

Papers kept in the College's library reportedly date back to the late Second Era. [6] Serana in the Dawnguard add-on corroborates this date, recalling that the College existed when she was entombed between the Second and Third empires. [8] [UL 1] However, Mirabelle Ervine states in her tour of the grounds that the College has been a "fixture" of Skyrim for thousands of years. [9]

Written evidence of the College's existence is found in the Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Skyrim from 3E 433 , which describes the growth of the city of Winterhold after the College obtained a group of documents known as the Ysmir Collective , [2] and the Atlas of Dragons from 2E 373 , which documents dragons slain throughout history. [10]

Relation to the Mages Guild

As the College was independent from the Mages Guild, Necromancy was never made illegal by the College, unlike the Mages Guild in Cyrodiil. For the College of Winterhold, the practice was generally regarded as a tool, not a weapon, although practicing it outside of the College was, and is, not advised. [11] Like Cyrodiil, there were still wandering groups of Necromancers that did not function alongside the College. Since the College was independent of the jurisdiction of the Mages Guild, it was unaffected by the Necromancy Ban of 3E 431 and the subsequent eradication of that ban which led to battles against Mannimarco .

The seal of the College of Winterhold.

The College is often blamed for the Great Collapse of 4E 122 and is therefore widely distrusted. It is often believed that it was activities at the College that caused the disaster; the only evidence supporting this is that only the College remained almost untouched. The College has since been cautious as to avoid provoking the population of Skyrim. [12] [13] Many nationalistic Nords also do not trust the College because of the fact that the immigrant Dunmer make up the majority of the members within the faction. Additionally, most Nords view magic and its practitioners as spineless and weak. [14] [15]

The only positive relationship the people of Skyrim have with the College of Winterhold are requests for various items to be enchanted for them. Sergius Turrianus explains that enchanting services are one of the few connections between the College and the people of Skyrim. [16] Occasionally, he will have his students travel to a specific location in Skyrim to pick up an item from a person who made a request to the College to have the item enchanted. [17]

Lectures are held in the Hall of the Elements during the day. These cover a wide range of subjects and the Dragonborn is welcome to listen, provided they have joined the College.

Colette Marence : Restoration

Faralda : the synod and the college of whispers, drevis neloren : doomstones, urag gro-shub : shalidor 's writings, phinis gestor : eye of magnus.

Joining the College opens a questline consisting of eight main quests and eight side quests , one of which is radiant . There are three potential followers associated with the guild, becoming available once their three personal quests are completed. Three unique achievements can be unlocked by completing tasks for the College: Gatekeeper - Join the College of Winterhold; Revealing the Unseen - Complete "Revealing the Unseen"; and "The Eye of Magnus" - Complete "The Eye of Magnus."

Main quests

• Elder Knowledge

College of Winterhold quests

Under Saarthal .

• First Lessons
• Under Saarthal
• Hitting the Books
• Good Intentions
• Revealing the Unseen
• Containment
• The Staff of Magnus
• The Eye of Magnus

Side quests

The Eye of Magnus .

• Arniel's Endeavor
• Forgotten Names
• Out of Balance
• Tolfdir the Absent-Minded
• Fetch Me That Book!
• Shalidor's Insights
• The Missing Apprentices
• Rejoining the College

Follower quests

• J'zargo's Experiment
• Onmund's Request
• Brelyna's Practice

Master-level spell quests

• Alteration Ritual Spell
• Conjuration Ritual Spell
• Destruction Ritual Spell
• Illusion Ritual Spell
• Restoration Ritual Spell

Colette Marence , expert Restoration trainer.

• Savos Aren – Arch-Mage
• Mirabelle Ervine – Master Wizard
• Tolfdir – Scholar of Alteration magic
• Colette Marence – Scholar of Restoration magic
• Faralda – Scholar of Destruction magic
• Drevis Neloren – Scholar of Illusion magic
• Phinis Gestor – Scholar Conjurer
• Sergius Turrianus – Scholar Enchanter
• Urag gro-Shub – Librarian and Scholar
• Nirya – Scholar
• Arniel Gane – Scholar
• Enthir – Scholar and Black Market trader
• Wuunferth the Unliving – Court Wizard of Windhelm
• Brelyna Maryon – Student
• Onmund – Student
• J'zargo – Student
• Ancano – Not an actual member of the College, but is an advisor from the Thalmor .

