Cheydinhal Recommendation

Overview
Quest giver: Falcar in the Cheydinhal Mages Guild Reward: Cheydinhal recommendation

Background Information
As part of Join the Mages Guild, you must get a recommendation from each city's Mages Guild Hall.

Walkthrough
Falcar, the head of the Cheyinhal Mages Guild, will send you to find a Ring of Burden in a well behind the Cheydinhal Mages Guild. He tells you to talk to Deetsun first for the key to the well. Deetsun tells you of a prior associate, Vidkur, sent to fulfill the same task, who never returned. When you enter the well, you will be submerged in water the entire time, so you will need to be quick about it, cast Water Breathing, use the scroll provided by Deetsun or simply wear the Jewel of the Rumare. Off to the right will be the former associate's floating body. Search it and the Ring of Burden will be in his possession. It is recommended that you go to a merchant first or bring along a spell of feather as the ring is 150 weight, so you may easily become encumbered beneath the water. On a side note, a Nirnroot can be found inside that same well.

When you go to return the ring, the Falcar will be gone and Deetsun will tell you of a confrontation she had with him. She will give you a quest to investigate his room to check that he really did write a recommendation for you. Upon searching the Falcar's drawers in the living quarters, you will find two Black Soul Gems. Return those to Deetsun and she will write your recommendation for you.

Alternative method to get the ring
Another way to get the ring out of the well regardless of your ability to carry it, is by using a slight exploit of the grab function. Once you find the ring on the body, drop it. Now, instead of picking up the ring, grab it (default key on PC is  and on X360 is the  ) and swim over to the exit ladder. If you go too quickly, you might lose your grip on the ring. Once you get to the ladder, actually pick up the ring into your inventory. With the ring in your inventory, use the exit ladder; it doesn't matter if you're over-encumbered. Once outside, repeat the process of dropping, grabbing, moving to where you need to go, picking up the ring, and using the door.

Drop the junk
Don't forget to drop the Ring of Burden anywhere after completing the quest. It is enough to simply pick it up under the water and immediately drop it again to complete the goal and earn the recommendation.

See Related

 * Mages Guild