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 that 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 DragonbloodEdit

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 that the Cyrodiil line were all Dragonborn.

Hereditary?Edit

Although The Book of the Dragonborn states that the Dragonborn blessing is not a simple hereditary matter, it does not directly state that hereditary passing isn't one way that Dragonblood is gained. 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 that 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.

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)Edit

Merethic EraEdit

1. Miraak, Proto-Nord

First EraEdit

1. Alessia, Nede
2. Belharza, Minotaur
3. Ami-El, Man (based on parentage and hatred of Elves) or Minotaur (based on parentage)
4. Ysmir Wulfharth, Atmoran
5. Gorieus, as per Ami-El
6. Hestra, as per Ami-El
7. Shor-El, as per Ami-El
8. Herda, 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, as per Kastav
13. Reman Cyrodiil III, as per Kastav
14. Juilek Cyrodiil, Imperial

Second EraEdit

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

Third EraEdit

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 Potema)
8. Kintyra Septim II, as per Uriel I
9. Uriel Septim III, Man
10. Cephorus Septim, Man (based on relation to Potema)
11. Potema Septim, Man (based on son and her worship of Man "conqueror gods")
12. Magnus Septim, Breton
13. Jolethe Septim, Breton (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, of Dunmer/Breton descent
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, Redguard
40. Uriel Septim VII, Imperial
41. Ariella Septim, Imperial
42. Calaxes Septim, Imperial
43. Geldall Septim, Imperial
44. Enman Septim, Imperial
45. Ebel Septim, Imperial
46. Cassynder Septim II, Imperial
47. Trabbatus Septim, Imperial
48. Pelagius Septim V, Imperial
49. Cephorus Septim III, Imperial
50. Uriel Septim VIII, Imperial
51. Voragiel Septim, Imperial
52. Martin Septim, Imperial

List of all unnamed DragonbornEdit

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

†These individuals are of disputed existence.

Known Total: 100 Dragonborn

Close CallsEdit

Possible Conflations - Ysmir's Son, Shor-ElEdit

The Sovngarde Dragonborn - this guy is a pain. With the women, there are no known female Dragonborn Nords to conflate with, but with the one male, it is possible that 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" that 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, whose 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.

Regent ThonicaEdit

I doubt a mere regent would be deigned to wear the Amulet of Kings, thus her status as a Dragonborn cannot be confirmed. Uriel VI was coronated while Thonica served as regent, indicating that he wore the Amulet.

Raven & Ruma CamoranEdit

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 eerily 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 - the Dragonfire Ritual TheoryEdit

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 that 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. Additionally, 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 that Tamriel had to offer. Lastly, Jauffre states that 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 that he corrupted the ritual, implying that it may have otherwise worked as intended. Jauffre describes a ritual that 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.

Gorieus & KastavEdit

With incredibly little information about each's lineage, these two could have some argument to not being Dragonborn, supported by some with evidence that Kastav was disobeyed by the Dragonguard. However, the fact that they were Emperors/Empresses at all while the Amulet of Kings was available makes me think they wore it, even if it isn't explicitly stated. We know a leader that came after Gorieus, Hestra, was Dragonborn, for her appearance in the Imperial Oversoul. The same is true for Kastav, who was succeeded by Reman II, who consecrated the Dragonborn blood seal of Sky Haven Temple.

HerdaEdit

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 that "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 like 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 that 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 RulersEdit

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 that the rulers are related by blood to Tiber, they instead use the phrase "royal blood", perhaps suggesting that 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.

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 that 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 VIIEdit

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 just like Ariella, but it would be original research to conclude that they are retcons just because of that. For these reasons, I include them on my list.

Wulfharth HeirsEdit

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 just be a faction named after the infamous hero.

Domihaus the Bloody-HornedEdit

Domihaus says in ESO that his "line is unbroken". Many have interpreted this as Domihaus being descended from Belharza, 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.

Agnorith SeptimEdit

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 that Agnorith and Tiber, as brothers, had Dragonborn parentage, particularly when considering that Alessia and Reman Cyrodiil both had divine tales to explain their Dragonblood.

Loose Ends / See AlsoEdit

• The Hörme
• Reman's loyalists
• Disenfranchised Septim branch
• Distant cousin family, Lariats
• Tiber Septim's unborn child
• Potema's unborn children
• 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