Former Members

• Festus Krex
• Calixto Corrium [18]
• Malyn Varen
• Colette Marence – Expert Restoration trainer
• Drevis Neloren – Master Illusion trainer
• Faralda – Master Destruction trainer
• Sergius Turrianus – Expert Enchanting trainer
• Tolfdir – Master Alteration trainer
• Phinis Gestor – Expert Conjuration trainer

Achievements

• As with most other places in Skyrim , the College is a possible spawning place for dragons―sometimes several dragons. The most commonly encountered dragon around level 20 and higher is the Blood Dragon and will usually respawn.
• When seen from above, the College's structure greatly resembles the Magical diagrams found in Shalidor's Insights .
• Just beneath the floor of the College quarters, there are four chests containing various high-leveled robes , tomes , soul gems , quest items , and other mage-oriented gear organized by magic school . They can be accessed on the PC version by typing tcl into the console to toggle no-clipping mode and enable walking through solid surfaces. On the console versions, these chests are randomly accessible due to bugs in the game's texture loading system. There might occasionally be a missing floor tile in the Hall of the Elements, revealing one of the chests. It is then reachable by crouching close to the chest without touching the broken floor. All objects taken from these chests are considered stolen .
• Even after joining the College, Farengar Secret-Fire in Dragonsreach still says, "You know, if you have the aptitude, you should join the mages' college in Winterhold."
• In the Hall of Elements, the teachers and librarian will hold speeches about their particular subject. Once their speeches are completed, everyone returns to their daily positions.
• After completing " Arniel's Endeavor " it is possible to see Arniel's Shade wandering around the College and even sleeping in his room.
• By some people at the College, it was said the College of Winterhold was the most famous mages guild before the Great Collapse. Some say that people from all over Tamriel would visit Skyrim just to join the College.
• During the introduction, when Faralda lights the stone well, followers may get in the way and get hit by her spell.
• It is possible to enter the College of Winterhold without becoming an apprentice. One can enter by standing on the edge of the bridge and using the "Whirlwind Sprint" shout to fly through the side of the building. However, all three words of the shout must be learned, as the length between the bridge and the opening is too far for only the first or first two words. It is also possible to return to the bridge using the same method.
• One cannot ask for training in any school of magic.
• It is impossible to ask for side quests. Arniel Gane has the dialogue option, but he will decline.
• The gate to the bridge is key-locked, meaning it cannot be picked open.
• Mirabelle Ervine and Ancano 's conversation does not play out.
• The Midden is the only internal area to feature music.
• The Hall of the Elements is the only area that cannot be waited in.
• The College of Winterhold can be seen from as far away as Solitude . One can get this view from the amphitheater at the Bards College .
• The persuasion speech check for Faralda to admit the Dragonborn without casting a spell is the highest speech check in the game.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls: Arena (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends ( Heroes of Skyrim )
• A History of Daggerfall
• Brief History of the Empire, Book IV
• On the Great Collapse
• ↑ Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Skyrim
• ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Skyrim
• ↑ Loading Screens (Skyrim)
• ↑ Dialogue of Korir
• ↑ The Holds of Skyrim
• ↑ 6.0 6.1 Dialogue with Savos Aren
• ↑ Dialogue with Korir
• ↑ Dialogue with Serana
• ↑ Dialogue with Mirabelle Ervine
• ↑ Atlas of Dragons
• ↑ Dialogue with Phinis Gestor
• ↑ On the Great Collapse
• ↑ Dialogue with Jarl Korir
• ↑ Dialogue between Birna and Ranmir
• ↑ Dialogue with Onmund
• ↑ Dialogue with Sergius Turrianus
• ↑ Events of " Enchanting Pick-Up "
• ↑ Butcher Journal 1
• ↑ Forum Archives - Others
• Elder Scrolls
• 1 Marriage (Skyrim)
• 2 Console Commands (Skyrim)
• 3 Trainers (Skyrim)

Skyrim:College of Winterhold (faction)

The College of Winterhold is a faction that you have the option of joining. It is Skyrim's equivalent of the Mages Guild from earlier Elder Scrolls games. The College is the only place in Skyrim dedicated to education and practice in the magical arts.

The secretive nature of the College mages and the Nords' natural distrust of Magic have contributed to widespread distrust of the College and its members. The destruction of most of Winterhold in 4E 122 only worsened the situation, though no actual evidence exists to suggest the College's involvement. The College's leader, Arch-Mage Savos Aren , seems to be aware of the College's reputation, but doesn't seem too eager to do anything about it.

