Alduin

Alduin
Race	Dragon
Gender	Drake (Male)
Eyes	Red
Family	Akatosh (father)
Title(s)	The World Eater
Appears in	Skyrim, Legends

"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

Alduin (Dovahzul: ), the World Eater, is a very powerful dragon who is known for his rule over Skyrim during the Merethic Era. He is considered the "wellspring" of the Nordic pantheon, as well as the harbinger of the apocalypse, believed to have a greater role in reshaping the world entirely. He is also described as the "creator of dragon civilization" in one particular text.

By game

• Alduin (Skyrim) – Dragon in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
• Alduin (Legends) – Card in The Elder Scrolls: Legends
• Alduin (Online) – Tame wolf in The Elder Scrolls Online

History

Nordic myth asserts that Alduin destroyed the last world to begin the current one, in what is considered creating a new Kalpa. The Redguards believe his previous aspect to be Satakal the Worldskin, and the Skaal know Alduin as Thartaag the World-Devourer. As a result, he is 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 by request of King Wulfharth. 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 and the dragons in the Dragon Cult or were enslaved. High-ranking members of this cult would be known as a Dragon Priest. Alduin's lieutenant at the time was Paarthurnax, his younger sibling, who was said to have committed many atrocities. Later on, Paarthurnax secretly betrayed him by teaching the Thu'um to the humans so that they could rebel against their dragon overlords. The ensuing war would be known as the Dragon War.

Alduin was led to the Throat of the World, where he battled three Nordic heroes. They had created a new Shout called Dragonrend to subdue Alduin, and used an Elder Scroll to send him 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

Alduin's banishment as depicted on Alduin's Wall

A prophecy foretelling Alduin's return is on Alduin's Wall, located at Sky Haven Temple, built in the First Era by the Akaviri 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.

Dragon Crisis

Alduin managed to resurface in 4E 201 during the Skyrim Civil War. After making his presence known with an attack on Helgen, he began traveling across Skyrim, terrorizing the populace and resurrecting his fallen brethren. The resurgence of dragons and their reign of terror became known as the Dragon Crisis. It was during this time that the Dragonborn emerged to challenge the World Eater. Only the Dragonborn was able to hinder the dragons' onslaught and only they could put a permanent end to the creatures by consuming their souls. With guidance from Paarthurnax, the Dragonborn dealt Alduin a minor defeat at the Throat of the World. The final confrontation between them came in Sovngarde, where a host of legendary Nordic heroes joined the Dragonborn to destroy Alduin once and for all.

Identity

An ancient Nordic depiction of Alduin

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 "First-Born of Akatosh," but exactly what that means is unclear. Some sources suggest he was split from Akatosh, or possibly the greater Aka-Tusk, at some point in the distant past. According to Paarthurnax, Alduin's peers considered him the most acclaimed creation of Akatosh.

Gallery

Concept art of Alduin breathing fire

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
  • The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls Online (mentioned only)
• The Elder Scrolls: Legends

References

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.