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Dragon Rising

Author: 
Fiore1300
Librarian Comment: 

This page remains a work in progress. Nothing here is a final edit.

Player Character

I got you the Dragonstone. What next?

Farengar Secret-Fire

That is where your job ends and mine begins. The work of the mind, sadly undervalued in Skyrim.

My... associate here will be pleased to see your handiwork. She discovered its location, by means she has so far declined to share with me.

(turning to Delphine)

So your information was correct after all. And we have our friend here to thank for recovering it for us.

Delphine

(to me)

You went into Bleak Falls Barrow and got that? Nice work.

(to Farengar)

Just send me a copy when you've deciphered it.

Irileth

Farengar!

Farengar, you need to come at once. A dragon's been sighted nearby.

(turning to me)

You should come, too.

Farengar Secret-Fire

A dragon! How exciting! Where was it seen? What was it doing?

Irileth

I'd take this a bit more seriously if I were you. If a dragon decides to attack Whiterun I don't know if we can stop it.

Let's go.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

(to a guard)

So, Irileth tells me you came from the western watchtower?

Whiterun Guard

Yes, my lord.

Irileth

Tell him what you told me. About the dragon.

Uh... that's right. We saw it coming from the south. It was fast... faster than anything I've ever seen.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

What did it do? Is it attacking the watchtower?

Whiterun Guard

No, my lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I never ran so fast in my life... I thought it would come after me for sure.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

Good work, son. We'll take it from here. Head down to the barracks for some food and rest. You've earned it.

Irileth, you'd better gather some guardsmen and get down there.

Irileth

I've already ordered my men to muster near the main gate.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

Good. Don't fail me.

(turning to me)

There's no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help again.

I want you to go with Irileth and help her fight this dragon.

You survived Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons than anyone else here.

But I haven't forgotten the service you did for me in retrieving the Dragonstone for Farengar.

As a token of my esteem, I have instructed Avenicci that you are now permitted to purchase property in the city.

And please, accept this gift from my personal armory.

Farengar Secret-Fire

I should come along. I would very much like to see this dragon.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

No. I can't afford to risk both of you. I need you here working on ways to defend the city against these dragons.

Farengar Secret-Fire

As you command.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

One last thing, Irileth. This isn't a death or glory mission. I need to know what we're dealing with.

Irileth

Don't worry, my lord. I'm the very soul of caution.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

(to me)

Help Irileth kill this dragon before it can attack Whiterun. There's no time to lose.

(I rendezvous with Irileth and the guards on a hill overlooking the western watchtower. Its a smoldering ruin)

Irileth

No signs of any dragon right now, but it sure looks like he's been here.

I know it looks bad, but we've got to figure out what happened. And if that dragon is still skulking around somewhere.

Spread out and look for survivors. We need to know what we're dealing with.

Whiterun Guard (1)

No! Get back! It's still here somewhere! Hroki and Tor just got grabbed when they tried to make a run for it!

Irileth

Guardsman! What happened here? Where's this dragon? Quickly now!

Whiterun Guard (1)

I don't know!

(a roar echoes over the mountains)

Kynareth save us, here he comes again...

Irileth

Here he comes! Find cover and make every arrow count!

(The dragon attacks us at the western watchtower)

Whiterun Guard (2)

Talos save us! It's a dragon!

Mirmulnir

You are brave. Balaan hokoron. Your defeat brings me honor.

Whiterun Guard (3)

Is it dead?

Mirmulnir

Dovahkiin! No!!

(I land a finishing blow on the dragon and in a great show of fire and light, the dragon dissolves to ash as I absorb its soul as it finally dies)

Whiterun Guard (3)

I can't believe it! You're... Dragonborn...

Player Character

Dragonborn? What do you mean?

Whiterun Guard (3)

In the very oldest tales, back from when there were still dragons in Skyrim, the Dragonborn would slay dragons and steal their power.

That's what you did, isn't it? Absorbed that dragon's power?

Player Character

I don't know what happened to me.

Whiterun Guard (3)

There's one way to find out. Try to Shout... that would prove it.

According to the old legends, only the Dragonborn can Shout without training, the way the dragons do.

Whiterun Guard (4)

Dragonborn? What are you talking about?

Whiterun Guard (5)

That's right! My grandfather used to tell stories about the Dragonborn.

Those born with the Dragon Blood in 'em. Like old Tiber Septim himself.

