Draugr (Skyrim)

Draugr are undead Nordic warriors who were the original residents of Skyrim. It is claimed that Draugr once served the dragons, some seem to have learned 'Dragon' speech. Draugr are among the most common foes in Skyrim's many crypts and catacombs. Having engaged in acts of cannibalism during their lifetimes, they are cursed to walk the earth as undead; however, this might be because they betrayed their own race by serving dragons. They retain the ability to wield weapons such as swords, axes, and bows. They have previously appeared in the Morrowind expansion pack Bloodmoon, notably in the barrows of Solstheim. Draugr carry and use Ancient Nordic Weapons. Some Draugr only appear as containers, usually containing a few pieces of Gold. Draugr type monsters are weak to fire as well as silver. Draugr loot includes a chance of jewelry, gems, soul gems, ingots or potions; however, their armor cannot be looted.

Amongst the Draugr
It is possible to find a book in the Autumnwatch Tower entitled Amongst the Draugr, by Bernadette Bandian, a mage from the college, reporting her studies on the subject. She took seven months to be able to aproach the Draugr without being regarded as a threat, although she could not understand their language. She had "always wondered why the ancient priests of the dragon cult insisted that their followers be buried with them", untill noticing everyday a different set of Draugr would awaken and prostrate themselves before the priest's sarcophagus, after witch they would meticulously clean the area. Their dedication after death also explained why they so ferociously defend his chambers.

After further observation, she reports that when the group of draugr came to pay homenage, a distinct flow of lifeforce could be noted between the priest and the followers. The second eternal life of the dragon cult was only promised to those who ascended to priesthood, but the lesser functionaries contributed their life force to sustaining them for eternity.

Quoting, "I don't know what sort of eternal wellspring they draw from. but it's clear that the draugr carries only the barest whisper of life in it, and rekindles it nightly while resting in it's niche. I now believe that the grotesque forms that we see in the borrow were, in fact, burried fully as men and women, and only over the thousands of years that have passed withered into the wretched things we know. If we had visited a barrow directly after it's construction, we might not have even known any of its inhabitants were dead!"

Subtypes
There are several types of Draugr. In the quest The Staff of Magnus, the player must fight spectral versions of these, it is untested how they compare to physical Draugr as yet.

Quests
The Draugr appear in the quests:
 * Bleak Falls Barrow
 * Silver Hand
 * The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller
 * Shroud Hearth Barrow
 * Speaking With Silence
 * The Golden Claw
 * Under Saarthal
 * A Scroll For Anska
 * Ancestral Worship

Trivia

 * Draugr take their mythological inspiration and several traits from the draugr, undead creatures from Norse mythology. It should be noted that one differentiates between sea-draugar and land-draugar (draugar being plural of draugr): while land-draugar were simply undead with numerous magical abilities, sea-draugar were fishermen who had drowned at sea, thus being denied the privilege of being buried.
 * If sneaking, you can kill sleeping Draugr without waking them up, avoiding a fight. Sleeping Draugr will either lay on the lower alcove in crypt areas, or they will be standing on pedestals. You can tell sleeping Draugr from dead ones by the position of their hands, the undead ones will have their hands folded on their stomachs, while the dead ones will have thier hands resting on their groins, chests, or laying at their sides. Also, the "restless" draugr can be found in these resting positions. Also if you are close enough, where you normally could access ones inventory, you cannot access a 'living draugr's" inventory, if you don't see the search option, the draugr is alive.
 * Draugr Deathlords are, arguably, one of the most dangerous foes the Dragonborn will face. Along with copious amounts of health, they are capable of using a disarm shout that will send the player's weapon flying. It can occasionally be extremely difficult to find the weapon again, thus magic and shouts should be relied upon primarily.
 * It should also be noted that Draugr Deathlords make extensive use of the Unrelenting Force shout. At high levels, when Deathlords can be encountered in packs, players can be sent flying across rooms and into walls or ceilings. Scourges also have the ability to do this, but theirs seems to have no effect apart from dealing a small slice of HP damage.
 * Despite being formidable foes, Deathlords can be used as a reliable source of income, as the Ebony equipment they carry can be sold for large sums of gold.
 * If you see closed coffins inside a dungeon, chances are there is a draugr inside that can emerge when triggered by events in the game (like the start of a boss fight). For an easy kill, and much easier subsequent boss battle, cast a fire rune at the base of the coffin. If there is a draugr inside the rune will immediately explode, killing the draugr.
 * Generation for Draugr appearance is randomized and not gender specific. This mean that a Draugr can spawn with a female body and a beard.

Phrases
The following are phrases that are uttered by the Draugr: (Translation Pending)


 * Qiilan Us Dilon! (Qiilan means 'Lead' and Dilon means 'Dead')
 * Bolag Aaz, Mal Lir! (Company mercy, little king)
 * Kren Sos Aal! (Break Blood May) Can't find 'Sosaal' translation. Maybe meaning May his Blood Break.
 * Dir Volaan! (Dir translates to 'Die' and Volaan means 'Full Speed Ahead') meaning 'Die quickly!'
 * Aar Vin Ok! (Servant ...... His(used as possessive)) Can't find 'Vinok' translation. Can't find Vin but could be Viik meaning Defeat making it Servant Defeat His(possessive form me)
 * Unslaad Krosis (Eternal Sorrow)
 * Fus...Ro Dah! ( Force...Balance Push, Unrelenting Force shout)
 * Aav Dilon! (Join Dead!)
 * Sovngarde saraan!

Appearances

 * The Elder Scrolls III: Bloodmoon
 * The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Draugr (Skyrim)