LETHANDHREL ONE-EYE: ARCH-MAGE
*All credit to Bethesda Softworks*
Crossing the last item off of my list, I tuck my notebook away and stretch. I've done many things these past weeks; helped capture a fugitive, delved back into the Soul Cairn and aided Jiub find his book, and even started building a house, overlooking Lake Ilinalta. I gathered together Lydia and Serana and told them everything, and they understood, which relieved me greatly. After a few days, Serana wished to see more than just Skyrim, so we parted ways, and I headed up to Winterhold, out of curiosity about the College, and with vague intentions of joining. Lydia stayed in Whiterun, citing unfinished private business.
Leaving the Frozen Hearth into a chill wind, I brave the broken bridge, my step far surer than the last time I visited. The gates opening upon my approach, I pass the statue in the courtyard and encounter a woman stubbornly reading, holding the pages firmly. She looks up as my shadow falls upon the tome.
"Welcome to the College. I am Mirabelle Ervine." She introduces herself.
"I was told a while back to come and see you, regarding enrolment." I explain.
"Another new student… I'm surprised at how many of you there are lately. Well, first you'll need these." She pushes a set of robes into my arms, and sets a plain pair of boots atop them. "While you're not required to wear them, you may find them more to your liking than your current clothes. I'll give you a brief tour, and then we'll get you to your first class. Are you ready to begin?"
"I'd love to have a look around."
"Wonderful. Please, follow me, and don't wander off." Mirabelle heads towards the main tower of the fort-like complex, with me in tow. "The College of Winterhold has been a fixture in Skyrim of thousands of years. The prominent feature here is the Hall of the Elements. It's our primary location for lectures, practice sessions and general meetings. The Arcanaeum is located above the Hall and the Arch-Mage's quarters above that. While technically in charge of the College, the Arch-Mage's responsibilities often keep him occupied. Thus, I run the day-to-day operations. Now, if you'll please follow me, I'll show you the living quarters."
We head to a smaller tower to the left of the Hall.
"Unfortunately, we've had to implement more stringent entry procedures, due to some problems with the local Nords." She explains as we walk the short distance. "We don't anticipate any real violence, but it never hurts to be prepared. Our newest members are housed here, in the Hall of Attainment. I'll ask that you please keep your voice down while inside, as others may be working on research or… delicate experiments." She pushes open the wooden door and we head inside.
There are small rooms circling a central area, with another of the weird wells of blue stuff that decorate the bridge and the courtyard. Opposite the door is a staircase leading further up the tower. We head towards one of the small rooms, which turn out to be door-less bedrooms.
"Now I'll show you to your quarters. You're going to be sharing space with your fellow Apprentices, who you'll meet shortly. This is where you'll be staying. This bed and desk are yours. Now let's go back to the Hall of the Elements, where most of the members gather for lectures and study sessions."
"Can I have a minute to change my gear?" I ask, and receiving a nod in response, I'm left to unbuckle and stow my Dawnguard gear in my bag and don the robe and boots. I feel a tingle as the robes settle against my grey skin; obviously enchanted with what feels like a magicka boost. At least they're comfortable. And warm, as I discover as I step outside to meet Mirabelle.
"Initially, you'll be learning from Tolfdir, one of our most esteemed wizards." She picks up from where she left off, heading back to the Hall. "Tolfdir is likely already addressing the new Apprentices. Go on in, and if you have any problems, let one of our senior members know." She leaves, heading toward the other small tower, which I assume to be the instructor's quarters.
I enter the Hall and pass through another set of massive iron gates, into a huge round space, centred with another magic well. I spot a trio of robed figures on the other side, gathered around a greying Nord.
"Welcome, welcome!" Cries who I assume to be the eponymous Tolfdir upon my joining the group. "We were just beginning. Please, stay and listen. So, as I was saying; the first thing to understand is that magic is, by its very nature, volatile and dangerous. Unless you can control it, it can and will destroy you."
"Sir, I think we all understand that fairly well." Interrupts an attractive Dunmer girl. "We wouldn't be here if we couldn't control magic!"
