User:Mindtrait0r/AmbiguityOfDragonblood

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A Dragonborn (Dovahkiin in the Dragon-tongue) is a mortal blessed with the blood and soul of a dragon by Akatosh, the Father of Dragons and chief of the Divines. Some sources claim Dragonborn are fragments of Akatosh's soul and share this status with Alduin and possibly all of Dragonkind. Those with the blessing have an extraordinary aptitude in the use of the thu'um, being able to absorb knowledge of shouts directly from the souls of slain dragons.

Dragonborn vs Dragonblood

There is a misconception in the community that being a 'true Dragonborn' and having Dragonblood are separate things, usually meant to draw a line between Dragonborn heroes such as the Last Dragonborn and the emperors of Cyrodiil. This is not supported by any in-game evidence and there are several instances which refute this claim. The most clear-cut, other than the interchangeable use of the terms in-universe, is the consecration of the Dragonborn blood seal at Sky Haven Temple by Reman II. As this seal required the blood of a Dragonborn to open, Reman II must have been Dragonborn in order to open it. Another notable instance is Reman III, who hunted Dragons during his reign, as well as references to various emperors using the thu'um. Developer statements also corroborate this claim, such as the Elder Scrolls Online Ask Us Anything: Variety Pack 4, which states the Cyrodiil line were all Dragonborn. Notably, Michael Kirkbride once said Alessia could not absorb dragon souls, rather having a more nuanced power. However, Todd Howard in Game Informer, Issue 214, stated "The dragonborn can battle the dragons on another level. They're annointed by the gods. That's why they can light the dragonfires to become emperor. They kind of help make the world whole." Bill Slavicsek also stated in the Official Gold Road & Update 42 Ask Us Anything that the Saint's Wrath Tapestry depicting Alessia using the Thu'um was a reasonable assumption.

Hereditary?

Although The Book of the Dragonborn states the Dragonborn blessing is not a simple hereditary matter, it does not directly state hereditary passing isn't one way Dragonblood is gained. Mannimarco believed it was hereditary, calling it a birthright dependent on ancestry. Various ancient Nord heroes in Sovngarde have also believed it to be a birthright. Some claim that while the heirs of the Cyrodilic dynasties were all capable of becoming Dragonborn, they themselves were not unless they were coronated. However, there are a few instances of Dragonborn traits or titulature to non-emperor individuals. Potema Septim knew the Thu'um, an ability Dragonborn are particularly receptive to. Before he was crowned emperor, Martin Septim was declared Dragonborn by the Blades, the foremost experts on dragonlore in Tamriel. Most concretely, Martin Septim wore the Amulet of Kings before he was made emperor, which is a definitive sign of Dragonborn status.

Some promotional material has suggested a hereditary model. Game Informer, Issue 214 states "That storied line of mortals is all but extinct" when referring to the Dragonborn. Worth noting is that Michael Kirkbride has said on the Bethesda forums: "It's not hereditary. And it's not relegated to Emperors. It's mythical and relegated to White-Gold Tower." However, Gary Noonan has referred to a hereditary power in Tiber Septim's true bloodline: "True enough and spoken like one who wishes he knew the God's honest truth, but alas, the true bloodline of Tiber Septim renders even most immortal blood illegitimate. There is more than meets the eye in Septim's blood, and any Daedra Lord will tell you, if he himself weren't afraid of the truth." Bruce Nesmith, in Behind the Wall: The Making of Skyrim, said of the nature of the Dragonborn: "This is something that once every few generations you have someone who is born with this ability." This goes against the possibilities noted in The Book of the Dragonborn that the blessing is bestowed either upon trying to put on the Amulet of Kings or lighting the Dragonfires. The bit about Dragonborn being few, only appearing once every few generations, seems to be a turn of phrase, not to be taken literally, as several future emperors born mere years away from eachother would all have been Dragonborn from birth per the quote.

For the purposes of this list, a hereditary model is treated as canon. All known children of Dragonborn individuals are counted as Dragonborn. Know that while children of Dragonborn always share the gift, the parents of the individual may not be so. Only one parent is needed to bestow the blessing, so it is almost always unknown which delivered it.

