You've finally made it to the College of Winterhold. You’ve probably already cast that first awkward spell for Faralda at the gate, met the somewhat dismissive Mirabelle Ervine, and sat through Tolfdir’s first lecture where a Ward spell is the only thing keeping you from a magical mishap. But then things get real. Urag gro-Shub, the Orc librarian who takes his books more seriously than most people take their lives, has a problem. Someone stole his research material. Specifically, an apprentice named Orthorn made off with some rare volumes to impress a group of rogue mages at Fellglow Keep.
This is Hitting the Books Skyrim—the first real "dungeon crawl" of the College of Winterhold questline.
It isn't just a fetch quest. It’s a gauntlet. If you head in there underleveled or unprepared for magic-using enemies, those mages will turn you into a frozen statue or a pile of ash before you even reach the front door. I’ve seen players get absolutely wrecked here because they treated it like a standard bandit camp. It’s not. Fellglow Keep is a fortress of glass cannons that hit like freight trains.
Getting the Quest Started
To trigger the quest, you need to finish "Under Saarthal." Once you’re back at the College, Tolfdir will send you to talk to Urag. Urag is located in the Arcanaeum. Don't touch the books on the shelves unless you want a very angry Orc breathing down your neck. He’ll tell you about Orthorn and the three stolen books: Night of Tears, The Last King of the Ayleids, and Fragment: On Artaeum.
Orthorn is basically the classic "bad influence" friend who got caught up with the wrong crowd. He thought he could join a group of mages led by "The Caller" and actually be respected. Instead, he ended up in a cage. You have to go find him, or at least find what he stole.
The Long Trek to Fellglow Keep
Fellglow Keep is located northeast of Whiterun and west of Windhelm. If you haven’t discovered it yet, it's a bit of a hike. The exterior is guarded by elemental mages and usually a flame or frost atronach.
Be careful.
The mages on the battlements have a height advantage. If you're playing a melee build, bring a crossbow or some serious Resist Magic potions. Honestly, magic resistance is the single most important stat for this quest. Without it, you’re just a target.
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Inside the Dungeon: Dealing with the Renegades
Once you step inside, the atmosphere changes. It’s dark, damp, and smells like unethical experiments. You’ll find a lot of alchemy ingredients here—vampire dust, salts, and various butterflies in jars. The first few rooms involve fairly standard mage combat, but soon you’ll reach the prison area.
This is where you find Orthorn.
He’s locked in a cage. You have a choice here. You can let him out, and he’ll offer to help you fight his former "friends." Or, you can just leave him there to rot. If you let him out, he’s actually a decent distraction. He uses basic destruction spells. He isn't exactly a powerhouse, but in a room full of mages, having one more body to soak up lightning bolts is never a bad thing.
The Pitfalls of the Ritual Chambers
As you move deeper, you’ll encounter "The Caller’s" students. They love using Ward spells. If you’re a mage yourself, this becomes a game of chicken. Who runs out of Magicka first?
- Pro Tip: Use the environment. There are plenty of pillars and corners. Step out, fire off a dual-cast staggered spell, and duck back.
- The Wolves: You’ll find some cages with wolves. You can pull a lever to release them, and they might attack the mages. Usually, they just die instantly, but hey, it’s a distraction.
- The Vampires: There are vampires locked up in the lower levels too. Releasing them is a gamble. They hate everyone. Including you.
One thing that often catches people off guard in Hitting the Books Skyrim is the sheer volume of loot. Between the soul gems, the enchanted robes, and the alchemy supplies, your carry weight will vanish. If you brought a follower like Lydia, make sure her inventory is empty before you enter. You’re going to want those Greater and Grand soul gems for later.
Facing The Caller: The Boss Fight
Eventually, you’ll reach the Ritual Chamber. This is where The Caller hangs out. She’s the leader of this little splinter group, and she’s not happy to see you. She has the books you need sitting right there on pedestals.
