Tag / arch-mage

by DayandKnightly

Skyrim Scripted, Page 11

Destroying my first dragon meant I was now Thane of Whiterun Hold, so the current title list is:

  • Thane of Winterhold
  • Arch-Mage of The College of Winterhold
  • Thane of Whiterun

Since I’m now a thane of the hold I need to keep helping the populace and my next stop was Orphan Rock to retrieve nettlebane. I remember fighting these hags from the first play through and it was fine with me to stomp them down again.

skyrim orphan rock

Good school district, great views; ignore the hagraven and you’ve got a fine piece of property

Danica Pure-Spring needs the nettlebane to revitalize the tree in the center of town (the Gildergreen), so that quest is one step closer to being complete.

In my wanderings it was great to walk through Helgen again, the place where it all started. Of course now it’s a deserted waste of a town and bandits had moved in, but still my memories of my original trip to my execution remain golden.

I cleared the North Skybound Watch and in so doing popped out at South Skybound Watch! Why the previous sentence warrants an exclamation point is due to the coolness of the game taking into account the space you travel underground.

I assumed I would simply exit on the other side of the mountain but emerging at the South location was a great visual confirmation of the distance I’d traveled. Moments like this make the game seem more real and it was well done.

Still in the “making-it-feel-more-real” category was the hunter I passed while going through the narrow mountain pass close by the Skybound Watch. He was just traveling through, singing to himself and it made for a great moment of camaraderie; just two travelers passing on the road.

On the other side of the pass the foliage changed and even in the pouring rain you could feel and see it. After quickly taking a look inside the Alchemist’s Shack (read the journal there but otherwise no sign of life) I passed over to the village of Ivarstead where I was finally able to rest my head at the Vilemyr Inn.

Even though this is virtual traveling the sight of a warm fire and soft fur bed is always welcome.

skyrim fireplace inn

The promise of rest and food – both welcome!

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by DayandKnightly

Skyrim Scripted, Page 9

I cleared out Stillborn Cave and I liked how the exit of the cave dropped me off at a different access point. It was unexpected and added to the sense of distance I covered in the cavern.

M’aiq the Liar was hanging outside the cave; dude gets around.

I needed to into that forsaken cave to retrieve Urag gro-Shub’s copy of N’Gasta! Kvata! Kvakis!, and I did just that. I’m hoping with that task done he’ll forgive all my late fees.

skyrim quest library

“Disrupt my Arcanaeum, and I will have you torn apart by angry Atronachs. Now, do you require assistance?”

Even as the new Arch-Mage I don’t think he’d let me cancel my own fines; he’s a real stickler that guy.

Speaking of my being Arch-Mage I set about doing what Arch-Mage’s do – tracking down lost students. It’s my school man, we’ve got to solve these mysteries! Borvir, Rundi, Ilas-Tei and Yisra were Phinis Gestor’s missing apprentices and moving about the surrounding landscape of the college I located the final resting places of all of them. Continue reading →

by DayandKnightly

Skyrim Scripted, Page 8

So after trekking across (what felt like) a third of Skyrim I had the Staff of Magnus and was able to break through Ancano’s spells and rid the college of his presence. Quaranir and other members of the Psijic Order appeared and took the Eye “somewhere,” so the world is safe for now … at least from that threat.

Eye of Magnus light show

The Eye of Magnus Light Show

The end game of this quest was well done, with the Eye of Magnus going crazy and adding the drama needed to the fight. I originally had a long-fought battle with the elf but Phinis Gestor somehow wandered into the battle and was caught in the crossfire.

This meant that when the fighting was over he would still attack me anytime he saw me, and we can’t have that – so I restarted the battle and ended taking out Ancano with a single shot. Not bad.

And now I’m the Arch-Mage! New robes, new digs and the front parking space. I like the idea of me being the president of a small academic institution since I won’t be staying there very much or running day-to-day operations (or fundraising!). Sadly Mirabelle is gone so Tolfdir is now second in command and I’ll trust everything to him.