• 1 The College of Winterhold
• 2.1 Joining
• 2.2 Benefits
• 2.3 Suspension
• 2.4 Leadership
• 3.1 Primary Quests
• 3.2 Optional Quests
• 3.3 Master Skill Quests
• 3.4 Membership Required Quests

The College of Winterhold [ edit ]

The threadbare Hold City of Winterhold has seen most of its population driven away. The center of life in these parts nowadays is the College of Winterhold. Once a prominent, influential location in Skyrim, Winterhold has fallen on hard times, but is still a haven for mages in Skyrim, a safe refuge from distrustful Nords. Largely self-sufficient, the College of Winterhold is quite content to be isolated from the rest of the province, although a more peaceful coexistence with the outside world is always preferred.

The College of Winterhold is situated on a cliff overlooking the Sea of Ghosts . Several years ago, much of the cliff fell into the sea, taking nearly all of the original city with it. Only a few buildings remain, though somehow the College of Winterhold has largely been untouched by the damage. It now resides on a free-standing pillar of rock and ice. Inside, the College is split into three distinctive towers: Halls of Countenance and Attainment , where apprentices and senior mages reside; and the Hall of the Elements , where the Arch-Mage resides, gatherings are held, and The Arcanaeum (the College's great library) is kept. Below the College lies The Midden , a warren of icy tunnels where the remnants of long-forgotten experiments reside.

Membership [ edit ]

Joining [ edit ].

To join the College of Winterhold, you must first travel to Winterhold. You can hear about how to get to the College via the College Objective Quest . The first quest is a "gatekeeper" of sorts, called First Lessons .

Benefits [ edit ]

• Master-level trainers in Illusion , Destruction and Alteration .
• Expert-level trainers in Enchanting , Conjuration and Restoration .
• Access to alchemy supplies, as well as an alchemy lab and an arcane enchanter .
• Access to shopkeepers that sell various spell tomes .
• Access to various skill books .
• Multiple potential followers .
• Storage area.
• A free bed to sleep in.
• Under Saarthal and The Staff of Magnus need to be started to gain access to word walls for Ice Form and Slow Time shouts, respectively.
• Many expensive things to steal (such as staves, soul gems and potions that respawn).

Suspension [ edit ]

Committing murder against a College of Winterhold member will trigger the Rejoining the College quest. You will be required to pay a fine to Tolfdir in order to be reinstated.

Leadership [ edit ]

Once the quest line is complete, you are granted the position of Arch-Mage, replacing the now-deceased Arch-Mage Savos Aren. This gives you possession of the Arch-Mage's Quarters and a vast number of free items, ranging from soul gems to alchemy ingredients. You are also given the Archmage's Robes (15% less magicka cost on all spell schools, +50 Magicka and 100% faster magicka regeneration).

Quests [ edit ]

Primary quests [ edit ].

The primary College of Winterhold questline consists of nine quests. Three achievements (50 points; 2 Bronze and 1 Silver) are unlocked by the College's quests.

Optional Quests [ edit ]

• Arniel's Endeavor : Uncover an ancient Dwemer secret. ( radiant ) Requires completion of Hitting the Books .
• Brelyna's Practice : Help Brelyna Maryon by allowing her to practice her spells on you. Requires completion of Under Saarthal .
• J'zargo's Experiment : Help a student test out a fiery new spell. Requires completion of Under Saarthal .
• Onmund's Request : Help Onmund negotiate the return of a family amulet from Enthir . ( radiant ) Requires completion of Under Saarthal .
• Out of Balance : Purify the focus points for magical energy around the College of Winterhold .
• Enchanting Pick-Up : Sergius wants you to pick up an item from a client for enchanting. ( radiant )
• Restocking Soul Gems : Help Sergius Turrianus to fill his stock with soul gems .
• Aftershock : Put an end to the rupture caused by the Eye of Magnus. ( radiant )
• Rejoining the College : Make amends for breaking the College of Winterhold rules.
• Tolfdir the Absent-Minded : Help Tolfdir find his missing alembic .
• Fetch me that Book! : Fetch a book for Urag gro-Shub . ( radiant )
• Shalidor's Insights : Discover the writings of Shalidor and benefit from his wisdom. ( radiant )

Master Skill Quests [ edit ]

• Alteration Ritual Spell : Acquire Kahvozein's Fang and use it to get heartscales from a dragon for Tolfdir . ( radiant )
• Conjuration Ritual Spell : Find a Sigil Stone by summoning a daedra and learn more about Conjuration .
• Destruction Ritual Spell : Learn the most powerful Destruction spells Skyrim has to offer.
• Illusion Ritual Spell : Find some books about Illusion magic to further your Illusion skills.
• Restoration Ritual Spell : Find the Augur of Dunlain and learn more about Restoration magic.

