Durnehviir

"My claws have rended the flesh of innumerable foes, but I have never once been felled on the field of battle."

- Durnehviir

Durnehviir ( in Dragon language) is an undead Dragon who resides in the Soul Cairn in.

Background
In the time before the Dragon War in the Merethic Era, Durnehviir lived amongst his kin in the skies above Tamriel.

While his brethren used more traditional forms of combat, Durnehviir pursued an interest in Necromancy that eventually led him to the Ideal Masters. His wish was to raise armies of undead for his own ends, so he made a pact with the Ideal Masters to gain access to their realm's undead. The pact specified that Durnehviir was to serve as the keeper of the Soul Cairn, and guard Valerica until her eventual death - terms to which Durnehviir, being an immortal dragon, agreed.

The Ideal Masters deceived Durnehviir, as Valerica was a vampire, and thus also immortal. As a result, Durnehviir was doomed to guard the Soul Cairn for eternity.

Appearance
Durnehviir is unique in appearance, and does not appear to be of any breed of Dragon previously encountered. His body bears a resemblance to the Frost Dragon, with massive protruding spikes from the back of his neck and extending down to his tail. Four curved horns sprout from his head.

As an undead Dragon, Durnehviir's flesh is greatly decayed and his wings look extremely weathered. He is grey-green in complexion, and his scales are constantly dripping and oozing. Flies can be seen around his body, and yellowish drool can be seen constantly dripping from his mouth.

When he is defeated by the Dragonborn, his body burns with a unique, purplish fire, though his Dragon Soul is not absorbed.

Beyond Death
Before receiving the Elder Scroll from Serana's mother Valerica, the Dragonborn is attacked by Durnehviir on the way into the Boneyard. During the battle, his unique Dragon Shout can summon several Bonemen to his aid. After he is defeated, his body burns and he disappears; Valerica warns that he is unable to truly die and may reappear.

After exiting the Boneyard, Durnehviir is found waiting outside. He tells the Dragonborn that he/she was a worthy adversary and calls him/her "Qahnaarin," or "Vanquisher" in Dragon Language. If the Dragonborn has not yet killed their first dragon in the main questline, Durnehviir will say that it was his instinct to call the hero "Qahnaarin" and that time will possibly clear it out for both of them. If the Dragonborn has finished the main game's quest line, he will speak about how he heard of the Dragonborn slaying Alduin, the World-Eater. He then explains how he was fooled by the Ideal Masters into becoming trapped in the Soul Cairn for eternity.

Summon Durnehviir
He also explains that he wishes to fly through the skies of Tamriel once again, but that his ties to the Soul Cairn prevent him from leaving for long periods of time. He thus teaches the Dragonborn the Summon Durnehviir Shout to summon him. The first three times he's summoned, he will teach the words for his Dragon Shout, Soul Tear. As with all Shouts, they must be unlocked with acquired Dragon Souls.

1st summon
''Ah! The free air of Vus at long last. As promised, I now teach you the first word of Soul Tearing: "" - the essence of your enemy's life force.''

2nd summon
''I can feel my strength returning each time I am set free from that prison! Hear now the second word of Soul Tearing: "" - meaning to tear your enemy's soul from its living vessel.''

3rd summon
''You have kept your side of the bargain, now let me fulfill mine. Feel the last word of Soul Tearing within yourself: "" - the unlife that results when a soul is imprisoned in dead flesh.''

After this, whenever summoned in Skyrim, Durnehviir can aid the Dragonborn in battle. Durnehviir is the only Dragon able to use a unique Shout that lets him summon Bonemen, Mistmen, and Wrathmen. The name of the Shout is Soul Cairn Summon, and the words of power are DIIL QOTH ZAAM (Undead, Tomb, Slave).

Trivia

 * His name means "Curse Never Dying".
 * If Dragon Rising has been completed, Durnehviir will recognize the Dragonborn as the "Dovahkiin". If the main questline for has been completed he will also recognize that Alduin was slain.
 * If Dragon Rising has not been completed, he will say he does not know why he calls the Dragonborn "a fellow dov".
 * If summoned in Skuldafn during the quest The World-Eater's Eyrie, he will frequently say "Skuldafn fen kos dinok" in the voice of other dragons, directed at the player.
 * Durnehviir does not resist Bend Will, but rather does not even register it.

Bugs

 * When first receiving his Dragon Shout to call him and upgrade it completely, the Dragonborn sometimes will only say a third of the shout. This is because the Shout seems to act as a Conjuration spell, and may only work if cast at an appropriate location (ex: at the ground nearby or on an NPC or Follower.) though this too is not guaranteed to work. Using only the first word of his summon Shout, nothing will happen aside from the Earth normally shaking as most Shouts do and staggering some NPCs around, both friendly and enemy.
 * If called immediately with Summon Durnehviir while in Soul Cairn, Durnehviir will then act as if he's been summoned in Tamriel and then continues to teach the Dragonborn the Soul Tear Shout. If used right next to Durnehviir in the Soul Cairn immediately after learning the Shout, there will be two Durnehviirs in the area.
 * If summoned in a very tight dungeon such as Saarthal, he may cause the game to lag tremendously as he attempts to follow you into spaces he obviously cannot fit. So it is not reccomended to do this.
 * If Durnehviir is summoned with a follower nearby, the follower may become immediately hostile to the Dragonborn.
 * If the Dragonborn shoots and kills Durnehviir with a bow or crossbow right after he leaves the boneyard BEFORE getting close enough for Durnehviir to speak, he is killed and the quest to learn a new shout is missed.
 * If the Dragonborn shoots and kills Durnehviir with a bow or crossbow after he leaves the boneyard, and after he talks to Durnehviir, Durnehviir is killed and the quest to learn a new shout is missed.
 * As he is summoned the player may get stuck inside him, unable to get out.