this is a great area for harvesting

MM: I noticed you introduced yourself as Professor of Healing. Why not Restoration?

EG: Winterhold takes the approach that the various applications of magic are far more important than classification thereof. There are no clean lines between Destruction, Restoration, Mysticism, and so forth—of course Arch-Magus Benele stressed as much decades ago in her original proposal that the Mages Guild adopt Shad Astula’s Eight-Schools framework. 

MM: Sounds like a bit of shade for Shad Astula, hm?

EG: I would not speak ill of Shad Astula—especially not to a Mournhold-based publication! Nor is that a critique of the Guild; at the end of the day, we are all working toward the purpose of advancing the arcane sciences in Tamriel. But quite simply, it would set Tamrielic mystic culture back centuries if that rather rigid thinking were the only lens available to Tamrielic mages to learn their craft. 

MM: In your view, then—

EG: Don't tell me you're at this gala to listen to a stick-arsed academic prattle on about mystic philosophy...

MM: Well, that's one of the reasons I’m here—

A: To underscore Professor Gwylanwe’s point, I am standing here today—in this very sleek outfit, please note for your readers—because of my skill in healing with siphoning magic, which Shad Astula and the Guild teach exclusively as destruction magic. But if you are trying to start a feud between Tamriel’s magic academies, you will have to try harder than that, yes? You are most welcome to make the journey to Winterhold to see what we have accomplished during my tenure as Arch-Mage—I might even consider sharing some of my spicier opinions… but it will not happen tonight.

EG: The Arch-Mage is dying to talk about his very sleek outfit.

A: Make sure to describe the many fine details for your readers—I point your attention to the gilded trim and the embroidered slippers—and do not forget to mention that this one still has the trim waistline and attractive musculature of a decades-younger cat! I am far too modestly-dressed for my personal Khajiiti tastes—as you can likely discern from the lovely Winterhold-green shade of this one’s garb, the gala is an invaluable networking and promotional event. I cannot help but look dashing, but I must also appear professional, unfortunately for everyone in attendance tonight.

MM: This year’s theme is Constellations and Birth Signs. Let me guess… you were born in Sun’s Dawn? The Lover?

A: Ah, this one’s charm gives him away! Or perhaps it was the most interesting part of this robe—the twelve shining Azurah’s-star pendants arranged in the shape of The Lover. The pendants have very little mystic charge remaining to them—enough for a glittering glow and a decent protective ward against spills, rips, and stains. But there is an artistry to their placement; encircling this one, like the embrace of a lover, yet also somewhat restricting his movement, symbolizing the fact that he is bound to his work as one is bound to a spouse.

MM: Speaking of which, you aren’t married—what are you looking for in someone to spend your life with?

A: Did you not hear me just now? I am not looking! In order to determine who would have the privilege of being the Arch-Mage’s plus-one, the faculty held a friendly contest, judged by the students. The judging show turned out to be quite the celebration in its own right; we had our own little gala in our frozen wizards’ tower, thanks to House Nivulirel! Each participant created their own look based on their own birth sign, using the same archive of mystic artifacts from whence my sleek pendants here. Many of the students participated as well, although they were not eligible for the prize. We have a very sleek and stylish faculty and student body, and there were many extravagantly impressive outfits to be seen at Winterhold that evening.

MM: Professor Gwylanwe, I take it the beautiful silver and pearl eye crest you’re wearing means you were born under The Ritual? What about the rest of your outfit?

EG: I could not very well wear the eye crest alone, no? As you guessed, I am a Morning Star baby, so my dress is meant to evoke the aurora, a common sight in Winterhold during the long nights of Morning Star.

MM: Forgive my saying so, but your outfit is a bit subdued—you look lovely, but I am surprised this outfit won a contest with many extravagant entries. 

EG: Hm, I suppose it is, even compared to many of the other outfits here at the gala. I’m afraid the explanation is a bit academic; the sort of thing that would impress an auditorium full of nerds, which of course I say with deepest affection. But I am quite pleased about it—many gracious thanks to House Nivulirel, as I never otherwise would have had the occasion for playful experimentation. 

A: My colleague is being far too modest! The artifacts in our archive range from powerful, legendary mystic foci that have been decommissioned, to totally un-magical baubles that perhaps a mage once owned. This ceremonial ritual scrying lens had been classified as the latter for centuries—until Professor Gwylanwe took it into her talented hands. Do you see the beautiful swirls of glittering light emanating from the pearls? It is highly reminiscent of the scullcaps and ritual headwear worn by the Psijic Order—to an auditorium full of nerds, immediately recognizable as Psijic magic. 

EG: Well, I am of psijic ancestry—please write that with a lower-case ‘p’, thank you—so it is not so much of a feat as it may seem—

A: Do not believe her! The auditorium full of nerds was well aware of Professor Gwylanwe’s psijic ancestry. Plenty of Altmer claim Psijic ancestry—and many of them are even telling the truth—but there are still only a handful of people in all of Nirni who can wield psijic magic at all, let alone for playful glamours! If your readers were not already sold on Winterhold thanks to its Arch-Mage, who is handsome and talented enough for the faculty to hold a contest where the prize was attending a party with their boss, look no further than the head of our Healing department!

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For more, pick up the Special Issue of Mournhould Maguszine, available wherever fine publications are sold.

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I spent days’ worth of hours in procreate (i can’t draw and i have brain illnesses) on just the idea about the eye crest thingy, then the week of the gala i realized that that is not nearly enough to wear to a gala! Luckily my computer broke so I couldn’t play video games? Anyway. a close-up of the eyewear Eymei is wearing:

wow all of these images look sooo ass uploaded to tumblr :’( she’s actually smiling in these images 😅