- "One sure mark of a fool is to dismiss anything that falls outside his experience as being impossible."
- ―Farengar Secret-Fire[src]
Farengar Secret-Fire, commonly referred to throughout the game as Farengar, serves as the Court Wizard for Jarl Balgruuf the Greater at Dragonsreach in Whiterun where he conducts studies regarding magic and dragons.
Personality and traits
In general, Farengar is friendly enough to the Dragonborn; cooperative without quirks, though sometimes more than a little condescending. He is scripted for the archetypal absent-minded professor, being far more focused on abstract thought and scientific curiosity than to prefer practical interpersonal communication or stagnant common sense. He treats Skyrim's Civil War with overall distaste, seeing it as an obstacle to progress, but his personal loyalty and respect for Jarl Balgruuf transcends such things.
Dragon Research
Prior to the Dragonborn's arrival at Dragonsreach, Farengar regarded Dragons as hypothetical, mythical phenomena. He is fascinated upon learning their existence and expresses wishes to see one in person; however, his wish is denied by Jarl Balgruuf on the grounds that it is too dangerous and that Farengar is needed alive in Dragonsreach in order to continue researching ways to counter a dragon attack.
Later, during Odahviing's capture, Farengar attempts to perform some tests for his research, but is sent running by a blast of fire from the angered dragon.
Study
Farengar's study is attached to the main hall of Dragonsreach. He sells spell tomes and has an alchemy lab and arcane enchanter. Additionally, Farengar sells enchanting supplies and is himself an enchanter.
Interactions
Bleak Falls Barrow
Arriving in Whiterun to inform the Jarl of the dragon attack at Helgen, the Dragonborn is asked by Farengar to retrieve the Dragonstone from Bleak Falls Barrow. It is possible that the Dragonborn already got the stone while helping Lucan Valerius recover The Golden Claw that was stolen from him.
College and errands
Asking Farengar about his wares can spark the Visit College of Winterhold quest. Farengar also asks the Dragonborn to deliver Frost Salts to Arcadia at Arcadia's Cauldron in Whiterun. When successfully delivered, Arcadia mentions the ingredients will be used to craft a Love Potion which she says she will test on Farengar, possibly joking.
The Whispering Door
The Dragonborn has the option of killing Farengar or picking his pocket to obtain a key to the room containing the Ebony Blade. It is possible to pickpocket the key from him even with a low pickpocket skill.
Stealing
Stealing from him at any point may result in a contract to have hired thugs kill the Dragonborn.
Inheritance
If Farengar dies, either by circumstance or being murdered by the Dragonborn, he bequeaths a sum of 100 
to the Dragonborn, 10 of which is removed by the Jarl as tax.
The Fallen
When the Dragonborn traps Odahviing in Dragonsreach, Farengar asks if he can run some tests on him and does so even when Odahviing says, "Begone mage, do not test my promise to the Dovahkiin." Eventually, Odahviig lets out a stream of fire that sends Farengar running from the room.
Battle for Whiterun
If the Dragonborn takes over Whiterun with the Stormcloaks, Farengar may send hired thugs to kill them. However, even if the Dragonborn does side with the Stormcloaks, this may not occur.
Quests
- Visit the College of Winterhold
- Give Frost Salts to Arcadia
- The Whispering Door
- Bleak Falls Barrow
- The Fallen
Quotes
- "It seems this damnable conflict has claimed everyone's passions of late. Me? I prefer my books, and my spells."
- "There's a tranquility in magic, don't you think? It is simply energy, to be harnessed by those with the will and knowledge to do so."
- "Come to Dragonsreach to discuss the ongoing hostilities, like the rest of the "great warriors"?"
- "You know, if you've got the aptitude, you should join the Mage's College in Winterhold."
- "Remember, your mind is the best weapon you have."
Trivia
- If using the arcane enchanter to enchant an item in front of him, he comments on it.
- If Whiterun has been taken over by the Stormcloaks, Farengar will stay as Whiterun's court wizard, while Proventus, Balgruuf, and Irileth are all replaced.
- If the Dragonborn has retrieved the Dragonstone prior to being told, Farengar will appraise the Dragonborn by stating that they are "cut from a different cloth than the usual brutes the Jarl foists on me."
- If the Dragonborn hurries to Farengar before the Jarl approaches him, a unique dialogue comes up. He can be told that the Jarl thinks they can be helpful for a project he is working on, but he will assume it is just a waste of his time. If the Dragonborn has significantly high skill (about 28+) in some of what Farengar regards as more sophisticated arts; the Destruction school of magic, Enchanting and Alchemy, they can change his mind by saying something that proves that they have knowledge in these areas, convincing him that they're not just wasting his time.
- With a high Destruction skill, the Dragonborn will warn Farengar that he is about "to step in your own shock rune." This is an Elder Scrolls version of the old saying "Step on your own landmine," because the Jarl is about to walk in and prove Farengar wrong.
- If their Enchanting skill is high enough, they will warn him of the danger of leaving soul gems unattended.
- A high enough Alchemy skill will result in mentioning that he's overheating his essence of spriggan sap.
- While he is supposedly aware of the Ebony Blade's evil, it can be sold to him.
- If killed, his remains are in the Whiterun Hall of the Dead in an urn.
- Farengar shares his voice actor with Vorstag, some of the Stormcloak Soldiers during Unbound, and a few other characters.
Bugs
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This section contains bugs related to Farengar Secret-Fire. Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:
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- PS3 If Farengar is dead or murdered, even while properly hidden, the inhabitants of the castle may become immediately hostile.
- PS3 360 If Farengar is dead or murdered when the Dragonborn captures the dragon, Odahviing, in Dragonsreach, the people talk as though Farengar is there and Odahviing is breathing fire at nothing (Farengar typically asks Odahviing if he can run some tests, something Odahviing finds distasteful).
- He may occasionally despawn, possibly from completing the "Battle for Whiterun" for the Imperial Legion. This may make quests such as "The Whispering Door" or "The Fallen" more difficult or impossible to complete.
- 360 Occasionally he may sell spells at a variety of levels even if the Dragonborn has not reached the proper level to use them.
- PC 360 PS3 His dialogue upon completion of trading will continue to say, "You know, if you've got the aptitude, you should join the mage's college in Winterhold," even if the Dragonborn has completed the quest to become Arch-Mage, and is wearing the Archmage's Robes.