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- What Is The College Of Winterhold?
- Quests
- Rewards
- Followers
The Nords of Skyrim do not inspire images of wise, learned researchers that devote their lives to mastering the magical arts. If anything, the ordinary Nord would punch you in the face for suggesting such a thing. Or start a Civil War. The only exception to this rule is the College of Winterhold, the province's oldest magical institution.
Related: Skyrim: Complete Guide To The Dark Brotherhood
It is the only place where you can learn more about the schools of magic and the perfect place to buy magical supplies such as Spell Tomes and Soul Gems. They don't have a prospectus, but this guide will do just fine.
What Is The College Of Winterhold?
The College was once a well-respected organization before a magical accident led to an explosion that destroyed the town surrounding it in an event called "The Great Collapse".
Understandably, this incident has only worsened relations with the Nords and given the College a poor reputation.
The campus is balanced on a stone spire that was once the center of Winterhold and is connected to the remnants of the town by a floating stone bridge.
Both the staff and students of the College have a strained relationship with Winterhold. While no oneknows what caused the Great Collapse, many residents blame the College for it.
In the current day, the College is led by Arch-Mage Savos Aren as it tries to continue existing through the complicated political situation created by the Civil War and Thalmor interference.
The campus is split into three main buildings.
Hall of the Elements
This is the College's main building. Lectures are conducted in this hall and the Arcanaeum, the library, is located on the second floor.
Hall of Attainment
New students stay in this hall. This is where you will initially stay.
Hall of Countenance
More experienced students and staff members live here.
Quests
The College will send you out on quests to retrieve knowledge and artifacts from Skyrim. Aside from its main story, you can help your fellow students and assist your professors in their research.
Main Story
The College of Winterhold has a short but intense questline that will have you solving puzzles and uncovering many of its deepest secrets.
It starts with a class trip to an ancient ruin that spirals out of control with the ancient Psijic Order giving a cryptic prophecy that you spend much of the storyline deciphering.
First Lessons
This short quest introduces you to the College and your fellow students.
Under Saarthal
Your class goes to an ancient Nordic ruin for a class to learn about archeology. You discover a strange artifact within.
Hitting The Books
The Arch-Mage asks you to learn more about the artifact.
Good Intentions
The investigation brings you deep below the College, where you look for clues.
Revealing The Unseen
Next is a trip through a dwarven ruin where you look for Imperial scholars.
Containment
The situation becomes more complicated as the artifact creates a magical disaster. Join the College in containing it.
The Staff Of Magnus
With no time to waste, you head straight for an ancient staff that can avert calamity.
The Eye Of Magnus
A final showdown to protect Winterhold and Skyrim itself.
Helping Students
You are not the only newcomer to the College. Three students have enrolled at the same time as you. They will ask you to help them with their experiments and personal problems.
Brenlyna's Practice
Allow the student to test her spells on you.
J'zargo's Experiment
Use his scrolls on undead as a field test.
Onmund's Request
Help him get his amulet back from Enthir.
Completing these quests will allow you to recruit your fellow students as followers that will use magic in battle. You will also be able to marry them after completing their quests.
You will need to complete Under Saarthal to start these quests.
Ritual Spells
When you reach level 100 in any school of magic, you can talk to the professor in charge of the field to learn Master-level spells after completing a quest.
Destruction
Talk to Faralda to start this quest.
Alteration
You need to talk to Tolfdir to start this quest.
Conjuration
Look for Phinis Gestor for this ritual spell.
Illusion
Talk to Drevis Neloren to start this quest.
Restoration
You will have to find Colette Marence to start this.
Rewards
Joining and helping the College of Winterhold will grant you access to items and services that will accelerate your mastery of magic. It consolidates trainers and vendors that you would never be able to find in a single location.
Trainers
Perhaps unsurprisingly, your professors are Skill Trainers that provide Master- or Expert-level training in their respective fields.
Proficiency Level
Skill
Trainer
Master
Destruction
Faralda
Master
Alteration
Tolfdir
Master
Illusion
Drevis Neloren
Expert
Restoration
Colette Marence
Expert
Conjuration
Phinis Gestor
Expert
Enchanting
Sergius Turrianus
Master Spells
Master Spells are the most powerful spells in Skyrim and have a Magicka cost to match. You can only purchase their spell tomes after you complete the Ritual Spell quest for their respective schools.
Lodgings
Joining the College will get you a dorm room within the Hall of Attainment. It has Alchemy Labs and Enchanting Stations close by, though it does not have any doors for privacy.
You can safely store items at the College without them disappearing.
You will be given a better room after completing the College's final quest, The Eye of Magnus. The room is much larger, with more amenities within.
Items
Completing the College of Winterhold storyline will help you get several valuable items along the way. While many of them are generic magical items that can be found or bought elsewhere, several unique items will make you a more powerful mage.
Morokei
A Dragon Priest's mask that increases your Magicka regeneration by 100 percent.
It can be looted during The Staff of Magnus
Staff Of Magnus
A legendary staff that absorbs 20 Magicka from targets and 20 Health after Magicka is depleted.
You will find it in the quest The Staff of Magnus
Staff of Jyrik Gauldurson
This staff will deal 25 points of damage and deplete 50 points of Magicka.
Gauldurson Amulet Fragment
This small part of a larger amulet will increase your Magicka by 30 points.
Picking it up will start the quest Forbidden Legend.
Archmage's Robes
These robes make all spells 15 percent cheaper to cast, increases your Magicka pool by 50 points, and lets it regenerate twice as fast.
You will be given a set after completing the Eye of Magnus.
Atronach Forge
You can find the Atronach Forge in the Midden. It provides alternative crafting recipes for creating powerful equipment for players who are not skilled at Blacksmithing.
Related: Skyrim: A Guide To The Unique Forges
Followers
While the professors are too busy to adventure with you, your fellow students will be more than happy to, if you helped them with their quests. They are not equal but will be especially useful early in the game.
Brelyna Maryon
She is a useful follower at lower levels. She will summon Atronachs and will use some basic destruction magic in combat.
J'zargo
He is one of the strongest followers in the game, thanks to his many Destruction spells.
J'zargo benefits from a bug that removed his level cap, allowing him to grow in strength alongside you.
Onmund
This Nord is a weak mage that can use some Destruction magic.
Next: Skyrim: The Man Who Cried Wolf Side Quest Walkthrough
