Return of the Dragons

The Return of the Dragons (or the Dragon Crisis)Odahviing lore summary by TES Legends Asia was a series of events that occurred in 4E 201, when Alduin, the Nordic god of time,Varieties of Faith in the Empire 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,Events of the Main Quest as foretold by the Elder Scrolls.The Book of the Dragonborn
The main questline of prominently features the Dragon Crisis.
==Background==
During the early age of Skyrim, the province was ruled over under the will of the Dragons, led by Alduin. In time, a human rebellion rose up against the dragon rulers, following increasing cruelty from the Dragon Priests.The Dragon War The rebellion was led by the three Nordic heroes Felldir the Old, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, and Hakon One-Eye,Dialgue with Paarthurnax collectively referred to as the Tongues.Tale of the tongues Thanks to the efforts of the defected dragon lieutenant Paarthurnax at the behest of the godess Kyne, as well as other dragon defectors, the rebels learned how to use the Thu'um.Etched Tablets on the Throat of the World The leaders of the rebellion created a Shout called Dragonrend which they believed could help them defeat Alduin. However, during the confrontation with Alduin they realized, as Felldir suspected, that Alduin was still too strong for them to defeat. Thus, they resorted to the use an Elder Scroll to cast Alduin "adrift on the currents of Time" banishing him and creating a Time Wound.Events of "Alduin's Bane" After Alduin's banishment the Nords gained the upper hand in the war and preceded to decimate the remaining dragon population.
==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.Events of "Unbound"
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.Events of "Dragon Rising"
==The true conflict==
The Greybeards conducted various training exercises with the Dragonborn to train them in the ways of the Voice,Events of "The Way 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 and replaced by a mysterious note, leading the Dragonborn back to the town of Riverwood.Events of "The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller"
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.Events of "A Blade in the Dark"
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.Events of "Diplomatic Immunity" The Dragonborn reached him first, and led him back to Delphine. Esbern explained his knowledge on the dragons' return and new information on ways to fight them.Events of "A Cornered Rat" 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.Events of "Alduin's Wall"
===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.Events of "The Throat of the World" After discussing philosophy and history, Paarthurnax sent the Dragonborn to find the Elder Scroll, used by the Tongues, in the Dwemer Ruins of Blackreach.Events of "Elder Knowledge"
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.Events of "The Fallen" After reaching Skuldafn, the Dragonborn defeated Alduin's remaining forces who were guarding the portal, then was teleported to Sovngarde.Events of "The World-Eater's Eyrie" Fighting alongside the Tongues themselves,Events of "Sovngarde" the Dragonborn finally defeated Alduin, as was prophesized in the Elder Scrolls.Events of "Dragonslayer"
===Peaceful world===
In the aftermath of Alduin's defeat, Odahviing swore loyalty to the Dragonborn, after witnessing their power against Alduin.Dialogue with Odahviing 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.
==Participants==
*Alduin
*Mirmulnir
*Nahagliiv
*Odahviing
*Paarthurnax
*Sahloknir
*Viinturuth
*Vuljotnaak
==Trivia==
*The event is referred to as the dragon menace during the quest "Season Unending."Dialogue with General Tullius and Ulfric Stormcloak during "Season Unending"
==Appearances==
*
* 
==References==
de:Drachenkrise
es:Crisis del dragón
ru:Кризис драконов
Category:Battles
Category:Lore: Events
Category:Wars
Category:Lore: Fourth Era Events