Mages Guild ( Oblivion ) The Mages Guild is a guild dedicated to the collection , preservation , and distribution of magical knowledge with an emphasis on ensuring that all citizens of Tamriel benefit from this knowledge . Members of the Guild receive many benefits , including training , services , and education in the established laws regarding the proper use of magic . When Hannibal Traven took over the position of Arch - Mage in 3E 431 he immediately banned the practice of Necromancy from the Mages Guild , causing many members to leave the guild . History and origin of the Mages Guild . The Mages Guild was started in the early years of the Second Era . Previously , the only organization with a similar aim and structure to the Mages Guild we know today was the Psijic Order of the Isle of Artaeum . Vanus Galerion , a Psijic of Artaeum and student of the famed Iachesis , began organizing users of magic from around Summerset Isle at the urban city of Firsthold . At the time , this gathering and conduction of magical experiments in populated areas was considered unacceptable . Even more shocking , Galerion proposed to make magic al items , potions , and even spells available to any member of the general public who could afford to pay . Galerion was brought before Iachesis and the King of Firsthold , Rilis XII , and made to state the intentions of the fraternity he was forming . Although it ' s not Recorded what he said to convince them , the charter was approved , and the Mages Guild was born . Like a tree from an acorn , the Mages Guild grew branches all over Summerset Isle and gradually the mainland of Tamriel . Although initially the Guild was rejected in some areas of Tamriel , eventually it was accepted and became a powerful force in Tamriel . There have been only a few rare incidents of the Mages Guild actually becoming involved in local political struggles . On these occasions , the Guild ' s participation has been the ultimate decider in the conflict . As begun by Vanus Galerion , the Mages Guild as an institution is presided over by a supreme council of six Archmagisters , with subsequent masters over certain areas , creating a bureaucracy of sorts . One need not be a member of the Mages Guild to know that this carefully contrived hierarchy is often nothing more than a chimera . As Vanus Galerion himself said bitterly , leaving Tamriel to travel to other lands , " The Guild has become nothing more than an intricate morass of political infighting . " Guild halls - Training , spells , and recharge of enchanted items . The Mages Guild is headquartered at the Arcane University in Imperial City . Each city in Cyrodiil , except Kvatch ( due to the Daedric invasion ) , has a local guild hall . Each guild hall ( except for the one in Bruma ) has a magic school specialty . This specialty is evidenced in the training services offered and the available spells for sale , often corresponding to their main magic school . Guild halls also offer to recharge enchanted items for a fee of 1 per recharge point . The Mages Guild halls are : Ranks and guild perks . Arch - Mage . With promotion to the rank of Arch - Mage within the Mages Guild access to the Arch - Mage ' s Quarters is given , which has an Altar of Enchanting and an Altar of Spellmaking . Additionally , the room contains an enchanted chest , which can duplicate an alchemical ingredient by 10 once a week . Be sure to only put in one unit of the ingredient you wish to duplicate . Note , this does not work with Nirnroot . Containers . The containers in the Arch - Mage ' s Quarters reset every few days and should not be used for item storage . The desk beside the bed , however , does not reset . Followers . Two apprentices , at a time , can be recruited by an Arch - Mage . Whether killed or dismissed , new apprentices can be recruited at any time from the Arcane University . Killing an Apprentice bars the Arch - Mage from the guild . Further , the apprentices can be compelled to collect potion ingredients for the Arch - Mage . Quests . Recommendation quests . Before officially becoming a full scholar of the Mages Guild and obtaining entrance to the Arcane University in the Imperial City , prospective students must advance to the rank of " Apprentice " by completing these recommendation quests : After the rank of Associate . Raminus Polus . Raminus Polus appears in the Arch - Mage ' s Lobby during the day . Hannibal Traven . Hannibal Traven can be found in either the Council Chamber or in his third floor quarters . If Traven is attacked , he defends himself with Destruction spells , high level Restoration spells , and Summon Storm Atronach . His Atronach cannot be Soul Trapped . Re - joining the Mages Guild . Breaking the guild ' s rules causes a member to be expelled and their guild key removed . These rules include : If such a thing should happen , visit Raminus Polus in the Arcane University . He will give the Hero a quest to be re - accepted into the guild . Quests are as follows : A glitch sometimes occurs where the Hero only need part of the required materials ( ex . with 20 Daedra Hearts and 3 Vampire Dusts ) . If an Arch - Mage was expelled , they can sneak back into the Arch - Mage ' s quarters and duplicate the ingredients with the enchanted chest . Once the ingredients are recovered , the mage can re - enter the guild . Their previous rank and quest progression returns to what it was before the ban . Only two chances to rejoin the Mages ' Guild are allowed ; any further offenses will result in a permanent expulsion .