So the fighters guild i understand, they can get jobs from locals to take care of wild animals and what not, but the mages guild... what do they help out with around town? don't say they sell spells and alchemy because there are or could be specialty shops to do that, and don't say to teach because that's what the university? is for in the imperial city. so what's the point other then to make a stupid long process of joining? and why can't you join as a battlemage instead of a mage?

The mages guild is a group of mages that are interest in studying the arcane arts. They tend to be researchers.

Much like scientists in the real world. That's why the center is a "university".

Wait a minute. Long process? You can become a guild member just by talking to any chapter head.

They're a guild. You said not to say it, but they do sell potions and spells. They also recharge enchanted weapons, which would mean that they serve Fighters Guild members' needs. And they do teach; don't you learn spells there?

As far as I know, any class can join.

The primary intent of the Mages Guild is indeed to provide services to the public, as per an Imperial charter.

One can be assured much higher quality services and goods from the Mages Guild than from some standalone shop.

And the Mages Guild services is to research and better understand magic. Not necessarily spells, potions and enchantments. Sometimes just basic research -- like "think tanks.

Yep, anything related to magic.

Edit: Of course, some things are reserved for guild-members only (the general public can't be trusted with some things).

No i meant the small chapters in bruma and what not, all the studying can be done with better resources in the university. so why the smaller chapters? and if it's to provide research, why not hold something at the university?

Not everything can be studied at the university. Plus if you have to do any traveling, wouldn't it be nice if your organization has like places set up where you can stay?

Their purpose is to disseminate magic-related services and information around Cyrodiil, and throughout all Tamriel. The University would be a bit frustrating if it were the only location for mages to congregate--or for simply anyone that has some business involving magic. Besides, I don't think the University is as open to the general public as the individual guild halls are.

Here in many of the Mage Guild Halls of Cyrodiil, our newest associates are kept busy with health services such as disease control, curing all sorts of wounds, arthritis and other debilitating afflictions. Many other associates are engaged in pest and insect control (when was the last time you were bit by a tick or mosquito while running through the Cyrodiil forest). All that for a nominal fee, of course. Some of our more advanced associates are involved in the terra-forming project of Cyrodill by converting useless swamp and jungle into arable farmland. This has been going on for quite some time and I real do think we need to change our travelogue description. Tourists are always wondering where'd the swamps and the jungles go?