Every Dragonborn in Elder Scrolls History Explained

The Origin of Dragonborn: Miraak's Story 00:00

"The first Dragonborn lived during the Merethic Era, back when dragons ruled over humanity and dragon priests served as their enforcers."

• Miraak was the first Dragonborn, originally a dragon priest who served the dragons loyally.

• His circumstances changed when he discovered a black book from Hermaeus Mora, which granted him the powerful Bend Will Shout, allowing him to dominate dragons.

• Instead of protecting humanity, Miraak used his abilities to turn against his masters, consuming dragon souls with little regard for his intended divine purpose.

"When the Dragon War broke out and ancient Nord heroes came begging for his help against Alduin, Miraak said, 'No.'"

• He famously declined to assist during the Dragon War against Alduin, prioritizing self-interest over the responsibilities of a Dragonborn.

• His betrayal led to a dramatic confrontation with fellow dragon priest Vahlok, resulting in a catastrophic battle that caused Solstheim to be separated from Skyrim.

"Hermaeus Mora yanked Miraak into Apocrypha, trapping him in a realm of infinite knowledge and zero freedom."

• Ultimately, Miraak was consumed by the very powers he sought to control, becoming trapped in Apocrypha—a realm of eternal knowledge devoid of freedom.

• His rejection of his divine responsibilities led him to a fate where he was enslaved rather than empowered.

The Rise of Saint Alessia 02:30

"Alessia had the blood of a dragon and used it to free everyone else."

• Unlike Miraak, Alessia's Dragonborn status was bestowed upon her through a divine covenant when Akatosh drew blood from his own heart and gave it to her.

• Her mission was to preserve the safety of Tamriel by ensuring her bloodline continued to worship Akatosh, thus preventing Daedric invasions.

"In 1E 242, she launched the Alessian Slave Rebellion against the Ayleids."

• Alessia led a rebellion against the Ayleids, who had enslaved humans for centuries, ultimately declaring herself the first Empress of Cyrodiil after capturing the White Gold Tower.

• Her political acumen was demonstrated when she unified disparate cultures and belief systems by synthesizing multiple pantheons into the eight divines, preventing civil strife.

"On her deathbed, Akatosh himself appeared and bound her soul directly into the Amulet of Kings."

• Alessia became the first human saint, with her soul integrated into the Amulet of Kings, which served as a crucial element in the ongoing protection of Tamriel.

• Her legacy as a Dragonborn set a new standard for future Dragonborn, emphasizing selflessness and service.

The Conquest of Reman Cyrodiil 04:52

"Reman Cyrodiil got his from an invading army that crossed an entire ocean just to find him."

• Reman's Dragonborn status was recognized during an invasion by the Tsaesci warriors of Akavir, who sought him as the chosen one.

• His unifying leadership during a chaotic war enabled him to rally the fractured defense of Cyrodiil against the invaders.

"At the Battle of Pale Pass in 1E 2703, the Akaviri armies heard Reman's voice carry across the battlefield."

• The invaders surrendered en masse to Reman, acknowledging him as Dragonborn, showcasing a unique confirmation of his status unlike previous Dragonborn.

• Following their surrender, Reman integrated the Akaviri warriors into his forces, transforming enemies into allies for his subsequent conquests.

"He founded the Second Empire and annexed High Rock, Skyrim, Valenwood, and the Summerset Isles."

• Reman went on to establish a vast empire that recognized and maintained Alessia's covenant with Akatosh, ensuring that the Dragonfire remained lit and the barrier to Oblivion was upheld.

• He was remembered not just as an Emperor but as a 'Worldly God,' reflecting the divine nature of his accomplishments.

The Ambition of Tiber Septim 08:19

"Tiber Septim looked at the entire continent and said, 'All of it.'"

• Tiber Septim was a unique Dragonborn who aimed for complete domination of Tamriel. While other Dragonborns like Alessia, Reman, and even Tiber's own predecessors had limitations in their achievements, Septim's ambition knew no bounds. He sought to unify the entire continent under one imperial banner.

• His conquests resulted from a combination of military strength, political strategy, and an unprecedented level of personal ambition, which made him stand out compared to other emperors. Through his efforts, he dissolved independent kingdoms that obstructed his path to total unification.

• However, even Tiber Septim faced challenges, particularly with the Summerset Isles, which had historically proven unconquerable. This motivated him to activate the Numidium, a powerful Dwemer construct that symbolized a last resort in his efforts to conquer the Altmer.

The Unification of Tamriel 09:26

"By 2E 896, Tiber Septim had accomplished what zero Dragonborn before him ever managed: the complete unification of every known territory on Tamriel."

• Tiber's success led to the establishment of relative peace and stability for over 400 years, marking the third era of Tamriel's history. His brutal methods, although ruthless, resulted in the longest period of peace recorded in the empire's timeline.

• Upon his death in 3E 38, Tiber Septim underwent apotheosis, transcending mortality to become Talos, the ninth Divine. This made him the only Dragonborn ever to achieve divine status, further elevating his legacy among both mortals and gods.

