Alduin, the World-Eater and firstborn of Akatosh, is a mighty dragon whose return signifies the end of the world in Elder Scrolls lore. As the harbinger of the apocalypse, Alduin’s arrival in Skyrim sets into motion the events of The Elder Scrolls V, in which the player character – the Dragonborn – rises up to defeat him. But what if Alduin never returned to Skyrim? What would happen if this apocalyptic dragon stayed away? Let’s explore some possibilities.
No dragon attacks
Without Alduin’s return, there would be no dragon attacks across Skyrim. Settlements like Helgen would remain intact instead of being destroyed by Alduin and his cohorts. The people of Skyrim could live their lives without fear of seemingly random dragon assaults, and would not need to hide in terror whenever a dragon’s shadow passes overhead. Farmers could work their fields and travelers walk the roads without worrying about deadly fiery breath from above.
No civil war escalation
Although tensions were already high between the Imperials and Stormcloaks vying for control of Skyrim, Alduin’s arrival escalated the conflict. The dragons stirred up chaos that contributed to increasing violence between the warring factions. Without dragon attacks ramping up turmoil in the land, its possible the civil war may have continued on at its previous level rather than intensifying. While petty squabbles over territory and religion would likely persist, perhaps the situation would not have deteriorated into all out bloody civil war across Skyrim.
Blades remain obscure
The return of the dragons prompted the secretive Blades faction to emerge from hiding and take a more active role in Skyrim events. They recruited the Dragonborn to their cause of defeating Alduin and the dragons. However, without the threat of Alduin, the Blades likely would have remained obscure and avoided intervening directly in the province. The Blades’ expertise on matters related to the dragons would remain unutilized without the catalyst of Alduin’s re-emergence.
Greybeards continue solitary study
The Greybeards called the Dragonborn to High Hrothgar to fulfill the prophecy of the Last Dragonborn defeating Alduin. This brought the usually isolated and quiet order of monks into the larger realm of Skyrim affairs. Without Alduin’s return, the Greybeards would have had no cause to call the Dragonborn, or any reason to involve themselves in the outside world. They likely would have continued to silently meditate and study the Way of the Voice in seclusion atop their mountain.
Thieves Guild trouble continues
While the Thieves Guild already had internal struggles before Alduin’s arrival, the dragon attacks provided a helpful distraction for their criminal activities. With no dragons wreaking havoc, the authorities of Skyrim would have more resources to crack down on the Thieves Guild. Their operations likely would have faced more interference without dragon chaos drawing attention away from their thieving. However, the Guild’s penchant for getting into trouble would probably persist regardless of Alduin.
No journey to Sovngarde
Alduin’s soul snaring of mortals granted the Dragonborn access to the Nord underworld of Sovngarde, where great heroes go after death. There they could learn the Shout needed to defeat Alduin. Without the need to confront Alduin, the Dragonborn would have no cause to enter Sovngarde and meet these legendary heroes who otherwise remain unseen. The mysteries of Sovngarde would stay concealed without the events of Alduin’s return.
What changes for key characters?
How might the destinies of key characters in Skyrim change if Alduin did not come back? Let’s consider some possibilities.
The Last Dragonborn
As the prophesied Last Dragonborn, the player character is uniquely gifted with the dragon blood and ability to permanently kill dragons. Without Alduin’s return, they may never realize their special powers or mythical destiny to stop the World-Eater. They could live out their life never unlocking their true cosmic importance in the Elder Scrolls universe. Fate may have produced the Last Dragonborn, but without Alduin, their true purpose goes unknown.
Paarthurnax
The wise dragon master Paarthurnax, leader of the Greybeards, helped the Dragonborn learn to defeat Alduin. Without this need, he likely would have continued meditating silently on the Throat of the World. His insights into the dragon language and Way of the Voice could remain undiscovered by mortals. His past history as Alduin’s lieutenant may also stay buried without interventions of prophecy forcing him to help stop his old master.
Arngeir
As speaker for the Greybeards, Arngeir taught the Dragonborn and acted as a guide through their quests related to the dragons. Without Alduin, Arngeir would maintain his solitary and quiet ways up on High Hrothgar. The old monk would have no cause to reluctantly bend the rules of isolation to assist the Last Dragonborn. His meditations would remain undisturbed by outside affairs.
Delphine
The stubborn Delphine served as guide for the Blades and pressed the Dragonborn to fulfill destiny by defeating Alduin. If not for Alduin’s return, she may have continued scheming obscurely to revive the Blades. However, she would have remained more mysterious without becoming an active mentor for the Dragonborn. Her part in prophecy and interacting with the Greybeards would not have occurred.
Esbern
Alduin’s reappearance jolted Esbern, archivist for the Blades, into helping the Dragonborn. Without Alduin, he likely would have continued hiding from the Thalmor quietly while studying dragon lore in obscurity. His vast knowledge of prophecy and dragon history would have gone unused without the events of Skyrim to pull him into action.
Arngeir
As speaker for the Greybeards, Arngeir aided and guided the Dragonborn while maintaining the isolation of High Hrothgar. Without Alduin’s return, he would have no cause to reluctantly assist the Dragonborn or make exceptions to the rules of seclusion followed by the Greybeards. Arngeir could continue meditating on the Voice undisturbed by outside affairs.
Ulfric Stormcloak
The rebellious Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric’s bid to become High King was boosted by the chaos of Alduin’s attacks. With no dragon menace, his uprising may have stalled or progressed at a slower pace. However, his ambition and hatred of the Empire would likely remain. But his path to power could have been more difficult without dragons threatening Skyrim.
