The Guardian and the Traitor Content . One of the more intriguing legends found on the island of Solstheim is the story of a mythical figure whose name is long forgotten , but whom time remembers as " the Traitor . " Certain that this myth is rooted in history I set out to learn what I could and perhaps piece together a presumptive account of the events that gave rise to the legend . The tale is remembered best by the shamans of the Skaal , that unique tribe of Nords whose culture evolved along an entirely divergent path than that of their brethren in Skyrim . I spoke at length to the shaman of Skaal Village , a wise and hospitable man named Breigr Winter - Moon . He described an age long ago when dragons ruled over the whole world and were worshipped as gods by men . Presiding over this cult of dragon - worshippers were the Dragon Priests , powerful mages who could speak the dragon language and call upon the power of the thu ' um , or Voice . According to the legend , one such Dragon Priest was seduced by a dark spirit named Herma - Mora , an unmistakable analogue for the Daedric prince Hermaeus Mora . Lured by promises of power , this treacherous priest secretly plotted against his dragon master . The Traitor ' s plot was discovered by one of his contemporaries , another Dragon Priest whom legend named The Guardian . The two fought a mighty battle that lasted for days , each hurling terrible arcane energies and thu ' um shouts at the other . So great and terrible were the forces unleashed in this contest that Solstheim was torn apart from the mainland of Skyrim . Here , the myth clearly descends into the realm of pure fantasy . The Guardian , whom the legend presents as a paragon of loyalty and nobility , finally defeats the despicable Traitor , who seems to represent all that is corrupt and evil in men . Their epic duel is clearly representative of a greater struggle between good and evil . Perhaps it is this timeless quality that has kept the tale alive for so long . Unlike many similar myths , the tale of the Guardian and the Traitor does not feature a suitably heroic ending . Herma - Mora snatches the Traitor away just as the Guardian is about to strike the killing blow . The dragons appoint the Guardian ruler of Solstheim , but not before he is compelled to swear an oath of vigilance to watch for the Traitor ' s return . His reign is , by all accounts , a time of peace and prosperity for the people of the island , and he is remembered as a wise and just leader . No further mention is made of the Traitor , but neither is he thought to be dead . The legend ends on a cautionary note that the people of Solstheim , the heirs of the Guardian , must remain wary , lest the dark influence of Herma - Mora , or even the Traitor himself , return someday . Although no physical clues exist now on Solstheim to suggest the presence of the dragon cult , is it hardly difficult to believe that it might once have flourished here . Perhaps some hidden tomb still waits to be discovered that will tell the truth of the tale . There are other tantalizing clues , though perhaps these connections strain the bonds of credibility . For example , is it possible that the Skaal deity , the All - Maker , is some distant echo of mighty Alduin , the World - Eater of the ancient Nord pantheon ? Perhaps not , but one thing is certain : Solstheim ' s history is riddled with unanswered questions . Perhaps future generations will pull aside the veils of mystery and reveal the truth about the origins of the Skaal and the identities of the Guardian and the Traitor .