Alduin (Skyrim)

## Alduin

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## Sound

File:Npc dragon flightroar 01.ogg

*Not to be confused with Alvuin or Aldunie.*
*For other uses, see Alduin.*
**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 *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*'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.

## Interactions

*"You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah!"*
―Alduin to Marcella[src]
File:TESV Sound Alduin.ogg

### 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 Marcella Varian on her 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 Marcella what he needed to know because Alduin has arrived. Alduin taunts Marcella that her 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. Marcella 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 Marcella to help them win.

### Dragonslayer

Before the battle can begin, Marcella 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, Marcella 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. One source states that Alduin and Akatosh are different deities entirely. Alduin calls himself the "Firstborn of Akatosh." 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. According to Paarthurnax, Alduin's peers considered him the most acclaimed creation of Akatosh. 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.

 File:Alduins Fire.jpg
### 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.

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. 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.

### Prophecy

*"And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold, That when brothers wage war come unfurled! Alduin, Bane of Kings, ancient shadow unbound, With a hunger to swallow the world!"*
―Song of the Dragonborn[src]
 File:Alduin Fire Shout.jpg
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. 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

**Alduin:** *"Sahloknir, ziil gro dovah ulse! Slen Tiid Vo! (Sahloknir, I bind your dragon spirit for eternity! Flesh Time Undo!)"*

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, thuri! Boaan tiid vokriiha suleyksejun kruziik? (Alduin, my lord! Has the time come to revive our ancient realm?)"*
**Alduin:** *"Geh, Sahloknir, kaali mir. Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi. (Yes, Sahloknir, my Champion. So, you are Dragonborn? I see none of the dragonkind in you.) You do not even know our tongue, do you? Such arrogance, to dare take for yourself the name of Dovah. Sahloknir, krii daar joorre. (Sahloknir, kill these mortals.)*

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:** *"Faal Kel...?! Nikriinne... (roaring growl)"*
**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."*

**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!"*

## Gallery

### Concept art

Alduin Attack.jpgConcept art of Alduin attacking with a shout.Alduin Comparison.jpgConcept art of Alduin's body compared to that of a regular Dragon.Alduin Body.jpgAlduin concept art.Alduin Top View.jpgConcept art of Alduin's in-game model.Alduin Head.jpgAlduin's head concept art.
### Screenshots

Alduin Helgen 4.pngAlduin hovering around Helgen.Destroying Helgen.Alduin Helgen 2.pngAlduin against a wall.Alduin Helgen 1.pngAlduin vs. Archer.Unbound.pngAlduin on top of a fort in Helgen.Alduin 1.pngClose up view of Alduin.AlduinSovngarde.pngAlduin at Sovngarde.
## Trivia

* Alduin is voiced by Daniel Riordan.
* 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.

## Bugs

1. *Please **reload an old save** to confirm if the bug is still happening.*
2. *If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template  360  /  XB1  ,  PS3  /  PS4  ,  PC  /  MAC  ,  NX  /  PS5  ,  XS  , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on.*
3. *Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.*

* PC   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.
* PC   360   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.*confirmation needed*

## Appearances

* *The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
	+ *The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn* (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls Online* (mentioned only)
	+ Template:Greymoor (mentioned only)
* *The Elder Scrolls: Legends* Template:HoS

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 *Varieties of Faith in the Empire*
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 *The Alduin/Akatosh Dichotomy*
3. ↑ *Shalidor's Insights*
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *Alduin is Real*
5. ↑ "Alduin's Bane" – Dialogue with Alduin
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim* - Dialogue with Paarthurnax
7. ↑ *The Wandering Spirits*
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 *Five Songs of King Wulfharth*
9. ↑ *Atlas of Dragons*
10. ↑ Events of *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
11. ↑ *Annals of the Dragonguard* — Brother Annulus
12. ↑ *Book of the Dragonborn* — Prior Emelene Madrine
13. ↑ Alduin (Character) from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (2011) (VG) – IMDb
14. ↑ *Dragon Skull Parchment*
15. ↑ *Divines and the Nords*
16. ↑ *The Song of Gods*

**Notice**: The following are unlicensed references. They are not copyrighted by a ZeniMax Media company, but can still be considered part of *The Elder Scrolls* lore and are included for completeness.
1. ↑ *Seven Fights of the Aldudagga*