Going to College

The High Elf woman glances to the group and nods her head politely, "Welcome to the College of Winterhold, I am Faralda, the current Scholar teaching and researching Destruction magic. You are new students, yes? Or are you here for different business?"

"We're here to learn." Michael says, then proceeds to introduce the group for the Nth time today.

She nods, "Good, nice to meet you all. I'll go retrieve the Master Wizard, Mirabelle, she'll get you acquainted with the college, provide you rooms, and show you the times when lectures, classes, and other events are scheduled. Also, if you intend to stay here, then you will either have to pay for your lodging and food or undertake tasks given by the college."

"Tasks?" Michael inquires, never having encountered this in the game.

Faralda nods, "They vary a lot, allowing a wide range of talents to be useful. Sometimes a professor requires assistance with research, sometimes you will be sent out to gather alchemical ingredients, and sometimes you may even be asked to put your magic to practical use-uh, act as a sort of mercenary for friends of the college."

Michael quirks a brow, "Does that happen often?"

Faralda shakes her head, "No, I don't think so. The last time was a year ago when a rogue mage decided to raise the undead and attempt to take over Winterhold... Needless to say, that incident didn't garner us any support, especially since a few of the last remaining residents had been killed."

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With that, Faralda leaves with Nirya and a Breton woman called Mirabelle Ervine arrives to give them a tour of the place. First being the Hall of Countenance, which was situated on the Ease side of the college. It was where the advanced mage's rooms were placed, but Mirabelle warned that Apprentices shouldn't seek people out in there unless it was important. The masters had created this rule after continually being woken up by overeager students...

Next was the Hall of the Elements which functioned as both the lecture hall, target range, duelling center, etc. The place was heavily warded to prevent spells from affecting the interior, allowing people to go crazy without damaging it. Of course, the roof of the college was also often used for all of the above, more specifically, conjuration, as no one wanted to be around a mage who accidentally summoned a Dremora they couldn't control...

She then showed them the Arcanaeum which was placed above the Hall of Elements, and Jesus H, Mary Joseph, Philinore, Cthulu, Christ, did this place look different to the game. Michael remembered it being rather small, with bookshelves filled with only a couple handfuls of books, most of which were duplicates of one another.

But here in reality? There wasn't a spot on the hundreds or bookshelves that wasn't filled. Ignoring the almost orgasmic amount of knowledge stored here, the place was also much larger than he remembered. Now having many tables and chairs where Apprentices and Masters alike could quietly go about their studies.

Of course, some things remained the same... Over at the far end, Michael could make out a grumpy-looking orc already glaring dagger at them from behind his desk. Mirabelle, ignoring the glare entirely approaches with the group at her back, "Greetings Urag, things are going well from last we spoke?"

The orc nods, "Well as they can be. You've brought more nuisances then, let's just hope they obey the rules better than the last did." he grouses.

The orc and Mirabelle let out throaty chuckles, "Yes, wouldn't want to lose more aspiring students now, would we? I would ask that you give these ones a warning first before you have them dragged out by conjured wolves..."

Urag shrugs, "We'll see."

After that, the group move on from the Arcanaeum, (Charlotte having to almost be dragged out to get her away from the books) and Mirabelle shows them the Arch-Mage's Quarters... Well, not inside, just the doors, the woman giving them a serious warning not to try and enter without permission.

The group nod, knowing well enough to leave a powerful mage's shit alone. Especially one who would potentially be teaching you in the not too distant future.

Mirabelle then shows them the roof before finally showing them to the Hall of Attainment, the place where the Apprentice rooms were located. The group are given rooms next to one another, and while they get situated, Mirabelle leaves and soon comes back with a pile of robes in her arms.

"These are Apprentice Robes of the College. Wear them with pride... And for your safety. Each is enchanted to provide some protection against magic, they also boost the rate at which your Magicka regenerates. Take care of them, because the next set will cost you."

Again, the group nods, but just as Mirabelle is about to leave, Michael stops her and quickly explains the situation surrounding Maria... He didn't think it would be wise to leave the College Staff in the dark about her condition. After all, while she did seem to very slowly be getting better, she might still cause problems but wandering into someone's personal quarters or something similar...

Fortunately, Mirabelle was very accommodating, saying that as long as they paid for her lodging, she didn't mind her staying... With the exception that if enough students came she'd have to stay in the same room or leave if that wasn't possible.

This was agreeable, more so than the group had anticipated, so they eagerly accepted. With that one niggling detail corrected, the group was left to their own devices. They'd be given a lecture tomorrow concerning the basics of magic to get everyone up to speed enough so they could follow the lectures of the other masters.

Tiffania and Charlotte were already pretty proficient with this, so it would only be Michael and Illococoo who'd gain anything from it. Regardless, after that lecture, the master of Enchanting would be giving one of his own in the Hall of Elements. Attending any lecture was optional of course, but that didn't mean the group weren't going to take advantage of every opportunity to learn.