Urag gro-Shub

Urag gro-Shub is an Orsimer mage and the librarian of the Arcanaeum at the College of Winterhold in Skyrim. He is known for his strict and stern attitude.
He is a merchant of books and takes his job very seriously. He initiates the "Hitting the Books" quest when the Dragonborn approaches him, requesting research materials for The Eye of Magnus. The books Urag sells and requests vary over time.
==Personality==
Urag takes his work as the librarian in the Arcanaeum very seriously, he shows this when he says, "I better not see you treating any of these books poorly, are we clear?" Urag will keep an aggressive attitude even after the Dragonborn becomes Arch-Mage.
He will, however, adopt a more respectful attitude towards them if they give him an Elder Scroll.
==Interactions==
===Ancient Falmer Tomes===
Four ancient tomes written in the Falmer Language are scattered throughout the Forgotten Vale. They can be sold to Urag gro-Shub at the College. For each Unknown Book, he will award 1000 and a translated version of that book.
===Elder Knowledge===
After speaking to Paarthurnax about learning Dragonrend, the Dragonborn needs to recover an Elder Scroll to travel back in time to Alduin's defeat atop the Throat of the World. Urag gro-Shub is able to provide the Dragonborn with two texts on Elder Scrolls, Effects of the Elder Scrolls and Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls, one of which is authored by Septimus Signus. As a former member of the college, Urag knows his whereabouts and directs the Dragonborn to him. If the Dragonborn collects the Elder Scroll at Alftand, it can later be sold to Urag for 2,000 . In , the Dragonborn requires the same Elder Scroll for the quest "Scroll Scouting." If the Dragonborn sold it to Urag, he sells it for 4,000 . Alternatively, he can be persuaded to sell it back for 3,000 . An Arch-Mage Dragonborn can purchase the scroll back for 2,000 , if he is far enough in the storyline.
===Fetch Me That Book!===
After joining the College of Winterhold, Urag may send the Dragonborn to collect various rare books. He pays the Dragonborn with as a reward. Once enough are collected, he sends word to the Orc strongholds so that the Dragonborn can gain entry.
===Hitting the Books===
After finding the books at Fellglow Keep, Urag rewards the Dragonborn with six skill books: Racial Phylogeny, Daughter of the Niben, Catalogue of Weapon Enchantments, Response to Bero's Speech, The Black Arts On Trial, and 2920, vol 09 - Hearth Fire.
===Shalidor's Insights===
Urag requires assistance with locating Shalidor's Insights, rare manuscripts scattered across Skyrim.
===Scroll Scouting===
The Dragonborn needs the scroll once again, and it can be purchased from Urag if it has been sold to him once before.
==Lecture==
Urag gro-Shub delivers a lecture on Shalidor and his texts, writings, and research and the College's need to recover the ancient research. The lecture is held in the Hall of the Elements, during which most of the members of the College come to listen to his lecture. After he finishes, everyone goes back to their usual schedule.
==Dialogue==
"You need a book, you talk to me. Otherwise you're going to find yourself in a lot of pain."
:You take your work very seriously. "Of course I do. If I didn't, most of these books would've been burned to ashes or dissolved to nothing before the Third Era. Mages need to be reminded to be careful around research materials."
:This is quite an impressive library. "A mage is only as good as what he knows. I try and make sure as much knowledge is available as possible. We've been keeping this collection since the Second Era. Books have come and gone during that time, but it's mostly intact."
"Hmm hmm."
Show: Hitting the Books
In The Arcanaeum:
"Hundreds of years have gone into assembling this collection. It's going to stay pristine, understand?"
:I need to learn about something we found in Saarthal. "I know what you want. Word travels fast around here. Discovered some big mystery, huh? Well you don't even need to ask. No, I don't have anything for you. Not anymore, anyway."
::You don't have anything that can help? "I said not anymore. Orthorn stole a number of books when he ran off to Fellglow Keep to join those Summoners. Some kind of peace offering. I think one of those volumes may have had some relevant information. If you want them, you'll have to talk to Orthorn."
:::Doesn't anyone care that Orthorn stole things from the College? "Not enough to bother with it. Arch-Mage Aren's approach to these things is to just let them sort themselves out. Although now it looks like you'll be doing the sorting. Good luck with that."
:::Who is Orthorn? "He was an Apprentice here at the College. Not very skilled, but got involved with a group of mages who took a liking to him. When they left, he took off after them. Stole supplies and books from the College, I suppose as a way to ingratiate himself."
:::Why are these mages at Fellglow Keep? "Let's just call it a "difference of opinion" with the College. They were interested in research that goes outside the bounds of what the College allows, so they were... persuaded to leave."
