What's the deal with this guys? Why are they running amok? Are they cursed? Do the dead just raise up in droves on a regular basis? Are they merely pissed that their graves are being disturbed? Is there some kind of instability among the dead because of the coming of Alduin?

And are they evil? Is there is some kind of ancient soul selling tale that we don't know about yet... Hell, even their armor is filed under "Daedric" (unless that's just a terrible oversight). We're led to believe all of these Nords, including their God, Shor, are the good guys.. but I'm not really sure. I wish there was an option to let Alduin ruin the afterlife, and see how that'd pan out. Y'know.. just to get some answers.

Some of them are batteries for Dragon Priests, others are just the restless dead. And there are no good guys, 'cept Martin.

There's a text in-game called http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Amongst_the_Draugr that might help.

In Bloodmoon: Once, they were warriors much like the Skaal. Trapped and hungry on this island, they feasted on the flesh of their fallen comrades, which is a crime against nature. The All-Maker cursed them with undeath, forever doomed to walk the land in search of more of the flesh of man to consume. — Korst Wind-Eye

Well, it's funny that the most common enemy doesn't really have a backstory or explanation. Usually an "unrest" or outbreak of something in games is touched on a little.

edit: Ah, PeteAtoms.. Cool quote. Thanks.

I know Forelhost points to some nefarious deeds among the Nords there, but not sure that explains all of them.

On a sidenote, quoting Korst Windeye brings up another curious thing about the Skaal. Shor plays a sinister role in their pantheon, if I recall. The All Maker is a dragon, I think.