Throughout its many games, The Elder Scrolls series gave players memorable antagonists such as Dagoth Ur and Mehrunes Dagon. The game’s many DLCs have provided just as many new factions and major antagonists to disrupt the game’s status quo. One of the best ones is Skyrim’s final villain, Miraak. As the first Dragonborn, he quickly became a fan favorite with his intimidating demeanor and iconic design. Of course, he has an equally impressive backstory. Here is a breakdown of the story and prowess of the villain Miraak from Skyrim.
The First Dragonborn
Given that the player character in Skyrim is a Dovahkiin/Dragonborn, many are likely curious about what that title entails. To be a Dragonborn is to possess the blood and soul of a dragon, giving them the power of the Voice. The Voice is the ability to use one’s shout to command magical words and use their power. While the memetic “Fus-Ro-Dah” is the most iconic, many other abilities exist, such as elemental spells, time manipulation, and summoning dragons in battle.
The most famous Dragonborn was the first Emperor of Tamriel, Tiber Septim. He used his Voice to earn the respect of his homeland’s Imperials and the Nords. However, with the Dragons’ extinction, the Dragonborn quickly followed them. It would not be until two hundred years after the Oblivion Crisis in Cyrodiil that another one would appear: Skyrim’s player character.
Miraak’s Backstory
As with many figures across the lore of The Elder Scrolls, the first Dragonborn has an equally long and intriguing story. Thousands of years ago, in the Merethic Era, Dragons ruled over Skyrim while the Nords worshipped them. Using the Voice (Thu’um in their language), they were unstoppable.
However, one Nord would rebel, the masked Dragon Priest Miraak. Instead of fighting Alduin and his forces head-on, he sought the aid of another divine being, the Daedric Prince Hermaeus Mora. Mora taught the mage the power to wield the Voice of the Dragons in exchange for his servitude. The priests Azhidal, Dukaan, and Zahkriisos swore allegiance to him. Despite his ambition, other Nords saw the danger he posed. Some saw him as another tyrant, while others, such as the Dragon Cult, saw him as a threat to their hegemony. Led by Vahlok the Jailer, several Nord leaders rebelled against Miraak. Right before his death, Mora swept Miraak away to his realm, Apocrypha.
His Elder Scrolls Role
By the time of Skyrim, Miraak had amassed a considerable following. A cult formed on the Dunmer island of Solstheim that would work to bring him back. Furthermore, a contingent of them were sent after the player, beckoning them to visit the island. The player found he used the Skaal “All-Maker Stones” to brainwash the island’s people into servitude.
Upon delving into his temple, they saw Miraak during a vision as he explained his plans to return. If they did, Miraak even congratulated him on killing Alduin. After crossing Solstheim, joining the Skaal tribe and the Telvani Dunmer mages, the Dragonborn learns the shout “Bend Will,” capable of taming dragons. After returning to Apocrypha, the player has their final confrontation with Miraak. Miraak demonstrates that he is a fierce mage with powerful spells, shouts, and even harnesses dragons in battle. However, the Dragonborn succeeds against him as Mora kills Miraak for his failure. Like all Dragon Priests, his mask is obtainable and grants up to 70 max mana.
Conclusion
Despite his brief appearance in Skyrim, Miraak profoundly impacted Tamriel’s history. His story wove through several of the largest arcs of the series’ lore, including the Aedra and Daedra, and left a legacy that even helped found the continent-spanning Empire. Therefore, there was no other option as the final fight for the Last Dragonborn’s quest across Tamriel. While the protagonist of the next game probably won’t be another Dragonborn, the events of Skyrim and its lore demonstrate the monumental power of these individuals.
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