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. Before entering, the player must successfully cast one of several different spells. If the player does not have that spell, Faralda, the guardian of the bridge that connects the city of Winterhold to the College, sells it to them for 30 gold.

Note: If your character is not of mage class and so will unlikely have enough magika to cast the spell consumeing a fortify magika potion such as Elixer of Extra Magika should allow you to gain access.

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 Countanence, 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 and the Augur of Dunlain. 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 the second year of Tamriel's history, proving the institution is at least 700 years old. Much of the College's history was lost during the Great Collapse, a geographic phenomena brought about by the eruption of a dormant volcano named Red Mountain.

Necromancy has never been 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.

Information
The college is untrusted by many. This is because when the city of Winterhold fell during the Great Collapse (which the event is blamed on the students there) the college remained untouched. Now the college plays it safe and tries not to do anything dangerous.

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.

First Lessons
Once you arrive at the College of Winterhold and have sucessfully passed Feralda's test at the bridge you should report to Mirabelle Ervine who is standing outside the doors to the college. She will give you a short tour and instruct you to find Tolfdir who is teaching inside.

Listen to Tolfdir's lesson on wards and follow his instructions to practice the new spell. Tolfdir also has several spell books on sale which may be useful for wandering around dark dungeons. You will be told to head to Saarthal to take part in an expedition.

Under Saarthal
Meet Tolfdir outside Saarthal, he will tell you to find Arniel Gane and assist him with his work uncovering the ruins. Arniel will ask you to find four artifacts which are laying around the nearby rooms, one of which will trigger a mechanism that will trap you inside a room. Put on the amulet that you picked up earlier and a door in the room will start to glow, break down the door to escape the trap.

Follow Tolfdir through the new secret passage way to a room with a large stone desk. A vision of a mage will appear to you. He tells you that your actions henceforth shall be judged by the Psijic Order. If you tell Tolfdir about the vision he will say that he saw nothing but finds it very interesting.

The next few rooms will contain Draugr carrying ancient Nordic weapons, kill these and carry on further down the passage. Tolfdir will stay behind in one of the rooms to study more as you press on.

Further into the dungeon you will come across a pictogram puzzle. Just match up the pillar with the pictures behind. From left to right in each room, bird, whale, snake, bird, whale, bird.

You'll come across another pictogram puzzle further inside. Match up the pictures as before but this time the pillars affect each other. There are four pillars, the first pillar on the right affects nothing but itself, the first pillar on the left affects the second pillar on the right as well. The second pillar on the left affects all pillars as well as itself. The second pillar on the right affects the first pillar on the right as well as itself. You can solve this puzzle through trial and error if needed.

Tolfdir will catch up to you after the second puzzle. Make your way into the next large room which has a huge floating sphere inside, kill the undead Jyrik Gouldurson and search his body for an amulet and the nearby table for his staff. Talk to Tolfdir about the sphere and he will instruct you to speak to the Arch Mage. Make your way out of the dungeon via the door behind the floating sphere and discover a new Dragon Word, Ice Form. Open a chest of loot nearby and exit the dungeon.

Travel back to The College and talk to Savos Aren the Arch Mage. He will tell you to see Urag gro-Shub in the Arcanaeum and gives you the Staff of Magelight as a reward for this quest.

Hitting The Books
More to follow..

Video Tutorial How To Join
660px|Here Is How To Join The Guild

Appearances

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