So now that the college is safe I can press on to other adventures, but this quest did have a grand feel to it. With all the character and places involved if this quest would have been the main game it would have worked well.

With the College back to “normal” I thought it best to focus on the town of Winterhold more, so I went in search of the Helm of Winterhold per Jarl Korir’s request. It was located at the wreckage of Hela’s Folly and to get there I traveled the upper coast and ice drifts.

It had an almost other-worldly feel to it and I enjoyed the journey; the northern lights were spectacular and with the epic landscape of Skyrim only enhanced the sense of wonder the skies projected.

While wandering I came across several stories of note:

  • There was a small camp with a note “For Shelly” – very poignant
  • I came across two vampires who attacked me out of nowhere, and then I found there original victim a little further up. She was avenged
  • A skeleton at the top of ice float with a red flap waving in the wind and a copy of “The Knights of the Nine” at his or her feet. What’s the story there I wonder?

I made it to Hela’s Folly but it turned out the Helm of Winterhold was in the chest (square wood chest not beating heart chest) of Deekus. In order to get the helm I had to steal it from said chest, and when I did he called me a thief but didn’t pursue me. This is the first thing I’ve stolen in the game.

On the way to deliver the helm I came across Ilas-Tei, one of the missing apprentices (which I wouldn’t have known if it wasn’t for UESP) near a Shrine of Talos. Whatever happened to her it was unfortunate.

When I returned the helm the Jarl was pleased – he said I could become a thane of Winterhold if I helped the local residents, and since I had already done so through other quests it happened automatically.

Jarl's house Winterhold

Come closer my son, for you are now a Thane of Winterhold!

So I’m the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold and Thane of Winterhold. Score.

Completed Quests:

  • The Staff of Magnus
  • The Eye of Magnus
by DayandKnightly

Skyrim Scripted, Page 6

Middas, 3:45pm, 3rd of Heartfire, 4E 201

Making my way back to the college with the news of where the Staff of Magnus is located I came across Anga’s Mill. Nothing noteworthy (although quests may be revealed here later) but I mention it because it’s something I enjoy about the game – the NPC’s going about their daily lives while I take care of mine.

Because there were only three of four residents of this location there was much more evidence of their lives going on, more than when I was in Riverwood.

But enough of the simple life – there are crazy things happening up at the college and I have to get back.

Once I made it back terrible news was waiting to greet me – the Arch-Mage is dead and Ancano warded himself off in the main chamber. With the fate of the college and perhaps the known world hanging in the balance, I head off for Labyrinthian to recover the famed Staff of Magnus.

On my way there I stop at Whiterun and spend the night at the Bannered Mare. It’s fun to start to feel familiar with certain places, and also to see them from (literally) different angles and I continue to travel the world.

On my way up the mountain I came across Hamvir’s Rest, a small graveyard to the northwest of Whiterun. Someone – I’m guessing Hamvir himself – popped out of the main sarcophagus and scared the crap out of me. He was easily defeated but I hope he wasn’t part of a quest that I’ll now miss out on later.

The ruin of Labyrinthian was fantastic; it’s a great example of how the designers “hide” huge areas just around the corner so it seems like it’s revealed every time you come back to it. It was a huge area and I knew underground would be just as large.

Labyrinthian

Expansive Yet Hidden

In the center of the ruins there was a Wooden Mask, but I’m not quite sure what it’s for. I have yet to put it on so we’ll see.

I entered Labyrinthian and was greeted by the Force ghosts of Savos Aren and his fellows students; they were discussing going further into the ruin. It seems like a bad idea, but they pushed ahead.

This was a cool concept well executed – the ghosts telling the story of what happened, how you see Savos pushing everyone else along to their eventual destruction (and his remorse at doing so), etc. It was well done.

