A Comprehensive Guide to the Arcane University in Oblivion

The Arcane University stands as the epicenter of magical learning and research within Cyrodiil, offering a haven for mages and those seeking to master the arcane arts. Located in the Imperial City on the City Isle, east of the White-Gold Tower, the university is a beacon of knowledge and power. This guide provides a detailed look into the Arcane University, its facilities, access requirements, and the quests associated with it.

Overview of the Arcane University

The Arcane University's layout bears a resemblance to the Imperial Prison, with a circular wall enclosing an open, grassy area. The main tower, a smaller echo of the White-Gold Tower, dominates the grounds. This tower houses the Arch-Mage's Private Quarters, the Mages' Guild council chambers, and a lobby on the lowest level. The university grounds, shielded by a thick wall, are generally off-limits to the public.

Access to the university grounds is granted to Mages' Guild members who have attained at least the rank of Apprentice. This rank is conferred upon the Hero by Raminus Polus, subsequent to the completion of all recommendation quests. Once this rank is achieved, the iron gates outside the tower and the two rear doors from the tower lobby become accessible.

Gaining Access: The Recommendation Quests

To fully utilize the resources of the Arcane University, one must first gain access by joining the Mages Guild and completing recommendation quests from each of the local guildhalls. This unlocks the Arcane University and its many benefits.

Joining the Mages Guild

Joining the Mages Guild is straightforward: simply speak with the head of any local Mages Guild hall and ask to join. This grants the rank of Associate. However, to access the Arcane University, further effort is required.

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Anvil Recommendation

Speak with Carahil in the Anvil Mages Guild. She tasks you with investigating merchant deaths along the Gold Road, suspecting a rogue battlemage. Travel to the Brina Cross Inn, north of Anvil, and speak with Arielle Jurard. Rent a room and inform the innkeeper that you're a traveling merchant. Caminalda will eventually reveal herself and attack you. Defeat her and report back to Carahil for your recommendation.

Bravil Recommendation

Kud-Ei in the Bravil Mages Guild needs assistance with a situation involving Ardaline's missing Mage's Staff, stolen by Varon Varmori. Varon can be found either in the guildhall, at a local inn, or traveling between these locations. Persuade Varon (disposition of 65 or 70) to reveal that he sold the staff to Soris Arenim in the Imperial City. Travel to Soris Arenim's house in the Talos Plaza District and speak with his wife, Erissare Arenim. With a disposition of 65, she will tell you that the staff is in a locked chest in the basement and that the key is in Soris' desk upstairs. Retrieve the staff and return it to Kud-Ei for your recommendation.

Bruma Recommendation

Jeanne Frasoric in the Bruma Mages Guild needs you to find J'skar, who has seemingly disappeared. He is, in fact, invisible. Speak with Volanaro, who will propose a prank: stealing Jeanne's Manual of Spellcraft from her desk. Obtain the book (either by using the "Open" spell Volanaro provides or by picking the lock) and bring it to Volanaro. He will meet you in the basement, remove J'skar's invisibility, and you can report your success to Jeanne to earn your recommendation.

Cheydinhal Recommendation

Falcar in the Cheydinhal Mages Guild tasks you with retrieving a Ring of Burden from the well behind the guildhall. Speak with Deetsan to obtain the key to the well. She will only speak with you when Falcar isn't around. She will also teach you the Buoyancy spell. Enter the well and locate the body of Vidkun, who carries the ring. Be aware that the ring weighs 150 pounds, so prepare accordingly. Report back to Deetsan. Search Falcar's room in the basement and locate the two Black Soul Gems in his dresser. Take them to Deetsan, and she will agree to write your recommendation letter.

Chorrol Recommendation

Teekius in the Chorrol Mages Guild is concerned about Earana, a mage in town searching for something. He wants you to find out what she wants and report back to him. Earana is looking for a book called "Fingers of the Mountain," located at Cloud Top, a ruin in the mountains north of Chorrol. Retrieve the book and return it to Teekius for your recommendation. Alternatively, you can give the book to Earana, wait a day for her to transcribe it, and then find yourself a few Welkynd Stones, a Shock spell, and a powerful Lightning spell called "Fingers of the Mountain."

Leyawiin Recommendation

Dagail in the Leyawiin Mages Guild is unwell and points you to Agata, who explains that Dagail's Seer's Stone amulet has gone missing. Investigate and speak with Kalthar, who reveals that Dagail's father had a similar problem. Explore Fort Blueblood, southeast of Leyawiin, where Dagail's father was once stationed. Retrieve the amulet from a coffin on the second level. Kalthar will appear and demand the amulet. Defeat him, loot the key from his body, and return the amulet to Dagail for your recommendation.

