Dragon Crisis The Dragon Crisis was a series of events that occurred in 4E 201 , when Alduin , the Nordic god of destruction , returned to Tamriel . He , along with the many dragons that he resurrected , caused destruction and chaos throughout Skyrim , already in strife from the Skyrim Civil War . However , a mysterious individual — later revealed to be the hero of legend , the Dragonborn — rose up and was able to defeat Alduin , as foretold by the Elder Scrolls . The main questline of prominently features the Dragon Crisis . Background . During the early age of Skyrim , the province was ruled over under the cruel will of the Dragons , led by Alduin . Alduin had wandered astray from his duties as the World - Eater , choosing to rule over men , much to Akatosh ' s dismay . In time , a human rebellion rose up against the dragon rulers , led by the three Nordic heroes ( Felldir the Old , Gormlaith Golden - Hilt , and Hakon One - Eye ) , collectively referred to as the " Tongues . " With help from the defected dragon general , Paarthurnax , and the blessings of the goddess Kyne , they were able to defeat Alduin using an Elder Scroll and a new shout they had created called Dragonrend . They were not , however , able to completely destroy him , but rather cast him out of Time through a rift generated by a Scroll , in the form of a Dragon Break . Beginning of the end . Alduin exited the time rift in the year 4E 201 . His first known action after his return was attacking a small mountain town , Helgen , coincidentally interrupting the execution of several prominent figures , among them Ulfric Stormcloak , his lieutenant Ralof , and an unnamed prisoner . Alduin later escaped into the northern lands . Alduin subsequently began resurrecting fallen dragons across the region . Notably , the dragon Mirmulnir came into conflict with the people of Skyrim near the major city of Whiterun , after guards reported a dragon attacking the city ' s Western Watchtower . The prisoner , having arrived there themselves , was tasked alongside a contingent of guards , to meet and end the threat . After a battle , the force eventually defeated Mirmulnir . The defeat of the dragon in turn revealed that the prisoner was in fact the Dragonborn , a legendary warrior with the body of a mortal and the soul of a dragon . The mysterious order of monks known as the Greybeards then summoned the newly minted Dragonborn to their monastery for training . The true conflict . The Greybeards conducted various training exercises with the Dragonborn to train them in the ways of the Voice , and eventually sent them on a mission to retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller , which was located in the ancient Nordic burial crypt of Ustengrav . However , the Horn had already been taken by another party , leading the Dragonborn back to the town of Riverwood . When the two finally came into contact in Riverwood , the thief was revealed to be the innkeeper , Delphine . She explained to the Dragonborn that she had knowledge of several dragon burial sites located across Skyrim , some of which had been found empty . She believed that the dragons were being resurrected and that the next resurrection would happen at the small settlement of Kynesgrove , and thus requested that the Dragonborn follow her there to gain further information and avert any attack . After arriving at Kynesgrove , Alduin was observed hovering over the burial site , speaking in the ancient Dragon Language , as another dragon , Sahloknir , rose out of the earth . He openly mocked the Dragonborn , calling them arrogant in taking the name of " Dovah " ( dragons ) . Alduin then ordered Sahloknir to " slay the mortals " and flew away . Sahloknir began to attack Delphine and the Dragonborn , and a battle ensued . Eventually , however , the Dragonborn and Delphine were able to overcome and slay the dragon , after which Delphine revealed that she was one of the last members of the Blades , and her suspicions that the Thalmor were responsible for the recent dragon uprising . The Dragonborn ' s investigation revealed the opposite ; the Thalmor were seeking answers just the same , namely by tracking down another Blade , the archivist Esbern . The Dragonborn reached him first , and led him back to Delphine . Esbern explained his knowldge on the dragons ' return and new information on ways to fight them . Delphine , Esbern , and the Dragonborn then traveled to an ancient Blades stronghold , Sky Haven Temple , where they discovered Alduin ' s Wall . Through the wall , they deciphered that the Ancient Nord warriors used , in conjunction with an Elder Scroll , a Shout to defeat Alduin . Power play . After returning to the Greybeards , the Dragonborn was permitted to meet with their leader , Paarthurnax , who was revealed to himself be a dragon . After discussing philosophy and history , Paarthurnax sent the Dragonborn to find the Elder Scroll , used by the Tongues , in the Dwemer Ruin s of Blackreach . After retrieving the Elder Scroll , the Dragonborn read it atop the summit of the mountain . Alduin , sensing the power of the Scroll , appeared in the skies above . With the help of Paarthurnax , the Dragonborn nearly defeated Alduin during their " duel atop the world " by using Dragonrend — the very shout used by the Tongues to defeat Alduin long ago . Despite their best efforts , however , Alduin managed to escape to the realm of the Nordic afterlife , Sovngarde . Conclusion . A prophecy fulfilled . The Dragonborn later convinced the Jarl of Whiterun to allow them to use Dragonsreach as a prison for Odahviing , Alduin ' s second - in - command , in the hopes to learn where Alduin escaped to . After the dragon ' s capture , Odahviing struck a deal with the Dragonborn . The terms of this deal were that Odahviing would be freed ; in exchange he would carry the Dragonborn to the gate of Sovngarde , located at the Nordic ruin Skuldafn . After reaching Skuldafn , the Dragonborn defeated Alduin ' s remaining forces who were guarding the portal , then was teleported to Sovngarde . Fighting alongside the Tongues themselves , the Dragonborn finally defeated Alduin in the Battle of the Tongues , as was prophesized in the Elder Scrolls . Peaceful world . In the aftermath of Alduin ' s defeat , Odahviing swore loyalty to the Dragonborn , after witnessing their power against Alduin . Speaking to the Dragonborn , Paarthurnax stated his intention to bring the Way of the Voice , his philosophy of the Thu ' um , to all of dragonkind . The dragons flew away from Skyrim , thus ending their reign of terror upon the realm of mortals .