Membership Required Quests [ edit ]

These are not College of Winterhold quests. However, it is impossible to complete them normally without joining the College.

• Creature of Legend CC : Track down and tame the last living Unicorn .
• Forbidden Legend : Investigate the forgotten Gauldur Legend .
• Forgotten Names : Summon the Dremora pirate, Velehk Sain .
• Forgotten Vale Books Quest DG : Bring the Ancient Falmer Tome to Urag gro-Shub .
• No Stone Unturned : Find the 24 gems to restore the Crown of Barenziah.
• Swift as an Arrow CC : Learn how to craft and use Telekinesis Arrows .

People [ edit ]

Notes [ edit ].

• There are four unimplemented optional quests for the College that are only visible by using the command console. They are " Filling Soul Gems ", " Research Thief ", " The Missing Apprentices ", and " Rogue Wizard ".

See Also [ edit ]

• Lore:College of Winterhold
• Skyrim-Factions
• MetaTemplate-Load

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Hunter Higgins Set for Nebraska Spring Game Visit

2026 edge prospect from Kansas is eager to see the new facilities and talk with coaches

• Author: Caleb Sisk

In this story:

Hunter Higgins is a class of 2026 edge defender from Maize South High School in Wichita, Kansas.

The 6-foot-5 prospect is set to visit Nebraska for the Huskers' spring game this weekend.

“I’m definitely looking forward to seeing the facilities finished and new,” Higgins stated to HuskerMax.

“I got to see it when you needed a hard hat to get through it, then when it was a couple of months out from being done, and now will be seeing it full circle! More than anything, refreshing the relationship with the coaches and talking with them more in depth because people are one of the most important things for me in making my decision.”

There's one topic in particular he plans to explore with the coaches.

“I want to talk with them more on what it’s gonna take for me to have my best chance on starting as a freshman for them if I do choose to go to Nebraska. If that’s technique, adding size or speed, I’m anxious to hear what they say. My goal is to stay at the place I choose and develop there.”

Being an edge, he is interested in seeing what his position group and the defensive line can do during the spring game. A certain "Polar Bear" is who he has his eye on.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing Nash Hutmacher and taking some notes about how he moves. Especially with him being an elite wrestler, I wonder how it translates onto the D-line.”

Higgins has a double-digit list of offers but says he isn't ranking schools just yet.

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Skyrim: Under Saarthal College Of Winterhold Quest Walkthrough

Go on a school trip in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

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First lessons, entering saarthal, exploring saarthal, solving the first saarthal puzzle, solving the second saarthal puzzle, defeating jyrik gaulderson.

Your first real assignment as a student at the College of Winterhold is to go on a school trip down to some ancient ruins. Understanding the intricacies of archeological excavation in Skyrim would broaden your horizons and deepen your understanding of the College's many fields of study.

Related: Skyrim: Mage Build Guide

Unfortunately, this school trip will lead you through deadly traps and powerful undead as you make a discovery that will set the stage for the rest of your time at the College of Winterhold. With challenging puzzles stopping you in Saarthal, you might want to refer to a guide throughout the class trip.

Before you can start Under Saarthal, you need to complete First Lesson s , a quest that automatically starts when you first arrive at the College of Winterhold . You will be stopped at the College's entrance by Faralda. She will force you to complete a test to gain entry.

If you are visiting the College for the quest Elder Knowledge , you will be able to introduce yourself as the Dragonborn and use the Voice to pass the test .

The test will consist of being made to cast a spell of her choosing . If you do not know the spell , you can buy the tome for 30 gold.

After you pass, you will be brought to Mirabelle Ervine , who gives you Novice Robes and Novice Hood before bringing you on a tour of the Hall of Attainment. You will be given a bed to rest in, as well .

