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Without the Dragonborn’s intervention, dragons would wreak much more havoc and remain a threat for a long time. The Civil War in Skyrim would drag on without a decisive resolution, and factions like the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood might collapse into chaos.
In The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim, the Dragonborn is critical in preventing chaos throughout Tamriel. The game hints at what might happen in their absence. As Alduin arrives a few seconds too late, the executioner’s ax swings, and in one swift moment, Skyrim’s fate changes. Without the Dragonborn, Alduin has no prophesied adversary, leaving Skyrim’s future uncertain.
### The Biggest Problems Facing Skyrim Without the Dragonborn
#### The Dragon Threat Is Far Deadlier and Lasts a Lot Longer
The Blades had limited success largely due to the Dragonborn, who could harness the power of the Dragonrend shout to counter Alduin effectively. Without such a weapon, they’d be left with conventional tactics. Although some dragons might fall, many warriors and civilians would die. Towns lacking defenses, especially wooden ones like Whiterun and Riften, would easily succumb to dragon attacks, triggering mass migrations to more fortified cities.
There’s hope that Alduin could be dealt with—perhaps by Delphine and Esbern using the Elder Scroll to banish him. However, this is risky, as Alduin might foresee this, complicating any attempts to expose and banish him. Though a dragon war might eventually be won, Skyrim would suffer long-term devastation and social tensions due to widespread displacement. The Dragonborn made the fight far more manageable, and Delphine owes much to Paarthurnax for teaching the Dragonborn to combat dragons effectively.
#### The Civil War Would Enter a Desperate Stalemate
Without the Dragonborn to tip the scales, the outcome of the civil war becomes less clear, with neither side gaining a clear advantage. While dragons might temporarily unite factions, underlying issues remain unresolved. The conflict might devolve into a protracted guerilla struggle, with Imperial forces trying to hold the west under constant threat from the Stormcloaks. If the Thalmor intervene, they could push the Empire out, possibly resulting in Ulfric becoming the de facto leader of Skyrim.
#### The Volkihar Clan Would Be at War With the Dawnguard
The Dawnguard, a capable faction, would still pose a challenge to the Volkihar vampires. Although the Dragonborn’s presence made defeating Harkon easier, their absence would prolong the conflict. The struggle against vampires would be brutal and widespread, with the future of Auriel’s Bow hanging in the balance.
#### Miraak’s Reemergence Could Go Unchallenged
Miraak’s return represents a significant wildcard. As a threat to both mortals and dragons, Miraak could wreak havoc upon Tamriel. Unlike the Volkihar, Miraak’s success doesn’t depend on variable factors—he simply needs to escape Oblivion. His dominion could spread to places like the Skaal village and Raven Rock, potentially overwhelming Telvanni wizard Neloth and causing him to retreat to Morrowind. With the civil war unresolved, Miraak’s unchecked rise would pose an even greater threat.
#### The Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood Would Collapse
Both the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood rely on the Dragonborn for revival. Without their influence, these factions might dissolve amid chaos, as cities fall into disorder and their usual activities become untenable.
#### The People of Skyrim Would Be Worse Off
While the Dragonborn doesn’t resolve every minor issue, their presence has uplifted many through small, meaningful acts. Whether retrieving a lost sword or healing the sick, their absence would leave many in Skyrim without hope or help.
### One Possible Scenario of a Skyrim Without the Dragonborn
Imagine an unnamed prisoner at Skyrim’s southern border, moments from execution, when everything changes. After the ax falls, an enormous black dragon disrupts Helgen, leaving both prisoners and soldiers scrambling. The myths about dragons return to terrifying reality.
Back in Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak launches attacks on Imperial forces, while the Empire struggles, hoping to use Skyrim’s terrain to keep him at bay. When delegation attempts at Whiterun fail, it’s clear this stalemate won’t last.
General Tullius braces for attacks, but it’s the dragons that strike, scorching cities like Windhelm and Solitude. Whiterun doesn’t survive and is reduced to ashes in one fiery night. Left in ruins, people flee to distant stone cities, setting up sprawling refugee camps.
The camps are rife with rumors of banditry and subdued Thieves Guild operations posing as refugees. As these settlements grow into permanent shanty towns, dragon assaults remain relentless, with the Thalmor discreetly stoking discord.
Dark tales of vampires and hunters further unsettle an already beleaguered populace. Whispers about efforts to banish Alduin with an Elder Scroll circulate, though few believe these distant dreams of salvation.
In time, a dragon falls and its soul is seen fleeing; masked cultists arrive at Windhelm with demands for Ulfric to serve Miraak. Angrily dismissed, Windhelm soon falls to legions led by Miraak himself. Ulfric escapes to the west, bitterly watching his beloved city burn.
In Solitude, Ulfric, now seeking alliance, meets General Tullius. Once archrivals, they silently face the ever-growing threat. Meanwhile, as dragons die, their souls empower Miraak, who remains unswayed even by Alduin, instead targeting High Hrothgar’s pacifist inhabitant.
As chaos reigns, the people of Skyrim desperately yearn for a new hero to emerge and shift the tides of fate.
