there should be a different way to visit the college (not because of this quest but because of a "more important" one) but side quests are not made for everyone you know...there is such thing as a free-lance thief/scholar/mercenary/ect, not everything has to be tied into the guilds (which svck in skyrim). the only quests that every character should be able to do is the main quest, some other quests (side quests included) shoud be impssible for some characters to beat

If the whole quest was like that, fine. But me, I went and got the quest, and the first 2 fragments, with no clue I couldn't finish it. That's very frustrating.

I'm fine with certain quests limited to guilds or even requiring a certain skill. But there's nothing particularly "magical" about this quest. There's no reason this quest needs to be tied to the mage guild to complete.

if we coud drop the fragments it would be better, but where else would they put them? they have to be around before the quest (apperently, since every quest item is around before the quest, even meridia's thing [whatever it was]). the college is aso, well, a college, not a mage guild, there is your reason for it being tied into the college (although, you could flash an artifact to get in, that would make sense in the game)

The point is well taken that some quests not being available to all people in the world is reasonable and realistic. Yes they did have this in Morrowind, but if you will recall, those were only faction quests. Non-faction related quests were in no way restricted even in that game. The quest to recover that amulet, while magic related, is not a College of Winterhold quest. The location is simply the same dungeon as one of them. Their designing it this way was a mistake. I kind of wonder why Tolfdir opening it was the only possible way in given they made an independent quest there too. Which one you've started could've scripted different situations. Tolfdir doesn't head to it until the event of you talking to him. You being on the Galdur's amulet quest could've caused it to unlock and have him show up with entourage in tow and speak to you of how you were led there on this other information, causing him to invite you to join the College's expedition.

It's kind of moot at this point, since it's doubtful they would "alter" things like this in a patch of dlc. No I fear there is only one workaround, and that is to join. This may not satisfy for a role play perspective, but you are free to ignore there whole quest line thereafter. One thing you didn't mention is if you play this on PC or not. Because I don't know if there is a similar command, but in Oblivion and Morrowind with console, you could simply add yourself to any faction directly. If so, then you could do this, enter the ruins as a "honorary member", then remove yourself from the faction with another console command.

As for getting by on console, fortify magicka hood (like the one you find in that first locked cage in the Helgen dungeon) and/or fortify magicka potions should be able to put you within range of casting that spell, if necessary, with fortify conjuration robes or potions. Maybe a fortify speech potion before you talk to her (and maybe amulet of speechcraft) and that route could work.

Well in this situation you should probably look for a Conjurer's Potion or something to this effect.

Wouldn't it work to just reaload and talk to her again, though? There are other spells she can ask you to cast, like Healing Hands or Magelight - just giving the ones you'd have enough Magicka for. All of them are Apprentice spells, so they shouldn't be tied to your level. I guess she just randomly chooses the spell. Or maybe based on your dialogue lines.

I was thinking that too, but wasn't sure if the spell she asks you to demonstrate isn't decided at character creation, upon entering Winterhold the first time, or just talking to her the first time. But yeah, that too. I generally get fireball or light, both low cost.

You playing as a character with no interest in being a mage shouldn't have any interest in uncovering the mystery behind some magical amulet.

That aside, you can just tell the lady that you are Dragonborn and she will let you through

FYI, you don't have to join the Thieves Guild in the Main Quest. The barmaid has the same information that Brynjolf has, all you need to do is get it out of her. It was a big aggravation for me and my girlfriend before we figured that out.

they left in a workaround, if you use a shout to prove your a dragon born they let you in.

Yes, but the way Brynjolf approaches you and won't let up with his damned sales-pitch makes me want to tear out his intestines, skip with them and then throw him into the canol to be devoured by rats. I seriously hate this idiot. God I wish he wasn't essential, oh well time for console codes!

Yet another example of the linear quests and total lack of choices in Skyrim.

The artefact in itself is not that useful if you are playing a character with no magic, there are much better amulets out there for such builds, so it's not something you need and it's not that unique or special (just another dungeon with Draugr). I wouldn't worry or care that much, especially if you didn't get the game to just complete everything with one character.

I don't remember needing to summon a flame atronach. I remember needing to cast a fire spell to enter the College. And I believe you get a flame spell at the beginning of the game, so big deal.

Yes I hate that as well. My last character I had no intention of finishing the College quest, and I hated having to start it and leave it hanging.

Terrible decision if you ask me. What was the thinking behind it anyway? It's not as if there's a shortage of dungeons they could use.

It does make sense to become a Mage since the whole amulet and it's history is focused on a legendary Mage and his sons.