Is there a mage power group within the Empire's power structure? Or any type of magical group sanctioned by the Empire and operating under its jurisdiction to aid, protect and serve it? If so, what is it called and how is it structured?

There's mages incorporated into the Legion, and both Ocato and Tharn held the office of Imperial Battlemage. IIRC the Mages' Guild was chartered by the Empire; don't know about the College or Synod.

The Mages Guild fell with the Septim Empire, as it was HEAVILY tied to the Septim empire. From its ashes came the Synod and College of Whispers, both of which are Cyrodiilic based. The College of Winterhold is its own school.

But, from what I remember, there was a section for Battle Mages in the legion, and The Battlespire used to be a training ground for newly recruited Battle Mages. That is, until it exploded during the events of Arena, and played in the TES Adventure game "Battlespire."

I'm working on the planning of a mod, and I've got a hypothetical question I hope someone can help me with...

If, during the current events and time-line in Tamriel (I'm referencing Skyrim here), a small back-water town or colony on the far edge of the Empire (let's say on a long ignored and near-forgotten island off the northern coastline of Skyrim) were to ask for aid from the Empire in dealing with the theft of a powerful magical artifact from nearby ruins, who would the Empire be likely to send? And let's say that the Empire only takes them half-seriously, or rather, considering the town is near-forgotten, they don't think the artifact is too much worry about. BUT, just to be safe, they DO want to send SOMEONE to investigate.

Who would they send?

I imagine a Thalmor representative would be sent, surely. Maybe a Thalmor wizard, a justicar and a few soldiers? What about from the Empire? A court wizard along with a small contingent of soldiers?

Any ideas?

In the past, there was The Imperial Battlemage, Imperial Battlemages, Battlemage Aristocracy, and plain ol' Battlemages.

Okay, but in current times, who would likely be sent to investigate?

I'm not so sure about sending anyone related to the Thalmor. Surely the terms of Concordant don't force the Empire to share all remotely interesting intel with the Dominion.

I'd imagine they'd just send up a small contingent from the nearest garrison or fort, probably with a battlemage or two to evaluate the artifact. Maybe an appropriately trained Penitus Occulatus operative if there's one in the area & doing nothing particularly important. And if the town's been off the radar for that long, they might send up a bureaucrat to check up on things (like taxes).

Not sure about the Empire - really depends on your background. If the Empire has any reason to worry about the artifact, they may send a mage or two and a few accompanying soldiers. If not, I imagine they'll send a bureaucrat with some magical background (Nibenean, in other words). Perhaps a Penitus Oculatus agent or two with magical training.

Like Taefun says, the Empire wouldn't send a Thalmor. The Thalmor would send their own reps, though, if the artifact is interesting. In that case a Justiciar and two guards (the sort you find on roads) seems appropriate.

Judging by the College of Winterhold questline, the Synod want to keep tabs on all important magical artifacts. I imagine that they'd investigate.

Thank you for the answers. And those answers make me want to ask more questions. sorry.

"I'm not so sure about sending anyone related to the Thalmor. Surely the terms of Concordant don't force the Empire to share all remotely interesting intel with the Dominion."

So then, would it be feasible or possible for a call for aid from this town to pass to the powers that be within the Empire without the Thalmor getting wind of it? I guess what I'm really asking is, how much control do the Thalmor have over the empire (current times)? Do they have their own ambassadors at every important official position within the Empire? How involved are they in the decisions that get made by the Empire on a day to day basis?

"Maybe an appropriately trained Penitus Occulatus operative if there's one in the area & doing nothing particularly important."

Could you explain the Penitus Occulatus for me? Are they a magical power group within the Empire? I've done a search for Penitus Occulatus at The Imperial Library and only got two hits back. Both hits mention the Penitus Occulatus, but neither one explains this group at all. I am assuming that the Penitus Occulatus is a group?

"Not sure about the Empire - really depends on your background. If the Empire has any reason to worry about the artifact, they may send a mage or two and a few accompanying soldiers. If not, I imagine they'll send a bureaucrat with some magical background (Nibenean, in other words). Perhaps a Penitus Oculatus agent or two with magical training."

Let's say that the Empire does send a mage and a few accompanying soldiers. Would this mage be from the Synod group?

Also, for the sake of argument, let's say this mage discovers that the artifact in question is VERY powerful. Let's say that this mage gets a notion to go into the "Empire Building" business for themselves using the artifact, but is having trouble finding the artifact as it has been stolen, but knows its general vicinity. This mage needs time to track down said artifact. In the mean-time, I'd imagine they'd have to give some report to SOMEONE further up the chain of command on what they've found and the current situation. Since I'm not really sure how things operate in this fictional power structure, I have to ask... How long could this mage put off an answer to the boss/close the case and return home/blow smoke, etc. before someone higher up would start to take notice and send someone else?

That makes sense to me and answers at least one of my questions. Thank you.

Penitus Occulatus is an Imperial intelligence unit. They do espionage, assisnations, poking around and seeing what turns up, etc. Since the loss of the Blades they've also run security for the Emperor.

So these guys are bona fide bad asses then? >rubs hands together while laughing maniacally< Would they operate entirely indepentantly or would they possibly operate under the leadership of a member of the Synod? Who sits higher in the power structure?

Also, are the Synod mandated and overseen by the Empire in the current time-line?

It's the Imperial spy agency.

