Tongues Tongues are individuals who have a natural ability to speak the language of Dragons — known as the " Storm Voice , " or simply the " Voice . " Tongues are typically Nord ic in origin and those who demonstrate a talent usually require a great deal of study and training to develop their power . Nords consider themselves to be the children of the sky , and the breath and the voice of a Nord was his vital essence . Through the use of the Voice , the vital essence of a Nord could be articulated into a Thu ' um , or shout . Certain Dragonborn individuals possess the natural ability to speak the language of the Dragons . Such a person can learn Words of Power almost instantly , due to their ability to absorb a Dragon soul and its knowledge , without long - term study and practice . Abilities and powers . Shouts could be used to sharpen blades or to strike enemies at a distance . Masters of the Voice could call to specific people over hundreds of miles , and could move by casting a shout , appearing where it lands . The most powerful of Tongues could not speak without causing great destruction . They had to be gagged , and communicated through a sign language and through scribing runes . Origins . The first Tongues can be dated back to the Dragon War in the Merethic Era . Before the war , Dragons were worshipped as gods by mankind . That soon changed when the dragon priests , the subordinates of the Dragons , began to rule over man with an iron fist making slaves of the population . Mankind eventually rebelled and the Dragon War began . Alduin ' s response was swift and brutal . At first , humans were woefully outmatched and were shouted down effortlessly by the Dragons and their Voice . Nordic legends relate that Kyne herself took pity on mankind , causing the Goddess to intervene by granting mortals the ability to Shout as the Dragons could , and by appealing to Paarthurnax to teach them how to use their new found power . At the behest of Kyne , the Dragon Paarthurnax , who originally was the lieutenant of Alduin , betrayed his master and thus instructed Men into using the Thu ' um . Becoming masters of the Voice , the ancient Nord heroes succeeded in developing a unique Shout independent of Paarthunax ' s teachings , which they used to defeat Alduin and banish him from the world , so ending the legendary Dragon War . Notable Tongues . Miraak . Miraak was the Dragon Priest ruling over the island of Solstheim during the time when Dragons ruled over mortals . At some point , Miraak came into possession of a Black Book , and then came into servitude under Hermaeus Mora , who taught him a great power . With this knowledge , Miraak turned on his Dragon masters and started a revolution against them . However , his revolution failed and was restrained to Solstheim , during which his temple was razed to the ground by the Dragons . Ancient Nord Heroes . Notable Ancient Nord Tongues include Hakon One - Eye , Felldir the Old and Gormlaith Golden - Hilt . They were the first Nords who learned the power of the Voice and were instrumental in Alduin ' s suspension in time at the summit of the Throat of the World . The Great Nord War Chiefs . Around the founding of the Ysgramor Dynasty in the early First Era , Three great Nordic war chiefs were famous practitioners of the Voice . Derek the Tall , Jorg Helmbolg , Hoag Merkiller used the Thu ' um to great effect in various military campaigns to expand the empire . It was said that when they attacked a city , they needed no siege engines , rather they would form up in a wedge in front of the gatehouse , and draw in breath . When the leader let out in a thu ' um , the doors were blown in , and the axemen rushed into the city . Kvenel The Tongue . Kvenel the Tongue was an ancient the leader of a group of powerful warriors capable of using Dragon Shouts . Kvenel wanted a new weapon of excellent quality , to match his beloved sword , Eduj . For his next adventure , Kvenel wanted a hand axe crafted by the legendary blacksmith Haman Forgefire , who was known as the greatest blacksmith . Haman began to work on his most spectacular piece ever , the handaxe Okin . Haman was later murdered by his jealous rival , Gerhild . However , Coldheart and Kvenel brought the murderer to justice . Wulfharth . Wulfharth was born in Atmora in the First Era . He was chosen to be the High King of Skyrim in 1E 500 by the Pact of Chieftains after the death of High King Hoag Merkiller , who was killed in the battle that led to the defeat of the Alessian army at Glenumbria Moors . Wulfharth was a mighty warrior blessed with the ancient " Way of the Voice " . His Thu ' um was so powerful that he could not verbally swear into the office , and scribes were used to draw up his oaths . Wulfharth was a true believer of the old gods and fought for their glory against the eastern Orcs , shouting their chief into Oblivion with his Thu ' um . Jurgen Windcaller . Jurgen Windcaller was said to be the mightiest of all the Tongues . He led a campaign to Morrowind , but after a disastrous battle at Red Mountain where his army was annihilated , he spent seven years pondering the meaning of his defeat . He finally came to the conclusion that the gods had punished the Nords for their arrogant and blasphemous misuse of the Thu ' um . Following this revelation , Jurgen developed a pacifist creed called the Way of the Voice that preached the Thu ' um should only be used for the worship and glory of the gods rather than martial exploits . After he converted to pacifism , he became known as Jurgen the Calm . The Greybeards . The Greybeards are a monastic order who live on the highest mountain peak in all of Tamriel , at High Hrothgar . They follow the Way of the Voice , the pacifist philosophy developed by Jurgen Windcaller that is based largely on their veneration of the Wind as the personification of Kyne , the Nordic aspect of Kynareth . As such , they live in absolute silence in order to better attune themselves to the Voice . When they speak , storms brew above High Hrothgar , and people are forced to evacuate due to the imminent danger of avalanches . When High King Wulfharth traveled to meet with them believing he was a figure of prophecy , he was blasted to ash . Such is their power , the last time that they spoke was when they announced the destiny of a young Tiber Septim . When they spoke his name , the world shook . Tiber Septim . Hjalti Early - Beard , better known as Tiber Septim or General Talos , was a true master of the Voice . He had studied the Voice in Skyrim , and it was said he could rout entire armies with his battle - cry and shout lesser men off their feet . As a general under Emperor Cuhlecain , he led the invasion of Old Hrol ' dan and took it back from the Reachmen of High Rock by shouting down the walls . He also endowed an Imperial College of the Voice in Markarth , dedicated to returning the Way of the Voice to the ancient and honorable art of war . Ulfric Stormcloak . Ulfric Stormcloak — best known for his rebellion against the Third Empire — is a notable Jarl of Skyrim who used The Voice to kill the High King during a duel .