The Saarthal Amulet is a unique and crucial artifact in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, directly tied to the College of Winterhold questline and the Dragonborn’s burgeoning magical abilities. Obtaining and using this amulet is essential for progressing through the early stages of the College’s storyline and uncovering ancient secrets. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough on acquiring the Saarthal Amulet, its significance, and how to utilize it effectively within the game.
Initiating the College of Winterhold Questline
Before you can get your hands on the Saarthal Amulet, you need to begin the College of Winterhold questline. This magical academy, located in the northeastern corner of Skyrim, is a hub for aspiring mages and a focal point for uncovering powerful artifacts and ancient knowledge. Here’s how to start:
- Travel to Winterhold: Winterhold is a city located far northeast of Whiterun. The journey is arduous, involving traversing snowy mountains and potentially encountering dangerous creatures. Fast traveling is highly recommended if you’ve already discovered the location.
- Speak to Faralda: Upon arriving at the College of Winterhold bridge, you’ll be stopped by Faralda, a High Elf mage who acts as a gatekeeper. She will test your magical aptitude before allowing you to enter the College.
- Pass Faralda’s Test: Faralda will ask you to cast a specific spell. The spell she requires varies depending on your skills and the game’s progression. Typically, it involves casting a low-level spell like Flames, Frostbite, or Sparks. If you don’t know the spell, you can purchase it from her for a small fee.
- Enter the College: Once you successfully cast the spell, Faralda will grant you entry to the College of Winterhold. Follow her inside, where you’ll meet Mirabelle Ervine, another College instructor.
- Attend the First Lesson: Mirabelle will guide you through a brief tour of the College and then direct you to Tolfdir for your first lesson. This lesson is essential for initiating the quest that leads to the Saarthal Amulet.
The “Under Saarthal” Quest
The quest that will lead you to the Saarthal Amulet is titled “Under Saarthal.” Tolfdir, an experienced mage and instructor, tasks you and other novice mages with assisting him in an archaeological expedition to the ruins of Saarthal. Saarthal is an ancient Nordic ruin located southwest of Winterhold, a place steeped in history and brimming with Draugr and other dangers.
- Speak to Tolfdir: After the introductory lesson, Tolfdir will instruct you to meet him at Saarthal. You can either travel there on your own or follow him and the other students.
- Enter Saarthal: Once at Saarthal, speak to Tolfdir again. He will assign you a task to assist Brelyna Maryon, another student, with her magical practice. This task is a simple introductory objective to familiarize you with the dungeon’s layout.
- Explore the Ruin: After assisting Brelyna, Tolfdir will instruct you to search for magical artifacts within the ruin. This is where your journey to find the Saarthal Amulet truly begins.
- Locate the Amulet: Venture deeper into the ruin. The path is relatively linear, but be prepared to face Draugr and other undead creatures. Follow the corridors, defeat the enemies, and loot any chests you find along the way for potions and other useful items.
- The Wall and the Amulet: Eventually, you’ll come across a wall with strange markings. As you approach the wall, Tolfdir will call out to you, urging you to examine it. Upon interacting with the wall, you will discover the Saarthal Amulet.
The Significance of the Saarthal Amulet
The Saarthal Amulet is more than just a pretty trinket; it holds significant power and plays a crucial role in the events that unfold within the College of Winterhold questline. Here’s why it’s important:
- Magicka Cost Reduction: The Saarthal Amulet reduces the magicka cost of all spells by 3%. While this may seem like a small amount, it can be incredibly useful for a mage character, especially in the early game when your magicka pool is limited.
- Unlocking the Path: The amulet is directly tied to unlocking the next stage of the “Under Saarthal” quest. Without it, you cannot progress further into the ruin and uncover its secrets.
- Lore and Story: The Saarthal Amulet connects you to the ancient Nordic history of Skyrim and the events that transpired in Saarthal long ago. It provides a glimpse into the past and sets the stage for the larger narrative surrounding the Eye of Magnus.
Using the Saarthal Amulet to Progress
Once you’ve located the Saarthal Amulet, the real puzzle begins. Simply equipping the amulet triggers the next phase of the quest. Here’s how to use it effectively:
- Equip the Amulet: Open your inventory, navigate to the apparel section, and equip the Saarthal Amulet. As soon as you equip it, you’ll hear a voice and become trapped behind a gate.
- The Tutorial Voice: After equipping, Tolfdir will speak to you from the other side of the gate. He informs you that he is unable to open the gate. He will then tell you that he senses magic near the wall.
- The Magic Anomaly: Tolfdir suggests examining the wall from which you acquired the amulet. Direct your attention to the wall you found the amulet on. You will now see it glowing.
- Cast a Spell: Tolfdir will instruct you to cast a spell at the glowing wall. Cast any offensive spell, such as Flames, Sparks, or Frostbite, at the wall. This action will trigger a reaction and open the gate.
- Speak to Tolfdir: Once the gate is open, speak to Tolfdir. He will be surprised and impressed by your actions and the magical energy emanating from the wall.
- Continue Exploring: After a brief conversation, Tolfdir will instruct you to continue exploring Saarthal and to be cautious of any further anomalies or dangers.
Navigating Deeper into Saarthal
With the gate open, you can now venture further into Saarthal, uncovering more of its secrets and facing tougher challenges. Here’s what to expect:
- Draugr Encounters: Prepare to face more Draugr, including Draugr Overlords and Draugr Wight Lords. These enemies are tougher than the Draugr you encountered earlier, so be sure to use your spells and weapons effectively.
