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."

- Loading Screen

The Last Dragonborn or Laat Dovahkiin (Dovahzul: Laat-Dovah-Kiin, "Last-Dragon-Born"), generally referred to as the Dragonborn (Dovahzul:  Dovah-Kiin, "Dragon-Born"), is the player's character and the protagonist of  and its expansions  and.

Etymology
In Dragon language, "Dovahkiin" is a combination of the words "Dovah," meaning "dragon," and "kiin," meaning "born," or "child" which is typically translated to "Dragonborn," but it can also be translated to "Dragonchild." Dovahkiin also has a second meaning: the "Dov" in "Dovah" refers to Dragonkind as a whole, 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 powers of the Thu'um held by the dragons themselves, may rise to fight against Alduin and assure Nirn's survival. Alduin finally returned in 4E 201, during the midst of Skyrim's civil war. Raising an army of dragons from the dead, he attempted to resume his path of destruction. However, he was eventually defeated in a battle by the Last Dragonborn and three ancient Nordic heroes in Sovngarde.

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 and power, allowing them to learn words of power almost instantaneously, though reportedly neither Reman nor Tiber have ever 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 in an Imperial ambush, which was set up to capture Stormcloaks. 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, including the Dragonborn, even though they were not on the list of those to be executed. Seconds before the Dragonborn's execution, Alduin attacks, providing a chance for escape. Regardless of race, the Dragonborn starts with both flames and healing spells, indicating that they 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 may have 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 Dragonborns before that have visited the Greybeards.

Appearance
Skyrim's trailers and concept art depict the Dragonborn as a male Nord with brownish blonde hair and light blue eyes. He wears a studded cuirass, an iron helmet, iron gauntlets, and iron 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, in-game, 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.
 * If a copy of the player character is spawned through the use of console commands, they will always wear a full set of iron armor.
 * Dialogue with Hermaeus Mora during the expansion suggests that the Last Dragonborn may be in Apocrypha after the events of the expansion; "If you tire of your search, read your book again to return to your mortal life. For a time. The lure of Apocrypha will call you back. It is your fate." Dialogue with the Prince also shows that the Last Dragonborn becomes his Champion after defeating Miraak: "No matter, I have found a new Dragonborn to serve me."
 * In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, The Making of Skyrim, Emil Pagliarulo states that the Last Dragonborn was a "criminal and accused of some crime." which would explain why the Last Dragonborn was captured.
 * This is however contradicted by Mark Lampert, who says that they have wiped the Dragonborn's history clean.
 * Legate Fasendil indicates that the Last Dragonborn originally came from Cyrodiil, but it is unclear if the Dragonborn is using the word "home" as in "their home" or "Fasendil's home."
 * During a dialogue with Serana about her family, Serana asks about the Dragonborn's family. The following are the available answers:
 * "They were good people. I miss them."
 * "We're very close. I can't wait to see them again."
 * "We didn't really get along. Best that I haven't seen them in a while."
 * "I never knew them. I grew up alone."
 * It is implied through dialogue with Thalmor Justiciars that the Last Dragonborn believes Talos is a god, as when they are asked if they believe in Talos, there is no dialogue option stating they don't believe in Talos.