Durnehviir

Important Character

Durnehviir (“Curse Never Dying”) is a dragon that has been trapped within the Soul Cairn for an untold amount of time. He was once a vibrantly colored beast soaring through the skies of Tamriel, but he was tricked by the Ideal Masters and trapped in the Soul Cairn. The Cairn has taken its toll on him, rendering his formally colorful scales mottled, gray, and flayed. Once known by a different name he’s long forgotten, Durnehviir now roams the Soul Cairn attempting to find any way he can to once again breathe the clear air above Tamriel and leave this land of undeath behind.

Initial Preparations

Durnehviir is a dragon trapped inside the Soul Cairn, guarding the Boneyard where Valerica (Serana’s mother) is trapped. While on Dawnguard Main Quest: Beyond Death, you free Valerica from her barrier by killing the three Keepers. Next, you head into the Boneyard and face Durnehviir as part of the quest. Once you defeat him, retrieve the Elder Scroll (Blood) and depart the Boneyard. Head southwest out of the Boneyard, and travel to the devastated plains of the Soul Cairn. As you’re about to leave, Durnehviir startles you. He has returned, but on this occasion he wishes you to stay your weapons and listen awhile.

Durnehviir reveals he isn’t dead but is trapped between “laas and dinok” (life and death). If you’re willing to hear him out, Durnehviir honors you with the name “Qahnaarin” or “Vanquisher.” At this point, Side Quests: Durnehviir begins, as the dragon asks a favor of you—to call him while you’re in Tamriel and free him from this place. To this end, he gives you the three words of a Shout that will summon him.

• Word of Power: Curse, Summon Durnehviir
• Word of Power: Never, Summon Durnehviir
• Word of Power: Dying, Summon Durnehviir

Now conclude your adventures in the Soul Cairn, return to Skyrim, and begin this quest in earnest.

Torn from the Soul Cairn

You will need to spend three Dragon Souls to unlock all three words of Durnehviir’s name. Then select this Shout and summon him back into the world of the living (Magic > Shouts > Summon Durnehviir).

Simply locate an area of land that is flat and wide enough to accommodate a dragon, such as the tundra plains west of Whiterun (as shown in the previous picture). You can call Durnehviir in any exterior location but not inside dungeons or spaces with high cliff walls (such as Eldergleam Sanctuary or the Ancestor’s Glade).

The tattered dragon breathes the free air of Vus once more and offers more than simple gratitude. He teaches you the first word of the Soul Tear Shout.

• Word of Power: Essence, Soul Tear

Now wait until you recover, and summon Durnehviir for a second time. He awards you the second word of the Soul Tear Thu’um.

• Word of Power: Tear, Soul Tear

Finally, summon the dragon one last time, after which he gathers enough strength to break free of the psychic control of the Ideal Masters. He also teaches you the final word:

• Word of Power: Zombie, Soul Tear

Your Thu’um cuts through flesh and shatters souls, commanding the will of the fallen.

Postquest Activities

Try out the Soul Tear Shout: Expend up to three Dragon Souls to gain the most potent form of this Thu’um, which damages foes, sucks their souls from their forms (and transfers them into any Soul Gems you may be carrying), and—at its most devastating—raises the foe you just slew to act as a zombified thrall!