Lore:Deneth

Arch-Mage Deneth
Race	Dunmer	Gender	Male
Next Ruler		Savos Aren
Resided in		College of Winterhold
Appears in		Skyrim - The Adventure Game

"I do not wish to see our relationship crumble like Winterhold has, as I assure you the College will remain here a very, very long time." —Arch-Mage Deneth

Arch-Mage Deneth was the head of the College of Winterhold at the period during the Great Collapse of 4E 122. He remained in the position until at least 4E 176.

History

The College of Winterhold

Little is known of Deneth's history before he assumed the role of Arch-Mage. In 4E 122, in a letter to Jarl Valdimar of Winterhold, he expressed understanding of why certain members of the Jarl's council blamed the College for the Great Collapse and sympathized with the Jarl's loss of family members in the catastrophe. Deneth emphasized the importance of the College to the city's prosperity and acknowledged that the relationship between the College and the people of Skyrim had deteriorated, especially after the Oblivion Crisis, during which many mages were blamed despite most fighting against the Mythic Dawn.

As a Dunmer, Deneth expressed gratitude to Winterhold for offering refuge to those affected by the Red Year. Though he didn't clarify whether he personally sought refuge at that time or arrived later, he mentioned that many Dunmeri mages chose to remain at the College rather than relocate to Solstheim, after it was granted to the Dunmeri people. He urged Jarl Valdimar to stop the spread of rumors blaming the College for the Collapse and expressed his hope that the relationship between the College and Winterhold's leaders would not crumble further.

In 4E 176, Deneth was visited by the Sheathed Blades, who sought magical assistance against the Daedric Prince Mephala's machinations. At the time, he was deeply troubled by the persistent rumors linking the College to the Great Collapse. The extent of Deneth's aid remains unclear, as he was reluctant to offer support, deeming Mephala too difficult to oppose directly. The Sheathed Blades may have used various methods to persuade him, including juggling to cheer him up, silencing rumors and as such slowing their spread, begging, or even presenting him with a bust of his likeness. Whether he ultimately helped is uncertain, but if he did, it might have involved offering enchanted items, sending his student Nalvrala Omeds to aid Moivva Karnai, teaching the members of the Sheathed Blades powerful spells, or sending a scout to investigate a Thalmor hideout.

Deneth's fate in the years following these events is unclear, but by 4E 201, the position of Arch-Mage had passed to Savos Aren.