They obviously are intelligent, they have their own language, so as intellectual beings you should be able to befriend them somehow, maybe you could approach a lair cautiously, put down some special items gems, gold, meat, or flowers and creep away. and eventually (and several thousand in gifts) you could approach one. this would make it a trade-off. Either defeat it and absorb its power or chose to befriend it. The friendship would be precarious at first, snapping at you when you get too close or startle it but the rewards eventually would be greater than svcking its soul (or whatever thats called). The benefits would include air combat, extremely fast travel, fame (I mean if you ride a dragon you've got to be pretty awesome), gifts from it, and just the plain joy of riding a freaking dragon. Also, befriending the dragon to a certain degree could have it grant you special powers, similar to those you would gain from defeating it. Another, quicker, cheaper, approach would be to defeat it but hold the final blow, starting the relationship. Or a dangerous approach, steal an egg, and wait for it to hatch. This could lead to problems later on though, specifically when the mother finds you. depending on how intelligent Bethesda chooses to portray dragons, this could test the dragons loyalty, or just result in a battle with a very angry mother. there could be other, more unique ways of aquiring dragons, such as having one being left on your doorstep by a dragon for some reason or another.

They're on a mission to destroy the world. What time do they have for friendship?

No, I don't want Skyrim to be "How to Train Your Alduin".

No. You will not be able to befriend dragons. They're here to kill everyone and destroy the world. That includes you.

eh sure you go try to befriend a 2 ton fire breathing flying reptile tell us how it goes

Its probably too far along in the development (probably) but that would be a cool feature in a future game

Elder Scrolls: Kicking your balls because ive got a dragon on my side

I don't think these dragons have lairs and treasure hoards - they have come to Skyrim from somewhere distant or out of deep hibernation in th mountains, and they did so to [censored] [censored] up. You are likely going to HAVE to kill them, or at least stop them. This does beg the question how one of your shouts will call a dragon to fight for you, so there might be some sort of agreement later on, unless the dragon your shout calls is purely an avatar of one of the dragons you slew previously.

They are not mindlessly killing, they are killing with a purpose.

Befriending dragons would ruin the feel of the game, in my opinion. It takes away from their appearance as horrific engines of destruction if they display kindness. Slaying them isn't nearly as epic or heroic if you can just hang out with them.

But they do.

I just think that as intellectual beings they should be capable of something other than mindless killing. they have a language, their not zombies. And of course not Alduin Hes crazy pissed maybe you could steal an egg... I mean seriously if he can destroy existence or whatever I totally want on of his kids on my side

Intelligence =/= Morals/Mercy

Just look at HAL 9000. "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."

I think they will be intelligent, and you may be able to speak with one or two (probably main quest related). But befriend one? Doubtful, although I think in the GI article something was said about a Dragonshout to call a dragon ally so I'm thinking some kind of temporary summon, if anything. To the OP: If you are on PC, wait for a mod. I'm sure one that makes all dragons friendly will be out in a week after launch. If you are on a console, then http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=how+to+train+your+dragon+game&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=18096286151401558741&sa=X&ei=KBOpTeSVGYnkiALzx73vDA&ved=0CEAQ8wIwBA#

Not to be mean, but this is pretty much the only place you get to play with friendly dragons.

(THat was a mistake)
This isnt a full blown buisness proposition i havent got a storyboard over here (okay maybe I do) its just a concept and a few suggestions
Im sure Bethesda could work it out

I would really like to befriend a dragon maybe it could be like a defect you know like an optimist or a pacifist or something.

Just wait for someone to make a mod for it, because the developers have confirmed you'll be fighting dragons, not making friends with them.

It might not be out of place to be able to get quests from a dragon or to though. Maybe one wants you to retrieve a powerful item to advance it's goals in some sort of dragon intrigue. Wouldn't hurt to have a little interaction with them outside of combat.

there must be some kind of ancient magic scroll very hard to find very hard to get to, that will make the dragon listen to you. this is my personal opinion.

If they are intelligent they must have mercy/respect/feelings, such is a basic fact
if taken stone cold serious this is a lame idea but add a little humor:
select action: compliment
"ooh you look quite nice today"
"thats very nice of you cheeseburger,err, I mean adventurer"

Wasn't a dragon shout that summons a dragon to aid you in battle confirmed?

Calling something a "fact" when you only have knowledge of one actual intelligent species isn't very sound reasoning.

Maybe there could be a special quest to earn the respect of a dragon or two, maybe a sub-story line available after you defeat Alduin(is that right?) concerning the remaining dragon population and their attempts at peace after they abandon their "destroy everything" plan.

^ this...

That, and it isn't even a fact. :blink:

Why is Alduin so pissed any way?