Alduin (Skyrim)

Alduin (Dragon Language: ), the World Eater, also considered an alternative name of Akatosh by some of Tamriel, is a dragon and the primary antagonist of 's Main Quest. He is considered the "wellspring" of the Nordic pantheon, as well as the harbinger of the apocalypse. He is also described as the "creator of dragon civilization" in one particular text.Shalidor's Insights
==Interactions==
===Unbound===
During the executions, Alduin will be flying above Helgen, and his roars can be faintly heard. Once the Last Dragonborn is placed on the chopping block, he will land on top of the tower above and use the roar that summons a storm raining meteors down from the sky to cause havoc and destruction in the settlement. During the Dragonborn's escape from the village and into Helgen Keep, he will be seen fighting a number of Imperial soldiers, and may land and attack the Dragonborn in front of the keep if the Dragonborn does not escape quickly enough. Once the keep is escaped through the cave, he will be seen flying above, and will fly away to the east.
===A Blade in the Dark===
The Last Dragonborn and Delphine both travel to Kynesgrove during this quest. Here is where Delphine has predicted that the next Dragon will be resurrected. It turns out Delphine is right and here, on a dragon burial mound, Alduin can be seen flying above. A blue light is rising out of the mound. Alduin will use a shout to resurrect this dragon. He speaks the words "Slen Tiid Vo!" and a shout that looks similar to Unrelenting Force will go into the mound, causing the stone lid to crumble and burst apart. A skeletal dragon will then rise from the mound and start speaking to Alduin. After a small conversation between the two dragons, the skeletal dragon will regain his scales. This dragon is known as Sahloknir. They will then notice the Dragonborn, at which point Alduin taunts the Dragonborn on their lack of knowledge of the Thu'um, before ordering Sahloknir to kill both the Dragonborn and Delphine before taking his leave.
===Alduin's Bane===
In the vision of the past seen through the Time Wound, three heroes known as Felldir the Old, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, and Hakon One-Eye are seen fighting off the dragons. Gormlaith will kill a dragon whom lands by jumping on to it and then stabbing it in the head. Afterwards the heroes will discuss the possible use of an Elder Scroll to defeat Alduin, but Hakon says it is to dangerous. Alduin will come down to fight them and then the three heroes will use Dragonrend to bring down Alduin. Alduin will then engage in combat with the three heroes. Gormlaith will be killed by Alduin and then Hakon will tell Felldir to use the Elder Scroll. Alduin will continue to fight Hakon for a short time before noticing what Felldir is doing. Alduin will turn to Felldir and try burning him with Fire Breath, but this does not work and Alduin is sent forward in time.
Upon awakening from the vision, Paarthurnax will say that he hopes the vision told the Dragonborn what he needed to know because Alduin has arrived. Alduin taunts the Dragonborn that their time is up and once he kills them, their soul will feed his hunger in Sovngarde, only for Paarthurnax to retort that he is too late. The two brothers exchange words as they engage in battle in the skies. Alduin will start the battle by roaring and summoning a storm that rains meteors down from the sky. The only way to damage Alduin is to use the Dragonrend shout. Upon Alduin's defeat, Alduin will fly away to Sovngarde.
===Sovngarde===
Upon entering Sovngarde, Alduin can be seen flying around in the back. He will occasionally swoop down to pick up a soul in Sovngarde. The Dragonborn must travel through the mist that Alduin has set up until they reach the Hall of Shor. Here the three heroes will again come out to fight Alduin, although this time they have the Dragonborn to help them win.
===Dragonslayer===
Before the battle can begin, the Dragonborn and the three heroes must disperse the mist that covers the land. They use Clear Skies to get rid of the mist, but Alduin will make the mist reappear. This process must be repeated a few times before finally Alduin will come out and battle. After killing Alduin, the Dragonborn will not absorb his soul. Instead, Alduin explodes after yelling words in the dragon language that, when translated, indicate his defiant refusal to believe he can truly be slain.
