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Elder Scrolls

The Arcanaeum or the Ysmir Collective[1] serves as the library for the College of Winterhold in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and is overseen by Urag gro-Shub, it houses over 100 books which can be read but not removed from the library.

History[]

The Arcanaeum contains documents that reportedly date back to the late second era.[2] Urag tries to keep as much knowledge available to the mages as he can and takes his job very seriously.[3] The library was rescued from destruction in the east, and became the cornerstone of academic life at the College.[1]

Quests[]

"A mage is only as good as what he knows."
―Urag gro-Shub[src]

Hitting the Books[]

Speaking with Urag gro-Shub about any documents that might explain the connection between Saarthal and the Psijic Order, he confesses that the needed documents were recently stolen by an apprentice by the name of Orthorn, who took the books and ran off to Fellglow Keep to join up with a group of mages who left the College. Urag asks the Dragonborn to retrieve three such stolen books, Night of Tears, The Last King of the Ayleids and Fragment: On Artaeum.

Shalidor's Insights[]

If Urag Gro-Shub is asked to help locating any rare books, he will then ask for an assistance with locating Shalidor's Insights, rare manuscripts scattered across Skyrim.

Elder Knowledge[]

The Dragonborn needs to recover an Elder Scroll to travel back in time to Alduin's defeat atop the Throat of the World, so Urag gro-Shub is able to provide the Dragonborn with two texts on the Scrolls, Effects of the Elder Scrolls and Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls, one of which is authored by Septimus Signus. As a former member of the college, Urag knows his whereabouts and directs the Dragonborn to him.

Ancient Falmer Tomes DG[]

Four ancient tomes written in the Falmer Language are scattered throughout the Forgotten Vale. They can be sold to Urag gro-Shub, and for each Unknown Book, he will award 1000 Gold and a translated version of that book.

Fetch Me That Book![]

After joining the College of Winterhold, Urag may send the Dragonborn to collect various rare books for some gold. Once enough are collected, he sends word to the Orc strongholds so that the Dragonborn can gain entry.

Scroll Scouting[]

If the Dragonborn has already sold an Elder Scroll to Urag gro-Shub, it must be bought back. He will sell it back for 4,000 Gold, unless the Dragonborn is the Arch-Mage, in which case he can be persuaded to sell it for half of that. However, if the Dragonborn is not yet the Arch-Mage, Urag can still be persuaded to sell it back for 3,000 Gold.

Forgotten Names[]

Four ornamental rings that are needed to complete the quest are stored in the Master Investigators Box. The box may be opened with the Investigator's Key, or picking the Master-level lock. Note that opening the box to take the rings is counted as stealing, so one needs to avoid Urag gro-Shub's detection. Either waiting after Urag retires to his room at night, or going there immediately after completing "The Eye of Magnus" quest, since Urag will not be present in the room too.

Books[]

On the shelves, tables, and floor[]

Click to show

For sale[]

Click to show
Urag gro-Shub also sells books in the Arcanaeum, and the stock seems to change between different saves. His shop stock updates every 48 in-game hours.

Notable collections and texts[]

  • Elder Scroll (Dragon) – after selling it to Urag gro-Shub it can then be seen in a display case behind Urag's desk.

Appearances[]

References[]

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