Is the College of Winterhold Responsible for the Great Collapse?
The question of whether the College of Winterhold is responsible for the devastating Great Collapse is a contentious one within the lore of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. The short answer, based on available evidence, is: no, the College itself was not directly responsible for the Great Collapse, though its actions and presence are heavily implicated in the event’s aftermath and theories surrounding its cause. While the College’s protective magic kept it standing, the disaster decimated the rest of the city, leading many to suspect foul play on the part of the mages. However, the most compelling evidence suggests that the Dragonborn’s actions during the College questline, and specifically their interaction with the Eye of Magnus, are the likely triggers for the catastrophe.
The Great Collapse: A Cataclysmic Event
The Great Collapse occurred in 4E 122, a devastating event that saw the once-great city of Winterhold largely swallowed by the Sea of Ghosts. Prior to the collapse, monstrous waves battered the coastline, tearing away entire districts of the city and claiming many lives, including the family of Jarl Valdimar. The sheer magnitude of the destruction left only a fraction of the city standing, with the College of Winterhold precariously perched on the remaining cliff edge. This survival, attributed by Arch-Mage Deneth to the college’s protective magic, further fueled suspicions that the mages were somehow involved in the disaster.
Suspicions and Theories
The suspicion surrounding the College is understandable. The mages, with their secretive practices and powerful magic, were easy scapegoats for the tragedy. Many residents blamed them for tampering with forces they didn’t understand, ultimately causing the collapse. However, the most prominent theory doesn’t place blame solely on the College, but focuses on the Dragonborn’s role and the mysterious Eye of Magnus.
This theory is based on the cryptic warning given by a Psijic Order Monk, Nerien. The Psijic Order, a secretive monastic order known for their mastery of magic and time itself, cautioned against disturbing the Eye, implying that its use could have dire consequences. According to this theory, the Dragonborn’s interaction with the Eye of Magnus during the College of Winterhold questline inadvertently triggered or exacerbated the magical instabilities that resulted in the Great Collapse.
The College’s Perspective
The College of Winterhold, despite the external accusations, maintains a position of neutrality and intellectual pursuit. Its primary focus is on the study and mastery of magic, regardless of the potential dangers. This is evident in their tolerance of necromantic practices and Daedric summoning within their walls. Though some members like Ancano, the Thalmor agent, have questionable motivations, the College as an institution does not seek to cause harm intentionally. It’s a place of learning and experimentation, and the Great Collapse is viewed as a tragedy that occurred around the College, not because of it.
What We Know for Certain
What we know for sure is that:
- The city of Winterhold was largely destroyed by massive waves and coastal erosion.
- The College of Winterhold survived due to protective magic.
- The Eye of Magnus, an artifact of immense power, was being studied by the College.
- The Psijic Order warned against disturbing the Eye’s power.
- The Dragonborn interacts with the Eye during the College questline.
Combining all these facts and the theories about them, it becomes more plausible to believe that while the College of Winterhold wasn’t malicious in causing the great collapse, the Dragonborn using the Eye of Magnus was the catalyst. It is also possible that the instability within the Eye was already present and the College was merely trying to learn more.
In conclusion, while the College’s presence and actions are intertwined with the events of the Great Collapse, the evidence points toward a more complex scenario where the Dragonborn’s actions, tied to a powerful and unstable artifact, are more likely the direct cause of the disaster, rather than malevolent intent from the College itself.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the mysteries surrounding the Great Collapse and the College of Winterhold.
1. What is the Midden and what is it under the College of Winterhold?
The Midden is a dungeon located beneath the College of Winterhold, housing various chambers and the Atronach Forge, a powerful arcane construct used for creating Daedric items.
2. Is the College of Winterhold an evil faction?
The College is generally considered neutral in morality. They prioritize magical knowledge above all else, and thus tolerate practices like necromancy and Daedra summoning, which are considered taboo by many. While some individuals within the College might have dubious morals, the College as a whole is not explicitly evil.
3. Who is the Butcher of Windhelm?
The Butcher of Windhelm is revealed to be Calixto Corrium, a resident of Windhelm who commits a series of ritualistic murders in the city.
4. Is Winterhold a Stormcloak hold?
While there is a Stormcloak camp near Winterhold, the hold itself is not necessarily under Stormcloak control. Its main focus is more on the College, as it has suffered greatly and is struggling to survive.
5. What caused the destruction of Winterhold?
The Great Collapse was caused by a series of violent storms and monstrous waves that eroded the coastline, leading to large parts of the city being swallowed by the sea. The specific cause of these storms is thought to be tied to the Eye of Magnus and the Dragonborn‘s manipulation of it.
6. Why is the College of Winterhold disliked by some?
The College is often disliked due to the perceived recklessness of its mages, who are sometimes viewed as being too focused on experimentation without regard for the consequences. This suspicion intensified after the Great Collapse, leading many to blame the College for the disaster, regardless of the actual reasons.
7. Where is Winterhold located?
Winterhold is a hold located in the northeastern part of Skyrim, bordering Eastmarch to the east and the Pale to the west.
8. Who is the Destruction trainer at the College of Winterhold?
Faralda is the Expert Destruction trainer at the College, who will sell spells and train you up to Expert level.
9. In which year does Skyrim’s story take place?
The events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim are set in the year 201 of the Fourth Era (4E 201).
10. What is the theory behind the Eye of Magnus?
The most prominent theory suggests that the Eye of Magnus is an unfinished artificial sun created by Magnus himself. Abandoned during its creation, it became unstable and dangerous, requiring careful handling and study.
11. Can you bypass the College of Winterhold’s questline?
Yes, it is possible to bypass the College’s questline by going directly to Septimus Signus’s Outpost located north of Winterhold. He will provide a way to obtain the Elder Scroll without any direct involvement with the College.
12. How bad can you be in Skyrim?
You can be as evil as you wish, from simple crimes to becoming a mass murderer, but your choices will have in game consequences.
13. Is it okay to trust Ancano?
You should absolutely not trust Ancano. As a member of the Thalmor, he has his own goals and motivations, and these tend to be at odds with those of Skyrim and the Dragonborn.
14. Who actually is the true killer in the quest “Blood on the Ice?”
The true killer in “Blood on the Ice” is Calixto Corrium. Despite the initial suspicions toward Wuunferth the Unliving, Calixto is the butcher of Windhelm.
15. How is joining the Imperials or Stormcloaks a different experience?
Choosing to join the Imperials is more suited to those who don’t have a particular love for Skyrim’s independence, while the Stormcloaks are for those who believe in Skyrim for the Nords and their culture. There are some minor differences between quests and how the war progresses.