What is the canon name for Dragonborn?
As a passionate Elder Scrolls fan, I‘m fascinated by the intentionally mysterious canonical identity of the Last Dragonborn hero we embody in Skyrim. While their default placeholder name may literally be "Prisoner," this blank slate character has an intricate destiny that players shape through prophecy and legend.
The Dragonborn‘s True Name and Nature
Prisoner is essentially a temporary title used in dialogue and scripts to refer to our protagonist. Their true name and backstory is left unspecified on purpose – we are meant to fill those gaps with our Dragonborn‘s identity. They are a legendary hero whose very spirit is intrinsic to the Elder Scrolls, almost as if their role was predestined and interwoven into the future historical tapestry of Tamriel…
Table of Theories on the Dragonborn‘s Origins
| Theory | Source | Implications |
|---|---|---|
| Literal gift from Akatosh | In-universe lore on Dragonborn emperors | Their abilities go beyond mere dragon shouts |
| Legend shaped into reality | The mutable nature of the Elder Scrolls | Prophecies and myth becoming true |
| Player avatar inserted | The meta nature of game protagonists | We complete the Dragonborn‘s hero journey |
Their Canon Race – Nord or Something More?
While never definitively stated, the Dragonborn being a Nord would make the most sense given Skyrim‘s setting and the role of this hero in Nord culture. But their race is left unspecified, perhaps deliberately allowing them to mantle heroes from other races in the future…
Dragonborn Racial Theorycrafting
- Nord – Default assumption from Skyrim‘s setting and the Nords‘ Dragonborn legend
- Imperial – Potential Akatosh-blessed remnant of the dragonblood Septim line
- Other Races – Lore-breaking but possible in future games; their destiny transcends race
Regardless of race, the Last Dragonborn stands as a emblem of hope for all mortalkind. And perhaps their unspecified but destined origins are meant to allow players to imprint their own preferred racial identity onto this legendary hero.
The Ascension and Legacy of Skyrim‘s Dragonborn
As the name implies, the Last Dragonborn appears in Tamriel‘s time of need to confront the return of Alduin as foretold by prophecy. Through slaying dragons and absorbing their power, this Drainborn‘s legacy becomes intertwined with the very fate of the world.
But what happens after their mythic hero‘s journey is complete? Their disappearance from recorded history sparked intense debate around their ultimate fate:
- Achieved immortality through mastery of the Voice and Thu‘um
- Transcended mortal existence to demigodhood
- Retired to a quiet life in Skyrim (or Solstheim!)
- Will return in future games that continue the saga
The Destiny of the Dragonborn – A Mystery For The Ages
| Potential Fate | Implications | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Demigod Apotheosis | Ambition of Vehk, Talos | New deity stabilizing Tamriel? |
| Immortal Master of Thu‘um | Understanding the Greybeards know | Guide mortals in Voice without need to rule? |
| Simply Vanished | Like final fate of Nerevarine | Allows return while bypassing assumptions |
For me as a lore scholar, the enigmatic Last Dragonborn embodies our own epic journey – and their disappearance leaves room for their legend to take new forms as The Elder Scrolls saga continues…
So in that way, Prisoner may be the most fitting name after all. We fill those metaphorical shoes every time we embark on epic quests to save Skyrim and Tamriel itself!
