According to what little is known, Alduin doesn't have anything resembling a deep motive. It's simply hungry. Could be the work of Alduin worshipers though. That's the way it usually plays out.

He was a skooma cook. And a pimp.

According to the dutch magazine, you witness "yourself" get executed. So maybe it is a look-alike, but it seems that someone gets killed.



Correct me if I'm misunderstanding this, but isn't the Dragonborn the only one who can defeat Alduin? So he has an interest in having all the dragonborns wiped out.

You are probably escorted from the prison to the gallows (or relevent execution device), and just as you are about to be executed, an opposing Nordic factions springs your escape

For my three characters...

1. Nord Warrior: Got drunk and attacked the count.
2. Dunmer Mage: Accidently destroyed the guard barracks with a faulty spell. :wink_smile:
3. Argonian Assassin: I think this one is pretty obvious.

Ugh, I just had a horrible, horrible thought: If we see our own execution, does that mean that the game exists in the past, and there will be a definite ending?

Well the guy who did the translations for us said that they don't clarify if the the execution is completed or not.


Setting up a fraction to be on your side while the other one is trying to kill you will be the wrong way to go about this IMO. In that case, they might as well not have civil war. The civil war angle is a chance for a good, meaningful, choice and some more complex politics/world. They'd be butchering it with such an implementation.

It's possible, but I think the "story-within-a-story" plot device is unlikely for two reasons:

(1) It's already been revealed in GI that you start the game as a prisoner; and

(2) it would be a bit too similar to the Dragon Age 2 plot structure.

Stole a Fishy Stick from Captain Eldrad.

Yeah, it seems likely that the PC offended a noble in some way.

I agree that it would seem to make the civil war overly facile and not an interesting choice regarding which side to support.

However, if the devs managed to weave a compelling story with fascinating NPCs and enough twists and turns by the end of the main quest to make you actually consider teaming up with the faction that tried to have you executed, now THAT would be pretty amazing.

Thank you for ruining my day. :stare:

Yeah heaven forgive we spoil the start of the game before you even umm... start it?

I would have to say it was to keep you safe. Make everyone think you died.

Public urination on noble's breakfest.

I shot the sheriff.

Hmm...interesting.This proves that Skyrim will be darker and more violent.

When I think of execution=Beheading with great battle axe!

You fought the law, and the law won.

That little spoiler also rules out the "accidentally touched a spoon in a shop" theory.

Maybe someone with a lot of political power tries to get rid of you to avert the Dovakiin prophecy?
It's a little cliché, but at least it's a better plot-hook than "Hey, I know you from my dreams: here bring this amulet Jauffrey. I'm going to die now *aargh*"

I approve of all musical references in this thread.

They'd also have to solve the problem of the faction considering to team up with you. And how can they do the teaming up thing if they're teaming up with Alduin? It's either they're insane and want the end of the world, or the other side is insane and they oppose Alduin when they should be doing something else. In any case, combined with the main quest, it brings a white/black spectrum that makes it hard to move in. In general I'm not opposed to the black/white spectrum, in fact I like it, but civil war can be so much more.

I guess with enough writing it can be good, but it's a risky way to do it if you ask me, especially because it would start getting you involved in one of the factions right from the beginning. It wouldn't give you the chance to wonder around a bit as neutral first.

Perhaps the player is held responsible (somehow accused of) for the king's murder. Seeing as we know very little of the story, this might fit.

Well, it depends. Our modern society considers murder one of the worst crimes possible. Other, older societies might not agree. Death sentences were handed out rather liberally in Britain during the middle ages, and I think they regarded offences towards property as just as bad as offences against another persons life. Stealing could easily lead you to the gallows. So it depends on the laws in Skyrim (the region, not necessarily nordic - and that's IF you actually have been sentenced, and aren't just being summarily executed without any sentencing.)

But, then again, moral views in TES tend to correspond at least somewhat with todays views in our world - pickpocketing/shoplifting is naughty, armed robbery is bad, and murder is a big no-no. My guess is we either won't be told, or it will be in relation to the ongoing civil war. Probably an unlawful execution.

Or the execution could trigger the choice of sides. Join us, or we'll execute you. Refuse, and the other side rescues you in the nick of time.

Way to post a spoiler in the title of your post. When will people learn.

I'm quite sure there won't be any factions teaming up with Alduin. The civil war is just the final sign of Alduins return, it isn't about him or his little project. I'm quite certain the game will play along the lines of 1) civil war breaks out, 2) dragons start to cause havoc 3) warring factions decide to postpone fighting to deal with new dragon threat 4) hero defeats dragon, previous warring factions agree on some sort of compromise 5) everyone gathers at the mead hall to get drunk

He posted a blatant spoiler without any warning in the topic title.