The Hall of Countenance is the senior-staff dormitory of the College of Winterhold, sitting on the right-hand side of the courtyard as you come in from the bridge. Where apprentices bunk in the Hall of Attainment, the College’s master wizards sleep, eat and occasionally experiment here. It is worth a visit for the crafting stations, the trainers and a frankly irresponsible amount of rare reagents.
What you’ll find
- Lower floor: Phinis Gestor, Drevis Neloren and Faralda each have a room, plus a spare bedroom, food storage and a dining room. The stairwell also hides a trapdoor down to The Midden.
- Upper floor: rooms for Colette Marence and Sergius Turrianus, a dining area, storage and a spare bedroom.
- An alchemy room (lab and ingredients) in the north-east corner upstairs and an enchanting room with an arcane enchanter and soul gems in the north-west.
Quests
- Arniel’s Endeavor, Tolfdir the Absent-Minded and Out of Balance
- Restoration Ritual Spell, Illusion Ritual Spell, Destruction Ritual Spell and Conjuration Ritual Spell
Notable items
- The alchemy room is stocked with goodies such as Nirnroot, Fire Salts, Hagraven Feathers, Nordic Barnacle, Troll Fat, Spriggan Sap and many more.
- The first room to the left of the entrance holds Deathbell, Ectoplasm, Giant Lichen and Glow Dust.
- Drevis’s room has single samples of Frost Salts, Falmer Ear, Giant’s Toe and others; Faralda’s adds Hagraven Claws, Ice Wraith Teeth and Hanging Moss.
Tips
Once you’re a member, this is one of the best early Alchemy and Enchanting stops in the north: brew and enchant without leaving the building, then pop down the trapdoor to the Midden for the creepier side of College life. If a resident suddenly insists you don’t belong in their room, take the hint and leave before it turns into a fireball conversation.
Details checked against community wiki articles and the Skyrim game files, summarised in our own words.