"Of course, my dear, of course. You all certainly possess some inherent natural ability. That much is not being questioned. What I'm talking about is true control; mastery of magic. It takes years, if not decades, of practice and study."
"Then what are we waiting for?" The Khajiit purrs impatiently, his whiskers twitching. "Let's get started!"
"Please, please! This is exactly what I'm talking about! Eagerness must be tempered with caution, or else disaster is inevitable."
"But we've only just arrived here – you've no idea what any of us are capable of." The young Nord next to me complains. "Why not give us a chance to show you what we can do?"
Tolfdir turns to face me. "You've been quiet so far. What do you think we should do?"
"Safety should be more important than anything."
"Well, your classmates certainly seem to disagree with you."
"Oh, don't listen to her. We can do it; just give us a chance!" says the Khajiit, waving a paw dismissively at me.
"All right, let's settle down. I suppose we can try something practical… In continuing with our theme of safety, we'll start with wards. Wards are protective spells that block magic. I'll teach you all a ward, and we'll see if you can successfully use it to block spells, alright?" Tolfdir again faces me. "Would you mind helping me with a demonstration? Are you at all familiar with ward spells?"
"I have a ward spell, but I've never really used it."
"That's what this lesson is for. Perfect time to try it out. Now, if you'll just stand right over there; I'll cast a spell at you, and you block it with the ward. Here we go."
We get into position, and I raise my hands and focus, raising a translucent barrier of rippling magic, and try not to flinch as Tolfdir's fireball smashes into it.
"Excellent work!" The old wizard cries as I drop the ward. "Well, I think this is an excellent start. I'd like you all to continue practicing with wards, please. I think perhaps we're ready to begin exploring some of the various applications of magic throughout history. The College has undertaken a fascinating excavation in the ruins of Saarthal nearby. It's an excellent learning opportunity. I suggest we meet there in a few hours, and see what awaits us inside. That's all for now; thank you." As he ambles towards the gates, the other students gather together.
"Hello! I'm Lethandhrel." I introduce myself, feeling a little awkward.
"I'm Brelyna, and this is Onmund." The Dunmer girl introduces herself and the Nord. "And the Khajiit is –"
"This one is J'zargo." He interrupts with a flourish. "You should remember that name; this one is to be the most powerful mage this College has ever seen!"
"I'm sorry I was late." I apologise. "I had other things to finish up first."
"You weren't that late." Onmund shrugs. "We'd only just finished introducing ourselves when you came, really."
"Come on, let's get started for Saarthal already. This one can't wait to make the most important discoveries!" J'zargo turns and strides away, leaving us to follow behind.
"That cat's going to be his own downfall." Brelyna whispers to me, before jogging to catch up with Onmund. I'm left at the back of the group, but I don't mind. It's nice to be the follower for a change!
As we pass through the town below, I excuse myself and duck into Birna's Oddments to sell off the excess weight I'm carrying, at a steep discount due to the lack of regular traffic the shop gets.
Upon leaving the shop, I discover the group hadn't waited for me – not that I had been expecting them to – and the wind had died down, so I follow the fresh footprints to a goat trail behind the Jarl's Longhouse, with the route lined by ancient, wind-pocked cairns. I can see what must be Saarthal in the distance, so I take a second to mark it on my map before continuing – and being jumped from behind by a spider, who must have been waiting specifically for me!
I decide that, as I'm now a student of magic, that shall be my main source of defence, with my sword as back-up for when my magicka runs too low. A simple lightning bolt should do it… and the spider goes blasting off into the distance. Ok, maybe that one was a little strong!
I reach the excavation not long after the others arrive, and descend the wooden ramps to the ancient entrance to the ruins, with Tolfdir waiting patiently outside.
"And here we all are." He proclaims as I join the class. "Shall we step inside?"
"What are we looking for?" I ask.
"Anything! Anything at all that might be of interest. That's why I adore this location… we have no idea what we're going to find. And, if along the way, my message about the dangers of magic should happen to sink in for a few students, that would be a happy coincidence." He glances pointedly at the trio beside me. J'zargo rolls his silver eyes.
"What's so important about this place?"
"We're particularly interested in the prevalence of magical seals placed on the tombs here. It's rather unlike anything we've encountered."
