If you want to be a mage of any standing in Skyrim, you need to join the College of Winterhold. That’s what they call the Mage’s Guild in this game. They offer a wealth of learning opportunities, to take you from a conjuror of cheap tricks to a true wizard. Here is our guide on how to join the College of Winterhold in Skyrim.
skyrim Mage’s Guild guide Step One: The Great White Northeast
Throughout your early travels, you might hear mention of the College of Winterhold. A place where mages can go to learn and be among other like-minded individuals. If you feel the pull of the arcane arts, this is your next destination. If you have not yet been to Winterhold, and really why would you have been, you can take a carriage to get there.
Winterhold is not a place people go to for any reason other than the college, as you will quickly learn. It is a tiny place, barely a village. It is buffeted by snow and wind constantly. There are few buildings here, some are no longer standing. Make your way down this little street to the bridge, and you will meet Faralda.
Mage’s Guild Step Two: None Shall Pass
Faralda stops you as you approach, telling you there is nothing here for those who are not serious about magic. She is concerned that some people would come to do harm to the college. As a test to weed out the liars, she challenges you to prove you have potential. She requires you to cast a spell. She will ask for a specific spell, but if you don’t know that spell she will sell it to you for thirty gold. Perform the spell and she will welcome you in. Any spell that requires a target can be cast at the circle on the ground behind her.
There are two other ways to circumvent Faralda’s test. Firstly, there is a persuasion option in the dialogue that lets you skip the test altogether. The other method is to reveal to her that you are the Dragonborn. This is part of the main quest, where you are required to go to the college in relation to the Elder Scrolls. Faralda will want proof, and asks you to demonstrate the Thu’um. Give her a quick shout and she will allow you inside.
Mage’s Guild Step Three: Back to School
Follow Faralda into the college, or run past her and head in alone. In the main courtyard, you will meet Savos Aren. He is the college’s Arch-Mage, speak to him then head inside. When you head in through the main doors Tolfdir will be teaching a class. If you stick around, Tolfdir will teach you about using wards and have you demonstrate a protective ward spell.
After your first lesson, go find Mirabelle Ervine. She is the Master Wizard of the college, second in command to the Arch-Mage, and the person you need to speak to to continue the questline. From here, you can continue to do quests and learn more about magic in the College of Winterhold.
That is our guide on how to join the College of Winterhold, the mage’s guild of Skyrim. If you found this guide helpful, we have guides on how to join the Companions (fighter’s guild), the Dark Brotherhood (assassin’s guild), and the Thieves Guild! Apparently they couldn’t think of a catchy name. We have so many more guides so if you are looking for more tips and tricks on how to succeed in Skyrim please do check them out!
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Featured Image Credit: Bethesda