Alduin

Alduin (Dovahzul: ), the World Eater, is a very powerful dragon who is known for his rule over Skyrim during the Merethic Era. He is considered the "wellspring" of the Nordic pantheon, as well as the harbinger of the apocalypse, believed to have a greater role in reshaping the world entirely. He is also described as the "creator of dragon civilization" in one particular text.

History
Nordic myth asserts that Alduin destroyed the last world to begin the current one, in what is considered creating a new Kalpa. The Redguards believe his previous aspect to be Satakal the Worldskin, and the Skaal know Alduin as Thartaag the World-Devourer. As a result, he is both creator and destroyer, as well as predating the creation of Nirn itself. There are legends of his battles with Shor during this time.

During the Merethic Era, the people of Atmora and Skyrim worshiped dragons, possibly at the urging of Alduin. He also conspired with Orkey to reduce all the Nords to children, until he was again defeated by Shor. Some consider that Alduin's rule during this period was foresaking his proper role as the World-Eater. Alduin served as a leader of the dragons, and he ruled with an iron fist. The humans either worshiped him or were enslaved. The humans worshiped him and the dragons in the Dragon Cult. High ranking members of this cult would be known as a Dragon Priest. Alduin's lieutenant at the time was Paarthurnax, his younger sibling, who was said to have committed many atrocities. Later on, Paarthurnax secretly betrayed him by teaching the Thu'um to the humans so that they could rebel against their dragon overlords. The ensuing war would be known as the Dragon War.

Alduin was led to the Throat of the World, where he battled three Nordic heroes. They had created a new Shout called Dragonrend to subdue Alduin, and used an Elder Scroll to send him forward in time.

Prophecy
A prophecy foretelling Alduin's return is on Alduin's Wall, located at Sky Haven Temple, built in the First Era and recounted in the Book of the Dragonborn, and possibly on Elder Scroll. It tells that the World-Eater will return after various tumultuous events have occurred, retelling events have led up to this point, and claiming that the Last Dragonborn will come forth at that time.

Identity
Scholars speculate that Alduin is the Nordic name attributed to Akatosh. One source states that Alduin and Akatosh are different deities entirely. Alduin calls himself the "First-Born of Akatosh", but exactly what that means is unclear. Some sources suggest he was split from Akatosh, or the greater Aka-Tusk, at some point in the distant past. According to Paarthurnax, Alduin's peers considered him the most acclaimed creation of Akatosh.

Appearances


