Skyrim:College of Winterhold (faction)

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The symbol of the College as seen on a window

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.

The College of Winterhold[edit]

The College of Winterhold

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.

SR-icon-College.png

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]

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.

Quest Achievement
College Objective Quest: Visit the College of Winterhold.
First Lessons: Join the College of Winterhold. Gatekeeper 10pts/Bronze
Under Saarthal: Uncover the mysteries beneath this ancient ruin.
Hitting the Books: Find the books needed to identify the artifact found in Saarthal.
Good Intentions: Find and consult the Augur of Dunlain.
Revealing the Unseen: Learn the location of the Staff of Magnus. Revealing the Unseen 10 pts/Bronze
Containment: Deal with the aftermath of the Eye's power surge.
The Staff of Magnus: Retrieve the Staff of Magnus.
The Eye of Magnus: Reclaim the College and contain the Eye. The Eye of Magnus 30 pts/Silver

Optional Quests[edit]

Master Skill Quests[edit]

Membership Required Quests[edit]

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

People[edit]

Mages and Wizards
Savos Aren (Arch-Mage)
Ancano (Thalmor Advisor)
Mirabelle Ervine (Master-Wizard)
Colette Marence Trainer (Expert)Restoration (Expert) Restoration Spells
Drevis Neloren Trainer (Master)Illusion (Master) Illusion Spells
Faralda Trainer (Master)Destruction (Master) Destruction Spells
Phinis Gestor Trainer (Expert)Conjuration (Expert) Conjuration Spells
Sergius Turrianus Trainer (Expert)Enchanting (Expert)
Tolfdir Trainer (Master)Alteration (Master) Alteration Spells
Scholars
Arniel Gane
Enthir Fence
Nirya
Urag gro-Shub Books
Students
Brelyna Maryon Follower
J'zargo Follower
Onmund Follower
Former Members
Borvir
Elvali Veren
Enthralled Wizards
Falion Spells
Festus Krex
Girduin
Hamelyn
Ilas-Tei
Malyn Varen
Nelacar Spells
Orthorn
Rundi
Takes-In-Light
Yisra

Notes[edit]

See Also[edit]