Elder Scrolls
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Elder Scrolls

Template:SkyrimNPCs Tolfdir (Skyrim) is an elderly Nord mage at the College of Winterhold, where he teaches. An old, wise and friendly mage, Tolfdir is adept in defensive magic, plus a master of and trainer for Alteration. Some spells he sells include Greater Ward and Ebonyflesh.  He serves as the Dragonborn's teacher and guide at the college.

Wares and routine

As well as offering Master-level training in Alteration, Tolfdir sells Alteration-based items such as jewelry, staves, spell tomes, and mage robes. When not teaching in the Hall of the Elements, Tolfdir may be found sleeping or eating on the lower level of the Hall of Attainment

After completing Under Saarthal, Tolfdir may remain at the Eye of Magnus, in Saarthal, until the next quest in the mage quest line, Hitting the Books, is completed. 

Personality

Despite his age and apparently absent-minded nature, Tolfdir is a very powerful mage; however, he is never boastful, nor does he abuse his influence at the college.

Interactions

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Tolfdir specializes in Alteration

During the Dragonborn's first lessons at the College, Tolfdir instructs the apprentices about the proper use of wards. He also provides a lesser ward spell, free of charge, if it isn't already known. Thereafter, he serves as a master-level trainer for Alteration, staying in the Hall of the Elements studying the Eye of Magnus while it is there.

Tolfdir's second lesson takes the apprentices to Saarthal, where the Dragonborn stumbles upon a secret passageway while collecting magical artifacts. Tolfdir accompanies the Dragonborn as a companion from this stage until the Eye of Magnus is discovered at the end of the crypt.

After recovering the Staff of Magnus from Labyrinthian, Toldfir gets paralyzed when he tries to assist with defeating Ancano. Afterwards, he replaces Mirabelle Ervine as Master Wizard due to her death in the skirmish that follows.

At regular intervals, Tolfdir misplaces his alembic, which can be located in one of three places in the Hall of Countenance.

Quests

Trivia

  • Tolfdir has heterochromia iridum. His right eye is hazel and his left eye is green.
  • During the College quest The Staff of Magnus, Tolfdir is made Master Wizard, replacing the late Mirabelle Ervine.
  • Despite being named Arch-Mage of the college by completing The Eye of Magnus quest, Tolfdir is effectively in charge of the college after that point. There are no more main duties or quests with other NPCs of the college than before. Tolfdir is also the one to answer to if the Dragonborn steals, assaults someone, or otherwise breaks the college's rules and ends up being forced to complete the quest Rejoining the College.
  • He recognizes Talos as a Divine. In the quest The Eye of Magnus, he exclaims "By the Nine...."

Bugs

This section contains bugs related to Tolfdir (Skyrim). Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:

  1. Please reload an old save to confirm if the bug is still happening.
  2. If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template  360  /  XB1  ,  PS3  /  PS4  ,  PC  /  MAC  ,  NX  /  PS5  ,  XS  , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on.
  3. Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.
  •  PC   360   PS3   Tolfdir may travel to Whiterun Stables during "Under Saarthal". From there, he moves near Mount Anthor, finally proceeding to Saarthal.
  •  PC   360   PS3  When teaching the Lesser Ward spell Tolfdir will not shoot fire at the Dragonborn.

Appearances

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