The Synod The Synod is an officially recognized institute of magic based in Cyrodiil . They were a group of mages that was formed following the disbandment of the Mages Guild in Cyrodiil . They were rivaled by the College of Whispers , another Imperial ly recognized faction of magic . The Synod scavenge magic al relics from all over Tamriel , hoping to consolidate their power and use it as an element of political clout in the Empire and to curry favor from the Emperor . The organization also fancies themselves the Imperial authority on magic . They are known to oppose the study of Conjuration and Necromancy . The organization is headed by the Grand Council , much like the Council of Mages of the Mages Guild , although it is unknown whether there is an individual leader or not . History . Fourth Era . Dissolution of the Mages Guild . At the beginning of the Fourth Era sometime during or after the events of the Great War , the Mages Guild was dismantled . The remaining members split into two organizations : the Synod , and its counterpart the College of Whispers . Thus the Synod began as an officially recognized faction of magic . Expedition to Mzulft . Upon joining the College of Winterhold , the Dragonborn must travel with Tolfdir to the nearby ancient ruin of the legendary city of Saarthal , once the capital of the Nords in Skyrim , where the College has set up a camp and a research site . During the expedition through the ruined city , the Eye of Magnus is discovered at the ancient ruined city . It is taken back to the College , and placed at the center of the Hall of the Elements . After finding it , the Dragonborn speaks with the Augur of Dunlain in the Midden at the College . The Augur reveals that the key to harnessing the power from the Eye is to use the Staff of Magnus . At the Dragonborn ' s return to Mirabelle Ervine , she informs him or her that the Synod has recently visited and asked about the ruins at Mzulft . The ruins are actually a very complex set of Dwemer machinery . In the deepest part of the ruins sits the Oculory , which the Synod were experimenting with . According to Paratus Decimius , the mage found there , when the Synod originally arrived , they brought a Focusing Crystal that they had spent months enchanting to get the Oculory working properly , yet while they traveled through Skyrim , the cold had warped the crystal . So they sent one man back to Cyrodiil to get a new crystal and left the rest waiting in the ruins , fighting off the Falmer and other monsters that inhabit the ruins . On return , Gavros Plinius dies and loses the new crystal , which can be found in the ruins . When the Dragonborn returns to Paratus , he brings them to the Oculory and asks them to align the pieces so the light shines through . Using a frostbite or flames spell on the focusing crystal when in the device suffices to align the light rays with the lenses . Inspired by the Orrery at the Arcane University , the device projects a map of Tamriel , its sources of great magical power illuminated on the map . Only two spots appear on this map . One being the College of Winterhold where the Eye is and the other being in Labyrinthian , the presumed location of the Staff of Magnus . After this discovery , Paratus leaves , reporting back to Cyrodiil . His departure is followed by a vision of the Psijic Order operative , Quaranir , who asks that the Dragonborn return to the College immediately .