The Fallen

The Fallen is where an old legend about Dragonsreach becomes very real. Alduin has fled, and the only way to find him is to capture one of his dragon allies and make it talk. Fortunately, Whiterun’s palace was built for exactly that.

Walkthrough

The plan

Talk to Paarthurnax, Arngeir or Esbern about finding Alduin. The idea: lure a dragon into the ancient dragon trap at Dragonsreach in Whiterun and interrogate it.

Convincing the jarl

The Jarl of Whiterun is not thrilled about letting a dragon into the heart of his city. If the civil war is still raging, he refuses to risk it while Whiterun could be attacked – which starts Season Unending. If you have already ended the civil war, he agrees straight away.

Call Dragon

Esbern (or Paarthurnax) explains that every dragon’s name is made of three Words of Power – so a dragon can be called with its own name. You learn Call Dragon, the name of Odahviing, one of Alduin’s most trusted dragons.

Springing the trap

Tell the jarl you are ready, then go out onto the Great Porch at the back of Dragonsreach and shout Odahviing’s name. He arrives and attacks. Use Dragonrend to bring him down and wear him out – he will flee towards the porch, where the guards’ trap slams shut on his neck.

Interrogation

Talk to Odahviing. He is surprisingly reasonable for a captured dragon: he tells you that Alduin has gone to Skuldafn, an ancient temple in the mountains, to reach Sovngarde – but only a dragon can fly you there. If you set him free, he will carry you. That leads to The World-Eater’s Eyrie.

Rewards

• Call Dragon shout (Odahviing’s name)

Tips

• Keep Dragonrend ready – Odahviing is tough, and the guards help a lot.
• If you killed Paarthurnax for the Blades, the Greybeards will not help with a truce, so you must finish the civil war before the jarl agrees.