Prerequisites: (none) Quest Giver: (none) Region: Winterhold Reward: Mage robes, bed and wardrobe in the College (and a ward spell, if applicable)
Summary: After passing the entry test, a guided tour of the College is provided. You are assigned to Tolfdir as an apprentice and learn about ward spells.
Quest Description
Go to the College of Winterhold
When you arrive in the once proud and great city of Winterhold, you will only find a few houses and unhappy people on the streets. Since the disastrous catastrophe where most of the city collapsed into the sea, Winterhold is just a shadow of its glorious past. Fortunately, the College was spared from the tragedy, so despite the harsh climate, it still attracts many people interested in magic.
The College survived the Great Collapse that destroyed entire districts of Winterhold.
If you are here for the first time, you will be stopped at the entrance to the College by the High Elf mage Faralda. She wants to know the reason why you seek entry and also tells you a little about this institution. It does not matter which reason you give – Faralda wants to see your magical talent and demands the demonstration of a spell. You can also tell her that you are the Dragonborn, whereupon she will ask for the demonstration of a Shout (Thu'um). After that, she is very impressed and sure that you can learn a lot from each other.
Report to Mirabelle Ervine / Take a tour of the College of Winterhold
Faralda leads the new apprentice across the die bridge and directs them to the Master Wizard, Mirabelle Ervine★. She is currently confidently reprimanding a Thalmor agent and then turns to the player. She hands the newcomer a Novice Hood, Novice Robes, and Boots, and suggests a short tour of the grounds. During the tour, Mirabelle talks about the ancient history of the institution and points out the Hall of the Elements, where lectures, practices, and general assemblies take place. Located above it are the Arcanaeum and the Arch-Mage's Quarters.
The courtyard on the College grounds.
Next, you enter the Hall of Countenance, the living quarters, where Mirabelle shows the player their accommodation. This concludes the tour, and you are instructed to head to your first lesson.
Listen to Tolfdir
In the lecture hall, the highly esteemed wizard Tolfdir and three fellow apprentices are already waiting. At first, the topic is magic in general and its control - everyone is allowed to voice their opinion. Then, the lesson moves on to practical exercises with ward spells, and the player is asked to assist with the demonstration. Afterward, Tolfdir encourages everyone to practice diligently and suggests exploring the various historical applications of magic together at an excavation site. He asks everyone to meet in a few hours outside the ruins of Saarthal and dismisses the class for now.
This completes this first quest, and the next one is activated.
Tips & Notes
You can get directions to the College of Winterhold from many people when asking about magic.
Faralda never demands the impossible during the entry test. Most of the time, she asks for a spell you already know. If needed, you can also buy the required spell from her, which is usually cheaper than elsewhere.
During the magic demonstration, make sure not to hurt Faralda. This can happen if you do not aim at the marked stone grid or if you use an area-of-effect spell.
Faralda is a Master Trainer for the School of Destruction.
You do not have to wear the clothes you receive from Mirabelle.
You do not have to complete the tour with Mirabelle. You can also head directly to the lesson in the Hall of the Elements.
If you do not know it yet, you will learn the spell "Lesser Ward" during the practical exercises.
If you are here to complete the main quest 'Elder Knowledge',
you do not have to speak with Mirabelle immediately
and can head directly to the Arcanaeum.
. She wants to know the reason why you seek entry and also tells you a little about this institution. It does not matter which reason you give – Faralda wants to see your magical talent and demands the demonstration of a spell. You can also tell her that you are the Dragonborn, whereupon she will ask for the demonstration of a Shout (Thu'um). After that, she is very impressed and sure that you can learn a lot from each other.
and directs them to the Master Wizard, Mirabelle Ervine
★. She is currently confidently reprimanding a Thalmor agent and then turns to the player. She hands the newcomer a Novice Hood, Novice Robes, and Boots, and suggests a short tour of the grounds. During the tour, Mirabelle talks about the ancient history of the institution and points out the Hall of the Elements, where lectures, practices, and general assemblies take place. Located above it are the Arcanaeum and the Arch-Mage's Quarters.
and three fellow apprentices
are already waiting. At first, the topic is magic in general and its control - everyone is allowed to voice their opinion. Then, the lesson moves on to practical exercises with ward spells, and the player is asked to assist with the demonstration. Afterward, Tolfdir encourages everyone to practice diligently and suggests exploring the various historical applications of magic together at an excavation site. He asks everyone to meet in a few hours outside the ruins of Saarthal and dismisses the class for now.
. She wants to know the reason why you seek entry and also tells you a little about this institution. It does not matter which reason you give – Faralda wants to see your magical talent and demands the demonstration of a spell. You can also tell her that you are the Dragonborn, whereupon she will ask for the demonstration of a Shout (Thu'um). After that, she is very impressed and sure that you can learn a lot from each other.
and directs them to the Master Wizard, Mirabelle Ervine
★. She is currently confidently reprimanding a Thalmor agent and then turns to the player. She hands the newcomer a Novice Hood, Novice Robes, and Boots, and suggests a short tour of the grounds. During the tour, Mirabelle talks about the ancient history of the institution and points out the Hall of the Elements, where lectures, practices, and general assemblies take place. Located above it are the Arcanaeum and the Arch-Mage's Quarters.
and three fellow apprentices
are already waiting. At first, the topic is magic in general and its control - everyone is allowed to voice their opinion. Then, the lesson moves on to practical exercises with ward spells, and the player is asked to assist with the demonstration. Afterward, Tolfdir encourages everyone to practice diligently and suggests exploring the various historical applications of magic together at an excavation site. He asks everyone to meet in a few hours outside the ruins of Saarthal and dismisses the class for now.