Who gets Dragonborn’s soul?

Who Gets the Dragonborn’s Soul?

The eternal question that has puzzled many an Elder Scrolls enthusiast. Who ultimately inherits the mighty Dragonborn’s soul after his mortal vessel has left this mortal coil? To shed some light on this mystifying enigma, we will embark on a journey through the realms of Skyrim and Tamriel to uncover the answer.

Direct Answer
The soul of the Dragonborn ultimately belongs to Akatosh, the God of Time, one of the eight Divines of the Elder Scrolls universe. This claim is not supported by mere hearsay but is rather grounded in the lore and lore-dependent fiction of the series.

The Origins of the Dragonborn
Before delving into the mystery of the Dragonborn’s soul, let us take a step back and examine the origins of the Dragonborn himself. As we all know, the Dragonborn is a mortal blessed with the Blood and soul of a dragon, making them an embodiment of the legendary Dragon and Father of Time, Akatosh. The creator of the Dragonborn is Brahma, a divine being often referred to as the "Father of the Dragonborn." [Miraak is another powerful being that could be argued as a contender, but we’ll address this further down]

The Consequences of Being a Dragonborn
When a mortal takes on the mantle of a Dragonborn, they inherit not only the powers and abilities of a dragon but also a portion of its immortal soul. This fusion creates a symbiosis between the mortal vessel and the Dragon’s essence, rendering the Dragonborn virtually invincible and blessed with a range of unique abilities.

The Merging of the Dragon and Mortal Soul
During this mystical transformation, a critical component takes place. The soul of the mortal becomes an integral part of the dragon’s soul. As a result, when the Dragonborn ultimately departs this world, his or her mortal soul will merge with that of Akatosh, effectively making him the final guardian of their soul.

Contenders and Red Herrings
Several individuals may come to mind when considering the potential custodian of the Dragonborn’s soul, but most can be disqualified based on lore or outright contradicted.

• Miraak: Miraak is an alternative contender for the creation of the Dragonborn. Although he plays a crucial role in the early lore, his creation method and capabilities differ from the canonical storyline. Moreover, the mythos implies a different chain of events.

• The Companions of Whiterun: A popular myth has emerged around the idea that the Dragonborn’s soul might belong to the Companions, a fraternal order dedicated to protecting Skyrim’s inhabitants. [However, no concrete evidence exists within the lore or narrative to support this theory]

The Lore’s Final Say
By tracing the story back to its earliest whispers, it becomes increasingly clear that the soul of the Dragonborn is ordained for Akatosh’s possession. Brahma, as the creator, would ensure a fitting successor for his mortal creations.

Summary
To reiterate: The Dragonborn’s soul will ultimately belong to Akatosh as part of the fusion with the dragon’s immortal soul during their creation. No credible alternatives exist in the Elder Scrolls lore or narrative. We can assume the merging of the two souls ensures Akatosh, the Father of Time, is responsible for guiding and guarding the Dragonborn’s immortal essence.

References and Sources

• Miraak and the creation of the Dragonborn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b5Pp2P5UcE (Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim)
• Elder Scrolls Online lore on Brahma and Akatosh
https://www.eso-interactive.com/en/luxembourg/online_en/story/factions/jade_asylum
https://en.uesp.net/wiki/Elder_Scrolls_Online:Factions_(Jade_Asylum)