Skyrim features a number of factions, offering a multitude of exciting quests and various roleplay opportunities to suit a variety of builds and play styles. Players can join a band of warriors known as the Companions, be the latest addition to a cult of vicious assassins, or embrace the shadows as a member of the Thieves Guild.

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However, mages would find great enjoyment in joining the College of Winterhold, a school of wizards on the frozen northern coast with some interesting lore. There, players can enhance their magical ability by learning from the various professors working and studying at the college.

8 Sergius Turrianus

Skyrim Sergius Turrianus and Nirya

Sergius is the grump enchanting instructor at the College of Winterhold, offering training in that skill up to level 75. Sergius seems to be constantly frustrated by the workload he has to deal with, enchanting weapons and armor for the local Nords, and he may enlist the player's aid in helping him gather soul gems.

Sergius is also involved in a secret love affair with two of the College's members, Nirya and Faralda, contributing to the elves' fierce disdain for one another. Sergius can be caught meeting with Nirya in the Hall of the Elements late at night.

7 Phinis Gestor

Skyrim Phinis Gestor

Phinis was once taught by Falion, the conjurer who resides in Morthal, and offers the players training in the Conjuration school up to level 75. He also sells Conjuration spell tomes and magical equipment, including leveled Conjuration robes.

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Phinis Gestor seems to have a loose morality when it comes to the practice of magic, believing that exiling Malyn Varen's followers was too harsh, and having no qualms about summoning Daedra or resurrecting the dead. He even comments to the player that should they die, their remains will be "put to good use..."

6 Colette Marence

Skyrim Colette Marence

The Restoration tutor is a paranoid character, constantly fretting over her research materials disappearing and the validity of the Restoration school. Colette is often mistreated by her colleagues (she claims), often finding notes in her bed, desk, and meals disparaging the usefulness of her research. She can sometimes be found wandering around the College, attempting to engage in conversation with other members, with little success.

Despite her paranoia and poor social skills, Colette is very knowledgeable in the school of Restoration and offers training up to level 75, as well as selling Restoration spell tomes and robes.

5 Faralda

Skyrim Faralda on College of Winterhold bridge

Faralda is the first College wizard Skyrim players meet when they arrive in Winterhold, as she stands guard on the bridge to deter any who would do harm and welcome new students. She has players undergo a test to prove their magical ability, which involves casting a spell from a random school (which she will teach). However, if the player does not have enough Magicka to cast the spell, the test can also be passed with a difficult speech check or by proving they are the Dragonborn with a shout.

Faralda has ambitions to become the Master Wizard, hoping to take over from Mirabelle when she undoubtedly becomes Arch-Mage. In the meantime, Faralda teaches Destruction up to level 90, and sells spells and robes for that school.

4 Mirabelle Ervine

Skyrim Mirabelle Ervine

Mirabelle is the College's master wizard, and is first encountered outside the Hall of the Elements putting the Thalmor agent Ancano in his place. She provides the player with a tour of the College before sending them off to their first lessons, and runs the day-to-day operations of the College.

Mirabelle can point players in the direction of the various instructors at the College, but she does not sell spells or offer training herself. Despite this, she proves to be an excellent and powerful mage throughout the course of the College's quest line, during which she performs some heroic feats.

3 Drevis Neloren

Skyrim Drevis Neloren

Drevis is an eccentric character, whose mind always seems to be someplace else. Upon meeting him, Drevis is attempting to work on an invisibility spell of some sort - but it clearly doesn't work, as he is completely visible.

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Drevis helps the player learn Illusion, selling spell tomes and offering training up to level 90 in that school. He also tasks the Dragonborn with a repeatable radiant quest in which players must purify the focus points for magical energy around the college.

2 Savos Aren

Skyrim Savos Aren

As the Arch-Mage of the College, Savos Aren spends most of his time in his quarters busy with his own matters. He emerges from time-to-time to wander around the College and talk to Mirabelle, which is when players are most likely to encounter him outside the College quests. He is an incredibly wise, but kind elf, who displays not only his power but his bravery during the College quest line.

However, as the story unfolds it is revealed that Savos Aren carries the burden of guilt arising from his dark secret.

1 Tolfdir

Skyrim Tolfdir

Tolfdir is the mage responsible for looking after the group of apprentices the player joins as a new member, and first teaches the player about wards before leading the group on an expedition to Saarthal. Tolfdir is a gentle man, but is somewhat absent-minded, constantly misplacing his alembic which the player must help him find.

He is a master Alteration trainer, offering training in that school up to level 90. He also sells Alteration spell tomes, magical gear, and leveled Alteration robes.

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