Board Thread:Mod Discussion/@comment-24.143.22.70-20150801180808/@comment-25350022-20150802033139

I need to talk to Arngier again. I swear I heard him say something along the lines of "Dragons have always been able to shout. Shouting is intrinsic to their very being. Dragons are also able to absorb the life force of their slain brethren. The Dragonborn possess the same abilities".

I'm paraphrasing. I'll have to confirm this in time.