"I'm ready." I state. "Let's go." The others nod their agreement, Onmund somewhat reluctantly.
"Alright; please stay close to me while we're inside. It should be safe, but it's always better to be cautious." Tolfdir unlocks the door and we file inside behind him.
"As some of you may know, Saarthal was one of the earliest Nord settlements in Skyrim. The old mage lectures as we descend deeper into the still-musty ruins. "Sacked by the elves in the infamous 'Night of Tears', not much is known about what happened to Saarthal. This is an exciting opportunity for us. To be able to study such an early civilisation and the magics they used…"
As we reach the floor of the first room, Tolfdir turns and stops us. "Well, are there any questions before we begin?"
I gaze around at the silent trio. "We don't. What would you like us to do?"
"Ah, yes. Hmm…" Tolfdir thinks briefly, then focusses back on me. "Why don't you see if you can assist Arniel Gane? He's one of our scholars, here working on cataloguing our finds. I expect he'd appreciate some help in locating any additional magical artefacts here in the ruins. Any enchanted items will do; the usefulness of the enchantment is irrelevant. If you find anything the class can look it over." He turns to the others. "Now let's see. What shall we have the rest of you do? Brelyna, my dear, why don't you search for warding magics? Anything designed to keep people out. Don't interact with them, just identify them. Onmund, please search that area over there. See if you notice any residual energies. Alive or undead." The poor boy cringes, then heads in the indicated direction. "J'zargo… what shall we have you do… ah! Why don't you verify that we're the first ones here? Look for any amount of tampering with the tombs. All right, everyone! Let's be careful, but have fun." Tolfdir dismisses the rest of us, and I go searching for this Arniel Gane fellow.
I find him leaning against a table in an alcove above the next room, near where the passage branches into three.
"Well, certainly none of this will benefit my research…" He complains as he seemingly deeply studies the wooden surface of the table. I cough to get his attention.
"Tolfdir sent me to help you." I explain as he turns to face me, looking quite annoyed.
"What? Ah, yes. You're going to help? That's fine; just… just don't make a mess of my work. I've only looked through a portion of this section. You, uh… you can look around in the chambers just north of here. Try and be careful, alright? We don't want to damage anything."
I scour the indicated area, finding a trio of vaguely glittery rings, then spot an amulet perched in a conspicuous spot on the wall. As I lift the amulet from its resting place, I hear a sharp grinding noise, and turn to see the way back to the group blocked by narrow metal bars. I'm trapped!
"What in the world was that racket?" Cries Tolfdir as he hurries up. "Is everything alright?"
"I'm trapped in here!" I tell him.
"How in the world did that happen?"
"I pulled an amulet off the wall." I show him the offending item.
"Really? Perhaps the amulet is important somehow. Is there some way you can use it?"
It's still in good condition, for having sat on stone for thousands of years. Reluctantly, I clasp the amulet around my throat, replacing the amulet that Jiub had given me as a reward for my help. The wall where the amulet had resided clunks hollowly, and begins to shimmer much like the amulet is now doing.
"Do you see that?" Exclaims a now excited Tolfdir. "Some kind of resonance… you and the wall. It must be connected to the amulet! I wonder… what effect might your spells have?"
This seems like an incredibly stupid and dangerous plan, but I follow through, casting a small beam of fire at the wall the amulet came from. It shatters into large chunks and topples upon itself, and the bars behind me slide back into the floor. Without even a pause, Tolfdir comes charging past me and strides into the passageway the wall had revealed. Arniel just shrugs and turns away, leaving me to follow his colleague. I suppose it's better that it's me; I am the adventurer after all.
"Well this is highly unusual; and very interesting." Tolfdir says to himself as he navigates the twisting route. "Why in the world would this be sealed off? What is this place?"
The passage leads to a tiny room with a curved table in the centre. As I step into the room, everything turns grey, and with a ripple the shadowy figure of an orange robed fellow appears. Tolfdir has stopped completely still, as though as a statue.