==Background==
===Identity===
Scholars speculate that Alduin is the Nordic name attributed to Akatosh.Varieties of Faith in the EmpireThe Alduin/Akatosh Dichotomy One source states that Alduin and Akatosh are different deities entirely.Alduin is Real Alduin calls himself the "Firstborn of Akatosh.""Alduin's Bane" – Dialogue with Alduin Exactly what the "Firstborn of Akatosh" means is unclear, although some sources suggest he was split from the time god at some point in the past.Seven Fights of the Aldudagga According to Paarthurnax, Alduin's peers considered him the most acclaimed creation of Akatosh. - Dialogue with Paarthurnax According to some sources, Alduin is the firstborn of a deity named Akha, a greater time god than Alduin or Akatosh, from whom both time gods originate alongside the dragons.The Wandering Spirits 
===History===
Nordic myth asserts that Alduin destroyed the last world to begin this one, a process known as a Kalpa. As a result, Alduin is perceived as both creator and destroyer, as well as predating the creation of Nirn itself. There are legends of his battles with Shor during this time.Five Songs of King Wulfharth
During the Merethic Era, the people of Atmora and Skyrim worshiped dragons, possibly at the urging of Alduin. He also conspired with Orkey to reduce all the Nords to children, until he was again defeated by Shor. Some consider that Alduin's rule during this period was foresaking his proper role as the World-Eater. Alduin served as a leader of the dragons, and he ruled with an iron fist. The humans either worshiped him or were enslaved.Atlas of Dragons The humans worshiped him and the dragons in the Dragon Cult. High ranking members of this cult would be known as a Dragon Priest. Alduin's lieutenant at the time was Paarthurnax, but secretly Paarthurnax was betraying him. Paarthurnax was teaching the voice to the humans so that they could rebel against their dragon overlords. The ensuing war would be known as the Dragon War.
He was ultimately sent forward in time through the actions of three Nordic heroes, who created a new Shout to subdue him, and used an Elder Scroll to send Alduin forward in time.Events of 
===Prophecy===
 
A prophecy foretelling Alduin's return is on Alduin's Wall, located at Sky Haven Temple, built in the First Era and recounted in the Book of the Dragonborn, and possibly on Elder Scroll.Annals of the Dragonguard — Brother AnnulusBook of the Dragonborn — Prior Emelene Madrine It tells that the World-Eater will return after various tumultuous events have occurred, retelling events have led up to this point, and claiming that the Last Dragonborn will come forth at that time.
==Conversations==
Show: A Blade in the Dark
While resurrecting Sahloknir in Kynesgrove:
Alduin: ""
Alduin uses the Shout to shatter the stone lid on Sahloknir's burial mound, allowing Sahloknir to emerge with a roar and step out before turning his attention to Alduin as his body rejuvenates over his skeleton:
Sahloknir: ""
Alduin: " You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah.
Show: Elder Knowledge
At the Throat of the World:
Hakon One-Eye runs up to the summit of the Throat of the World to find Gormlaith Golden-Hilt waiting for him there. Dragons are seen circling the summit, roaring and strafing with their Fire Breath.
Hakon: "Gormlaith! We're running out of time! The battle..."
He is interrupted as a dragon lands to confront him and Gormlaith:
Dragon: "Daar sul thur se Alduin vakrii. Today Alduin's lordship will be restored. But I honor your courage. Krif voth ahkrin. Die now, in vain."
Hakon: "For Skyrim!"
Hakon draws his Ancient Nord Battle Axe and engages the dragon, soon joins by Gormlaith as she draws her Ancient Nord Sword and manages to get the dragon in a Kill Camera finisher as she mounts its head and delivers the killing blow:
Gormlaith: "Hyah! Know that Gormlaith sent you down to death! Hakon! A glorious day, is it not?"
Hakon: "Have you no thought beyond the blooding of your blade?"
Gormlaith: "What else is there?"
Hakon: "The battle below goes ill. If Alduin does not rise to our challenge, I fear all may be lost."
Gormlaith: "You worry too much, brother. Victory will be ours."
Hakon: "Why does Alduin hang back? We've staked everything on this plan of yours, old man."
Felldir: "He will come. He cannot ignore our defiance. And why should he fear us, even now?"
Gormlaith: "We've bloodied him well. Four of his kin have fallen to my blade alone this day."
Felldir: "But none have yet stood against Alduin himself. Galthor, Sorri, Birkir..."
Gormlaith: "They did not have Dragonrend. Once we bring him down, I promise I will have his head."
Felldir: "You do not understand. Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon. He is beyond our strength. Which is why I brought the Elder Scroll."
He pulls out the Elder Scroll to prove his point:
Hakon: "Felldir! We agreed not to use it!"
Felldir: "I never agreed. And if you are right, I will not need it."
Hakon: "No. We will deal with Alduin ourselves, here and now."
Gormlaith: "We shall see soon enough. Alduin approaches!"
Hakon: "So be it."
