When were dragons out and about before Skyrim? : The Elder Scrolls Series Discussion

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:05 am

If there's already a thread for this, please redirect me. I'm sure I'm not the first to ask about this.

I used to be big on lore, but I never read anything about dragons. As far as I can remember, the only mentions of it was Akatosh being one and M'Aiq saying they just fly very high.
Yet the new GameInformer, plus mentions of it in the teaser trailer, reveal that they've been in Nirn before and were cast out by something, so long ago that all the events from Arena to Oblivion were appetizers to Dragons coming back.

Maybe this was buried with tiber Septim coming to power. I never really read into that.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:22 pm

Tiber Septim counted on the dragon Nafaalilargus as a loyal soldier. (during the game redguard, Cyrus killed Nafaalilargus in a treasure room)

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:49 pm

... Well, that's a funny name. Were many dragons present during the times of Tiber Septim?

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:00 pm

... Well, that's a funny name. Were many dragons present during the times of Tiber Septim?

Only dragon I can think of that is contemporary to Tiber Septim is Nafaalilargus. There's also mention of Sir Amiel (the original KOTN leader) and his band of Knights killing some wyrm. Check the prophet's speech for the exact quote, and if I'm not mistaken, Sir Amiel is contemporary with the war of the Red Diamond. There's also mention of dragon riders in the game Battlespire, specifically, that the Battlespire had a contingent of dragons and dragon riders.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:45 am

There's hardly any info about dragons in established lore... I would imagine what little there is will be retconned for the most part. Which I have no problem with.

» Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:24 am

I say before the Nords forsook Tamriel for Atmora, assuming that even happened this side of the Kalpa (but I think it did).

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:43 pm

... Well, that's a funny name.

MK just posted some of his own unique storytelling in another thread and apparently there are other similar sounding Dragon names like Daahnaarlilagus and Alleirisughus.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:03 am

Dragons were quite prevalent during Tiber Septim's time.

From the Pocket Guide to the Empire, 1st Edition: "Above them are the merchant-nobility, the temple priests and cult leaders, and the age-old aristocracy of the battlemages. The Emperor watches over them all from the towers of the Imperial City, as dragons circle overhead."

The better question is where did they all go?

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:17 am

Read the book "The Mysterious Akavir" The book says the Dragons were killed off during a war on that continent. Nords also had a habit of killing off Dragons in Argonia, according to "Tamrielic Lore" in the story about the Fang of Haynekhtnamet.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:01 pm

MK just posted some of his own unique storytelling in another thread and apparently there are other similar sounding Dragon names like Daahnaarlilagus and Alleirisughus.

He's obviously more creative than whoever came up with Alduin. I'm guessing Todd didn't like the... 'ring' of traditional dragon names.

The better question is where did they all go?

It's all quite simple, really. From The Thirty-Six Lessons of Vivec: Sermon Thirty-Six:
Each of the aspects of the ALMSIVI then rose up together, combining as one, and showed the world the sixth path. Ayem took from the star its fire, Seht took from it its mystery, and Vehk took from it its feet, which had been constructed before the gift of Molag Bal and destroyed in the manner of truth: by a great hammering. When the soul of the Dwemer could walk no more, they were picked up by Dragons descending from clouds. The Dwemer and the Dragons departed this world unto cake.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:46 pm

He's obviously more creative than whoever came up with Alduin.

...Which would be MK, probably. The first Alduin references appear in Varieties of Faith and in Songs of King Wulfharth, both MK texts.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:48 pm

He's obviously more creative than whoever came up with Alduin.

I assume Alduin is the Nord version of his name. Amongst dragons he might have another name.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:18 pm

It's all quite simple, really. From The Thirty-Six Lessons of Vivec: Sermon Thirty-Six:
Each of the aspects of the ALMSIVI then rose up together, combining as one, and showed the world the sixth path. Ayem took from the star its fire, Seht took from it its mystery, and Vehk took from it its feet, which had been constructed before the gift of Molag Bal and destroyed in the manner of truth: by a great hammering. When the soul of the Dwemer could walk no more, they were picked up by Dragons descending from clouds. The Dwemer and the Dragons departed this world unto cake.

One problem, the dwemer disapeared in 1E668.
The dragons were still around in 2E864 (1st Pocket Guide).

According to MK and the Pocket Guide there were still dragons 3116 years after the Dwemer Disappeared.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:52 am

I suppose Alduin being a Nordic word would make sense. If that is the case, I wonder what his real name is.

One problem, the dwemer disapeared in 1E668.
The dragons were still around in 2E864 (1st Pocket Guide).

According to MK and the Pocket Guide there were still dragons 3116 years after the Dwemer Disappeared.

It was a triple Dragon Break.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:22 pm

Read the book "The Mysterious Akavir" The book says the Dragons were killed off during a war on that continent.

I think those are different dragons than the ones featured in Skyrim.

@ MK: Akavir. TES VI: Return of the Tiger Dragon. :tongue: Even though it contradicts that ^^

@ Naa: Alduinilagus. :teehee:

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 3:45 pm

Dragons used to hang out at Vvardenfell, until the place got overran by (the hateful) cliff racers.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 6:52 pm

One problem, the dwemer disapeared in 1E668.
The dragons were still around in 2E864 (1st Pocket Guide).

According to MK and the Pocket Guide there were still dragons 3116 years after the Dwemer Disappeared.

Protip: The Sermons of Vivec curiously lack the work 'cake.' And probably 'dragons' as well.

When the Nords/GameInformer talk about dragons running around in the past, it was associated by another abortive midnight snack by Alduin. So that's quite distinct from a few mercenary worms in Akaviri and Imperial service or wild ones living in the mountains.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:36 am

It's no wonder the Tribunal and their religion ultimately failed. I don't want any part of a religion with no cake.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:33 pm

Protip: The Sermons of Vivec curiously lack the work 'cake.'

On the other hand, it's found in http://www.imperial-library.info/content/morrowind-progress-truth:

9. Cake. Give it to us.
While the Dissident Priests acknowledge that the Tribunal prefer their yummy, baked treats in pie form, notably of the marshmerrow and ash yam varietes, the Dissident Priests believe that this policy of cakelessness is a grievous error that must be rectified immediately. The Dissident Priests will accept the following varieties of cake, in order of preference: cheesecake, mudcake and/or sponge cake. Carrot cake is also acceptable, but only in the event that all other varieties of cakes are unavailable for the foreseeable future.

» Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:37 am

In Daggerfall, Dragonlings were rare but not extremely rare. They usually only showed up in quests. I remember a mages guild quest where a boy found an egg in a cave, brought it home and it hatched a dragonling and the player had to go kill it...no sign of advlt dragons in Daggerfall though.

» Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:59 am

The Tribunal Temple maintained that the Cake is a lie, until their ultimate collapse with the Apotheosis of Martin Septim, which saw most of the old Temples in Morrowind converted into "Akatosh's Magical Spaceship Journey" amusemant parks with cake vendor stalls everywhere.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:17 pm

I can't source it but isn't there an in-game text about a hero who repelled an invasion with the aid of a Dragon?

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:20 pm

I believe your looking for this book http://www.imperial-library.info/content/daggerfall-story-lysirius

» Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:43 am

I'm sure we'll learn a lot more when TES V comes out.

» Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:02 pm

I believe your looking for this book http://www.imperial-library.info/content/daggerfall-story-lysirius

That's the one! Thanks.