- Puzzle Rooms: Saarthal contains several puzzle rooms that require you to manipulate levers and symbols to proceed. Pay close attention to the environment and look for clues that will help you solve these puzzles.
- The Saarthal Chest: Deeper within the dungeon, you’ll encounter a unique chest known as the Saarthal Chest. This chest requires a special key to open, which you’ll find nearby. The contents of the chest are usually valuable, including gold, gems, and enchanted items.
- The Discovery: You will find a hall with a floating orb that Tolfdir has already started to examine. He will explain that this orb is attracting magical energy and is affecting him.
- The Vision: Shortly after Tolfdir explains what he knows a psijic monk will appear before you. He will tell you that what you have found is dangerous. He will then tell you to seek him out if you are truly ready to protect the world from what is coming.
- Jyrik Gauldurson: Continue through the dungeon until you reach the final chamber, where you’ll face the boss, Jyrik Gauldurson. He is a powerful Draugr Lord who wields potent magic. He is immune to all damage until Tolfdir casts a ward on him. Once Tolfdir casts the ward, you can attack Jyrik Gauldurson with a spell that matches the ward and damage him. Be prepared for a challenging fight and use all of your skills and resources to defeat him.
Completing “Under Saarthal”
After defeating Jyrik Gauldurson, speak to Tolfdir. He will be relieved that you survived and will commend you for your bravery and skill. He will instruct you to return to the College of Winterhold and report your findings to Arch-Mage Savos Aren.
- Return to the College: Fast travel back to the College of Winterhold.
- Speak to Savos Aren: Locate Arch-Mage Savos Aren in his quarters within the Arch-Mage’s Quarters. Report to him about your experiences in Saarthal and the discovery of Jyrik Gauldurson.
- Rewards: Savos Aren will thank you for your service and reward you for your efforts. He will also acknowledge the importance of your findings and the potential threat posed by the Eye of Magnus.
- Next Quest: Completing “Under Saarthal” unlocks the next quest in the College of Winterhold questline, “Hitting the Books,” which will lead you on further adventures and uncover more secrets about the College and the magical world of Skyrim.
Tips and Tricks for Using the Saarthal Amulet
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you make the most of the Saarthal Amulet and the “Under Saarthal” quest:
- Early Game Advantage: The Saarthal Amulet is particularly useful in the early game when your magicka pool is limited. The 3% magicka cost reduction can make a noticeable difference in your spellcasting abilities.
- Combine with Other Enchantments: To further reduce your magicka costs, combine the Saarthal Amulet with other enchantments that reduce the magicka cost of specific schools of magic.
- Explore Thoroughly: Saarthal is filled with hidden passages, chests, and secrets. Take your time to explore every nook and cranny to find valuable items and resources.
- Prepare for Draugr: Draugr are resistant to frost damage, so avoid using frost-based spells and weapons against them. Fire-based attacks are particularly effective.
- Use Potions: Potions can be a lifesaver in Saarthal. Carry a supply of health potions, magicka potions, and stamina potions to help you survive tough encounters.
- Level Up Your Skills: Before venturing into Saarthal, consider leveling up your combat and magic skills. This will make you more effective in battle and better equipped to handle the challenges ahead.
- Follow Tolfdir’s Instructions: Tolfdir is an experienced mage and a valuable source of information. Pay attention to his instructions and follow his guidance to progress through the quest smoothly.
- Use Shouts Wisely: Dragon Shouts can be powerful tools in Saarthal. Use shouts like Unrelenting Force, Fire Breath, and Ice Form to control the battlefield and defeat your enemies.
- Take Advantage of the Environment: The environment in Saarthal can be used to your advantage. Use narrow corridors to funnel enemies, and use traps to damage and disable them.
- Save Frequently: Saarthal can be a dangerous place, so save your game frequently to avoid losing progress if you die.
Alternatives to the College of Winterhold Questline
While the “Under Saarthal” quest and the acquisition of the Saarthal Amulet are primarily tied to the College of Winterhold questline, there are alternative approaches to consider:
- Console Commands: PC players can use console commands to bypass the questline and obtain the Saarthal Amulet directly. This is not recommended for a first playthrough, as it can spoil the experience and disrupt the game’s progression.
- Mods: Various mods are available that alter the way the Saarthal Amulet is acquired or used. Some mods may allow you to find the amulet in other locations or enhance its effects.
- Ignoring the Quest: It is possible to ignore the College of Winterhold questline entirely and never acquire the Saarthal Amulet. However, this will prevent you from experiencing the unique story and gameplay elements associated with the College.
Conclusion
The Saarthal Amulet is a valuable artifact that plays a significant role in the College of Winterhold questline and the larger narrative of Skyrim. By following this comprehensive guide, you can acquire the amulet, understand its significance, and use it effectively to progress through the game. Whether you’re a seasoned mage or a novice adventurer, the Saarthal Amulet is a worthy addition to your arsenal, providing a slight magicka cost reduction and unlocking access to the ancient secrets of Saarthal.
Embark on your journey to Winterhold, brave the dangers of Saarthal, and uncover the mysteries that await. The Saarthal Amulet is just the beginning of a grand adventure, filled with magic, intrigue, and the power to shape the fate of Skyrim.