Alduin arrives at the summit and touches down on the Word Wall to confront the three Nord heroes:
Alduin: "Meyye! Tahrodiis aanne! Him hinde pah liiv! Zu'u hin daan!"
Alduin roars and summons a storm raining meteors down from the sky:
Gormlaith: "Let those that watch from Sovngarde envy us this day! Joor... Zah...Frul!"
The three heroes unleash the Dragonrend shout on Alduin, forcing him to land and remain grounded because of its effect:
Alduin: "Nivahriin joorre! What have you done? What twisted Words have you created?! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck! But first... dir ko maar. You will die in terror, knowing your final fate... To feed my power when I come for you in Sovngarde!"
Gormlaith: "If I die today, it will not be in terror! You feel fear for the first time, worm. I see it in your eyes."
Felldir: "Fo... Krah Diin!"
Felldir uses Frost Breath against Alduin:
Gormlaith: "Skyrim will be free!"
Despite their best efforts to damage Alduin with their Ancient Nord Weapons, Alduin is able to get Gormlaith in a Kill Camera finisher with his jaws and flail her about in his mouth before tossing her lifeless body away near the Word Wall:
Hakon: "No, damn you! It's no use! Use the Scroll, Felldir! Now!"
Felldir retreats to a safe distance, sheathes his Ancient Nord Greatsword, and prepares to read the Elder Scroll as Hakon attempts to keep Alduin busy and distracted from seeing what Felldir is about to do:
Felldir: "Hold, Alduin on the Wing! Sister Hawk, grant us your sacred breath to make this contract heard! Begone, World-Eater! By words with older bones than your own we break your perch on this age and send you out! You are banished! Alduin, we shout you out from all our endings unto the last!"
Alduin manages to get Hakon down on one knee, sees what Felldir is doing, and tries to stop him with his Fire Breath, but is unable to prevent the Elder Scroll's power from being unleashed on him:
Alduin: ""
Felldir: "You are banished!"
Alduin vanishes into the time stream, leaving Hakon and Felldir alone on the Throat of the World to look over the aftermath of the battle:
Hakon: "It worked... you did it..."
Felldir: "Yes, the World-Eater is gone... may the spirits have mercy on our souls."
Show: Alduin's Bane
At the Throat of the World:
Alduin: "Bahloki nahkip sillesejoor. My belly is full of the souls of your fellow mortals, Dovahkiin. Die now and await your fate in Sovngarde!"
Paarthurnax: "Lost funt. You are too late, Alduin!"
Alduin: "Suleyki mulaag, Paarthurnax. My power has waxed, while yours has waned. Aav uv dir. Join me or perish with your mortal friends."
Paarthurnax: "Unslaad hokoron! Never again!"
==Dragon Language quotes==
Quote 	Translation 	Audio
"Fen du hin sille ko Sovngarde!" 	"(I) will devour your souls in Sovngarde!" 	
"Zu'u lost daal." 	"I have returned." 	
"Kel drey ni viik." 	"The Elder Scroll did not defeat me." 	
"Di kiirre fen alok." 	"My children will rise." 	
"Daar Lein los dii." 	"This world is mine." 	
"Hin sil fen nahkip bahloki." 	"Your soul will feed my hunger." 	
"Pahlok joorre! Hin kah fen kos bonaar." 	"Arrogant mortals! Your pride will be humbled." 	
"Zu'u Alduin, zok sahrot do naan ko Lein." 	"I (am) Alduin, most mighty of any in Mundus (the world)." 	
"Nust wo ni qiilaan fen kos duaan." 	"Those who (do) not bow will be devoured." 	
"Dovahkiin, hin kah fen kos bonaar." 	"Dragonborn, your pride will be humbled." 	
"Zu'u lost kriaan hi ont, nu hin sille fen nahkip suleyki." 	"I've killed you once, now your souls will feed my power." 	
"Zu'u ni faas gaaffesejul." 	"I do not fear mortal ghosts ("ghosts of men/humans"). Scornfully." 	
"Dovahkiin, you should not have come here. Nu hin sil dii." 	Nu hin sil dii = "Now your soul (is) mine." 	
"I have already defeated your friends once. Beyn. I do not fear them." 	Beyn = "scorn" 	
"You are persistent, Dovahkiin. Pruzah ol aar. A fine slave you would have made." 	Pruzah ol aar = "good as (a) slave" 	
"Face me, then! Zu'u Alduin!" 	Zu'u Alduin! = "I (am) Alduin!" 	