Whiterun Guard (4)

I never heard of Tiber Septim killing any dragons.

Whiterun Guard (3)

There weren't any dragons then, idiot. They're just coming back now for the first time in... forever.

Whiterun Guard (5)

But the old tales tell of the Dragonborn who could kill dragons and steal their power. You must be one!

Whiterun Guard (4)

What do you say, Irileth? You're being awfully quiet.

Come on, Irileth, tell us, do you believe in this Dragonborn business?

Irileth

Hmph. Some of you would be better off keeping quiet than flapping your gums on matters you don't know anything about.

Here's a dead dragon, and that's something I definitely understand. Now we know we can kill them.

But I don't need some mythical Dragonborn. SOmeone who can put down a dragon is more than enough for me.

Whiterun Guard (3)

You wouldn't understand, Housecarl. You ain't a Nord.

Irileth

I've been all across Tamriel. I've seen plenty of things just as outlandish as this.

I'd advise you all to trust in the strength of your sword arm over tales and legends.

Whiterun Guard (3)

If you really are Dragonborn, like out of the old tales, you ought to be able to Shout. Can you? Have you tried?

(I remember the word I saw on the wall of Bleak Falls Barrow and shout it into the sky)

Whiterun Guard (3)

That was Shouting, what you just did! Must be. You really are Dragonborn, then...

Irileth

(to me)

That was the hairiest fight I've ever been in, and I've been in more than a few.

I don't know about this Dragonborn business, but I'm sure glad you're with us.

You better get back to Whiterun right away. Jarl Balgruuf will want to know what happened here.

Whiterun Guard (5)

We taught that dragon not to mess with Whiterun, didn't we?

Whiterun Guard (4)

You sure took care of that dragon. Dragonborn or not, that's good enough for me.

(as I head back to Whiterun, the earth shakes as a tremendous Shout echoes down over the plains like a thunderclap: DOVAHKIIN. As I enter Dragonsreach, Proventus greets me hurriedly)

Proventus Avenicci

Good. You're finally here. The Jarl's been waiting for you.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

You heard the summons. What else could it mean?

The Greybeards...

Hrongar

We were just talking about you. My brother needs a word with you.

(I approach the Jarl)

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

So what happened at the watchtower? Was the dragon there?

Player Character

The watchtower was destroyed, but we killed the dragon.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

I knew I could count on Irileth. But there must be more to it than that.

Player Character

When the dragon died, I absorbed some kind of power from it.

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

So it's true. The Greybeards really were summoning you.

Player Character

The Greybeards?

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the slopes of the Throat of the World.

Player Character

What do these Greybeards want with me?

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice - the ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or Shout.

If you really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift.

Hrongar

Didn't you hear the thundering sound as you returned to Whiterun?

That was the voice of the Greybeards, summoning you to High Hrothgar!

This hasn't happened in... centuries, at least. Not since Tiber Septim himself was summoned when he was still Talos of Atmora!

Proventus Avenicci

Hrongar, calm yourself. What does any of this Nord nonsense have to do with our friend here?

Capable as he may be, I don't see any signs of him being this, what, "Dragonborn."

Hrongar

Nord nonsense?! Why you puffed-up ignorant... these are our sacred traditions that go back to the founding of the First Empire!

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

Hrongar. Don't be so hard on Avenicci.

Proventus Avenicci

I meant no disrespect, of course.

It's just that... what do these Greybeards want with him?

Jarl Balgruuf the Greater

That's the Greybeard's business, not ours.

Whatever happened when you killed that dragon, it revealed something in you, and the Greybeards heard it.

If they think you're Dragonborn, who are we to argue?

You'd better get up to High Hrothgar immediately. There's no refusing the summons of the Greybeards. It's a tremendous honor.

I envy you, you know. To climb the 7,000 Steps again... I made the pilgrimage once, did you know that?

High Hrothgar is a very peaceful place. Very... disconnected from the troubles of this world.

I wonder that the Greybeards even notice what's going on down here. They haven't seemed to care before.

No matter. Go to High Hrothgar. Learn what the Greybeards can teach you.

You've done a great service for me and my city, Dragonborn.

By my right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor that's within my power to grant.

I assign you Lydia as a personal Housecarl, and this weapon from my armory to serve as your badge of office.

I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we?

We are honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn.

(turning to Proventus)

Back to business, Proventus. We still have a city to defend.

Proventus Avenicci

Yes, my lord.