In Kynesgrove, I met up with Delphine and we approached as Alduin raised his buddy from the dragon mound. I'd done it all before, so I charged in as soon as Sahloknir started to "form."

I noticed during and after that fight that, when I draw or sheathe my battleaxe, there is this noticeable... visual glitch. It's a dark-colored oddly-shaped particle, about the size of my character's hand, that seems attached to the axe handle. Sorta looks like the flecks of dragon skin that were re-forming as Sahloknir got raised by Alduin.

I also notice it when I block or make power attacks with the axe, or any 2-handed weapon. So it's super annoying.

I reloaded from before attacking Sahloknir, but it seems the glitch is still there.

The only thing that 'fixes' it is if I swap my armor - specifically, I'm wearing Ahzidal's Armor of Retribution. If I put on another armor set, the glitch is gone.

So, maybe this is just an issue with that armor set? That would be unfortunate, since I"ve been building toward that armor since the beginning of this character.

In any case, has anyone experienced such a thing? Any ideas for a fix?

I think because of running scripts and what not during this sequence it is best to wait until he is fully... birthed.

I myself ran in to attack him while he was being birthed and as I recall, Alduin joined the fun while talking still at the same time. I think I ended up having to load from a previous save.

Hmm. What problem did you encounter - Alduin actually fought you, and since he was invincible, you were unable to progress?

The thing is, I've tried reloading previous saves - I pick up that specific armor set again, and the bug appears. I'm wondering if it's just an issue with using that armor and a 2-handed weapon, but I haven't been able to find any record of such a thing online.

I've tried it. Sahlokniir turn hostile immediately and start the battle and Alduin didn't continue his speech and flee.

Yeah, in my case Alduin just went away after I attacked Sahloknir; there didn't seem to be any lasting implications.

I guess I'm not the only one experiencing this graphical glitch, though. Found this on UESP: http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim_talk:Skyforge

Since Ahzidal's Armor is a form of the Ancient Nord armor, I'm guessing that's what I'm dealing with here.

Argh. It's too much to hope for, but does anyone know of a fix?