Without the Dragonborn, the dragons in Skyrim would be a far greater threat, persisting much longer than they currently do. The Civil War would stagnate, with both sides locked in a seemingly endless conflict, and the absence of the Dragonborn would lead to chaos. Key factions such as the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood might crumble without their intervention.
The Dragonborn is crucial in stabilizing Tamriel in “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.” If they weren’t there to correct things, the situation would be vastly different. While the game doesn’t show what might happen, it offers clues.
Imagine the Dragonborn facing execution, and just a moment’s delay alters everything. With no Dragonborn to banish Alduin, the storyline becomes much darker.
The absence of a Dragonborn means the dragon menace is far more lethal and enduring. The Blades, though diminished, owe much of their success to the Dragonborn’s unique powers. Without the Dragonborn’s ability to master the Dragonrend shout, confronting Alduin and his kin would require more conventional—and less effective—methods.
Battles against dragons would be numerous, with towns becoming easy targets due to insufficient defenses. Towns like Whiterun, Riften, and others would be especially vulnerable, forcing mass migrations to safer areas. Although there’s hope in using the Elder Scroll to send Alduin away, this plan would struggle without the Dragonborn’s guidance.
The dragon conflict would leave Skyrim devastated for decades. Social tensions might flare due to displaced populations. This scenario underlines how invaluable the Dragonborn is and how Delphine owes Paarthurnax for their insights on battling dragons.
Meanwhile, the Civil War would spiral into a protracted standoff. The absence of the Dragonborn means no side can quickly triumph, leaving both entrenched in a drawn-out guerrilla war. The Empire might retain the west while under constant Stormcloak pressure, with Ulfric’s rebellion possibly outliving him. Only a Thalmor intervention or retreat could shift this balance.
In another corner, the Dawnguard and Volkihar vampires would engage in a prolonged battle. While the Dawnguard could hold on without the Dragonborn, vampires would wreak havoc longer. The Dragonborn’s absence limits options to destabilize from within, such as preventing Auriel’s Bow from being misused. This would spread the vampire conflict province-wide.
Miraak, the original Dragonborn, could reemerge unchecked, posing a massive threat to both people and dragons. With his ability to enslave others, Miraak might target populated areas like the Skaal village, building a formidable army. The Telvanni wizard Neloth may resist, but likely would retreat in the face of such opposition. Miraak’s return during Skyrim’s unresolved Civil War spells disaster.
Factions like the Thieves Guild and Dark Brotherhood would crumble without the Dragonborn, who plays a central role in reviving them. Chaos triggered by a missing Dragonborn could force their dissolution as societal structures collapse around them, leaving scant opportunities for them to survive.
Without these interventions, Skyrim’s plight would be bleaker. The Dragonborn, while not solving every problem, helps countless individuals through small acts. Their adventurous spirit and help improve the lives of many, and without this influence, Skyrim would be worse off.
A speculative scenario unfolds where a prisoner, caught at Skyrim’s border, meets an untimely end. Alduin’s unexpected landing after execution shows the world that dragons aren’t just myths. Ulfric Stormcloak resumes his raids, constrained by geography, while the Empire waits tensely for attacks. However, when cities become dragon targets, the landscape changes drastically.
Some towns withstand attacks, while others, like Whiterun, face ruin. Refugees gather in fortified areas, creating large camps. With dragons looming, rumors of the Thieves Guild operating among the displaced create tension.
As years pass, dragon resistance grows, overshadowing the Civil War. Former enemies unite against dragons, although elven influences seek to rekindle old divides. Amid this chaos, rumors of a failed Elder Scroll plan spread, offering little hope.
Eventually, reports of strange cultists arrive, offering perilous allegiances. When Miraak commands Ulfric to submit, his refusal leads to Windhelm’s fall. Draugr hordes desolate the area, while enemies reluctantly ally against Miraak, the new supreme threat.
As the land remains fractured, the need for a hero to rejuvenate hope becomes more apparent. Yet, with dragons and Miraak looming, only time could bring salvation to Skyrim.
