Dragonborn

A Dragonborn hero depicted on Alduin's Wall.

*For other uses, see Dragonborn (Disambiguation).*
**Dragonborn**, also referred to as **Dovahkiin** (Dovahzul: ), and the **Dragonblood** (Dovahzul: ), are individuals with the body of a mortal, but the blood and soul of a Dragon. Some believe that Dragonborn appear on the world in times of great need by the command of the Gods.

## Cultural beliefs

*"Dragons have the inborn ability to learn and project their Voice. Dragons also are able to absorb the power of their slain brethren. A few mortals are born with similar abilities -- whether a gift or a curse has been a matter of debate down through the centuries. What you have already learned in a few days took even the most gifted of us years to achieve. Some believe that Dragonborn are sent into the world by the gods, at times of great need."*
―Arngeir[src]

By Nord tradition, a Dragonborn represents what a Nord should strive to be. The Nords believe Dragonborn represent the end of all of Skyrim's foes. Nord tales likewise tell of Dragonborn of old who were great and powerful Dragonslayers, a belief which the Blades of the late-Fourth Era also believe to be the reason why the old Akaviri Dragonguard came to serve the Dragonborn.

It is unknown as to how a Dragonborn is chosen. The various dynasties of Dragonborn Emperors led to a common belief that the Dragon blood is heredity, though since it is a blessing of Akatosh himself it cannot be known how or why it is bestowed. It is unknown if the Dragonborn Emperors were Dragonborn, and thus able to wear the Amulet of Kings and light the Dragonfires, or if these acts were the sign of Akatosh's blessings for these individuals Dragonborn. Aside from the Dragonborn Dynasties, it is also unknown if more than one Dragonborn can exist at the same time.

### The Greybeards

After slaying a Dragon, and learning the meaning of a Word of Power, the Greybeards are able to sense this and summon the Dragonborn. Should a Dragonborn choose to answer the summons of the Greybeards, they are first tested to see if they truly possess the Thu'um. A Dragonborn has the inborn ability to both learn and master a new Word of Power far quicker than a normal mortal can, as regular mortals usually need years of training to learn a word of power. Due to the inborn ability of Dragonborn to use the Thu'um, the Greybeards seek to guide Dragonborn in the proper usage of their power.

In order to truly show a Dragonborn's abilities, the Greybeards send them off to retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller, the founder of the Greybeards. Upon retrieving the Horn and returning it, the Greybeards formally name the Dragonborn "Ysmir", the "Dragon of the North", to declare the Dragonborn has accepted their guidance.

## History

### Merethic Era

Miraak, who lived during the Dragon War of the Merethic Era, became known as the First Dragonborn. The three tongues, Hakon One-Eye, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, and Felldir the Old, who led the charge against Alduin had asked Miraak for his aid, though Miraak denied, having other plans. Miraak would eventually be defeated in combat by Vahlok the Jailor, though saved by Hermaeus Mora.

### First Era

During the First Era, the Nedic slave rebellion in Cyrodiil against the Ayleids would take place, being led by Slave Queen Alessia. Alessia, being a Dragonborn, was gifted the Amulet of Kings by Akatosh, which would be used to light the Dragonfires and keep the armies of Oblivion at bay. Alessia's line would continue with more Dragonborn Emperors and Empresses, until their deaths.

In 1E 2703, the Akaviri attempted an invasion of Tamriel, which would eventually be foiled by the efforts of Reman Cyrodiil. The exact nature of the defeat of the Akaviri is unknown, though it is known that they were not seeking for combat with Reman, but were instead searching for him, as he was Dragonborn. Under Reman Cyrodiil, the Dragon blood officially became part of becoming a legitimate Emperor, as he included the ritual geas to the Amulet of Kings, and the lighting of the Dragonfires, in the rites of becoming an Emperor. His dynasty would continue until the death of Juilek Cyrodiil during the Four Score War.

### Second Era

As of 2E 579, it had been years since the last Dragonborn Emperor had ruled. Following his successful rebellion against the Longhouse Emperors, Varen Aquilarios aimed to legitimize his rule through lighting the Dragonfires. Varen was not a Dragonborn, and was convinced by Mannimarco to participate in a ritual, which would end up being a trick. Instead of becoming a Dragonborn, Varen and his companions were forced to the ground, while Mannimarco corrupted the power of the Amulet of Kings to trigger the Soulburst, and eventually Planemeld, until it was stopped by the Vestige.

After Kaalgrontiid and his kin were freed from the Halls of Colossus, one such dragon named Sahrotnax was captured by the Hollowfang Clan of vampires with the assistance of the rogue Dragonguard Grundwulf, who then proceeded to drink his blood believing it would make him Dragonborn and with that power unite the fractured Empire once more. Though the ritual granted him extraordinary abilities, he was slain shortly afterward.

