Do you need to be in the Mages' Guild to find out what happened to the Dwemer? i.e have the relevant books translated, etc. Obviously you do for the quest but can I meet the same end by other means? I hope I'm being clear enough.

I'm creating a character that has interest in this subject but little magical affinity so rising the ranks of MG would be problematic (I'm banning trainers for miscellaneous skills).

I can't find anything that confirms it one way or the other, but I have a feeling that in order to get the relevant conversation topics ("Disappearance of the Dwaves") you may need to have started the quest.

If you have the books, you could try going straight to Yagrum with them. It's probably the best chance of having this work.

On that last note, UESP does say this: "Of course you can take a shortcut and speak to Yagrum Bagarn straight away once you have The Egg of Time and Divine Metaphysics...." But again, i don't know if that means it's a shortcut through the quest (ie, you have to have started it but you can cut straight to him) or if you can just take him the books without starting the quest.

Hey, thanks for replying.

I'd like to believe it's possible. It probably is but I just wanted confirmation before finalising my character.
Guess I'll just have to wait and see