"Meyye! Tahrodiis aanne! Him hinde pah liiv! Zu'u hin daan!" 	"Fools! Treacherous slaves! Your hopes (are) all withered! I (am) your doom." 	
"Nivahriin joorre! What have you done? What twisted Words have you created?! Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! My teeth to his neck!"	Nivahriin joorre = "Cowardly mortals!"Tahrodiis Paarthurnax! = "Treacherous Paarthurnax!"	
"But first... dir ko maar." 	dir ko maar = "die in terror" 	
"Zu'u unslaad! Zu'u nis oblaan!" 	"I am eternal! I cannot end! (be ended/be killed)" 	
==Gallery==
===Concept art===
Alduin Attack.jpg|Concept art of Alduin attacking with a shout.
Alduin Comparison.jpg|Concept art of Alduin's body compared to that of a regular Dragon.
Alduin Body.jpg|Alduin concept art.
Alduin Top View.jpg|Concept art of Alduin's in-game model.
Alduin Head.jpg|Alduin's head concept art.
===Screenshots===
Alduin Helgen 4.png|Alduin hovering around Helgen.
Alduin Helgen 3.png|Destroying Helgen.
Alduin Helgen 2.png|Alduin against a wall.
Alduin Helgen 1.png|Alduin vs. Archer.
Unbound.png|Alduin on top of a fort in Helgen.
Alduin 1.png|Close up view of Alduin.
AlduinSovngarde.png|Alduin at Sovngarde.
==Trivia==
*Alduin is voiced by Daniel Riordan.Alduin (Character) from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) (VG) – IMDb
*When defeated in Sovngarde, unlike other Dragons, Alduin's soul cannot be absorbed. When Arngeir is questioned about the anomaly, he theorizes that Alduin is not permanently dead and will eventually return to fulfill the prophecy of the Elder Scrolls.
**Alduin's body dissolves completely upon death and does not leave a skeleton, unlike other dragons.
*Alduin is possibly inspired or a reference to the Dragon called Níðhöggur (pronounced Neeth-Hökk-uhr) in Norse Mythology. Níðhöggur was a dragon in Niflheim near Hel, he did almost nothing but feasting on the dead, biting the roots of the tree Yggdrasil and killing for his own amusement. Níðhöggur was a symbol of death and destruction, much like Alduin.
*When using the Dragonrend shout, Alduin may say, "You may have picked up the weapons of my ancient foes, but you are not their equal!"
*Killcams in the game do not activate for Alduin as they would for any other dragons.
*Alduin is the only dragon that can use both Fire Breath and Frost Breath in battle.
**Despite being able to use both Shouts, Alduin is more likely to use one Shout more prominently than the other, depending on the Dragonborn's resistance to fire and frost.
***If the Dragonborn has an identical level of resistance to both damage types, Alduin will use one Shout more prominently than the other depending on the Dragonborn's means of dealing damage.
****If the Dragonborn uses either a One-Handed or a Two-Handed weapon, Alduin will use Frost Breath more frequently than Fire Breath against them, in order to deplete the Dragonborn's stamina.
*****Once the Dragonborn's stamina is depleted Alduin will use Fire Breath more frequently against them.
****Alduin will use Fire Breath against the Dragonborn more frequently than Frost Breath if they use other means of dealing damage.
*With the exception of Alduin's departure from Helgen at the conclusion of "Unbound," every appearance of Alduin is accompanied by an alteration of the weather which is caused either by Alduin's shouts, by his mere presence, or by his death.
*Alduin will not be staggered by Unrelenting Force even if he is hit by it while under the effects of Dragonrend, but he will be damaged by it.
==Bugs==
* During the initial Helgen attack, when the player climbs up the stairs of the tower, Alduin will sometimes sit on the side of the tower without reaction instead of breathing fire through the gap. This can be fixed by reloading the game.
* Occasionally during the quest "Alduin's Bane," when fighting Alduin at the Throat of the World he may be completely invincible to all attacks. This can be fixed by reloading to a previous save.
**This bug may be avoided by not directly attacking Alduin prior to him becoming hostile.
*While in Sovngarde, lighting may make Alduin appear purple, rather than black. Using Storm Call will disable Sovngarde's lighting and make Alduin appear as he does outside of Sovngarde.
==Appearances==
* Five Songs of King Wulfharth
* 
*
** 
* Dragon Skull Parchment
** Divines and the NordsThe Song of Gods
* 
==References==
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Category:Skyrim: Dragons
Category:Skyrim: Named Dragons
Category:Skyrim: Characters