The Elder Scrolls V : Dragonborn The Elder Scrolls V : Dragonborn is the third and final official add - on for the fifth installment in series , . The plot involves traveling to the island of Solstheim and the return of a mysterious former Dragon Priest called Miraak , one - time ruler of the island . Unlike the ancient Dragon Priests of Skyrim , he ' s purportedly the first individual to be gifted with the dragon blood , much like the Dragonborn , and possesses the ability to absorb Dragon souls . The main questline also features traveling to Apocrypha , realm of Hermaeus Mora , Daedric Prince of forbidden knowledge . Here the Dragonborn must recover the mysterious Black Books in order to learn new powers and stop Miraak . In addition , the add - on features a plethora of new quests , characters , dragon shouts , armor , weaponry and the ability to tame and ride Dragons . Solstheim . " Dragonborn " takes place on the island of Solstheim , located north east of Skyrim . The geography of the island bears similar traits to both Vvardenfell and Skyrim and ranges from ash wastes to glacial valleys . The north is dominated by the arctic climate similar to that found in Winterhold Hold , while the south features the jagged landscape reminiscent of the Dunmer homeland . Dunmer migration . Following the eruption of Red Mountain in 4E 5 , thousands of Dunmer were forced to flee Morrowind . Many crossed over the border into Skyrim seeking refuge , and whilst they were accommodated , the Nord s graciously offered them the island of Solstheim as their new home . Locations . The mining town of Raven Rock , located on the southern coast , is a far cry from its former days . After the mass Dunmer migration it has taken on a heavy Dunmer influence in its architecture and culture . House Redoran is an established presence as seen by their banners adorning the walls outside the settlement . To the north the Skaal Village , Thirsk Mead Hall and the ruins of Castle Karstaag can be found in the icy tundras . The First Dragonborn . The primary antagonist in " Dragonborn " is Miraak , the mysterious former Dragon Priest who is revealed to be the first individual gifted with the dragon blood . He ruled over Solstheim thousands of years ago at the behest of Dragons , much like his counterparts in Skyrim , however at some point this changed and he rebelled against the winged overlords . Apocrypha . In addition to the island of Solstheim , " Dragonborn " also involves venturing into the plane of Oblivion known as Apocrypha , domain of the Daedric Prince of forbidden knowledge , Hermaeus Mora . The realm appears as a large citadel - type building with twisted columns and is home to dangerous creatures , such as Seeker s and Lurker s . During the course of the add - on , new abilities and powers can be learnt in the realm from mysterious Black Books . Preview trailer . A preview trailer was released by Bethesda on 5th November 2012 that showed various aspects of the add - on . Narration . " He was once one of them , the Dragon Priest . " " He ruled here in their name , ruled over Solstheim . " " But he did not serve the Dragons , he devoured them . " " And like them , he seeks to return . " " You didn ' t think that you were the only one ? He was the first . " " Dragonborn ! " Trailer . The trailer begins by showing a ship approaching an island later revealed to be Solstheim . Banners can be seen bearing the crest of House Redoran while the buildings in the background are distinctly Dunmer in origin . This is followed by some imagery relating to Dragon Priest s , such as the Dragon Priest Shrine . Next the narrator is revealed as an elderly Nordic man sitting outside a Skaal village . A few scenes of Solstheim are shown next , including its unique landscape , the Telvanni Tower and a mysterious cave inhabited by Netchs . A Dunmer settlement displaying Redoran architecture and a Nordic tomb decorated with Dragon skeletons , are also shown . Next an amphitheatre - type structure is shown followed by a smaller structure and upright pillar emitting a green glow . The Dragonborn is then shown reading a book , after which a tentacle ensnares him . The next shot reveals a large citadel - type building with twisted columns as pages of books flutter in the wind . The Dragonborn is then shown inside the Telvanni Tower , using some type of levitation device to ascend into a laboratory of sorts , littered with Dwemer scraps . This is followed by a shot of two new armor types , one of which appears to be made of bone with a semi - translucent layer on top . The trailer then shows the Dragonborn climbing on to the back of a new breed of Dragon whilst in the citadel realm , followed by various scenes of combat pitting the Dragonborn against a variety of creatures , including spear wielding Rieklings , some of whom are riding Tusked Bristleback war mounts . Several new types of armor and weapons are shown again . Finally the Dragonborn is seen riding a roaring Dragon with High Hrothgar in the background . The trailer concludes with a shot of three Dragon souls being absorbed by the unnamed former Dragon Priest , who is purportedly the first Dragonborn . Release . " Dragonborn " was released on December 4th 2012 on Xbox 360 , priced at 1600 . It was later released on PC on February 5th 2013 and on PS3 in North America and Europe on February 12th and 13th 2013 .