Dragons ( Skyrim ) Dragons ( Dovah , or Dov in plural ) are a reptilian race from Akavir that were once widespread throughout Tamriel . Although seeming rather beast - like , they are profoundly intelligent , capable of speech , written language , and comprehension of other languages . Their spoken language can be used to cast powerful magic known as Thu ' um or Dragon Shouts . They were virtually extinct until 4E 201 , when they resurfaced in Skyrim with the return of Alduin . Variants . Named . " Dragons have a fixed level , depending on their kind , which unrelated to the player character ' s own level . " " New types of dragons can be encountered once the player character reaches a certain level . " " Dragons have unique shouts resembling Fireball and Ice Storm spells , although the damage values differ . " Named dragons . These are dragons encountered throughout Skyrim . Essentially identical to random nameless dragons in terms of gameplay , these Dragons are usually encountered during the main quest with individual names and dialogue : Alduin . The first - born son of Akatosh . He resurrects the dragons throughout Skyrim so that he may feast on the souls of the dead and the living . One of the black dragons . He is also called the " World Eater . " Durnehviir . An undead dragon who resides within the Soul Cairn in . Krosulhah . A dragon found outside of Nchardak after completion of " The Path of Knowledge " in . Kruziikrel . A dragon encountered during the quest " At the Summit of Apocrypha " in . Mirmulnir . A dragon that attacks the Western Watchtower of Whiterun , and the first dragon to be fought and slain by the Dragonborn . Naaslaarum . A Revered Dragon that can be encountered in the Forgotten Vale during the quest " Touching the Sky " in . Nahagliiv . Encountered near his burial site just outside Rorikstead . At the start of " Alduin ' s Wall , " the Dragonborn can witness this dragon ' s resurrection at his burial mound . Odahviing . Alduin ' s right hand dragon , Odahviing , was captured by the Dragonborn and then was pledged allegiance to him in return for his freedom . He can be called to aid of the Dovahkiin by using the Call Dragon shout . One of the few red dragons . Paarthurnax . Leader of the Greybeards and follower of The Way of The Voice , Paarthurnax was part of the cause for thousands of deaths but betrayed Alduin and helped in the original " defeat . " He can help the Dragonborn meditate on certain words of power . Relonikiv . A dragon encountered during the quest " At the Summit of Apocrypha " in . Sahloknir . An incredibly old Dragon with the ability to breathe both fire and ice , was resurrected by Alduin only to be killed shortly after by the Dovahkiin . Sahrotaar . A Serpentine Dragon encountered during the quest " At the Summit of Apocrypha " in . Viinturuth . A dragon that has been observed speaking in native tongue to other dragons . This dragon can be randomly encountered while wandering Skyrim . After completing " The Throat of the World , " the Dragonborn can witness Alduin resurrecting this dragon from his burial site west of Anga ' s Mill . Voslaarum . A Revered Dragon that can be encountered in the Forgotten Vale during the quest " Touching the Sky " in . Vuljotnaak . Encountered near his burial site north - west of Bloated Man ' s Grotto , southwest of Sleeping Tree Camp , and south of Broken Fang Cave . Was being resurrected by Alduin when encountered . Can be found after completing " Diplomatic Immunity . " Vulthuryol . A dragon encountered underground in Blackreach , underneath Alftand . To trigger this dragon attack , the player must use the Unrelenting Force shout on the massive orange globe hanging above Blackreach . Locations . Dragons can attack anywhere outdoors in Skyrim and random encounters are scripted to take place after a certain amount of in - game time has passed without a Dragon appearance . Thus , fast travelling to an outdoor location is a reliable way to trigger a random Dragon encounter . There are , however , certain locations where Dragons are scripted to appear . These locations are called dragon lair s that can be found all over Skyrim . In these locations Dragons are typically perched atop word wall s that they are guarding . The following is a list of Dragon Lairs : Dragon Riding . Dragon Riding is a feature added in that grants the ability to temporarily tame and ride Dragons . All three words of the Bend Will shout are required in order for it to work . When the shout is directed at a dragon , it will land and allow the Dragonborn to mount it . As soon as the dragon has been mounted , it will take to the skies . This introduces a new control scheme that allows the Dragonborn to command the dragon they are riding to attack targets .