Main Quest: Alduin’s Bane

A Blast from the Past

Once you’ve taken the Elder Scroll from the Oculory inside the Tower of Mzark, simply return to the Dwarven Elevator and head outside. Once you’re back on Skyrim’s surface, you can travel (by your preferred means) to the Throat of the World, where Paarthurmax is perched on his rock, watching you intently. Move near the Time-Wound, which glows brighter as you advance upon it, and read the Elder Scroll from your inventory.

Your vision pitches back into the past, thousands of years ago, when the Nord heroes of old first fought Alduin and his dragon brethren. But Gormlaith, Hakon, and Felldir are seen as if you could reach out and touch them. You cannot move while watching this memory play out. You watch as Gormlaith and Hakon deliver a series of killing blows to a dragon, with Hakon worrying that Alduin may not appear and fall into the trap they have set for him. Felldir has seen none of his kin stand against Alduin, not Galthor, Sorri, or Birkir. Gormlaith replies that they did not have Dragonrend. But as Alduin cannot be slain like a lesser dragon, Felldir has brought something to even the odds—an Elder Scroll!

The giant black dragon soon descends on the trio of Nord warriors. As planned, the three heroes bellow out Joor (“Mortal”), Zah (“Finite”), Frul (“Temporary”)! At the same moment in present time, you absorb the knowledge of this Shout yourself. Alduin is confused, and sees fear for the first time. While Gormlaith is torn and tossed about by an enraged Alduin, Hakon yells to Felldir to use the Elder Scroll. After Felldir yells the incantation, Alduin is consumed by a massive ball of energy, sucked into the Elder Scroll, and is banished from the world of Skyrim...of the past. But what of the present?

• Word of Power: Mortal, Dragonrend
• Word of Power: Finite, Dragonrend
• Word of Power: Temporary, Dragonrend

Rending the World-Eater Asunder

Something black and jagged arcs through the blizzard. Alduin has seen your attempts at reading the Elder Scroll but arrives too late to prevent you from learning the Shout that may be his downfall. Paarthurnax attempts to intercept Alduin’s attack but is cut down and lands heavily near you. He tells you to use the Dragonrend Shout if you can.

Dragon Slaying: Immediately select Dragonrend from the Shouts, and target the Thu’um directly at Alduin as he flies down to a hover, swoops past, or lands.

Try to lengthen the attack of the Shout (by holding down the Shout button). When he lands heavily, utilize your favored attack (which can be a second or third Shout as well as your magic and ranged or melee weapons).

If Alduin takes to the skies, use Dragonrend again; it is the only guaranteed way of dropping him back down to earth.

Continue combat, which is the most difficult that you’ve likely faced, and make use of any Health, Magicka, or Stamina potions that you’ve acquired for this battle.

Quest Conclusion

The battle ends only after you’ve depleted Alduin’s health, or he’s savaged you to death; there is no respite. Kill or be killed!

Postquest Activities

Once you’ve dealt a final blow to Alduin, Main Quest: The Fallen begins.