When returning with the books:
Here are the books that went missing. "Well, well. And you seem to be in one piece! Thank you. I'll look these over, and inform Mirabelle if I find anything relevant. "Night of Tears", eh? I remember this one. Well, isn't that interesting. Did you read it yourself? If I recall it correctly, that has some interesting implications. You should mention that to Tolfdir. And... here. I suppose you've earned these."
Show: Fetch Me That Book!
In The Arcanaeum:
Is there any College business I can assist with? "If you're feeling adventurous, I'm always looking for someone to procure valuable books from some more... dangerous locations."
:I'm not really interested in anything dangerous. "Ah. Some other time, perhaps?"
:I'm ready for some adventure. "Well all right. Here, I scribbled down the last place I'd heard about. Check it out, but be careful."
After retrieving the book:
Here's that book you were looking for. "Looks like you're still in one piece. And more importantly, so is the book. Thank you."
Show: Shalidor's Insights
In The Arcanaeum:
Are there any special books you're looking for? "As a matter of fact, there are. Have you ever heard of Shalidor? Immensely powerful mage, back in the First Era. Had an understanding of magic few have ever matched. He holed himself up in Labyrinthian, and devoted all of his time to research and study. Wrote more than you would imagine possible. Since then, his writing have been scattered all over Skyrim, but are little use to anyone who can't translate them. I'm one of the few who can. I've heard whispers of more of his work having turned up. If you can track it down, it may prove useful to all of us."
After finding Shalidor's text:
I've found more of Shalidor's work. "Excellent! I'll start translating it. Shouldn't take me more than a day or two."
If approached again:
Have you made any progress translating Shalidor's work? "I only just got my hands on it. I can only work so quickly."
After waiting a day:
Have you made any progress translating Shalidor's work? "It's coming along slowly. I expect there will be results soon."
After waiting two days:
Have you made any progress translating Shalidor's work? "We were able to figure out the last text you brought in. I thought the least I could do is pass the knowledge along."
Show: Elder Knowledge
In The Arcanaeum:
"You are now in the Arcanaeum, of which I am in charge. It might as well be my own little plane of Oblivion. Disrupt my Arcanaeum, and I will have you torn apart by angry Atronachs. Now, do you require assistance?"
:I'm looking for an Elder Scroll. "And what do you plan to do with it? Do you even know what you're asking about, or are you just someone's errand boy?"
::Tell me more about the Elder Scrolls. "I knew it. Everyone comes in here, expecting my help, but they don't even have the proper questions. An Elder Scroll is an instrument of immense knowledge and power. To read an Elder Scroll, a person must have the most rigorously trained mind, or else risk madness. Even so, the Divines usually grant the reader's sight as a price."
:::A price for what? "The simplest way to put it is "knowledge," but there's nothing simple about an Elder Scroll. It's a reflection of all possible futures and all possible pasts. Each reader sees different reflections through different lenses, and may come away with a very different reading. But at the same time, all of it is true. Even the falsehoods. Especially the falsehoods."
:::Who wrote the Elder Scrolls? "It would take a month to explain to you how that very question doesn't even make sense. The Scrolls exist here, with us, but also beyond and beneath. Before and after. They are bits of Divine made substance so we could know them. Sorry. Talking about the Scrolls, you usually end up in irritating and vague metaphors like that. Some people who study them devoutly go mad."
:::All right. So do you have one that I could use? "Ha! You think that even if I did have one here, I would let you see it? It would be kept under the highest security. The greatest thief in the world wouldn't be able to lay a finger on it."
::::What about the Dragonborn? "What about... wait. Are you? Were you the one the Greybeards were calling?"
::::Do you at least have any information on them? "Of course."
::::I need to find one and was told you could help. "I don't know who told you that, but I'll do what I can. What we do have are plenty of books."
::::"I'll bring everything we have on them, but it's not much. So don't get your hopes up. It's mostly lies, leavened with rumor and conjecture."
::Of course I do. Do you have one here? "You think that even if I did have one here, I would let you see it? It would be kept under the highest security. The greatest thief in the world wouldn't be able to lay a finger on it."
:::What about the Dragonborn? "What about... wait. Are you? Were you the one the Greybeards were calling?"
:::Do you at least have any information on them? "Of course."
:::I need to find one and was told you could help. "I don't know who told you that, but I'll do what I can. What we do have are plenty of books."
:::"I'll bring everything we have on them, but it's not much. So don't get your hopes up. It's mostly lies, leavened with rumor and conjecture."
"Hmm hmm."
When putting down the books:
"Here you go. Try not to spill anything on them."
After reading Ruminations on the Elder Scrolls:
"Hundreds of years have gone into assembling this collection. It's going to stay pristine, understand?"
:The "Ruminations" book is incomprehensible. "Aye, that's the work of Septimus Signus. He's the world's master of the nature of Elder Scrolls, but... well. He's been gone for a long while. Too long."
::Where did he go? "Somewhere up north, in the ice fields. Said he found some old Dwemer artifact, but... well, that was years ago. Haven't heard from him since."
