In order to find the final location of Alduin, the Dragonborn must capture and interrogate Odahviing. While captured, Odahviing bargains with the Dragonborn for his freedom. For his release, he trades the Dragonborn his loyalty and safe passage to a dungeon called Skuldafn high in the eastern mountains, reachable only by flight.
After the Dragonborn slays Alduin and is shouted back to the Throat of the World, the Dragons acknowledge the Dragonborn's Thu'um and began flying out and shouting, with Paarthurnax becoming the leader of the Dragons. Odahviing then came down to the Dragonborn, wishing Paarthurnax success on his quest to make the dragons follow the "Way of the Voice". Odahviing was already impressed twice over after the battle and pledged his life to the service of the Dragonborn, claiming that he will come to the aid of the Dragonborn whenever the Dragonborn needs help, if he can. Then he flies away and later can be seen circling the top of the Throat of the World.
Call Dragon shout
Summoning
Once freed, Odahviing becomes a friendly Dragon that helps the Dragonborn. He can be summoned by using the Call Dragonshout which is learned during the quest The Fallen. He may only be summoned outdoors.
Behavior
When Odahviing is called, he will not harm followers nor will they harm him. This includes any Legion or Stormcloak members assisted. Odahviing, however, becomes hostile toward Shadowmere.
If Odahviing takes too much damage in battle he will land and stop fighting.
He prefers to battle from the sky and is still affected by area of effect spells, such as Lightning Cloak or Fireball.
Odahviing, when called to battle a fellow dragon, may enter aerial combat with the hostile dragon.
He fights until all hostiles are dispatched.
Quotes
Length:
0:06
Description:
Odahviing's reaction to being caught.
"Dovahkiin, here I am!"
"Nid! Horvutah med kodaav. ("No! Trapped like a bear.") ... Zok frini grind ko grah drun viiki, Dovahkiin. ("My most eagerness (to) meet (you) in battle brought my defeat") Ah. I forget. You do not have the dovah speech."
"Alduin has proven himself unfit to rule. I go my own way now."
Odahviing can be seen flying around the top of the Throat of the World once the Call Dragon shout has been obtained.
He is the last being to speak with the Dragonborn when they return from Sovngarde.
After his capture Farengar Secret-Fire will come to examine him, wanting to perform tests and gather Odahviing's reaction to being tested on by Farengar.
samples. He moves around to Odahviing's hindquarters, then Odahviing will shout in pain and let off a burst of fire. Farengar will then flee afterwards.
He is one of the few named dragons that can be mounted with the addition of the The Elder Scrolls V: Dragonborn add-on. He also has unique audio differing from the other dragons.
Bugs
If attacked while he is trapped in Dragonsreach, no damage is done to him and he will do nothing. Upon release, he becomes hostile.
360 The Jarl must be at the Dragonsreach Great Porch in order for Odahviing to be captured properly.