Dragon Rising

Dragon Rising is the quest where everything changes. A dragon attacks the Western Watchtower outside Whiterun, you fight it with the city guard – and when it dies, you absorb its soul. You are Dragonborn, and the whole of Skyrim (well, at least the Greybeards) hears about it.

Walkthrough

A dragon at the watchtower

Right after you hand in the Dragonstone in Bleak Falls Barrow, a guard bursts into Dragonsreach: a dragon has been seen near the Western Watchtower. Jarl Balgruuf sends you along with his housecarl Irileth and a group of guards.

The battle

Meet Irileth by the main gate and head west. The watchtower is already in ruins when you arrive, and the dragon – Mirmulnir – swoops down soon after. Some tips for your first dragon fight:

• Use a bow or ranged spells while it flies, and close in with melee when it lands.
• Stay out of the line of its fire breath – hide behind the tower or a rock.
• Let the guards draw its attention. There are plenty of them.

Absorbing the soul

When the dragon dies, its body bursts into light and you absorb its soul. The guards are amazed – one of them reminds everyone of the old legends about the Dragonborn. Use the soul to unlock your first shout, Unrelenting Force, via the Magic menu.

The Greybeards call

As you return to Whiterun, the sky rumbles with a booming “Dovahkiin!” – the Greybeards of High Hrothgar are summoning you. Report back to Jarl Balgruuf in Dragonsreach.

Thane of Whiterun

Balgruuf rewards you by naming you Thane of Whiterun. You receive the Axe of Whiterun and a personal housecarl, Lydia. He also tells you to answer the Greybeards’ call, which starts the next main quest, The Way of the Voice.

Rewards

• Title: Thane of Whiterun
• Lydia as your housecarl and follower
• Axe of Whiterun
• Your first dragon soul – unlocks Unrelenting Force

Tips

• Loot the dragon’s bones and scales – they are used to craft Dragonbone and Dragonscale gear much later.
• You can now buy Breezehome from Proventus Avenicci, the jarl’s steward, if you have 5,000 gold.