List of all named Dragonborn, by my count (see lower sections)

Merethic Era

1. Miraak, Proto-Nord

First Era

1. Alessia, Nede
2. Belharza, Minotaur
3. Ami-El, Unknown
4. Ysmir Wulfharth, Atmoran
5. Gorieus, as per Ami-El
6. Herda, as per Ami-El
7. Hestra, as per Ami-El
8. Shor-El, as per Ami-El
9. Reman Cyrodiil, Imperial
10. Kastav, Man (presumably Imperial, based on ancestor and descendants)
11. Reman Cyrodiil II, as per Kastav
12. Brazollus Dor, Imperial
13. Reman Cyrodiil III, as per Kastav
14. Juilek Cyrodiil, Imperial

Second Era

1. Agnorith Septim, Man
2. Tiber Septim, Man
3. Pelagius Septim, Man

Third Era

1. Kintyra Septim, Man (based on parentage)
2. Uriel Septim, Man (based on heritage)
3. Uriel Septim II, as per Uriel I
4. Amiel Septim, as per Uriel I
5. Galana Septim, as per Uriel I
6. Pelagius Septim II, as per Uriel I
7. Antiochus Septim, Man (based on relation to Magnus)
8. Kintyra Septim II, as per Uriel I
9. Uriel Septim III, Man
10. Cephorus Septim, as per Antiochus
11. Potema Septim, as per Antiochus
12. Magnus Septim, Breton
13. Jolethe Septim, Man (based on relation to Magnus and Pelagius III)
14. Pelagius Septim III, Breton
15. Katariah Ra'athim, Dunmer
16. Cassynder Septim, Dunmer/Breton Hybrid
17. Uriel Septim IV, Dunmer/Breton Hybrid
18. Cephorus Septim II, Nord
19. Andorak Septim, Unknown
20. Mankar Camoran, Altmer/Bosmer Hybrid
21. Uriel Septim V, Man (based on parentage)
22. Uriel Septim VI, as per Uriel V
23. Eloisa Septim, as per Uriel V
24. Morihatha Septim, as per Uriel V
25. Pelagius Septim IV, Man
26. Rodore, Unknown
27. Tristore, Unknown
28. Arslan II, Unknown
29. Lysandus, Breton
30. Gortwog gro-Nagorm, Orsimer
31. Gothryd, Breton
32. Eadwyre, Breton
33. Elysana, Breton
34. Akorithi, Redguard
35. Arthago, Redguard
36. Lhotun, Redguard
37. Greklith, Redguard
38. Aubk-i, Redguard
39. Camaron II, Redguard
40. Uriel Septim VII, Imperial
41. Ariella Septim, Man (based on relation to Uriel VII and Martin)
42. Calaxes Septim, per Ariella
43. Geldall Septim, per Ariella
44. Enman Septim, per Ariella
45. Ebel Septim, per Ariella
46. Cassynder Septim II, per Ariella
47. Trabbatus Septim, per Ariella
48. Pelagius Septim V, per Ariella
49. Cephorus Septim III, per Ariella
50. Uriel Septim VIII, per Ariella
51. Voragiel Septim, per Ariella
52. Martin Septim, Imperial

List of all unnamed Dragonborn

• The Last Dragonborn (1)
• Dragon Aspect Ancient Dragonborn (1)
• Line of Andorak (2)
• King of Wayrest during the Camoran Usurper's Invasion (1)
• Ysmir's son (1)
• Uriel V's bastard(s) (1)
• Tiber Septim's children (3)
• Cephorus I's children (3)
• Pelagius' brothers and sister(s) (3)
• Antiochus' heir(s) (1)
• Pelagius I's deceased heirs (2)
• Morihatha's deceased heir(s) (1)
• 3 unnamed female Dragonborn in Sovngarde (3)
• Gothryd and Aubk-i's three children (3)
• Elysana's two children (2)
• Gortwog's heirs (2)
• Alessian Emperor during the Thrassian War (1)

Known Total: 101 Dragonborn

Close Calls

Possible Conflations

The Sovngarde Dragonborn - these guys are a pain. With the women, these could be the same ancient dragon-blooded warriors mentioned in the Dragon Warrior Costume's description in ESO. Moreover, one of these women could be the Young Dragonborn depicted in Legends. While the Young Dragonborn is depicted with brown hair and all the female Heroes of Sovngarde are blonde, they all use the same character model, so it can be reasonably assumed the models aren't representative of any potential lore appearance. With the one male, it is possible he is Ysmir's son, meaning they cannot both be counted. It additionally cannot be ruled out that the male Hero of Sovngarde is the same "doom-driven hero of the dragon blood" Tsun reminisces a past battle with. Similarly, though Abnur Tharn confirms an emperor reigning while Fervidius Tharn was Arch-Bishop during 1E 1188, it is impossible to determine whether or not he is the same individual as Shor-El, who reigned before the Dragon Break. With the way I have counted individuals, these cases of two individuals possibly being the same means I can only include them once.