::He's dead? "Oh no. I hope not. But even I haven't seen him in years, and we were close. Became obsessed with the Dwemer. Took off north saying he had found some old artifact. Haven't seen him since. Somewhere in the ice fields, if you want to try to find him."
After obtaining the Elder Scroll:
Show: Ancient Falmer Tomes
In The Arcanaeum:
"I better not see you treating any of these books poorly, are we clear?"
:Any interest in ancient falmer tomes? "Well, well. I haven't seen one of these beauties in a long time. A rare find in the original falmer language. You're damn right I'm interested. Question is, are you selling?"
::Depends how much you're paying. "Well, considering no one else in Skyrim would buy something they couldn't possibly read, I'd say you don't have much of a choice. Tell you what, you bring me books like this, and I'll pay a thousand gold each. I'll even throw in a translated edition I have for free. Interested?"
:::Deal. (Give book) "Here you go."
:::Let me think about it. "Suit yourself. I'm not going anywhere."
::::I have another ancient falmer tome. "My offer is still a thousand. Did you want to sell?"
:::::Deal. (Give book) "Here you go."
:::::I'm going to hold onto it. "If you're holding out for more gold, it's never going to happen."
==Quotes==
*"You are now in the Arcanaeum, of which I am in charge. You might as well call it my own little plane of Oblivion. Disrupt my Arcanaeum, and I will have you torn apart by angry Atronachs. Now, is there anything I can help you with?" – First greeting
*"I don't want to see you treating any of these books poorly. Are we clear?"
*"Hundreds of years have gone into assembling this collection. It's going to stay pristine, understand?"
*"Please make sure your hands are clean before touching anything, alright?" – Sale dialogue
*"You need a book, you talk to me. Otherwise you're going to find yourself in a lot of pain."
*"I have some books lying around that weren't worth adding to the collection. You may look through them." – Sale dialogue
*"Assorted books, scrolls. I'm sure you'll find something useful." – Sale dialogue
*"Arch-Mage or not, my rules about books still stand." – After completing the College of Winterhold questline
*"All of this knowledge might have been lost, were it not for you." – After completing the College of Winterhold questline
*"I don't care if you wrote it yourself -- if you want a book from here, you go through me."
*"The Arcanaeum is always accepting new volumes. I'll take what I can get."
==Wares==
Urag gro-Shub sells various books, including exceptionally rare ones. Sometimes, he sells books that share the same name as ones needed for "Fetch Me That Book!" Though these cannot be turned in for that quest, they may be read without bug occurring, See Below. Some of these books are difficult to locate elsewhere.
===Rare books===
Name 	
Amongst the Draugr 	14
An Accounting of the Scrolls 	20
Chaurus Pie: A Recipe 	11
Death of a Wanderer 	12
Dragon Language: Myth no More 	14
Effects of the Elder Scrolls 	25
Final Lesson 	14
Flight from the Thalmor 	13
Great Harbingers 	13
Lycanthropic Legends of Skyrim	20
Magic from the Sky 	12
Nerevar Moon and Star 	30
On Oblivion 	10
On Stepping Lightly 	12
Opusculus Lamae Bal 	14
Short History of Morrowind 	15
Skyrim's Rule 	14
Spirit of the Daedra 	25
The Apprentice's Assistant 	12
The Madness of Pelagius 	12
The Posting of the Hunt 	25
The Tale of Dro'Zira 	11
The Third Door 	11
Treatise on Ayleidic Cities 	25
The Wraith's Wedding Dowry 	10
===Rare series===
*Ancient Tales of the Dwemer
*The Song of Pelinal
==Trivia==
*Barring potentially the player character, Urag is one of only two male Orc mages in Skyrim, the other being Bashnag.
*Completing one of the "Fetch Me That Book!" quests will make the Dragonborn Blood-Kin, if they were not already.
*Urag never sleeps, as he never leaves the Arcanaeum and there is no bed for him to sleep in.
*The line, "Even the falsehoods. Especially the falsehoods," from the "Elder Knowledge" quest is potentially a reference to the closing lines of the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Episode The Wire.
==Bugs==
* During the quest "Fetch Me That Book!," Urag may not recognize that the Dragonborn is in possession of the book.
** Solution: Type this in the Console Command: setstage MGR20 20
* Books he sends the Dragonborn to collect may not appear if the location is labeled as "cleared" or if the room containing the book requires the death of a boss to open.
==Appearances==
*
**
ru:Ураг гро-Шуб
de:Urag gro-Shub
it:Urag gro-Shub
es:Urag gro-Shub
pl:Urag gro-Shub
fr:Urag gro-Shub
Category:Skyrim: Merchants
Category:Skyrim: Winterhold Characters
Category:Skyrim: Quest Givers
Category:Dawnguard: Quest Givers
Category:Skyrim: College of Winterhold Members