Template:SkyrimNPCs
- "Disrupt my Arcanaeum, and I will have you torn apart by angry Atronachs."
- ―Urag gro-Shub[src]
Urag gro-Shub is an Orsimer mage and the librarian of The Arcanaeum, at the College of Winterhold, in Skyrim who is known for his strict and stern attitude.
He is a merchant of books and takes his job very seriously. He initiates the Hitting the Books quest when the Dragonborn approaches him, requesting research materials for The Eye of Magnus. The books Urag sells and requests vary over time.
Personality
Urag takes his work as the librarian in The Arcanaeum very seriously, he shows this when he says quotes along the lines of "I better not see you treating all of these books poorly, are we clear?" Urag will keep an aggressive attitude even after the Dragonborn becomes Arch-Mage.
If given an Elder Scroll, he will adopt a more respectful attitude towards the Dragonborn.
Interactions
Hitting the Books
After finding the books at Fellglow Keep, Urag rewards the Dragonborn with six skill books: Racial Phylogeny, Daughter of the Niben, Catalogue of Weapon Enchantments, Response to Bero's Speech, The Black Arts On Trial, and 2920, vol 09 - Hearth Fire.
Fetch Me That Book!
After joining the College of Winterhold, Urag may send the Dragonborn to collect various rare books. He pays the Dragonborn with 
as a reward. Once enough are collected, he sends word to the Orc Strongholds so that the Dragonborn can gain entry.
Shalidor's Insights
Urag requires assistance with locating Shalidor's Insights, rare manuscripts scattered across Skyrim.
Elder Knowledge
After speaking to Paarthurnax about learning Dragonrend, the Dragonborn needs to recover an Elder Scroll to travel back in time to Alduin's defeat atop the Throat of the World. Urag gro-Shub is able to provide the Dragonborn with two texts on Elder Scrolls, Effects of the Elder Scrolls and Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls, one of which is authored by Septimus Signus. As a former member of the college, Urag knows his whereabouts and directs the Dragonborn to him. If the Dragonborn collects the Elder Scroll at Alftand, it can later be sold to Urag for 2,000 . In Dawnguard, the Dragonborn requires the same Elder Scroll for the quest Scroll Scouting. If the Dragonborn sold it to Urag, he sells it for 4,000 . Alternatively, he can be persuaded to sell it back for 3,000 . An Arch-Mage Dragonborn can purchase the scroll back for 2,000 , if he is far enough in the story line.
Scroll Scouting
The Dragonborn needs the scroll once again, and it can be purchased from Urag if it has been sold to him once before.
Ancient Falmer Tomes
Four ancient tomes written in the Falmer Language are scattered throughout the Forgotten Vale. They can be sold to Urag gro-Shub at the College. For each Unknown Book, he will award 1000 and a translated version of that book.
Quests
- Hitting the Books
- Fetch Me That Book!
- Shalidor's Insights
- Elder Knowledge
- Discerning the Transmundane
- Scroll Scouting
- Ancient Falmer TomesDG
Lecture
Urag gro-Shub delivers a lecture on Shalidor and his texts, writings and research and the College's need to recover the ancient research. The lecture is held in the Hall of the Elements, during which most of the members of the College come to listen to his lecture. After he finishes, everyone goes back to their usual schedule.
- "As many know, there is an ongoing effort to research the work of the Archmagus Shalidor. He is most remembered for his great maze of Labyrinthian, said to hold "Glamoril", or the secret of life. While stories have persisted since the First Era, none have ever confirmed the existence of this "Glamoril" or its purpose or function.
The College has developed some theories, however. We know that Shalidor had an understanding of magic that surpassed almost any of either his age or ours. The few works of his that have been recovered suggest that he had an understanding of magic and the world that few have ever achieved. What is interesting is that it appears he was also incredibly prolific, writing on a diverse array of subjects. An array so great, in fact, that it remains a source of curiosity.
What, then, of this Glamoril? It means "secret of life" in elvish. Could this be an explanation for Shalidor's works? Is it possible that it somehow contributed to his work? Perhaps allowed him to life multiple lifetimes in a short span of time? Increased his intelligence and knowledge in ways unfathomable to us? We may never know for certain. The College is always searching for more of Shalidor's writings in an attempt to understand both our knowledge of the man, and of magic in general." - ―Urag gro-Shub
Wares
At The Arcanaeum he sells various books, including exceptionally rare ones. Sometimes, he sells books that share the same name as ones needed for Fetch Me That Book!, though these cannot be turned in for that quest, they may be read without bug occurring, See Below. Some of these books are difficult to locate elsewhere.
Rare books
Rare series
Bugs
- 360 During the quest Fetch Me That Book!, Urag may not recognize that the Dragonborn is in possession of the book.
- PC Solution: Type this in the Console Command:
setstage MGR20 20
- PC Solution: Type this in the Console Command:
- 360 Books he sends the Dragonborn to collect may not appear if the location is labeled as "cleared" or if the room containing the book requires the death of a boss to open.
Appearances
References
1. Skyrim Prima Games Guide