The skeletal dragon in the huge chamber you come across was impressive and a fun battle. According to UESP this is the only skeletal dragon you come across, so I’m glad to have found and fought it.

Down in the ruin I learned my second dragon shout in the ancient language. Nice.

The battle with Morokei was crazy, with two of the lost student still trapped in this thrall. Believe me, even with the “God cheat” on I felt like I wasn’t sure if I was going to beat him.

But beat him I did, and with the staff and his mask secured it’s back to the college to confront Ancano.

Morokei_Mask

The Mask of Morokei

Before I made it there one of Ancano’s lackeys, Estormo, came out of nowhere to fight me in the ruin. After that huge battle with the dragon priest he was more of an annoyance, but I dealt with him nonetheless.

 

 

by DayandKnightly

Skyrim Scripted, Page 4

Fredas, 7:27pm, 29th of Last Seed, 4E 201

My persuasive speech craft is coming in handy as I was able to help Onmund get his family’s amulet back without a side quest, just asking Enthir nicely.

A random thief (I’ve met a few now) was also persuaded that since it didn’t look like I had any money to move on. These fools don’t stand a chance against the silver tongue!

I’ve also run into two random Mercenaries, and with more sweet talk I was able to get the locations they were headed to added to my map.

I explored the ruined fort Fellglow Keep in order to get the books we need to understand what’s going on with the Eye of Magnus; I even let the wayward wizard Orthorn – who stole the books in the first place – live.

His plan didn’t work out as well as he had hoped and was being held captive for “experimentation.” I let him out, but not as a helper – so he left as fast as he could.

Down in the dungeons I met the nicest Vampire Fledgling you could ever meet – she was trapped in a cage for target practice by magic-users, but what I approached her she spoke just like someone in town and not the “hello meat” line you normally get from vampires. I wish her well.

When I made it to the location of the three books needed “The Caller” let me take them with the idea that I would never return. Since I just destroyed all her work and wiped out her followers I was surprised she was so accommodating –  but I’ll take it. I may need to go back and check on her later …

Fellglow Keep interior

Nothing to see here! Please move along!

I made it back to the College of Winterhold with the books and spoke with the Augur of Dunlain. I thought he was going to be malevolent but in the end just a floating orb of energy with things to say and advice to give. The voice work was well done.

Apparently Ancano had been down to see him before but the Augur didn’t like the looks of him.

Tolfdir survived! I thought for sure when I left him with the Eye of Magnus he’d be done for, but he made it through.

A member of the Psijic Order appeared again to encourage me to stay the course and find someway to take care of the Eye; well done presentation.

(Quick side note – I’ve found two of the unusual gems so far, one being in the Arch-Mage’s quarters and the other in Fellglow Keep.)

Completed Quests:

  • Good Intentions
  • Hitting the Books
  • Onmund’s Request
by DayandKnightly

Skyrim Scripted, Page 3

Finally made it to Winterhold! It’s been an interesting road to get to the city and I’m glad to see it.

Azura’s Shrine was a familiar sign on the mountaintop as I entered the city limits, and the first thing I noticed were the destroyed buildings, almost hollowed out. What had happened here?

I was hoping to get at least a hint from the locals and I got more than that; in fact both the physical and political goings-on at Winterhold were fascinating.

The Great Collapse changed everything for the city – and Jarl Korir is still bitter about it. To be fair most of the city was destroyed in a cataclysmic event that may or may not have been caused by magic users housed at the college in town which did survive said cataclysmic event, so hard feelings (or at least mistrust) are understandable.

Jarl Korir at rest

Still bitter

Not everyone believes the College of Winterhold is to blame, but it’s the general mood.

The college itself has not disappointed as a worthwhile destination; it has all the pettiness of Morse’s Oxford and the mystery of Potter’s Hogwarts.

More on the college later – I’m still making my way through the town!

The aptly named Frozen Hearth Inn is now a place I can lay my head for free, after getting Continue reading →