- For other uses, see Winterhold.
- "Magic is a true power, not something to be shunned by commoners or treated as an amusing diversion by politicians. It shapes worlds, creates and destroys life... It deserves proper respect and study. The College is a place where we can focus on that, without the pressures of the world weighing down on us."
- ―Arch-Mage Savos Aren[src]
The College of Winterhold is a school of magic located in the northern cliffs of Winterhold in the province of Skyrim. The school is known to be the center of Magicka study in Skyrim and it was created by Arch-Mage Shalidor for this purpose only.
By game
Description
Geography
The College of Winterhold is located atop of a tall ice formation that is not connected to the city of Winterhold. The only way to reach the school is an ancient bridge that connects from the mainland, on the western end of town. The College is centered around a square with a pool of Magicka streaming out into a pillar and large statue of a young Shalidor. The main hall is called the Hall of the Elements, where many students practice their skills whether it is a Fireball spell or a Lesser Ward spell. Above the Hall is The Arcanaeum, a vast collection of books that date back to the Merethic Era and have information on the mystical Elder Scrolls. The Hall of Countenance and the Hall of Attainment are where the students and teachers live respectively. Underneath the College is the Midden, a dungeon where many members go to perform experiments.[1]
History
Papers kept in the College's library reportedly date back to the late Second Era.[2] Serana in the Dawnguard add-on corroborates this date, recalling that the College existed when she was entombed between the Reman and Septim empires.[3][UL 1] Additionally, documents from as early as 2E 373 suggest academic collaboration between the Reman Empire and the College.[4] However, Mirabelle Ervine states in her tour of the grounds that the College has been a "fixture" of Skyrim for thousands of years,[5] its inception being credited to Arch-Mage Shalidor in the First Era.[6]
Third Era
During the Oblivion Crisis in 3E 433, the city of Winterhold was flourishing with a new renaissance of power and wealth. Several refugees from Morrowind travel to Winterhold and bring their culture into the city as well as their old mercantile spirit. Scholars from all over Tamriel went to the College of Winterhold to bring books since the Ysmir Collective was established in the College. It became the academic cornerstone in Northern Tamriel.[7]
Fourth Era
- Main article: College of Winterhold (Skyrim)
In 4E 122, much of the city of Winterhold collapsed into the sea in an event known as The Great Collapse, although the College of Winterhold was left unharmed by the cataclysm.[8] This prompted suspicion among many citizens of Winterhold, who believed that the institution may have had a hand in the collapse. Although the College denied any involvement in the event, suggesting that the College was unharmed because of "protective magicks" placed around it many years previously,[9] the populace of Winterhold continued to harbor great distrust for the mages at the College.[10]
During the Dragon Crisis in 4E 201, the Arch-Mage of the College was Savos Aren, and the Master Wizard was Mirabelle Ervine. Members of the College led by Tolfdir traveled to the ancient city of Saarthal to study the Atmoran architecture. Deep within Saarthal was a device called the Eye of Magnus, it had the ability to disperse large quantities of Magicka and was considered very powerful and dangerous. To quell the dangers it poses, an aspiring student of the College traveled to the vast ruins of the Labyrinthian to find the Staff of Magnus after an adventure in Mzulft. Ancano, an agent of the Thalmor was tampering with the Eye of Magnus and caused a magical explosion on the campus, including the ruined city of Winterhold. After dealing with the threat in the city, the student used the Staff of Magnus and weakened Ancano. They eventually defeated him and saved the college. That student was then promoted to the rank of Arch-Mage and Tolfdir was made the new Master Wizard of Winterhold.[11][12][13][14][15]
Gallery
Appearances
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)
- The Elder Scrolls: Legends
References
- ā Appearance in Skyrim
- ā Dialogue with Savos Aren
- ā Dialogue with Serana
- ā Atlas of Dragons
- ā Dialogue with Mirabelle Ervine
- ā A Minor Maze
- ā Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Skyrim
- ā Loading Screens (Skyrim)
- ā On the Great Collapse
- ā Dialogue with Korir
- ā Events of "Under Saarthal"
- ā Events of "Revealing the Unseen"
- ā Events of "Containment"
- ā Events of "The Staff of Magnus"
- ā Events of "The Eye of Magnus"
| Skyrim Locations in Lore | |
|---|---|
| Cities | Dawnstar ā¢ Falkreath ā¢ Markarth ā¢ Morthal ā¢ Riften ā¢ Solitude ā¢ Whiterun ā¢ Windhelm ā¢ Winterhold |
| Regions | Eastmarch ā¢ Falkreath Hold ā¢ Haafingar ā¢ Hjaalmarch ā¢ The Pale ā¢ The Reach ā¢ The Rift ā¢ Whiterun Hold ā¢ Winterhold (Miscellaneous: Bleakrock Isle ā¢ Roscrea ā¢ Solstheim) |
| Landmarks | Arkngthamz ā¢ Blackreach ā¢ Castle Volkihar ā¢ College of Winterhold ā¢ Forgotten Vale ā¢ Fort Dawnguard ā¢ High Hrothgar ā¢ Hsaarik Head ā¢ Labyrinthian ā¢ Mount Anthor ā¢ Old Hroldan ā¢ Saarthal ā¢ Skuldafn ā¢ Snowhawk ā¢ Throat of the World |