"Hold, mage, and listen well." The apparition cries. "Know that you have set in motion a chain of events that cannot be stopped. Judgement has not been passed, as you had no way of knowing. Judgement shall be passed on your actions to come and how you deal with the dangers ahead of you. This warning is passed to you because the Psijic Order believes in you. You, mage, and you alone have the potential to prevent disaster. Take great care, and know that the Order is watching." With that proclamation, the tall elf disappears and everything returns to the dull brown of before. It seems that yet again the fate of the world rests on my shoulders!
"I… I swear I felt something rather strange just then." Tolfdir pipes up. "What just happened?"
"Some sort of ghost or apparition appeared. It spoke to me." I reveal.
"I'm afraid I didn't see anything… can you tell me more about what you saw?"
"It said something about dangers ahead, and the Psijic Order."
"The Psijic Order? Are you quite sure about that? That's very odd. And danger ahead? Why, that doesn't make any sense at all. The Psijics have no connection to these ruins. And no-one's seen any of their Order in a long time. Perhaps we should take a look inside these coffins. Now please do be careful; who knows what we're going to find."
As he concludes, the coffins behind us explode open, and out step a trio of rather miffed looking draugr. The trio speedily shuffle around the table towards me, ignoring Tolfdir for some reason. I think I know a spell that'll help…
Remembering the spell, I cast at the nearest, sending a bolt of lightning bouncing off of it towards its two companions, who stumble backwards into a fireball cast by the atronach Tolfdir has summoned. I have only enough energy left to cast once more before I resort to the ebony blade I wield, slashing with such ferocity I even surprise myself. I soon stand before a heap of tattered corpses, spattered with stale blood. A quick healing spell, then I follow the eager Tolfdir down the passage behind one of the coffins towards a large room.
"Be prepared to defend yourself." He says as I open the gate barring entrance, disturbing several draugr who were waiting for us in their coffins. Another short fight and they again rest, this time spreadeagled on the metal grate over a deep pit, the walls lined with sarcophagi. Looking up, I see the walls lead high, also covered in coffins.
"I've never seen anything like this in Nordic ruins before. Why, just look at all these coffins!" Tolfdir exclaims, almost as though we'd never fought any draugr at all. "This bears closer inspection. I'd like to stay a while and examine this. You, however, should press on. See if you can find whatever this vision of yours mentioned. But if it is truly dangerous, be careful. Go on ahead – I'll be sure and catch up with you before long."
Lucky I'm not one of his other students… I pull the pair of chains beside the door opposite the entrance, opening the way through the passage beyond. In the rooms beyond are several more draugr, who prove to be no match, and I also have to dodge a magical rune trap set on the floor. The next major obstacle is a hallway lined by the rotating pillars favoured for puzzles, and the way past is blocked by a metal grate.
It takes a little guesswork, as unlike other pillar puzzles, these pillars are connected in such a way that turning the wrong one the wrong time turns the other pillars too, undoing any progress made. I soon work it out however, and am able to continue onwards.
"I thought it high time I caught up with you." Tolfdir arrives behind me. Acknowledging him, I push open the old wooden doors to what has to be the ultimate room of the ruins.
Inside and down a ramp is a massive chamber encasing a huge glowing blue orb, encircled many times by unidentifiable runes. Seated in front of the orb is a draugr, a bit fresher looking than the ones we fought earlier. It's unmoving – for now.
"Well, now – would you look at that?" Tolfdir rushes ahead before I can stop him. I know what seated draugr tend to do. "I never imagined we'd find something like this. Why is this buried so far within Saarthal?" True to form, the draugr creaks upright, disturbed by the over-excited mage. It, of course, ignores the fellow and makes a beeline for me, pausing only to cast a cloaking spell on itself. I didn't even know they could do that!
I cast a lightning spell at it, and hack away with my sword, but nothing is harming it! Maybe we shouldn't have come here…
"Keep it busy!" My tutor yells from beside the globe. "I'll try to drain some of its power." He casts a continuous-cast spell at the orb, and it does seem to have some effect on its protector. "There! Now attack it!"
Already on it, old man. Without the protection of the orb's effect, my spells and my blade whittle the undead down until it lies crumpled at my feet. On a table near its erstwhile throne, I spot an old, faded piece of parchment. Curious, I carefully unfold it and read its contents.