With the tour concluded, you are told to attend a class taught by Tolfdir in the Hall of Elements . He will demonstrate how to use ward spells before sending you to Saarthal, starting the quest Under Saarthal .

If you do not have a ward spell , he will teach you Lesser Ward for free.

To continue the quest, travel to Saarthal, southwest of Winterhold . Speak to Tolfdir at the entrance to enter the excavation site.

You won't be able to enter Saarthal without this quest.

Once inside, Tolfdir will tell you to look for Arniel Gane , another staff member who is waiting deeper in the ruins and indicated with a quest marker. He will ask you to pick up four Magical Artifacts from the surrounding area. Picking up the Ancient Amulet from a black section on the wall will trigger a mechanism, trapping you.

You only need to pick up the Ancient Amulet to continue the quest. The other artifacts will not have to be collected if you pick the Amulet up first.

Tolfdir will come running at the noise. At his suggestion, equip the Saarthal Amulet and cast an offensive spell or Shout at the wall that used to hold the amulet, breaking it and revealing a hidden path.

Walk through the tunnel with Tolfdir until you reach a dead end. A vision will trigger where a robed mage, Nerien, will appear. After a cryptic warning, he disappears, and a trio of draugr will emerge from their coffins . Tolfdir will help you defeat them.

The next room is a large, circular chamber with metal spikes blocking the way through . After defeating the room's draugr, look for a pair of chains by the spikes . Pulling them will let you through, allowing you to enter Saarthal properly.

Deeper into the ruin, you will have to fight through several more draugr. With the ruin's tight spaces , surviving as a spellcaster will be especially challenging . There are many traps scattered around Saarthal that will quickly damage you.

Magical Runes will be particularly annoying. Watch the ground for glowing magical symbols and shoot them from a distance to trigger them without taking damage.

It won't be long before you encounter the first puzzle.

This puzzle is straightforward, if deceptive. It is a narrow corridor with six rotating pillars, three on each side . The hints to solve the puzzle are carvings situated behind each pillar, though obscured by shadows. Illuminating the area using spells like Candlelight or Magelight will help you spot the carvings.

You need to match each pillar to the carving behind it . Pull the lever in front of the exit to complete it. The solution is below.

The next room will be a large chamber with two floors and a pair of ramps leading up to the second floor. There will be a high-level draugr waiting at the top. It will be a challenging opponent.

After defeating it, you will have to navigate through several more draugr-filled rooms with more runes on the ground . Your progress will be halted by a second puzzle.

This second puzzle is more complicated . You will need to match four rotating puzzles with the sequence outlined at the entrance . This is complicated by the pillars rotating each other . If you are struggling, the solution is below.

The pillars will be numbered according to the following table:

Rotate the pillars in the following order.

• Rotate 1 to Fish
• Rotate 2 to Snake
• Rotate 3 to Bird
• Rotate 4 to Fish

Pull the lever when you have completed the puzzle to finish it.

Once you get through this puzzle, you'll be reunited with Tolfdir. The two of you discover a giant floating orb protected by an energy barrier . Your investigation into the orb is cut short when Jyrik Gaulderson , a draugr sitting in front of the orb, wakes up .

Jyrik is invulnerable to damage and will chase you through the room while attacking you with an axe and magic. You will need to survive until Tolfdir figures out that the orb is protecting Jyrik . He will need some time to drain the orb, rendering Jyrik vulnerable to damage .

While your spells will be able to damage him, Jyrik will quickly rotate between elemental resistances .

You will need to tailor your spells to work around his resistances . That aside, however, he is not a particularly hardy foe . Speak to Tolfdir after defeating Jyrik to continue the quest. You will have to inform the Savos Aren, the Arch-Mage of the Orb.

Though it should go without saying, make sure to loot him . His corpse has the Gauldur Amulet Fragment and a Writ of Sealing. This starts the quest Forbidden Legend, which rewards you with a powerful amulet and weapons .

His staff can also be found on the table he was sitting at .

On your way out, make sure to visit the Word Wall to learn Ice Form and loot the nearby chest before going to the College.

Savos will be in the Arch-Mage's Quarters. When appraised of the situation, he tells you to help investigate the matter by going to the Arcanaeum and speaking to Urag gro-Shub . This starts the next quest, Hitting The Books .

You will also be rewarded with a Staff of Magelight and will be able to take on quests from your fellow students.

Next: All Skyrim Races As Mages, Ranked