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I actually like it that way. It gives the setting a pretty realistic view in how local/indigenous religious practices get transformed/absorbed over time, especially when the Imperial practices start getting involved. It's not too dissimilar with how the Roman/Greek pantheon syncretism occurred, complete with deities who didn't exist for one pantheon, like how Zenithar doesn't have an equivalent in the Nordic pantheon, unlike the rest of the gods.
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There is also lore in the game that depicts the Atmoran/ancient Nordic worship of animal totems, the dragon being among them. When they eventually converted to theistic worship, the dragon became Alduin, in the same pantheon as Kyne and the rest of the gods. So in Nordic tradition, he's considered an aspect of Akatosh, while in other places he's considered an entirely separate being. Basically, Nordic religion treats Alduin sort of like how Jesus is treated in Christianity, separate but one with God, while in Islam Isa is an important prophet, but is entirely distinct from Allah.
Also, while the Thu'um does predate Kyne teaching it to Man, since this was before the First Empire brought the Divines to Skyrim, the Thu'um still isn't majorly associated with Akatosh. The Nords consider Paarthurnax (and Kyne) to have taught the Thu'um to Man, not Akatosh. Which was actually a problem for the Imperial missionaries, who had a hell of a time trying to convince the Nords that worshiping Akatosh as the prime deity of the pantheon was all perfectly peachy and not at all creepy and fatalistic.
Hitokiri in the streets, daishouri in the sheets.Well, considering that the Dragon Cult went full evil after the migration to Tamriel, it's understandable that the Nords don't exactly have an entirely positive view towards dragons, although Paarthurnax is mentioned by name in the Tablets leading to High Hrothgar.
Hitokiri in the streets, daishouri in the sheets.By Paarthunax's own word, being an asshole is a dragon's innate nature. It's not surprising?
Even the "nice" dragons the Dragonborn can associate with have asterisks next to them. Paarthunax lives in seclusion to fight his own worse nature and admits that even indulging conversation poses a risk of temptation to him (since Dragons don't see a different between a debate and a fight).
Odahviing mostly respects that you've wooped his ass and sort of just vibes to show up and get into fights alongside you. More of a Blood Knight than someone "nice" who cronies for whoever is the mightiest.
Durnehviir is mostly just dependent on you for leaving the Soul Cairne for minutes at a time and enjoy a fragment of his former existence, and by his own word the entire reason he's in this predicament is his own thirst for power.
There's no positive dragon because their very nature is to be tyrannical, crave power and control and see mortal races as beneath them (And probably ought to tell you something about Akatosh?). Only one of them fought off those urges and doing so requires him to live as an hermit, in constant deprivation and seclusion less temptation come.
Edited by Ghilz on May 21st 2025 at 11:51:19 AM
Dragons are inherently driven to conquest and domination. The Dragonborn is no exception to this. And don’t forget that Tiber Septim was Dragonborn too. Small wonder he’d go overboard with Numidium.
Dragon Cults are effectively worshipers of conquest itself.
Edited by M84 on May 21st 2025 at 11:53:04 PM
Disgusted, but not surprisedHmm, I'd argue Nocturnal is probably the best, because she very much just keeps to herself. Whenever she takes action against mortals, it's because they're thieves who tried to get one over her.
Like seriously, why do thieves keep stealing from her? It's like they want to be struck by an ironic curse.
Nocturnal's pretty bad in The Elder Scrolls Online. Azura, meanwhile, though far from perfect, is probably the Prince with the best track record. Probably the worse she did was turn the Dunmer grey after Nerevar's murder, which is certainly bad but, compared to other princes, is far from the worst.
Bal is by far the worse Daedric prince, which is certainly saying something. The best would probably be Azura, which also speaks volumes.
They do. At least some of them worship him as the spirit of hardship who makes men endure.
He has a verse in "Hail to the Ancient Spirits"
- Hail Molag Bal, the Prince of Pain
Brutal master, lord of troubles
Giver of strength to slay and strive
For men are meant to struggle
(The song refers to the princes in the book as teachers, testers and givers of lessons)
To quote UESP
The Reachfolk understand that hardship is inevitable, but instead of bemoaning their sorrows, they embrace the pain as wisdom.[D 11] They look up to those who work hard,[D 12] and believe those that are plagued by troubled times are strengthened by their experiences. Molag Bal grants nothing but unexpected pain. Those of the Reach who venerate Molag Bal appreciate the lessons he teaches, growing resilient in his shadow.[D 11]
The Cinder-Heart Clan reveres the Defiler,[16] and their practices reflect the extreme horrors Molag Bal's sphere represents. They are known for their cruel treatment of captives, whom they burn alive. Their briarheart ritual is augmented with the intense pain of opening a subject's chest cavity and filling it with hot coals.[BK 46]
Reachmen are sometimes referred to as the Witchmen of High Rock, a name that stems from their use of dark "Reach-magic".[BK 47] Although Hircine is believed to be the source of the dark nature magic used by Reach hedge wizards,[17] Molag Bal can grant similar power. The name "gravesinger" is worn by some Reachman necromancers who broker deals with Bal[QD 20] in exchange for the power to command the loathsome dead.[BK 48] These gravesingers can command corpses by planting the seeds of foul vines in their victims' bodies. Molag Bal's "gifts" may leave a gravesinger's body in a state of decay.[D 13]

Few things, first of all, Alduin isn't specifically a nord god. The Khajiit also have him as a god (Alkhan, son of Akha)
Alduin refers to himself as a distinct being from Akatosh, as does Paarthunax
"But I am Al-du-in, Firstborn of Akatosh!"
"Alduin was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creation"
Theres a few text that refer to the Dragons/Alduin as fragments Akatosh shed/lost, which is probably closest to the truth.
Shouts used by humans seem to at least predate this, as Atmoran Dragon Priests used them. And they predate the uprising against Alduin.
Edited by Ghilz on May 21st 2025 at 10:33:12 AM