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
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
Joining
To join the College of Winterhold, you must first travel to Winterhold. The first quest is a "gatekeeper" of sorts, called First Lessons.
Benefits
- 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.
Suspension
Committing a major crime against a College of Winterhold member, such as assault or murder, will trigger the Rejoining the College quest. You will be required to pay a fine to Tolfdir in order to be reinstated.
Leadership
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
Primary Quests
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. |  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. |  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. |  30 pts/Silver |
Optional Quests
- One-time quest or minor questline
- Arniel's Endeavor: Uncover an ancient Dwemer secret. (radiant)
- Brelyna's Practice: Help Brelyna Maryon by allowing her to practice her spells on you.
- J'zargo's Experiment: Help a student test out a fiery new spell.
- Onmund's Request: Help Onmund negotiate the return of a family amulet from Enthir. (radiant)
- Out of Balance: Purify the focus points for magical energy around the College of Winterhold.
- Rejoining the College: Make amends for breaking the College of Winterhold rules.
- Radiant quests from Sergius Turrianus
- 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.
- Radiant quests from Tolfdir
- Tolfdir the Absent-Minded: Help Tolfdir find his missing alembic.
- Aftershock: Put an end to the rupture caused by the Eye of Magnus. (radiant)
- Radiant quests from Urag gro-Shub
- 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)
- Three optional quests for the College are not implemented and are only visible using the console. They are "Research Thief", "The Missing Apprentices", and "Rogue Wizard".
Master Skill Quests
- 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
These are not College of Winterhold quests. However, it is impossible to complete them normally without joining the College.
- Forbidden Legend: Investigate the forgotten Gauldur Legend.
- Forgotten Names: Summon the Dremora pirate, Velehk Sain.
- No Stone Unturned: Find the 24 gems to restore the Crown of Barenziah.
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