“Bloodlines” – from Remastered Version of Beyond Skyrim Bruma – All rights for this audio belong to Daniel Ran
“Skyrim lies king less and bleeding. From the Jerall mountains will come a hero. She will ride with the echoes of her past calling forward when dragons return. She will rise to face the meeting of her destiny, not alone, but with one who hails from Helgen on the day that legends live again, and the world eater threatens all of Tamriel. “
Dragonborn, what is it to be so empowered with that title? The lore states that Akatosh, the Father of Dragons, first Aedra, and chief of the Divines chooses who to bless the blood of the Dragonkind. There are those that claim the Dragonborn are themselves fragments of Akatosh's soul and share this status with Alduin and possibly all of those that are of the race of dragons.
Then there are references to this title being a blessing received from Akatosh, where as a mortal is blessed with the blood and soul of the race of dragons.
Those that are dragons from birth, fear the Dragonborn as they have the extraordinary ability to absorb their knowledge and sever their souls thus ending their immortality.
The first known Dragonborn was Miraak, a dragon priest of the Merethic Era who attempted unsuccessfully to revolt against his masters. That is a story for another time as the title itself is most often associated with the "Dragonborn Emperors" of Tamriel.
They who were a result of a divine covenant with Akatosh to maintain the barriers between Mundus, the world of man, and Oblivion, the plane of existence for the Daedra with at least sixteen major planes with each ruled over by one of the Daedric Princes.
Of course those were just the major realms within Oblivion as it was documented that over thirty seven thousand other planes , including chaos realms and pocket realities also existed. To understand Oblivion is to consider the existence of a different universe or dimension.
Returning to the subject of the "Dragonborn Emperors"; from the liturgy of the Re-Kindling of the Dragon Fires, the quote states; "So long as the Blood of the Dragon runs strong in her rulers, the glory of the Empire shall extend in unbroken years."
Few would understand that the title stretched back to Saint Alessia, who founded the Cyrodilic Empire in the First Era as a result of a covenant with Akatosh. He imbued Alessia's line with blood from his own heart, initiating a sacred compact which kept the Dragon Fires lit and Oblivion's influence barred from Mundus. This would remain true so long as those of the Dragon Blood wore the Amulet of Kings.
The Amulet of Kings was a pendant worn by the ruling emperor of Cyrodiil. In its center was the Chim-el Adabal, also known as the Red Diamond, a huge soul gem of Ayleid origin. It was held in a golden clasp surrounded by eight smaller gems that represented the Eight Divines of the original Cyrodilic pantheon, created by Queen Alessia. It served as a symbol of the divine right and covenant of the Dragonborn Emperors.
There is a poem that reads:
"Dragonborn, Dragonborn, by his honor is sworn, To keep evil forever at bay, And the fiercest foes rout when they hear triumph's shout, Dragonborn, for your blessing we pray."
"From the Songs of Skyrim, a compilation of popular songs and poems by Giraud Gemaine, Historian of the Bards College, Solitude, the capital of Skyrim."
The Dragonborn plays a prominent role in the legends of the Nords. It is unknown how many Dragonborn have arisen over the course of history. However, the Greybeards of High Hrothgar, those who practiced the values of the "Way of the Voice" warned that many of them met their downfall because of their arrogance. This arrogance said to have been born from the ease in which they could use the thu'um or dragon speech causing many of them to lead to violent use of it.
In 4E 201 the dragons return and with it the emergence of the first Dragonborn since Tiber Septim. It is said they were to be in fulfillment of an ancient Akaviri prophecy, known as the Prophecy of the Dragonborn, the title of "The Last Dragonborn" would be bore by that person as it was stated they would defeat Alduin, the first born of the race of Dragons who Alduin created to become known as "The World Eater".
The adventurer thought to themself while continuing to walk towards the three standing stones, “What were the Thalmor doing in Riverwood area? What has happened to bring them so far south from their embassy north of Solitude, the capital hold of Skyrim?” Their musing continued as they came upon the three standing stones; Thief, Mage, and Warrior and absently rested their hand on the Warrior Stone.
The stone began to vibrate upon their touch. There was a bright light that formed within its core that then shot to the heavens cracking with the power of something hidden within it. Not totally surprised by this considering the Nords believe their fates could be changed by using one of the thirteen known standing stones found throughout Skyrim.
