Who’s the Largest Dragon in the Elder Scrolls Universe?

Summary

• Skyrim dragons offer a fascinating aspect of lore, with missing details leaving room for development.
• Not much known about dragons’ heights in series, but they could suggest deeper lore implications.
• Unique elemental abilities and allegiances make each dragon a formidable force in the Elder Scrolls universe.

Since dragons made their appearance in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, they’ve been a beloved element within the series. Although it took some time for dragon riding to be introduced in Skyrim, and even longer for the feature to appear in The Elder Scrolls Online set in ancient times, there are significant gaps in the franchise’s lore about dragons, leaving plenty of opportunity to expand their role within the broader mythology. In fact, much about the dragons’ lifestyle and true physical attributes remains unknown in the game, making for an intriguing mystery given their legendary status.

For enthusiasts seeking a deeper dive into the series’ mythos, they might find themselves curious to know which dragons, among the collection, are indeed the “tallest” – much like how a titan such as Godzilla establishes dominance by showcasing towering stature. Although the in-game models of dragons in ‘Skyrim’ and ‘The Elder Scrolls Online’ share similar structures, hints within the lore may suggest that there could be more to their heights than meets the eye.

9. Durnehviir

The Only Undead Dragon In Skyrim

In any setting, the concept of a skeletal dragon is an imposing figure to consider, and that’s precisely what Durnehviir represents, being the sole undead dragon in the realm of Skyrim. When the Last Dragonborn and Serana ventured into the Soul Cairn within Oblivion in search of Valerica, they encountered this undead dragon as her protector. As it transpired, Durnehviir’s ambition for control drove him to learn Necromancy, during which he struck a bargain with the Ideal Masters to gain their favor. Unaware that he was agreeing to guard Valerica “for life,” Durnehviir did not initially know that Valerica was a vampire and thus immortal. Consequently, he was unwittingly bound to an eternal service, having been deceived by the immortality of his ward.

Although the Dragonborn overpowers Durnehviir, his spirit cannot be consumed, and he cannot reappear physically because of his dark pact. Instead, he agrees to be conjured by players when they require assistance, giving him brief moments of liberty before being summoned again. The specific type and scale of dragon that Durnehviir represents is uncertain, but the necromantic practices in Tamriel, involving control over souls and corpses, suggests that his abilities may extend beyond soul manipulation to altering his physical form. This could imply that he might have the power to enlarge himself.

8. Sahrotaar

Miraak’s Faithful Mount And Servant

During “At the Summit of Apocrypha” in Skyrim, players will find themselves squaring off against Miraak. What might surprise them is that Miraak has his trusty steed, Sahrotaar, by his side. This mount is formidable, as it can unleash both frosty and fiery breaths. When encountered alongside its master, Sahrotaar is definitely a formidable opponent to contend with.

Information about Sahrotaar’s past is scant, primarily that he pledged loyalty to Miraak and regarded him as the genuine Dragonborn. The specifics of his size are uncertain, but given that Sahrotaar is a Serpentine Dragon, he’s nearly at the pinnacle of his kin’s power hierarchy. In the realm of The Elder Scrolls, if size reflects strength, then it’s likely that when confronting him in his “true” form, Sahrotaar would appear significantly larger than most dragons.

7. Laatvulon

The Final Darkness And The Demon Of The East

Just like Nahfahlaar, Laatvulon is rather tight-lipped about his past, except for their historic enmity. With Nahfahlaar’s assistance, Laatvulon was confined, but he managed to break free around the same time that Kaalgrontiid was freed from captivity. Their alliance resumed, and Laatvulon established the New Moon Cult to aid Kaalgrontiid in executing their scheme of overthrowing Akatosh.

As Nahfahlaar assists another ally in overpowering Laatvulon once more, the dragon’s spirit now dwells within Apocrypha’s Infinite Libraries. Here, Laatvulon is being mass-produced as maligraphies that serve Daedric Lord Tho’at Replicanum. The exact size of Laatvulon, according to the canon, remains uncertain, but it’s smaller than Nahfahlaar, as suggested by the Elder Scrolls Online Model Viewer.

6. Nahfahlaar

Laatvulon’s Ancient Rival

When fans discover that Nahfahlaar is none other than Nafaalilargus from the Elder Scrolls series, they’ll remember him as one of the adversaries in The Elder Scrolls Adventures: Redguard, a role in which he was vanquished by protagonist Cyrus the Restless. Yet, in the Alliance War, Nahfahlaar played a crucial part in thwarting Kaalgrontiid’s ambition to harness the power of the Moons and rival Akatosh’s might.

It’s mostly uncertain where Nahfahlaar originated, except that an ancient adversary, Laatvulon, exists for him. Nahfahlaar perceived his desire for dominance as a common trait among dragons; however, he frequently partnered with mortals to stay alive. Although Nahfahlaar’s physical form perished at the hands of Cyrus, there’s speculation that he could return. In the game files of The Elder Scrolls Online, Nahfahlaar and Kaalgrontiid share a similar size profile.

5. Odahviing

Alduin’s Former Ally Turned Dragonborn Mount

In the expansion known as “Dragonborn”, Skyrim hinted at a unique feature where players could not only summon dragons for assistance in battles but also ride them. This game mechanic revolves around Odahviing, a dragon that was slain during the Merethic Era, later revived by Alduin as part of his mission to bring about the end times. When players, assuming the role of the Last Dragonborn, eventually manage to trap and vanquish Odahviing, the dragon strikes a deal to gain its freedom in exchange for helping the player in combat whenever summoned. This makes Odahviing an on-demand dragon that can be “summoned” by players using the shout “Od-Ah-Viing!”.

