Skyrim:Arniel Gane

Arniel Gane, a Breton conjurer, is one of the  scholars at the College of Winterhold. He specializes in the art of Alteration although most of his time is spent on research entirely unrelated to the arcane arts, something he keeps a secret from everyone until you have completed Hitting the Books. At that point he reveals his secret and asks for your help to uncover one of the greatest mysteries in Skyrim history. 

He lives in the Hall of Attainment, in the first room on the right on the second floor, and sleeps there every night between 4am and noon. He then dedicates the entire day to his secret studies and stays in his room. At 8pm he seeks out his friend and colleague Phinis Gestor who will be in the Arcanaeum. At 11pm Arniel returns to his quarters and strolls around until bedtime. There are several exceptions to this routine, as he will participate in several quests related to the discovery of the Eye of Magnus. See this section for details. 

He wears adept robes of Alteration and a pair of boots. He is a very skilled mage and knows numerous spells, including Ironflesh, Dread Zombie, Revenant, Frost Cloak, Ice Storm, Icy Spear, Lightning Bolt, Close Wounds, Grand Healing, Greater Ward, and Steadfast Ward.

When you first join the College as a mere apprentice, Arniel Gane will be secretive about his research although he hints at something very big: ''"I'm working on some very important research, I assure you." and "The exact nature of my research is a secret, I'm afraid, but it really is quite valuable." Unfortunately, nobody cares about his important research: "I don't think anyone here truly understands how useful my work will be." and "When I've finished what I'm working on, everyone will understand its significance." Even if he sounds like he could use a hand, he will not share his secret with you: "You mean the official sort of business? Hmm, well... no. No, not really." He will then close the conversation without revealing anything else. 

As you progress through the College quest line, Arniel will share several opinions on the strange and sometimes tragic events that unfold. Like everyone else, he is not too fond of Thalmor advisor Ancano: "He's asked far, far too many questions about my research. I think the Thalmor are trying to steal my work! I haven't told him anything, of course. What I'm doing is far too important. Can't breathe a word of it." During the quest Good Intentions you can also ask him how to find the Augur of Dunlain: "What? The Augur? Oh no, I'm quite sure that's... He's nothing I'm involved in. No, no. Mirabelle Ervine... Or Tolfdir. They're qualified to discuss him. Not me, definitely not." Also, as the College quest line progresses, he will become more and more nervous, greeting you with: "I can't lose all my research. There has to be a way to save the College.", "I hope you know what you're doing.", and "I'll be amazed if any of us survive this."''

Related Quests
 
 
  

Quest-Related Events
Under Saarthal
thumb|right|Arniel in Skyrim:Saarthal|Saarthal
The first time Arniel Gane ventures outside the College is when Tolfdir suggests that you and the other apprentices help out with the excavation of Saarthal, one of the oldest ruins in Skyrim. At that point Arniel will be teleported to a spot inside the excavation site. Once you have entered, ask Tolfdir what you can do to help and he will say: ''"Ah, yes. Hmm. Well, why don't you see if you can assist Arniel Gane? He's one of our scholars, here working on cataloging our finds. I expect he'd appreciate some help in locating any additional magical artifacts here in the ruins." When asked again he will repeat: "Find Arniel Gane. He's somewhere in the northern section of the ruins. He'll show you what to do."

Arniel will wander around in the northwestern tunnels of the site, seemingly unengaged, still researching his secret project by reading a book. When approached he will say: "Well, certainly none of this will benefit my research...", and will be skeptical about the whole affair: "I'll be amazed if we find anything useful here." and "It's going to take forever to sift through all this." If you have talked with him before at the College he will greet you with: "What? Ah, yes. You. I remember you. You're going to help? That's fine. Just... Just don't make a mess of my work." Alternatively, he will greet you with: "You must be one of the new apprentices, then? Fine, fine. Just... just don't make a mess of my work, all right?" He will then continue: "I've only looked through a portion of this section. You, uh, you can look around in the chambers just north of here. Try and be careful, all right? We don't want to damage anything." You will now be tasked with a mini-quest of finding four magical artifacts. When asked again, Arniel will repeat: "Just round up the rest of the magical artifacts so that I can catalog them." When you pick up the Saarthal Amulet, you will be trapped and Tolfdir will panic while Arniel will remain unaffected. Once you have broken the barrier, you can head back to Arniel and hand him your findings. Once again, he will be uninterested but will take them back with the words: "I see. It probably doesn't even matter now, what with the mess that's been made in here. I'll add this to the rest of the items. I don't think there's anything further I need from you."'' Arniel will then stay behind while you and Tolfdir investigate the rest of the ruin leading to the discovery of a very mysterious orb. When the quest is completed, Arniel will travel all the way back to the College on foot, a trip that takes him over four in-game hours. 