The Caller is a tough fight. She teleports. A lot.
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Every time you get a good bead on her, she vanishes in a puff of purple smoke and reappears on the other side of the room, often swapping places with one of her summoned Atronachs. It’s annoying. It’s frustrating.
You have a few ways to handle this:
- The Peaceful Route: If you have Orthorn with you, you can actually negotiate. She’ll offer to let you take the books if you leave Orthorn behind as a "test subject." It’s cold, but it saves you a fight.
- The Direct Approach: Just start blasting. Focus on her, not the Atronachs. If you kill her, the summons usually vanish or become much easier to manage.
- The Stealth Archer Way: Because it's Skyrim, you can try to crouch in the doorway and snipe her. It's hard because the room is well-lit, but a high-level sneak build can pull it off.
Honestly, I usually just fight her. She drops some decent loot, and Orthorn is kind of a loser anyway, but letting him live feels like the "hero" thing to do. Once she's dead or you've made your deal, grab the three books: Night of Tears, The Last King of the Ayleids, and Fragment: On Artaeum.
Returning to the College
After you’ve cleared the keep, head back to Winterhold. Talk to Urag. He’ll take the books and, in exchange, he gives you several skill books that increase your magic skills. This is a massive boost early in the game. He also mentions that Night of Tears contains some very interesting—and terrifying—information about the Eye of Magnus, the giant glowing orb you found in Saarthal.
This sets the stage for the rest of the questline. You realize that the Eye isn't just an artifact; it’s a power source that nobody knows how to control.
Why This Quest Matters for Your Build
Completing this quest is the "point of no return" for becoming a serious member of the College. You get access to better spells from the vendors like Phinis Gestor and Drevis Neloren.
More importantly, you get the Mage's Circlet. The strength of this circlet actually depends on what level you are when you finish the quest. If you finish it at level 25 or higher, you get the most powerful version, which gives a huge boost to your Magicka. If you rush it at level 5, the reward is significantly weaker.
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Essential Preparation Checklist
Before you head out to Fellglow Keep, make sure you aren't going in naked. Magic is the primary threat here.
- Resist Magic Potions: Brew these using Tundra Cotton and Lavender. They are everywhere around Whiterun.
- Staff of Jyrik Gauldurson: If you picked this up in Saarthal, use it. It deals damage to Magicka, which is devastating against the mages in the keep.
- Ward Spells: If you aren't using a shield, keep a Ward spell ready. It’ll stop those incoming fireballs from one-shotting you.
- Clear Inventory: I cannot stress this enough. There is so much expensive loot in here. Leave your dragon bones at home.
Final Insights on Hitting the Books Skyrim
This quest serves as a reality check for players. Up until now, Skyrim usually throws draugr and bandits at you. Mages are a different beast entirely. They ignore your armor rating. They slow you down with frost. They drain your Magicka with lightning.
If you find yourself dying repeatedly in the Ritual Chamber, check your difficulty settings or go find the Lord Stone. The Lord Stone (located east of Morthal) gives you a permanent 25% Magic Resistance and 50 points of Damage Resistance. It is arguably the best standing stone for a character about to tackle Fellglow Keep.
Once the books are returned, your next step is to speak with Tolfdir in the Hall of the Elements. The Eye of Magnus is starting to act up, and things are about to get a lot more dangerous than just chasing down a few stolen library books.
Next Steps:
- Check your level: If you're under level 10, consider doing a few side quests first to beef up your health pool.
- Stock up on Blue Mountain Flowers and Wheat: This makes a simple Restore Health + Fortify Health potion that will save your life when the fireballs start flying.
- Talk to Enthir: He's often in the Hall of Attainment and is the "shady" dealer of the College. He has Daedra Hearts and Black Soul Gems if you have the gold.
Fellglow Keep is a slog, but the rewards and the progression of the story make it one of the most memorable parts of the Winterhold experience. Just don't let Urag see you sneeze on the pages.