When Odahviing joins forces with you in Skyrim, he’s essentially immortal and won’t depart until all foes are vanquished – making him a formidable ally indeed. The stats for Odahviing will vary depending on the initial power level of players when they begin “The Fallen.” While other dragons in Skyrim share a similar structure, Odahviing is unique because he can appear at different levels, ranging from a Blood Dragon at his weakest to an Ancient Dragon at his strongest. Given that a dragon’s might allows them to grow, it’s possible that Odahviing is one of the largest and most powerful dragons in existence.

4. Kaalgrontiid

The Dark Aeon Aspirant To Be Equal To Akatosh

In ancient times, it’s thought that Kaalgrontiid emerged from Alduin’s fury. Perhaps, driven by his insatiable desire for power and domination, he split off as a separate manifestation of rage. Initially, Kaalgrontiid aimed to devour the Moons of Tamriel, seeking to become the Dark Aeon and rival the mighty Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time. However, thanks to the cunning Khajiit hero Khunzar-ri, who tricked Kaalgrontiid and his dragons into channeling some of their power into the Jode’s Core, they were sealed away. Unfortunate events in Elder Scrolls Online , however, unwittingly led to the dragon’s release.

Furthermore, Kaalgrontiid successfully located the Jode’s Core and assimilated the might of its enraged members, along with some lunar energy, making him an even more formidable adversary. Although eventually defeated, Kaalgrontiid seems to have been a significant opponent due to his status as an Elder Dragon. In the world of Elder Scrolls Online, dragons share a similar “common” structure, but Kaalgrontiid’s ability to absorb powers from other dragons and separate from Alduin’s rage suggests that he may have grown in size to accommodate his enhanced abilities.

3. Paarthurnax

Alduin’s Former Lieutenant And Younger Brother

In my Skyrim adventure, I eventually crossed paths with a formidable dragon named Paarthurnax, whose name in Dragon Language translates as “Ambition Overlord Cruelty.” This dragon was initially Alduin’s brother and served as his lieutenant during the chaotic Dragon War. Known for his mastery of sorcery, he taught other dragons to harness the Thu’um. However, when Alduin declared himself a god, Paarthurnax chose to rebel against his brother, carving out a different path for himself in the world.

After Alduin was vanquished, Paarthurnax has been living in solitude at the summit of the World-Eater’s Peak for centuries. Few are fortunate enough to encounter him, and he rarely emerges from his seclusion unless the prophesied Dragonborn of legend is sighted in Skyrim, where he imparts knowledge on the Thu’um and guides them against Alduin. As dragons in Skyrim share a similar structure, Paarthurnax resembles Alduin in size. However, due to his legendary status, it’s suggested that Paarthurnax may possess the capacity to grow significantly larger.

2. Alduin

The World-Eater First-Born Of Akatosh

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but recall my initial encounter with Alduin in the realm of Skyrim. At first glance, this formidable figure might seem like just another dragon, but little do players know they’ll eventually have to engage in a battle against this colossal menace – a World-Eater prophesied as the harbinger of the end times. Though The Elder Scrolls Online boasts dragons of grander scale due to a different engine, Alduin stands apart in lore; he is not merely an ordinary dragon, but the offspring of Akatosh, the Time Dragon, himself.

In the mythology of Tamriel, various races have different stories about Alduin’s true form, and there are even conflicting views on his duty to consume the world. However, lore master Michael Kirkbride suggests that this is not a metaphorical destruction, but rather a literal one where all life on Nirn will cease to exist, not just leaving Tamriel as a desolate wasteland, but Alduin swallowing the entire planet whole. This implies that Alduin has the ability to transform his size, with at least the capacity to grow as large as an actual planet.

1. Akatosh

The Dragon of Time Who Was The First Aedra To Arrive In Nirn

In the Elder Scrolls series, Akatosh is known by various names but is best recognized as the head of the Nine Divines. He’s often referred to as the “Dragon of Time,” symbolizing concepts like service, duty, indestructibility, and resilience. Legend has it that he was the first god created in the Beginning Place. Across diverse belief systems, Akatosh is linked with concepts such as unity (The One), a deity of time (Alkosh of the Khajiit and Auri-El of the Mer), destruction (Alduin, among others), and more esoteric aspects.

In mythology, Akatosh is famously associated with establishing the covenant for the new Cyrodiil Empire alongside Saint Alessia, symbolized through the Amulet of Kings. Although Akatosh typically operates behind the scenes, during the Oblivion Crisis, Martin Septim utilized the amulet to embody Akatosh, turning into a massive golden dragon comparable in size to buildings within the game. While no precise size comparisons for Akatosh have been officially documented, his divine status suggests he could be significantly larger than the world of Nirn itself.

Read More

• Rick Owens Gives RIMOWA’s Cabin Roller a Bronze Patina
• Alec Baldwin’s TLC Reality Show Got A Release Date And There’s At Least One Reason I’ll Definitely Be Checking This One Out
• Cookie Run Kingdom Town Square Vault password
• Judge Fines Oregon Man with $120 Million in Crypto Fraud Case
• ‘The Last of Us’ Gets Season 2 Premiere Date
• Unveiling the Enchanting World of Peer-to-Peer Crypto: A Witty Guide
• NEIGHBORHOOD Unveils SS25 Collection Featuring Keffiyeh-Inspired Pieces
• Disney+ Lost A Ton Of Subscribers After The Company Raised Prices, But It Didn’t Seem To Matter For Another Streamer
• After The Odyssey’s First Look At Matt Damon’s Odysseus, Fans Think They’ve Figured Out Who Tom Holland Is Playing
• Khao Yai ‘Art Forest’ Shakes Up Thailand’s Art Scene

2025-03-12 14:36