Despite his huge knowledge and many skills, Arniel Gane is obviously shy, clumsy, and not really skilled in the art of communication. Nobody cares about his important research and some will not even talk to him. Nirya in particular will be hateful, while Enthir will be a bit more friendly. During the course of the day, Arniel was supposed to make several attempts to converse with the other College members, but doesn't, due to a bug: 

thumb|right|"What is it?"
Arniel: "Err, excuse me Enthir. Might I have a moment?" 
Enthir: "What is it?" 
Arniel: "Yes, err, apologies for the intrusion. I was wondering, err, if you could possibly, ah, procure a few select items for me." 	
Enthir: ''"Really, Arniel? Because I seem to recall doing just that for you recently, at which point you assured me that you'd cover my expenses. And that, my nervous little friend, has not happened. Would you care to comment on that, perhaps?" 
Arniel: "Ahh, hmm. Yes. I, err, I was unaware that I had forgotten that. I will, err, I mean I'll take care of that as soon as possible." 
Enthir: "See that you do."

Nirya: "What are you up to, Gane? Hmm?" 
Arniel: "What? Err, nothing!" 
Nirya: "Some days I marvel that you haven't managed to blow yourself up."

Arniel: "Hello, Nirya." 
Nirya: "Don't even talk to me, Gane." 
Arniel: "Ah, err, yes. Sorry."''



Containment
thumb|left|"Come on, Arniel. Let's go."''
thumb|right|Arniel fights the Skyrim:Magic Anomaly|magic anomalies
The quest Revealing the Unseen ends with a big bang. Ancano's obsession with the Eye of Magnus causes a tragedy as Arch-Mage Savos Aren dies from the explosion. As you enter the courtyard, most of the members of the College will stand and look at the dead body in disbelief. Before long, Tolfdir will take control and order you to protect the city of Winterhold from the aftermath of Ancano's action. When you reach the bridge you will find a confused Arniel along with  Faralda. After a brief conversation with Faralda, Arniel will only say: "What have we gotten ourselves into now?" before he runs towards Winterhold. Along the way, Faralda will notice the hesitating Arniel and will yell: ''"Come on, Arniel. Let's go." and Arniel will respond: "Do we have to? They'd never lift a finger to help us." On the main street of Winterhold, Arniel will finally show what he is capable of and will use all his magical skills to defeat the magic anomalies that float around. When all is said and done, Arniel will stretch and comment: "Well, this certainly won't help our image." He will then stay behind and make sure the town is safe while you go talk to Mirabelle Ervine back at the College. When the quest The Staff of Magnus is initiated, Arniel will be back in the College, scared: "I can't lose all my research. There has to be a way to save the College." and "I hope you know what you're doing."'' He will not say anything else, so you will have to complete The Eye of Magnus before you can help him any further with the research. 


Another set of unused dialogue (see bugs) shows Arniel attempt to make contact with Brelyna Maryon and, once again, Enthir: 

Arniel: "Do you think you might, err, have a moment to look at something for me?" 
Brelyna: ''"If this is another dwarven trinket, I keep telling you I'm not familiar with them." 
Arniel: "Yes, I just thought perhaps you'd have, err, come across something like this before." 
Brelyna: "Why, because I'm a Dunmer? We didn't all grow up in dwarven ruins, you know." 
Arniel: "Well, err, yes. Sorry to have troubled you."

Enthir: "So, Arniel. How's that little project of yours coming along? Any progress worth mentioning?" 
Arniel: "Oh, that. Err, yes. It's... It's quite promising, I believe. Definitely on the right track. Results, err, results should be soon." 
Enthir: "Right. And what did you say the point of this little venture was?" 
Arniel: "Oh, no. Err, wouldn't do to say at all. Not, err, not now. Not at all. I have far too many things to do still." 
Enthir: "If you say so."''


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Notes
Some additional lines were written and recorded for the Under Saarthal quest, although they can never be heard in-game: 
''"You found what? Hmm. Well now. Yes, this might actually be something interesting. You'd better show that to Tolfdir right away."
"You found what? Hmm. Well now. This is all very fascinating, but I don't recall asking to you to touch anything in here. I suppose you'd better show that to Tolfdir nonetheless. And please, ask before tampering with anything else."''

Bugs