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Elder Scrolls

For the Skyrim add-on, see The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn.
For the lore article, see Dragonborn (Lore).

The Last Dragonborn or Laat Dovahkiin (Dragon Language: LAaTDOVAhKIiN Laat-Dovah-Kiin, "Last-Dragon-Born"),[note 1] generally referred to as the Dragonborn (Dragon Language: DOVAhKIiN Dovah-Kiin, "Dragon-Born"),[note 1] is the player's character and the protagonist of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and its expansions, Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn.

Etymology

"In their tongue he is Dovahkiin, Dragonborn."
Esbern in the Skyrim trailer

In Dragon language, "Dovahkiin" is a combination of the words "Dovah," meaning "dragon," and "kiin," meaning "born," or "child" which is typically translated to "Dragonborn," but it can also be translated to "Dragonchild." Dovahkiin also has a second meaning: the "Dov" in "Dovah" refers to Dragonkind as a whole, while the "ah" means "hunter." Interpreted thus, the name reads "Dragonkind Hunter Born," or "Born Hunter of Dragonkind," an appropriate description of what the Dragonborn is destined to do.

Something of further interest is that dragons use the term Dovahkiin as a proper noun to address or talk about the Dragonborn and the dragon naming convention holds that names consist of three words. When called upon by the Greybeards after killing Mirmulnir, Dov-Ah-Kiin is stressed as three separate words. This could signal that the real translation of "Dov-ah-kiin" is "Born Hunter of Dragonkind," when the traditional naming convention of dragons is held.

Prophecy

"Skyrim legend tells of a hero known as the Dragonborn, a warrior with the body of a mortal and soul of a dragon, whose destiny it is to destroy the evil dragon Alduin."
Loading Screen[src]

The appearance of the Last Dragonborn was prophesied upon Alduin's Wall, a large edifice found within Sky Haven Temple. It depicts several events that would preface the return of the Nordic god of time, Alduin. The prophecy itself is dire, but scholars believed that its omens had been fulfilled and that a single individual, gifted with the same powers of the Thu'um held by the dragons themselves, may rise to fight against Alduin and assure Nirn's survival.[4] Alduin finally returned in 4E 201, during the midst of Skyrim's civil war. Raising an army of dragons from the dead, he attempted to resume his path of destruction. However, he was eventually defeated in a battle by the Last Dragonborn and three ancient Nordic heroes in Sovngarde.

Background

"Hero of the Nords I name you, Dragonborn, let none deny it."
Galmar Stone-Fist[src]

Much like previous Dragonborn individuals who existed throughout history, such as Reman Cyrodiil, Tiber Septim and Miraak, the Last Dragonborn has the ability to consume a slain dragon's soul and absorb its knowledge and power, allowing them to learn words of power almost instantaneously,[5] though reportedly neither Reman nor Tiber have ever killed a dragon and absorbed its soul. It is said that the Blades have always guided, protected, and served the Dragonborn, whom they consider "The Ultimate Dragon Slayer."[6]

Slain Dragon Concept

A dragon slain by the Last Dragonborn.

At the beginning of Skyrim, 7 AM of the 17th of Last Seed 4E 201, the Dragonborn is a prisoner, who had been captured by members of the Imperial Legion after crossing the border from Cyrodiil. While being transported to the settlement of Helgen, the Dragonborn discovers that Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion, is a fellow prisoner. Upon reaching Helgen, the local Imperial Captain sentences all the prisoners to death. Seconds before the Dragonborn's execution, Alduin attacks, providing a chance for escape. Regardless of race, the Dragonborn starts with both flames and healing spells, indicating that they studied the arcane arts before traveling to Skyrim.

During the events of the quest "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine," the Dragonborn can choose to remark on whether they have a family or not. When talking with Serana, the Dragonborn may comment on what type of relationship the Dragonborn had with their parents as well as hinting at their fate. Additionally, Eola may claim that they may have tasted the flesh of a dead sibling when they were young, during the quest "The Taste of Death."

When formally greeting the Last Dragonborn, the Greybeards name them "Ysmir," Dragon of the North. The same title was held by Tiber Septim, Wulfharth, and supposedly all Dragonborns before that have visited the Greybeards.

Physical appearance

Skyrim's trailers and concept art depict the Dragonborn as a male Nord with brownish blonde hair and light blue eyes. He wears a studded cuirass, an iron helmet, iron gauntlets, and iron boots. In one trailer, the Dragonborn uses a steel sword and a banded iron shield, while in a screenshot he dual wields a steel sword and a steel dagger. In Skyrim, as with all Elder Scrolls games, race, gender, appearance, and equipment are left to the player's discretion.

Gallery

Trivia

  • The studded armor as seen in posters has the pauldron on the Dovahkiin's right shoulder, but, in-game, the pauldron is on the left shoulder.
    • In addition, the iron helmet as shown in posters is noticeably different as it lacks a guard around the mouth, while in-game the helmet is extended.
      • If a copy of the player character is spawned through the use of console commands, they will always wear a full set of iron armor.
  • Dialogue with Hermaeus Mora during the Dragonborn expansion suggests that the Last Dragonborn may be in Apocrypha after the events of the expansion; "If you tire of your search, read your book again to return to your mortal life. For a time. The lure of Apocrypha will call you back. It is your fate."[7] Dialogue with the Prince also shows that the Last Dragonborn becomes his Champion after defeating Miraak: "No matter, I have found a new Dragonborn to serve me."[8]
    • However, Frea advised the Last Dragonborn to not let Hermaeus Mora lure him as his servant, suggesting an ambiguous fate of the Last Dragonborn; "While you are not of the Skaal, you are Skaal-friend, and so I give you this warning: Herma-Mora forced you to serve him in order to defeat Miraak. Do not let him lure you further down that path. The All-Maker made you Dragonborn for a higher purpose. Do not forget that."
  • In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Making of Skyrim, Emil Pagliarulo states that the Last Dragonborn was a "criminal and accused of some crime," which would explain why the Last Dragonborn was captured.
    • This is however contradicted by Mark Lampert, who says that they have wiped the Dragonborn's history clean.
  • Legate Fasendil indicates that the Last Dragonborn originally came from Cyrodiil,[2] but it is unclear if the Dragonborn is using the word "home" as in "their home" or "Fasendil's home."
    • This is further supported by the initial dialogues with Ralof and Hadvar.[1]
  • During a dialogue with Serana about her family, Serana asks about the Dragonborn's family. The following are the available answers:
    • "They were good people. I miss them."
    • "We're very close. I can't wait to see them again."
    • "We didn't really get along. Best that I haven't seen them in a while."
    • "I never knew them. I grew up alone."
  • It is implied through dialogue with Thalmor Justiciars that the Last Dragonborn believes Talos is a god, as when they are asked if they believe in Talos, there is no dialogue option stating they do not believe in Talos.
  • A Mii Swordfighter costume based off of the Dragonborn's default appearance was added to Super Smash Brothers Ultimate in the 10th Round of Mii Costume DLC[9].

See also

Appearances

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 If Dovah-Kiin is read as 3 words, Dov-Ah-Kiin, it forms the meaning "Dragonkind-Hunter-Born."

References

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