Largely depends on who their reporting to, and how. If the Empire told them to use the Dreamsleeve or some other magical means of communication, then they wouldn't have much if any stalling time. If their reporting via courier or some other mundane means, then it's really a matter of how long it takes for all the peeps with the mage to get suspicious. The second thing to consider is who has oversight for that operation. Some bureaucrat whose in the same region would expect reports in less time, but if it's to be sent to Cyrodiil, then you'd have more time to do the reporitng.

Thank you, Darth. That answers another of my questions.

Anyone know the answer to another of my previous questions?
"Also, are the Synod mandated and overseen by the Empire in the current time-line?"

In other words, do they take orders from the Imperial government?

And the questions keep coming. If I want to get the Player involved in this investigation as an "observer" in an official capacity, what would be a feasible way to do it? In other words, I want the player along with the wizard sent to investigate and privy to most things that get discovered by the wizard during the investigation. But I'd rather it be a straight-forward stream of information, not necessarily gained by subterfuge or under-handed means. I'd like to have the Player there in a "official" capacity of some sort.

Obviously, if the Player joined the Imperial cause in the Civil War quest-line, I could set it up so he/she were delivered an Imperial missive to accompany the group to the Island as an observer. But what if the Player has not chosen a side in the Civil War quest-line, or worse yet, had thrown their lot in with the Stormcloaks? Who could get the Player assigned to this group? Who has enough power to get the Player on board as an observer if the Player has chosen another path apart from the Imperials? Would the Psijic Order dare to do that? Do they have any power to do so? Could they do it?

Now I realize I could go many different routes in getting the Player into this group, but I'd much prefer it if the Player were along in at least a semi-official capacity as an observer. If the Player has joined the Imperials, then I don't see a problem. If NOT, then I do see a problem to skirt around.

Why not have more than one start? If you've sided with the imperials, or haven't sided, you get it one way. Otherwise, you could get the quest from Commander Maro, perhaps with the prerequisite of completing "Destroy the Dark Brotherhood!" Another possibility may be that the player bribes an imperial official in order to join in.

Completely unknown, it's very likely though that there is at least some imperial influeince in the guild. The Empire would be crazy not to have it. Then the CoW describes them as primarily a political group which again makes it very likely that they have ties with the Empire.


I can think of no way that a stormcloack supporter would be asked to join this expedition, unless of course it could realy hurt the Thalmor. The Empire and the stormcloacks would have good reason to both want to stop the Thalmor. It would still be unlikely, especially if they consider the artifact to be unimportant at first.

The Psijic order wouldn't intervene at all either. They have no representation in the Empire, haven't had it since the days of the last Septim, and especially after dissapearing you aren't going to see them much. I can't imagine the CoW having that kind of power either, as they are practically powerless inside of Skyrim let alone stand outside of it. The Thalmor would have that kind of power, but they would have no reason trusting the player. If I were you, I would make the quest start from two different options.

1. Stormcloack
2. Empire

It's the only logical thing I can think of, but then I can see no reason why anybody from the stormcloacks would invite the Synod.

For the non-Imperials:
"Ah, there you are, Thane. I have an important assignment that can only be carried out by someone of such standing as yours. Please deliver this letter to the Imperial Commander of the Numemnonirnispatial Taxation and Census expedition, post haste. The Commander should be found in the camp on our northern shore. I want you to join the expedition and report your findings back to me. A few days on the sea will do you good, Thane, and the expedition is in our interest so please try to keep your personal opinions of the current conflict at bay."

Item added: Letter from the Jarl

"Also, take this. I want you to look official. And who knows, you might need it."

Item added: Shield of whichever hold

"To the Imperal Comander.
As Jarl of this Hold, I want you to let the bearer of this leter join your espedision. My responsibiti responsilib job is to protect the peeple of my Hold and becase of this I want my repersentetion to be there if anything impurtant is found. You will not hender this persons work or letters to me.
This person is a Thane of whichever hold and is a very respeted friend of mine. Not a part of the comon rabble. Make sure that noting bad happens. (If stormcloak aligned Jarl:) If you do not agre on this I will see the expedion as an agresion and send my guards to escot you away from my lands.
Signed,
Jarl name
Hold"

But why in heavens name would a stormcloack officer and somebody who fought the Imperial legion out of Skyrim possibly be invited into an Imperial expidition? It's like inviting the Nerevarine to a Sixth house party after he's already killed Dagoth Ur? Do those people have a death wish or something?

To do that, you would first need to establish a reason why an independant Skyrim and the Empire could/should and will want to work together. I see no reason for this unless there is a threat that has to do with the dominion...

Kinda under the assumption that the war hadn't been decided yet. Wouldn't see the expedition happening at all if the Stormcloaks had won already.

In an undecided war, everything would make sense. Hell you can go into Solitude rather easily and speak to the Jarl and General Tullius just hours before starting the quest to take over the city.

Just because it is possible does not mean it makes sense.

You could go in as a spy, using a cover identity. Kill someone who was actually invited onto the expedition, take their clothes and documents, and arrive in their place. The fact that no one catches on could be handwaved by saying that no one in the expedition has A. met the guy you replaced, and B. they don't really know what you look like.

That wouldn't explain how the Stormcloack got word of this matter if the message was supposed to be delivered to Imperial authorities in Cyrodiil.

You haven't explored another way of doing things. The said backwater and almost forgotten city sends its SOS to the Stormcloacks who took over Skyrim or more simply, the college of Winterhold. It's supposedly a quicker way to get help rather than sending a letter crossing half a continent then waiting for the answer to cross again half of the continent. And then, you can cover the cases of whoever took control of Skyrim if the Civil War has been ended.