College of Winterhold (Skyrim)

The College of Winterhold is a Faction that appears in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It is a guild of Magic users, similar to the Mages Guild of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Savos Aren is Arch-Mage, with Mirabelle Ervine serving under him as Master-Wizard. The College is located in the northern section of the city of Winterhold.

Joining
Before entering the college, the gatekeeper Faralda wishes to see a demonstration of magical powers. She will request to see one of several spells. If the player does not currently have the requested spell in their spellbook, she offers to sell them to you for around 30 gold. You may also gain entry by telling Faralda that you are a Dragonborn and to demonstrate, perform a Dragon shout in front of her. Once completed, you will be allowed entrance to the College of Winterhold.

Architectural Design
The College of Winterhold is located north of Winterhold on a mountainous cliff. A narrow bridge in a state of disrepair connects the city to the college. The college consists of a round courtyard with doors that branch off to the other sections of the college. Hall of Attainment, the living quarters for mage apprentices, is off to the right, while the Hall of Countenance, the living quarters for more advanced mages, is off to the left. Straight ahead lies the Hall of the Elements, the lecture hall of the college. From the Hall of Elements, the Arch-Mages 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 an Atronach Forge, Augur of Dunlain and the Daedric Relic. Ice Wraiths and Draugr inhabit the halls of The Midden. A tunnel leads here to the world map.

History and Origin
Papers kept in the College's library date back to Tamriel's second age, proving the institution is at least 700 years old. Much of the College's history was lost during the Great Collapse, a geographic phenomena (possibly brought about by the eruption of a dormant volcano named Red Mountain).

Necromancy was never made illegal by the College, unlike the Arcane University in Cyrodiil. The practice is generally regarded as a tool, not a weapon, although practicing it outside of the College is frowned upon.

Because the college is independent of the jurisdiction of the Mages Guild, it was unaffected by the dissolution presented in the 4th era.

Distrust
The college is often blamed for the Great Collapse and is therefore widely distrusted. It is often believed that it was the students at the college that caused the disaster and that the proof of this is that only the college remained untouched. The college has since been cautious as to provoking the population of Skyrim.

Characteristics
Winterhold, Solitude 's ancient rival, has also experienced a renaissance in power and influence. Refugees from Morrowind, far from burdening the eastern city, have brought with them new ideas, enriching its culture, and stimulating its old mercantile spirit. Scholars from all over Tamriel have descended upon the county since it became home to the Ysmir Collective, a library rescued from destruction in the east, and the cornerstone of academic life at the college.

Quests

 * First Lessons
 * Under Saarthal
 * Hitting The Books
 * Revealing the Unseen
 * Staff of Magnus (Quest)
 * Arniel's Endevor
 * Daedric Relic

Characters

 * Arniel Gane (Quest Giver)
 * Ancano (Advisor)
 * Brelyna Maryon (Student)
 * Colette Marence (Restoration)
 * Drevis Neloren (Illusion)
 * Enthir (Black Market)
 * Faralda (Destruction)
 * J'zargo (Student)
 * Onmund (Student)
 * Nirya (Student)
 * Mirabelle Ervine (Master Wizard)
 * Phinis Gestor (Conjuration)
 * Savos Aren (Archmage)
 * Sergius Turrianus (Enchanter)
 * Tolfdir (Alteration)
 * Urag gro-Shub (Librarian)

Appearances

 * The Elder Scrolls: Arena
 * The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim