Alduin

Alduin, the World-Eater, is the main villain of Skyrim and one of the most famous dragons in gaming. His name in the dragon tongue means “Destroyer – Devour – Master”. He is a huge black dragon with burning red eyes, and according to Nord legend he is destined to devour the world at the end of time.

The Dragon War

In the Merethic Era, Alduin and his dragons ruled Skyrim, worshipped by dragon cults and served by their priests. When Paarthurnax taught mortals the Voice, the Nords rose up. On the summit of the Throat of the World, the heroes Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Hakon One-Eye and Felldir the Old used the new Shout Dragonrend – and an Elder Scroll – to cast Alduin out of time.

His return

Thousands of years later, Alduin reappears – right on top of the execution at Helgen in Unbound. From there he flies across Skyrim raising long-dead dragons from their burial mounds, as you witness yourself in A Blade in the Dark. He is also hunting the souls of the dead in Sovngarde to make himself stronger.

Fighting Alduin

You face him first on the Throat of the World in Alduin’s Bane, where Dragonrend lets you bring him to the ground. He escapes to Sovngarde, where the final battle takes place in Dragonslayer. He resists all damage heavily, uses Fire Breath, Frost Breath and Unrelenting Force – and can call down a rain of meteors.

Good to know

When Alduin dies, you do not absorb his soul, unlike every other dragon you kill.