Last Dragonborn



"Skyrim legend tells of a hero known as the Dragonborn, a warrior with the body of a mortal and soul of a dragon, whose destiny it is to destroy the evil dragon Alduin."

- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The Last Dragonborn, (transliterated from to Dovahkiin in Dragon Language), is the player character and main protagonist of  and its expansions  and.

Etymology
In Dragon language, "Dovahkiin" is a combination of the words 'Dovah', meaning "Dragon", and 'kiin', meaning "child" or "born", which is typically translated to 'Dragonborn'. Dovahkiin also has a second meaning: the 'Dov' in 'Dovah' refers to Dragonkind, while the 'ah' means "hunter". Interpreted thus, the name reads "Dragonkind Hunter Born," or "Born Hunter of Dragonkind", an appropriate description of what the Dragonborn is destined to do.

Something of further interest is that dragons use the term Dovahkiin as a proper noun to address or talk about the Dragonborn and the dragon naming convention holds that names consist of three words. When called upon by the Greybeards after killing Mirmulnir, Dov-Ah-Kiin is stressed as three separate words. This could signal that the real translation of 'Dov-ah-kiin' is "Born Hunter of Dragonkind", when the traditional naming convention of dragons is held.

Prophecy
The appearance of the Last Dragonborn was prophesied upon Alduin's Wall, a large edifice found within Sky Haven Temple. It depicts several events that would preface the return of the Nordic god of destruction, Alduin. The prophecy itself is dire, but scholars believed that its omens had been fulfilled and that a single individual, gifted with the same incredible powers held by the dragons themselves, the Thu'um, may rise to fight against Alduin and assure Tamriel’s survival. Alduin finally returned in 4E 201, however he was defeated in a battle with the Last Dragonborn atop the Throat of the World, after which he fled to Sovngarde only to be hunted down by the Last Dragonborn and finally slain.

Background
Much like previous Dragonborn individuals who existed throughout history, such as Reman Cyrodiil, Tiber Septim and Miraak, the Last Dragonborn has the ability to consume a slain Dragon's soul and absorb its knowledge, allowing them to learn words of power quickly. Though neither Reman nor Tiber have ever reportedly killed a dragon and absorbed its soul. It is said that the Blades have always guided, protected, and served the Dragonborn, whom they consider "The Ultimate Dragon Slayer".

At the beginning of, the Dragonborn is a prisoner, captured while attempting to illegally cross the border into Skyrim. While being transported to the settlement of Helgen, the Dragonborn discovers that Ulfric Stormcloak, the leader of the Stormcloak rebellion, is a fellow prisoner. Upon reaching Helgen, Imperial General Tullius sentences all the prisoners to death, but Alduin attacks during the execution, providing a chance for escape. The Dragonborn starts with both flames and healing spells, indicating that he/she studied the arcane arts before traveling to Skyrim.

During the events of the quest "No One Escapes Cidhna Mine", the Dragonborn can choose to remark on whether they have a family or not. When talking with Serana, the Dragonborn may comment on what type of relationship the Dragonborn had with their parents as well as hinting at their fate. Additionally, Eola may claim that they tasted the flesh of a dead sibling when they were young, during the quest The Taste of Death.

When formally greeting the Last Dragonborn, the Greybeards name them Ysmir, Dragon of the North. The same title was held by Tiber Septim, Wulfharth, and supposedly all Dragonborn before that have visited the Greybeards.

Appearance
Skyrim's trailers and concept art depict the Dragonborn as a male Nord with light brown hair and light blue eyes. He wears a studded cuirass, an iron helmet, gauntlets and boots. In one trailer, the Dragonborn uses a steel sword and a banded iron shield, while in a screenshot he dual wields a steel sword and a steel dagger. In Skyrim, as with all Elder Scrolls games, race, gender, appearance and equipment are left to the player's discretion.

Trivia

 * The studded armor as seen in posters has the pauldron on the Dovahkiin's right shoulder, but, ingame, the pauldron is on the left shoulder.
 * In addition, the iron helmet as shown in posters is noticeably different as it lacks a guard around the mouth, while in game the helmet is extended.