General Tullius
As leader of Imperial forces in Skyrim, Tullius struggled to maintain control over the province as rebellion grew. Alduin’s return made his job harder by diverting troops and resources. Without dragon attacks, he may have been able to focus more on countering the Stormcloak uprising. However, the strong-willed General would still have his hands full trying to manage the volatile political situation in Skyrim.
Jarl Balgruuf
The Jarl of Whiterun tried to keep his city neutral in the civil war. But Alduin’s attacks forced him to side with the Empire. Without the dragon threat, Balgruuf may have been able to preserve Whiterun’s independence from the conflict. Yet pressures from the warring factions would still weigh on him as an important ruler in Skyrim’s central hub.
How are major factions impacted?
The major factions holding power in Skyrim could see their fortunes shift without Alduin’s disruptive influence. Here are some possible effects:
The Empire
Alduin’s return added to the chaos undermining Imperial control in Skyrim. With the dragons gone, the Empire may have been able to better consolidate its forces against the Stormcloak rebellion. However, resentment of Imperial rule would remain strong in many holds, fueling ongoing tension and conflict in the land regardless of Alduin.
The Stormcloaks
The Stormcloak rebellion sought to drive Imperial forces from Skyrim and restore traditional Nord ways. Alduin’s attacks helped their cause by diverting and weakening Imperial troops. Without dragon mayhem, the Stormcloaks may have faced more pushback. Yet Ulfric would likely continue his uprising, though possibly hampered without help from dragon chaos.
The Blades
Without Alduin, the secretive Blades would have no opportunity to emerge from hiding. Their agenda of reviving dragon-slaying traditions and promoting the Dragonborn’s destiny would be moot with no World-Eater to fight. They likely would have remained obscure rather than playing a key role advising the Dragonborn.
The Greybeards
The arrival of Alduin compelled the normally isolated Greybeards to selectively break their silence and help guide the Dragonborn. With no such cause, High Hrothgar would have remained remote and disconnected from Skyrim’s events. The Greybeards’ meditations on the Voice would continue undisturbed without Alduin’s intrusion.
The Companions
As a respected warrior group in Skyrim, the Companions were impacted by Alduin’s attacks which killed many fighters across the land and created instability. Without dragon assaults, they may not have gained renown assisting victims and refocusing their efforts on the new threat. They likely would have continued their existing rivalries and clan disputes instead.
The College of Winterhold
The mages at the College of Winterhold took interest in the return of dragons and their magical connections to Skyrim’s history. However, without Alduin, the College would have maintained a more scholarly focus without deviation into supernatural matters associated with prophecy and the World-Eater. Their isolationist tendencies likely would have endured.
The Thieves Guild
The Thieves Guild depended on secrecy and discretion for their illegal activities. Alduin’s attacks diverted attention from their thieving by causing chaos. Without the dragon threat, authorities may have paid more attention to the Guild’s crimes in Riften. However, they would persist in the shadows regardless, though perhaps less brazenly.
How does Skyrim society change?
Beyond individual groups and characters, the culture and daily life of Skyrim’s society would see some subtle shifts without the upheaval of Alduin’s return:
Less fear and turmoil
With no World-Eater bringing fire from the sky, the people of Skyrim would enjoy more stability and sense of security. They wouldn’t need to fear random dragon attacks or question apocalyptic prophecies. Daily routines could carry on more normally without doom hanging over the land.
Different cultural focus
The return of the dragons turned attention back to ancient Nord culture and Dragonborn prophecy. Songs and stories would focus on different themes without this renewed interest sparked by Alduin. Nord customs surrounding burial, family lineages, and heroic tales would retain a different flavor without occupying the spotlight during a prophesied crisis.
Changed architectural priorities
Town defenses and fortifications would look different with less need for protection against dragon assaults. Resources and space could be allocated more for housing, commerce, and recreation rather than fortifying against aerial attack. Construction would focus more on quality of life without dragons dictating the need for certain defenses.
Reduced migration and travel
Alduin’s attacks prompted large population movements as refugees fled dangerous areas. Without dragons causing this upheaval, fewer people would be compelled to abandon their homes and there would be less disruption to trade and pilgrimages. Roads and cities would see steadier reliable traffic and commerce without the volatility of dragon assaults driving migration.
Stable economy and trade
With dragons destroying structures and disrupting supply routes, Skyrim’s economy suffered while the need for fortifications increased. A more stable and prosperous business environment could thrive without dragons diverting resources and manufacturing into defensive preparations instead.
Different barrow robber priorities
Valuable relics hidden in the ancient Nord barrows of Skyrim drew more grave robbers and explorers during Alduin’s attacks as resources became scarcer. Without this threat, raiding parties may have focused on other prospects beyond digging for artifacts in crypts to finance larger defenses.
Conclusion
The return of Alduin set monumental events in motion that shaped the future of Skyrim and the Dragonborn. Without this pivotal eruption of the legendary World-Eater, history would have flowed in less explosive ways. Though conflict continued, the absence of apocalyptic dragon danger opened up possibilities of more gradual change guided by mortal hands alone. Prophecy deferred by Alduin’s absence would not release people from difficult decisions over power and freedom. But without dragons, these choices weighed in a less mystical balance for the people of Skyrim.
| Character | Impact of No Alduin |
|---|---|
| Last Dragonborn | Never discovers true powers or purpose |
| Paarthurnax | Remains solitary and unnamed |
| Delphine | Continues obscure scheming |
| Ulfric Stormcloak | Rebellion proceeds slower |
| Jarl Balgruuf | Holds neutrality longer |
| Greybeards | Isolation uninterrupted |
| College of Winterhold | Remains disconnected from events |
