Blades The Blades , also known as the Imperial Intelligence Service and the Dragonguard , are a faction founded in the First Era by Reman Cyrodiil . They were designed to function not only as the Dragonborn Emperor ' s bodyguards , but also as agents throughout the Empire , serving as spies and doing the Emperor ' s bidding . The Blades are said to have originated in Akavir , where they were known as the Dragonguard . Originally part of an invasion fleet , they became bodyguards to Reman Cyrodiil after being defeated by him in the battle at Pale Pass . After the battle , the surviving Akaviri proclaimed Reman to be the Dragonborn they had been searching for and swore loyalty to him and consequently the Empire . They ' ve served Dragonborn Emperors ever since until the end of the Septim Dynasty , after which they ' ve become an independent organization that protects Tamriel in secret and awaits to serve and guide a new Dragonborn . Traces of the order ' s Akaviri ancestry appear in their sculpture , weaponry , armor , and architecture . History . First Era . Dragonguard . The Blades trace their lineage back to Akavir in the First Era , where the fiercest warriors of the land were known as the Dragonguard . These warriors were charged with not only protecting the rulers of their kingdom , but were also responsible for hunting and killing the native dragons that plagued Akavir in ancient times . The Dragonguard hunted and killed many dragons , and followed those that fled to Tamriel in the late First Era . The Dragonguard invasion of Tamriel was fueled not only for their oath to exterminate the remaining dragons , but to search for the fabled Dragonborn . They arrived at the northernmost point of Tamriel , Skyrim , and marched south defeating scores of both Dragons and Nords alike until they were stopped by Reman Cyrodiil at Pale Pass . Reman was the first person who united the human lands of Cyrodiil and , in doing so , defeated the Akaviri invaders . The remaining Dragonguard , upon hearing the voice of Reman , knelt and swore their lives to him . They had found the Dragonborn they were searching for . Emperor ' s Service . The Akaviri were the first to proclaim Reman Cyrodiil as Dragonborn . They were also the ones who did the most to promote his standing as Emperor , although Reman himself never took that title in his lifetime . The Reman Dynasty ruled over Cyrodiil in the late First Era , and the Dragonguard became the personal guard of Reman . Around this time Emperor Reman Cyrodiil II permitted the construction of Alduin ' s Wall in 1E 2812 . Its purpose was to record the accumulated dragonlore and prophecy that the Dragonguard possessed at the time , primarily as hedge against the forgetfulness of centuries . In 2818 , Alduin ' s Wall was completed , and was celebrated with Emperor Reman II making a visit to officially dedicate the wall . As the years passed , the order grew to become the Blades . As the extermination of Dragons was complete , they only sought to protect the Dragonborn , and through him , the Empire . Second Era . During the Second Era and the Interregnum , the Blades played a minor role , mainly finding and protecting Dragonborn through Tamriel , acting in the shadows and concealed in their fortresses . Third Era . Height of Power . This continued well into the Third Era , where they reached the height of their power . By this time they had grown into a much larger organization , stretching to every corner of Tamriel . Agents were of every race . They were merchants , thieves , craftsman , mages , and warriors , all acting as spies , protecting the Empire as needed , and operating in secret . They often acted alone , but they also met in secret fortresses across the land . The most well known being Cyrodiil ' s Cloud Ruler Temple , where it was said they hung the swords of those slain protecting the Emperor . Other maps speak of Wind Scour Temple located under the great expanse of Hammerfell ' s Alik ' r Desert , Sky Haven Temple located high in the mountains of western Skyrim , and Storm Talon Temple located east of Wayrest in High Rock . Vvardenfell Crisis . The Blades played a minor role in the Vvardenfell Crisis , acting on the part of Uriel Septim VII to bring the Nerevarine to Vvardenfell and set their prophecy in motion . They had also been tasked with finding and gathering the pieces of Numidium to keep them out of the hands of Dagoth Ur , but were largely unsuccessful in this goal . The Blades ' presence in Vvardenfell was very minor compared to elsewhere , with no members above Operative remaining after Spymaster Caius Cosades was recalled from the island . Oblivion Crisis . The Blades played a vital role during the Oblivion Crisis , where they helped the Hero of Kvatch and Martin Septim defeat Mehrunes Dagon . With the death of the last Dragonborn emperors , Uriel Septim VII and Martin , the Blades abandoned their role as bodyguards to the new Emperor on account of him not being Dragonborn . The Third Era came to a close with the Blades fortifying themselves deep within Cyrodiil ' s Cloud Ruler Temple , as they waited for a Dragonborn to return when they would be called upon again . Fourth Era . Downfall . During the Fourth Era , the Blades were effectively wiped out by the Thalmor during the Great War . On the 30th of Frostfall , 4E 171 , the Aldmeri Dominion sent an ambassador to the Imperial City with a gift in a covered cart and an ultimatum to Emperor Titus Mede II . One of the several demands included disbandment of the Blades . Emperor Titus Mede II rejected the ultimatum . The Thalmor ambassador upended the cart , spilling over a hundred heads on the floor : every Blades agent in Summerset and Valenwood . And so began the Great War . Eventually , the war ended with the signing of the White - Gold Concordat . Among its terms included the dissolution of the Blades . This allowed the Thalmor to systematically hunt down almost each and every Blade throughout the Empire . Due to this , Esbern and Delphine are the only Blades that are known to remain , along with the possibility of Fultheim , as he is seen carrying a Blades Sword , hinting him as being a veteran . Dragon Crisis . During the Dragon Crisis in Skyrim , the remnants of the Blades had begun to rebuild and recruit new members , seeking to rebuild their numbers . With the return of the Dragonborn they regained their original purpose ( if the Dragonborn chooses to kill Paarthurnax ) . Weapons and armor . The Blades members primarily used their own weapons and armor , which , like their architecture , sculptures and ideas / values , trace back to the orders ' Akaviri ancestry . Their weapons of choice primarily include Katana s , which include Akaviri Katana s and Ancient Akaviri Katana s , as well as Two - Handed Dai - katana s and Akaviri Dai - Katana s . The orders ' armor appears to be of two different variants , and though both armor sets are both referred to as " Blades Armor , " each armor set comes in different armor ratings and colors . One variant , referred to as Blades Armor , consists of a cuirass , helmet , gauntlets , boots , greaves and a shield , which is colored silver , brown , green and gold . The other variant , also referred to as Blades Armor , consists of an armor piece , helmet , gauntlets , boots and a shield . This variant is painted and forged with colors that are a mix of black , silver , bronze and gold . Artifacts . The Blades have acquired several artifacts throughout the years over the course of their existence . Many of these artifacts were kept deep within their secretive and impenetrable fortress , Cloud Ruler Temple . Ranks . Grandmaster . The leader of the Blades is referred to as " Grandmaster . " Only two grandmasters have ever been documented : Jauffre , who served Martin and Uriel Septim VII during the Oblivion Crisis , and Delphine , a Breton woman who helped the Dragonborn defeat Alduin during the Dragon Crisis of the Fourth Era . Knight Brothers and Knight Sisters . Members of the order are called " Knight Brothers " or " Knight Sisters . " The Hero of Kvatch , notably , held this rank among the Blades . Members are given a commemorative set of armor and a katana . When a Blade falls in battle , honorably , his or her sword may be placed on display as a sign of honor , as evidenced by the display of Captain Renault ' s katana at Cloud Ruler Temple . Archivists . Other members of the Blades include archivists , or " loremasters , " who collect and analyze artifacts and texts that contain knowledge which the Blades use . One notable archivist was Esbern , who worked with the Blades during the Dragon Crisis . Dragonborn . Although not technically a rank within the Blades themselves , the Dragonborn is supposedly the Blades entire purpose for existing after the first Emperor . Ironically however , in Skyrim , the Dragonborn is expected to follow the Blades orders instead of the Blades taking the Dragonborn ' s word as law .