Years later, in 2E 828, another Dragonborn would be placed on the world. There are rumors about a Dragonborn who will defeat the Elves and restore the Empire. These rumors and the Greybeards' rumblings prompt Wulfharth, and he believes he is the Dragonborn of prophecy. Therefore he travels to High Hrothgar to meet with the Greybeards, but is blasted to ash as they speak. After his encounter with the Greybeards Wulfharth goes to find the Dragonborn, a warrior from High Rock named Hjalti Early-Beard, who would come to be known as Tiber Septim. Tiber Septim would learn the Thu'um from Wulfharth, and meet the Greybeards shortly after, who told him he was destined to unite Tamriel. During his campaigns in Cyrodiil, he would find the Amulet of Kings during the Battle of Sancre Tor against the Nord-Breton Alliance. After having become Emperor, Tiber Septim declared the start of the Third Era.

### Third Era

Tiber Septim's dynasty of Dragonborn Emperors would continue to rule the Third Empire until the Oblivion Crisis. Under the reign of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, the Mythic Dawn attempted to slay the Dragonborn Emperors and thus provide Mehrunes Dagon with the means to cross over into Tamriel. Uriel Septim and his three sons were assassinated, with only his bastard son, Martin Septim having survived. The leader of the Mythic Dawn cult, Mankar Camoran, was likewise a Dragonborn, able to speak fire and wear the Amulet of Kings. Mankar would eventually be slain in his Paradise, whereas Martin Septim would meet his end after he destroyed the Amulet of Kings in order to banish Mehrunes Dagon.

### Fourth Era

In 4E 173, yet another Dragonborn would be placed on the world, and to be recognized as the first female Dragonborn, named Marcella Varian, a princess of the Varian Dynasty. In her early years, she was trained and mentored by Arngeir and Paarthurnax and became Dragonborn while staying at High Hrothgar despite being young while mastering the Thu'um. During 4E 201, Alduin who had been banished from Tamriel since the Merethic Era by an Elder Scroll, returned to the land, making a now Empress Marcella aware that Alduin destroying the town. Marcella return to Skyrim, would learn of their nature while aiding the city of Whiterun by slaying the Dragon Mirmulnir at the Western Watchtower of Whiterun, gaining the soul. While Marcella's goals is to defeat Alduin and deal with the Stormcloak problem, her friend Freydis Strong-Blade to recover the Dragonstone.

Empress Marcella traveled to Skyrim to her road of defeating the Stormcloaks, however the return of Alduin stopped her plans, she then arrived at city of Whiterun, aiding it by slaying the Dragon Mirmulnir at the Western Watchtower. She then managed to face off against Alduin atop the Throat of the World, winning a minor victory against the World-Eater. She managed to trapped Odahviing by shouting his name in balcony of Dragonsreach, which by fleeing Odahviing by accepting he helping Marcella to travel to Skuldafn, and its portal to Sovngarde. In Sovngarde, Marcella would meet up with the three Nord Tongues of old, Gormlaith, Hakon, and Felldir, and together they faced off against Alduin, defeating him in combat. However, after Alduin's death, Marcella became Ramis, the Dragon Queen of Cyrodiil.

### Fifth Era

After Marcella's death in 5E 68, having rule of 70-years on the Imperial throne, her successors of the Varian Dynasty will last until the death of Titus Varian III, which marks the end of Varian dynastic rule of almost eight hundred years. She become the deity of the Ten Divines, and throughout the Fifth Era, she involved with helping her Empire's men and women, gaining the nickname, "Peacemaker". In 5E 725, she defeats the returning Haidoneus in combat, and helped General Crassius Avento to the throne eight years later.

Sometime after in 5E 870, Miraak, had also gained more power since his defeat by Vahlok. Upon learning of Marcella, he had sent out cultists with the orders to defeat her, which they didn't know that she is now a goddess. Marcella would travel to Solstheim, where the cultists had originated, to accepted his challenge. Marcella would travel to Apocrypha, the Daedric realm belong to Hermaeus Mora, one last time to face Miraak in combat. After a long battle with Marcella, Hermaeus Mora ended the conflict by slaying Miraak for his treachery, and natural respect to the Divine. After that, she then attempt then friended Nerevarine in Kagrenar, and explored the Imperial ruins of Septimia and Ionith in Akavir.

Years later, in 5E 991, another Dragonborn were place when Empress Romana II re-light the Dragonfires and have legitimate wear of the Amulet of Kings. Romana Avento II becomes the first Dragonborn Empress after Marcella.