Raven & Ruma Camoran

While Mankar Camoran is undisputably Dragonborn, having worn the Amulet of Kings, it is unknown whether or not he was always Dragonborn. In Commentaries on the Mysterium Xarxes, Book One, Camoran describes a process by which he changed his voice and breathed fire. This sounds similar to the Thu'um, but it cannot be confirmed, as Camoran does not use the power in any game. Raven and Ruma would not be Dragonborn in this case, as Mankar would have gained his status after their births.

Katariah, Uriel IV, Andorak - Associated Theories

I included Katariah and Uriel IV for one reason. They bore the title of Empress and Emperor, respectively, during the Septim Dynasty. While it is true Katariah did always have her son Cassynder near her, he was a mere toddler when she took the throne. Additionally, I find it strange that she would deliberately be promoted from Regent to Empress without wearing the Amulet, and this is not the case for Uriel IV. Furthermore, Jauffre stated in 3E 433 that the Dragonfires had not been dark in at least 200 years. As Uriel IV ruled 3E 246, 197 years before his comment, the Dragonfires, per Jauffre's testimony, were lit during his reign. Jauffre, as Grandmaster of the Blades, was the premier of dragonlore Tamriel had to offer. Lastly, Jauffre states Emperors use the Amulet to keep the Dragonfires burning. Presumably, this applies to all Emperors in Tamriel's history (when the Amulet was available, thus discounting the Interregnum rulers and post-Alessian, pre-Reman rulers).

With these things considered, I find it appropriate to mention the Dragonfire Ritual described in Mannimarco's The Chim-el Adabal. Indeed, it is described that Varen Aquilarios was foolish to believe he would become Dragonborn, but Mannimarco likewise mentions he corrupted the ritual, potentially implying it may have otherwise worked as intended. Jauffre describes a ritual only Emperors know involving the Dragonfires and lighting them, which could relate to this. This could be how Katariah was able to wear the Amulet, but regardless of the "how" I think the "if" is solidly yes, considering her aforementioned deliberate accession. Another theory comes from Ancestors and the Dunmer, which states: "A member brought into the House through marriage binds himself through ritual and oath into the clan, and gains communication and benefits from the clan's ancestors". This could potentially mean Dunmer who marry into a Dragonborn family gain the status.

Alessian Puppet Emperor

In On the War of Righteousness, Arch-Prelate Zirnius is considered the leader of the Alessian Empire, with no mention of an emperor. Upon his defeat, he is replaced with a "puppet emperor to take the Ruby Throne". I do not count this individual, as the Alessian line seems to have already ended by this point.

Herda

Herda is tricky, as she is only mentioned once and her reign is incredibly confusing and contradictory. She's said to have ruled "after the eventual dissolution of the Alessian Reform of Marukh", which seems to imply she ruled after the War of Righteousness which ended the Alessian Empire. However, her only known deed, improving relations with the Colovian West, is placed before the Thrassian Plague of the 1E 2200s, when Alessian Emperors still ruled. Further adding to the confusion, early versions of Bethesda's internal timeline state "Empress Herta" strengthened the Colovian West circa 1E 1029. However, this name doesn't appear anywhere else. Herta was later replaced by Hestra - their reigning years coincide, as well as their admittance of High Rock into the Empire. Hestra is never said to have done anything with the west, though.

It seems Herda is the remnant of conflicting story drafts in the earlier development of the lore. The rationalization which I've come to which I think best explains these things is that the Alessian Reform of Marukh was an earlier, not as successful version of the Alessian Order. This lines up with other sources which use the term - they all fall around the 1E 300s to the 1E 500s. Rislav The Righteous, especially, backs this conclusion up, stating Rislav's victory was "the beginning of the end of the Alessian hegemony", which would be awfully early with the aforementioned War of Righteousness' date in mind. With all this in mind, I believe Herda was a true Alessian Empress who ruled between Gorieus and the Thrassian Plague.

Iliac Bay Rulers

Although it seems implausible for an Orc of all races to be related to Tiber Septim given his animosity toward them, the Totem of Tiber Septim's divine voice described the rulers of the Iliac Bay as "those of his blood line", making them Dragonborn under the hereditary model. The quest journal of the quest in which the Totem speaks uses slightly different terminology, though. Instead of insinuating the rulers are related by blood to Tiber, they instead use the phrase "royal blood", perhaps suggesting anyone with certain monarchal status can wield it. However, "royal blood" has been used to exclusively refer to the line of Cyrodilic Emperors on multiple occasions. Furthermore, Lysandus was described by an Agent of the Underking as "a true descendant of Tiber Septim", solidly suggesting a hereditary relationship between the two. By proxy, this would include Gothryd and lends credence to the original interpretation of blood relation throughout the five Iliac rulers, Lysandus, and the Septim Dynasty. Additionally, the intro sequence of Daggerfall refers to the various monarchs as "The unworthy heirs of the Septim Dynasty".