Stepping onto the road from the stone that had been formed when the three standing stones were created. The adventurer walked to just before Embershard Mine and saw the old Barrow far across the White River standing there high upon a minor mountain nearby outlining the sky with its carved statues from ancient times.
Turning, they closed their eyes briefly and felt the hum of the stone. Every time the adventurer was in the vicinity of this barrow there was this feeling the arose within them, as if something inside it was calling out to them in some ancient tongue. Here the adventurer stood with the winds blowing down, the water racing away towards Riverwood and beyond, and the barrow behind.
Thinking to themself, “It is said that it was once home of one of the ancient Dragon Priest that existed in the first era of that age, when Dragons still dotted the sky. They were said to have been sealed away for using the sacred fires of the priests of Kyne. It was also thought, that only one with the blood of a Dragon could truly slay a Dragon Priest. “
Pausing then, letting the wind chill their exposed facial skin, the adventurer thought, “A person speaking in the tongue of the ancient Dragons, it was supposedly something that had been done a long time ago, but it sounded like nonsense. I mean a human who can speak with the power of the Dragons of old, imagine that!”
Turning then, the adventurer walked down the road a bit more before stopping to rest a moment. To let their eyes absorb the mysteries of this ancient land. Closing their eyes a moment, their thoughts continued, “Many believed the dead still served their ancient masters; both priests and dragons alike in those places.” There was a sudden whisper in that ancient tongue, “Fus” whispered through their mind, at least, that is what they thought was heard.
It stirred their blood and sent a wave of belonging through them. Pausing, then thought, “I should be continuing my way back to Riverwood. The old abandoned mine had rumors that bandits were using it to collect the treasures they had gotten from travelers who had come along this road and been unfortunate enough to become their next victim.
The adventurer walked down towards the town of Riverwood. They knew it wasn’t far now keeping their senses high for any movement coming from behind them and up towards the mine.
As a bend in the road became near where the ridge on the right- side rose up towards a cliff face, the adventurer could now hear a running movement, and their hand went to their sword held in a sheath strapped to their back. They did not pull it but watched with senses alert. There, a huntress was seen coming towards them from the general area of the base of the cliff line.
As she neared the location, she called out, “Help, could you please provide some assistance.” The adventurer stopped and relaxed their grip on the handle of the sword. She came to a stop up the hillside a little and waited. Thinking to themself, “She’s trying to demonstrate she meant no harm but taking a neutral position. I’ll go up and speak to her, she seemed generally concerned about something.”
The adventurer closed the distance between them and came close enough for them to find out why she sounded so urgent about something. As they drew near her, it was noticed she was attractive, had auburn hair, pretty eyes that sparkled with intelligence and wit.” Thinking to themself, “she was also in good shape from her days spent in the woods for the adventurer had noticed her huntress outfit.
Musing, “there something else here, a sense of connection to her, there was an inner sense she felt it too.” Smiling inwardly, “you know, there are times when you just connect without words ever being spoken to someone.” As they met there in the foothills of the mountains, she greeted them and began to talk.
“Please, I don’t know who you are or what your purpose is for this day, but I really could use your help.” Their eyes met briefly, then she continued, “I was doing some hunting for small game, when I heard what sounded like a small clash coming from up on that ridge.” She pointed upwards towards the upper ridge that could be seen above them. “
She paused a moment, then continued, “She was in a fight. She lost her balance when one of them struck her. She saved herself by allowing herself to fall. This likely cushioned her because of the trees and the thick blanket of grasses that grow close to the cliffsides. Would you please follow me and lend a hand, I can’t do this on my own?”
She paused and waited for my response, “Who was she in a fight with?” Her eyes glinted with consideration at that moment, but she must have determined something about the adventurer and said, “The Thalmor, I know what you’re likely thinking, do I really want to get myself involved with a Thalmor incident?”
Thinking a moment but before being able to respond she blurted out with her eyes beginning to pool with tears, “Please, she will likely die without our help. I have a small camp out on the lake, if I can get your help to get her there, we might be able to save her.”
At that point they committed then told her, “Let’s go, lead me to where she is.” She responded, “I can’t tell you how much this means to me. I don’t know why, but I feel something is important about this girl. That we need to do all we can to save her if we can?”