## Notable Dragonborn

* Miraak, the First Dragonborn, who lived during the Merethic Era and died in the Fifth Era following a fight with Marcella.
* Saint Alessia, a Nede Dragonborn, who lived during the First Era and would rule the Alessian Empire as the first Empress until her death in 1E 266.
* Wulfharth, a Nord Dragonborn who fought against the Direnni and the Alessian Order until his death in 1E 533.
* Reman Cyrodiil, an Imperial Dragonborn, who would become Emperor of the Reman Empire and adopt the Akaviri Dragonguard into his private bodyguard. He died peacefully in 1E 2762.
* Tiber Septim, a human Dragonborn, who would become the first Emperor to unite all of Tamriel under the Septim Empire. Tiber Septim died peacefully in the year 3E 38.
* Mankar Camoran, an Altmer Dragonborn, who attempted to give Mehrunes Dagon domination over Tamriel. He was slain in Paradise by the Hero of Kvatch in 3E 433.
* Martin Septim, an Imperial Dragonborn and last of the Septim dynasty of Emperors. He sacrificed himself and the Amulet of Kings in order to beat back Mehrunes Dagon and permanently seal the gates to Oblivion in 3E 433.
* Marcella Varian, an half-breed Dragonborn, who became the first female Dragonborn Empress to bring peace in Tamriel. Marcella died peacefully in 5E 68.
* Last Dragonborn, the Dragonborn prophesied on Alduin's Wall by the Akaviri, and in the Elder Scrolls, who was destined to defeat Alduin.
* Romana Avento II, an Imperial Dragonborn who is the Empress of the Avento Dynasty who later fought against the Akaviri's third invasion.

## Gallery

A young Dragonborn.Martin Septim, the last of the Septim Dragonborn Emperors.Tiber Septim, the first of the Septim Dragonborn Emperors.Marcella Varian, the first female Dragonborn of the Varians.Mankar Camoran, the leader of the Mythic Dawn cult.
## Trivia

* To address the confusion that arose from the existence of a Dragonborn predating Alessia, Michael Kirkbride, former writer at Bethesda, stated *"Alessia didn't have the power to absorb dragon souls. Hers was a much more nuanced power: to dream of liberty and give it a name and on her deathbed make Covenant with the Aka-Tusk."*
* The Nerevarine was referred to as "Dragon-born" in The Lost Prophecy, but the explanatory notes of this text claim this means they were part of the Empire, which is usually represented by a dragon.
* During the events of *Skyrim*, one of the Heroes of Sovngarde will proclaim himself to also be Dragonborn.

## Appearances

* *The Elder Scrolls: Arena*
* *The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall*
* *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*
* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*
* *The Elder Scrolls VI: Invasion*
* *The Elder Scrolls: Legends*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Dialogue with Arngeir during "The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller"
2. ↑ *Marcella Varian's Memoirs*
3. ↑ *The Varian Dragon*
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 *The Book of the Dragonborn*
5. ↑ *Loading Screens in* The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'
6. ↑ *The Rise and Fall of the Blades*
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Dialogue with Arngeir during "The Way of the Voice"
8. ↑ *Songs of Skyrim*
9. ↑ Dialogue with Delphine during "Alduin's Wall"
10. ↑ Events of "The Way of the Voice"
11. ↑ Events of "The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller"
12. ↑ Dialogue with Miraak during "At the Summit of Apocrypha"
13. ↑ Events of "Alduin's Bane"
14. ↑ Combat quotes of Miraak during "At the Summit of Apocrypha"
15. ↑ *The Guardian and the Traitor*
16. ↑ *The Amulet of Kings*
17. ↑ *Of the Dragonfires (Fragment)*
18. ↑ *Trials of Saint Alessia*
19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, Third Edition: Cyrodiil*
20. ↑ *The Rise and Fall of the Blades*
21. ↑ *Varieties of Faith in the Empire*
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 *Chronicles of the Five Companions 1*
23. ↑ Events of "God of Schemes"
24. ↑ Events of "The Sanguine Successor"
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 *The Arcturian Heresy*
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 *Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Cyrodiil*
27. ↑ *Battle of Sancre Tor (Book)*
28. ↑ *The Third Era Timeline*
29. ↑ *Assassination!*
30. ↑ Events of "Find the Heir"
31. ↑ *Mythic Dawn Commentaries 1*
32. ↑ Events of *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*
33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Events of "Paradise"
34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Events of "Light the Dragonfires"
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 *The Varian Dragon*
36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 *Dynasties: The Varians of Cyrodiil*
37. ↑ Events of "Unbound"
38. ↑ Events of "Dragon Rising"
39. ↑ Events of "Bleak Falls Barrow"
40. ↑ Events of "The World-Eater's Eyrie"
41. ↑ Events of "Dragonslayer"
42. ↑ *Varieties of Faith, the Empire v2*
43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 *Marcella and Miraak*
44. ↑ *The Cleansing of the Fane*
45. ↑ Dialogue with Balgruuf the Greater during "The Way of the Voice"
46. ↑ Wulfharth's Plaque in Windhelm
47. ↑ Description of Reman Cyrodiil's Tomb in Sancre Tor
48. ↑ *Brief History of the Empire, Book I*
49. ↑ Dialogue with Esbern during "Alduin's Wall"
50. ↑ Dialogue with Paarthurnax during "The Throat of the World"

**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. ↑ Bethsoft.com - Michael Kirkbride's forum post