It's difficult to make a conclusion from this information. The unlikelihood of all four being so in one region, the idea of an Orc being related to Tiber, and the deliberate switch-up of terminology to something more vague in the journal is hard to ignore, but the direct references to the leaders being related to Tiber leads to me including them on my list. As a final note, various lines from and relating to Nulfaga indicate she couldn't control the Numidium, meaning Gothryd's father, Arslan II, must've been the Dragonborn who passed down the trait and royal blood.

Background Heirs of Uriel VII

In the Background Histories of Dagggerfall, Uriel VII's heirs are different than what is seen in later installments. Instead of having three male heirs (Enman, Geldall, and Ebel) and two bastards (Calaxes and Martin), he has six male heirs, named Voragiel, Trabbatus, Cassynder, Cephorus, Pelagius, and Uriel. These six are never mentioned again in Daggerfall or later games, leading some to believe they were retconned. However, there is nothing to suggest this. Ariella Septim is generally agreed to be a canon character, but she only exists in the French localization of Arena and is never mentioned again despite being described as Uriel VII's eldest child and heir apparent. It is clear in Morrowind that Geldall is Crown Prince and heir apparent, so something must have happened to Ariella that made her either unfit or unwanting to rule, whether that be death, illness, unknown whereabouts, mental trauma from Jagar Tharn's rule, resignation from public life, or some other form of intrigue. The same argument applies to these background characters. They are absent from records like Ariella, but it would be original research to conclude they are retcons just because of that. For these reasons, I include them on my list.

Wulfharth Heirs

Mentioned in Tobias' Redguard bio. The name of this group implies they may be the descendants of Wulfharth, but the wording is vague enough that they could be a faction named after the infamous hero.

Domihaus the Bloody-Horned

Domihaus says in ESO his "line is unbroken". Many have interpreted this as Domihaus being descended from Belharza or Alessia, which would make him Dragonborn. Backing this interpretation up is Domihaus' ability to shout, a one-shot kill move during his fight called "Shout of Desolation". However, there aren't any discernable Words of Power. The shout seems to be unrelated to the thu'um, rather being just a really loud noise. Bill Slavicsek said in the Official Gold Road & Update 42 Ask Us Anything that the deep connection between Domihaus and Morihaus was a reasonable assumption, but likewise said any assumption about the two was reasonable.

Pelagius IV's Heirs

The Book of the Dragonborn, written during the reign of Pelagius IV, states that there would be at least two potential Dragonborn at any given time, for the heirs of the current emperor or empress. We know not every monarch of the Empire had children; Cassynder, for instance, was childless. However, it would be strange for the author to claim this rule if the reign of the current emperor disproved it. If Pelagius IV followed the rule, that would mean Uriel VII had a sibling, and another unnamed Dragonborn would be added to the list. That said, it is ultimately too speculative, so I have not included this potential heir.

Kintyra

In The Wolf Queen, Kintyra I is referred to as Kintyra II's great-great-great greataunt. However, following the known Septim lineage, she is actually her great-great-great grandmother. I find it improbable that Waughin Jarth would've made this error if Kintyra I didn't have a sibling to confuse with, but since I don't include Darius calling Uriel VII the twenty-fourth of the Septim line, I don't include this either. There's also a pre-Septim mention of an empress named Kintyra, but it cannot be ruled out that she was a ruler from an interregnum, thus having unconfirmed dragonblood. Worth noting, though, is that the loading screen featuring this information (originally from a book) is one of two loading screens for the location. The other is about Ayleid refugees from the Alessian Empire, potentially implying Kintyra was an Alessian empress.

Agnorith Septim

As a final addendum, as the descendants of Agnorith Septim, starting with Kintyra I and ending with Cassynder, wore the Amulet of Kings, they were all Dragonborn. It is highly likely Agnorith and Tiber, as brothers, had Dragonborn parentage, particularly when considering Alessia and Reman Cyrodiil both had divine tales to explain their Dragonblood.

Loose Ends / See Also

• Tiber Septim's unborn child
• Potema's unborn children
• The Hörme
• Reman's loyalists
• Disenfranchised Septim branch
• Distant cousin family, Lariats
• Varen Aquilarios, who attempted to become Dragonborn via a corrupted ritual in the Temple of the One
• Grundwulf, a vampire who attempted to become Dragonborn via drinking Dragonblood

Unofficial Lore Dragonborn

• Mynisera II - would be #94
• Akorithi - would be #95
• Lysandus II - would be #96
• Tymona would be #97
• Eadwyre II - would be #98
• Daughter of Ami-El - would be #102

Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.