Skingrad Recommendation

Adrienne Berene in the Skingrad Mages Guild needs you to find Erthor, who has settled down in Bleak Flats Cave, northwest of the city. Clear out the cave of zombies and have Erthor follow you back to Skingrad. Return to Adrienne in the Mages Guild with Erthor and you will earn your recommendation.

Navigating the Arcane University

Once inside the Arcane University, several key locations offer unique services and resources.

Arch-Mage's Lobby

The Arch-Mage's lobby is the main audience chamber for higher-ranking guild members and the only area of the University open to the public. University staff members can often be found here.

Council Chambers

Located on the second floor of the university tower, the Council Chambers are where the Council of Mages convenes. The three council members are typically found here.

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Arch-Mage's Quarters

The top floor of the university tower houses the Arch-Mage's quarters. As Arch-Mage, the Hero can request one of the guild members to follow them and fight at their side.

Praxographical Center

The Praxographical Center is home to the spell crafters of the Mages' Guild. It contains several Altars of Spellmaking and dedicated spell vendors.

Mystic Archives

The Mystic Archives serve as the central repository of the Mages' Guild's knowledge in Cyrodiil, run by Tar-Meena.

Mage Quarters

Only guild members of Associate rank or higher can enter the Mage Quarters. Beds are available on the first and second levels, as well as in the basement. All containers here reset.

Imperial Watchtower

The Imperial Watchtower houses Imperial Legion Battlemages responsible for the University's defense.

Practice Rooms

The Practice Rooms offer students a place to practice their magic on targets. The building has two floors with three targets on each floor.

Chironasium

The Chironasium provides enchantment services to guild members. Delmar, the caretaker, assists novice mages in obtaining their Mage's Staff. Martina Floria, the Master trainer of illusion, can also be found here.

Lustratorium

The Lustratorium serves as the main alchemical center of the University. Here, one can meet people knowledgeable in Alchemy or discover useful books.

Imperial Orrery

The Imperial Orrery is one of the few working observatories on Tamriel, capable of tapping into the arcane power of the moons to grant observers special powers.

Main Mages Guild Quests

After obtaining all recommendations, head to the Arcane University in the Imperial City and speak to Raminus Polus to continue your journey in the guild.

A Mage's Staff

As a new apprentice, Raminus tasks you with acquiring a Mage's Staff. He directs you to Wellspring Cave, northeast of the Imperial City. Inside, you'll find the body of one of the mages you were sent to meet, along with necromancers. At the back of the cave, you'll find an unfinished staff. Take the staff to Delmar in the Chironasium to have it completed.

Ulterior Motives

Raminus tasks you with speaking to Count Janus Hassildor of Skingrad. You will be ambushed by necromancers, but you will have help from Count Hassildor. With the message from Count Hassildor, return to Raminus.

Vahtacen's Secret

Raminus directs you to Irlav Jarol, who tasks you with exploring the Vahtacen ruins. You will need something that can deal Cold damage to complete this quest. Inside the ruin, you will come across Skaleel and need to hit the pillar with the correct sequence of magicka-based attacks to proceed. The order is: Fire, Frost, Damage Magicka, and Fortifying Magicka.

Necromancer's Moon

Raminus wants you to speak with Tar-Meena in the Mystic Archives to learn more about Black Soul Gems. She tells you to seek a book called "Necromancer's Moon".

Liberation or Apprehension

The Arch-Mage himself, Hannibal Traven, assigns you the task of meeting up with and protecting an informant within the necromancers' ranks.

Alternative Entry Methods

While the standard method of accessing the Arcane University involves Mages' Guild membership, alternative methods exist:

Acrobatics: With an extremely high Acrobatics skill (well over 100), one can scale the wall by jumping from the parapet near the Arch-Mage's lobby onto the lobby roof, then over the wall.
Following Characters: Wait outside the lobby for a character who regularly enters and exits the university and follow them in.
Paintbrush Glitch: Use the paintbrush glitch by dropping paintbrushes and jumping on them to gain height and scale the wall.

Benefits of Mages Guild Membership

Joining the Mages Guild and gaining access to the Arcane University offers numerous benefits:

Spellcrafting: Access the Altar of Spellmaking to create custom spells.
Alchemy: Utilize raw materials for potioncrafting.
Enchanting: Make use of the enchanting services at the Chironasium.
Training: Benefit from the expertise of master trainers like Martina Floria.
Resources: Access libraries, archives, classrooms, and practice rooms.

Rules and Consequences

Be aware that attacking or killing another guild member, or stealing, can result in suspension from the Mages Guild. However, you can beg Raminus Polus to be readmitted.

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