The Destructive Legacy of Potema Septim 10:44

"Potema didn't just want the Ruby Throne; she wanted everyone between her and it to stop breathing."

• Potema Septim, born to Emperor Pelagius Septim II, embodied ambition and chaos. Rather than fulfilling her divine burden, she instigated the War of the Red Diamond, a brutal 16-year conflict that devastated the Empire and resulted in massive loss of life and destruction.

• As the war turned against her, Potema pivoted to dark practices, specifically necromancy. She became a powerful necromancer, raising vast armies of the undead to continue her fight for the throne.

• Potema never formally claimed the Ruby Throne, but her refusal to concede led to her demise in 3E 137. Even in her death, she attempted to poison the Septim bloodline by passing a sinister pendant to her nephew, Pelagius III, known later as the Mad Emperor. Historians characterize her as purely evil, with no mitigating circumstances.

The Mystery of Mankar Camoran 13:38

"Mankar Camoran is either the most dangerous Dragonborn who ever lived or the greatest fraud in Elder Scrolls history."

• Mankar Camoran, the illegitimate son of Cameron the Usurper, founded the Order of the Mythic Dawn and orchestrated the assassination of Emperor Uriel Septim VII, triggering the Oblivion Crisis. His actions were the most destructive committed by any Dragonborn, paving the way for a Daedric invasion.

• The ambiguity of Camoran’s status as a true Dragonborn complicates his legacy. He possessed the Amulet of Kings, which is only worn by those of dragon blood, yet his intentions were malevolent. This raises the question of whether Akatosh's gift could be misused.

• Depending on how you view Camoran, either he represents a terrifying potential within Dragonborn or suggests the possibility of false Dragonborn created by Daedric Princes to further their aims, thereby challenging the very nature of what it means to be a Dragonborn.

Uriel Septim's Reign and Betrayal 16:45

"Uriel's reign wasn't a golden age; it was a slow, quiet collapse dressed up in imperial robes."

• Uriel Septim ruled from 3E 368 until his assassination in 3E 433, making his reign one of the longest in the history of the Empire at 87 years old.

• Despite the appearance of stability, his rule marked the beginning of a decline within the Empire, beginning with the betrayal from Jagar Tharn, his Imperial Battlemage, in 3E 389.

• Tharn used magic to imprison Uriel while he impersonated the emperor for ten years, leading to the deterioration of the Empire’s structure initiated by Tiber Septim.

• While Uriel tried to restore order upon his return to power, including releasing the Nerevarine and reasserting Imperial authority, the damage inflicted during Tharn’s rule could not be easily repaired.

The Assassination and the Oblivion Crisis 17:52

"In 3E 433, a Daedric cult dedicated to Mehrunes Dagon assassinated Uriel Septim the Seventh alongside every single one of his known heirs."

• The coordinated assassination eliminated the legitimate Septim bloodline, culminating in a catastrophic event where the barrier between Tamriel and Oblivion broke.

• The Oblivion Crisis began with Daedra pouring into Tamriel, resulting from the absence of a Dragonborn emperor capable of lighting the dragonfires.

Martin Septim: The Last Heir 18:21

"Martin briefly became the last Septim emperor... and then Martin was gone."

• Martin Septim, an illegitimate son hidden away in a chapel, was unaware of his heritage until the crisis unfolded.

• He temporarily took on the role of emperor and utilized the Amulet of Kings’ power to confront the Daedric threat, ultimately sacrificing himself to solidify Akatosh’s dominance.

• His actions saw him become the Avatar of Akatosh, able to repel Mehrunes Dagon but leading to the amulet’s destruction and the extinguishing of the dragonfires, thus ending the divine protection over Tamriel.

The Last Dragonborn's Challenge 19:30

"The last Dragonborn had nothing... just a prophecy carved into Alduin's wall and a date with the end of the world."

• Two centuries later, the last Dragonborn arose amidst the chaos of Alduin's return, the World-Eater having been thrust forward in time.

• This unknown hero, initially executed, interrupted by Alduin’s arrival, relied on learned abilities from witnessing the past to overcome the present.

• The last Dragonborn sought to defeat Alduin using the ancient shout Dragonrend, a method necessary to confront dragons who thrived on immortality, an effort that ultimately required time travel to acquire.

The Cycle of Dragonborns 23:00

"Akatosh blessed the first mortal with dragon blood, and that mortal said no. Thousands of years later, he blessed another, and that one said yes."

• The narrative of the Dragonborn stretches back thousands of years, with Miraak refusing his divine purpose and allowing humanity to suffer.

• In contrast, the last Dragonborn embodies the purest form of Akatosh’s intention—protecting the world without political ambition or institutional backing, thus concluding a cyclical history of divine burden and choice.

• This new hero, unyielding against inevitable doom, ultimately illustrates the defining essence of what it means to be Dragonborn.