Be bound here, Jyrik, murderer, betrayer. Condemned by your crimes against realm and lord. May your name and deeds be forgotten forever. And the charm which you bear be sealed by our ward.
Well, this is interesting. I make a note of my discovery in my notebook – maybe there's a book about this somewhere. There's always a book. Around the creature's shrivelled neck rests a chain bearing what looks to be a broken chunk of an amulet charm. I add this to my pack, alongside the unusual staff that rested upon the table beside the paper. Tolfdir, meanwhile, is still focussed on the orb.
"I'm not the only one seeing this, am I? Why, this is utterly unique."
"What is this thing?" I inquire.
"I have no idea! This is amazing, absolutely amazing. The Arch-Mage needs to be informed immediately. He needs to see this for himself. I don't dare leave this unattended. Can you return to the College and inform Savos Aren of this discovery? Please, hurry!"
I empty a large chest of its contents as I leave the room, as my compensation for clearing the ruin, and follow the passageways through to the first room, learning a Word from a Wall on the way – iiz, meaning ice. Sounds useful; I can't wait to try it out!
As I wander through the entry-room, I meet Arniel Gane, already headed for the exit.
"It's going to take forever to sift through all this." He mumbles.
"This was all I could find." I offer the rings.
"I see. It probably doesn't even matter now, what with the mess that's been made in here. I'll add these to the rest of the items; I don't think there's anything further I need from you." He slouches off. What a grumble-guts!
On the way back, a wandering skeever attempts an attack, but I use it as my test subject for my new Word, and leave it encased in ice behind me. Can't be bothered with the damn rats any more anyway.
Once back at the College, I climb up to the Arch-Mage's quarters and find the old Dunmer reading quietly. He stows the book as I approach, not seeming to mind my invasion of his privacy.
"You are relatively new here, are you not?" He comments in a smooth Mournhold accent. "I have noticed you, but we have not spoken."
"No, we haven't." I comment rather awkwardly.
"Then allow me to introduce myself. I am Savos Aren, Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold. I am quite content to see nearly any aspect of magic explored and investigated here. But I do not and will not approve of any research or experiments that cause purposeful harm to your fellow members of the College. Are we clear?"
"Yes." I reply. "I need to speak to you about Saarthal."
"Please don't tell me that another one of the apprentices has been incinerated." What?! "I have enough to deal with right now."
"We found some sort of… orb." There's no other word for it. "Tolfdir wanted you to see it."
"I… see. I trust that Tolfdir will provide a more specific explanation." Savos says with a raised eyebrow. "Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Tolfdir normally looks after your little group, yes? Since he's apparently occupied, and I will need to see this discovery for myself, I think perhaps you should begin researching the subject. Speak with Urag in the Arcanaeum. See if he's aware of anything that matches your discovery. And – good work. The next time you find yourself exploring Nordic ruins, perhaps this will be helpful." Savos hands me a staff and hurries off. A quick test of the staff proves it casts a mage-light that sticks to the target surface. Eh – I've managed without so far.
It's starting to get dark outside, so I head down towards the Hall of Attainment, but am accosted by Faralda, the elf from the bridge, on the way.
"There you are." She cries. "I've been trying to find you. I just wanted to let you know that Ancano's been asking about you. I think he's looking for you." I cast my mind back… ah, yes, of course. The Thalmor 'advisor'.
"Why would Ancano be looking for me?"
"I'm not sure. Just… Well, mind what you tell him, alright?"
I'm not too inclined to talk to him in the first place. "Is there a problem?"
"No, no." Faralda quickly assures me. "Well, I don't think so. Between the two of us," She leans in conspiratorially. "there are rumours about him. That this 'advisor' position he has is a sham, an excuse. That what he's really doing is spying for the Thalmor, trying to feed them information. Whether it's true, I can't say. But it never hurts to be a bit suspicious, does it?"
He's Thalmor, of course he's spying. I'd be the first to admit I'm a little biased, though. "Thanks for the warning."
"You're welcome." Faralda smiles, then ambles off.
I continue my journey to the Hall of Attainment and locate my bed. We make instant friends.