It's unlikely that any Skyrim player has gone through Elder Scrolls V without encountering a Draugr, the most common enemy type hidden within the game's dungeons who possess their own unique history. Skyrim is an old country rich with lore, developed by centuries of dedicated lineages and armies. Unfortunately, many historical records are lost to time, with few characters willing to uncover their buried history. Various texts hidden throughout the game offer more information concerning these undead soldiers, but players have to search for answers to discover all of Skyrim’s zombie mysteries.
Skyrim’s Draugr can be found in most dungeons, their armored corpses lining the walls and prepared to defend their resting place. However, when players come too close, their spirits awaken and become aggressive. Draugr aren’t very difficult to kill, but their high numbers make it easy for the undead to outnumber the Dragonborn. Often wielding Ancient Nord weapons with little else to loot, these enemies are some of the few humanoids that can use Dragon Shouts against the Dragonborn.
Draugr, like many aspects of Skyrim, are inspired by Norse culture and Norse mythology. The word ‘Draugr’ can refer to a ghost or spirit rather than an undead zombie. While they are never stated as ‘undead beings’ in traditional Scandinavian writings, the closest translation comes to ‘again-walker,’ which suggests a being in its second life. Necromancy isn’t rare in Skyrim, with players able to revive slain enemies and summon spirits, but the Draugr represent an echo of Elder Scrolls' darkest chapters of history. While these warriors may be dead, they’re no less threatening than the bandits found on Skyrim's roads and fortresses, or any of the other mortal threats found elsewhere.
Some Of Skyrim's Draugr Are Dragon Priests Blessed By Dragons
In Skyrim’s history, Dragons used to reign over humanity with merciless cruelty. They fostered Dragon Cults, which would raise a single worthy human above the rest. This depraved individual would come to be known as a Dragon Priest. They would amass many followers, leading armies in service of their draconic masters. In modern Skyrim, the Dragonborn, Ulfric Stormcloak, the Ebony Warrior, the Greybeards, and Draugr are some of the only non-draconic creatures capable of unlocking their Thu’um to use Skyrim's Dragon Shouts.
However, Dragon Priests also exhibit a level of magical talent and are capable of powerful attacks that can leave unprepared Dragonborn staggering. Unlike other Draugr, who can be defeated using simple attacks, Dragon Priests require more advanced strategies to defeat. A combination of healing magic or items, stealth, raw strength or power, and Shouts are needed to defeat the Priests. Dragon Priests can emit Frost, Fire, and Shock damage, mirroring the breath types of the Dragons they worshiped, making them some of the most powerful named Draugr in Skyrim.
Skyrim contains eight dragon priests in the base game, with five more located in Solstheim in Skyrim’s Dragonborn DLC. Each sports a unique Dragon Priest mask that gives the Dragonborn buffs to specific abilities. Skyrim’s Dragon Priests included Hevnoraak, Krosis, Morokei, Nahkriin, Otar the Mad, Rahgot, Vokun, and Volsung. Each Priest specialized in a different form of magic and worship, like Hevnoraak, who utilized mind control to sway countless followers to his side. Solstheim is home to more Dragon Priests, such as Miraak, Vahlok, Ahzidal, Dukaan, and Zahkriisos. However, Miraak and Vahlok are the most notable warriors and receive unique quests that reveal more about their relationship and backstory.
Skyrim's Draugr Are The Dragon Priests' Loyal Servants
Like many leaders, Dragon Priests couldn’t rule over the masses without assistance. Their power and elevated lifestyle attracted many followers, leading to crypts filled with armored bodies. The most informative account of common Draugr comes from Bernadette Bantien, a mage from Skyrim's Mage College of Winterhold and author of Amongst the Draugr. After spending months living among the undead warriors, she details her findings and begins to uncover some semblance of their second life with unsettling clarity. Bernadette outlines some of the nuances of Draugr cultures during her time in the crypts, casting light on an otherwise unsolvable mystery. Amongst the Draugr emphasizes a transference of life energy between the Draugr soldiers and the Dragon Priests:
“Every day, a different set of draugr would awaken, shamble their way to the sarcophagus of their Priest, and prostrate themselves before it. Several hours of this, followed by a meticulous cleaning of the area. It would appear that the adherents of the dragon priest continue their worship of him in death, which would also explain the ferocity with which they defend his chambers....The second eternal life was only promised to those who ascended to the priesthood, but the lesser functionaries contributed their life force to sustaining them for eternity. I don’t know what sort of eternal wellspring they draw from, but it’s clear that each draugr carries only the barest whisper of life in it, and rekindles it nightly while resting in its niche.”
- Bernadette Bantien, Amongst the Draugr
This transfer of energy likely explains the variations of Draugr located throughout the crypts. Different sets of followers rise from their crypts each day, like a rotation throughout Skyrim’s dungeons. While traversing the deadly tombs, players can encounter several types of Draugr resting in the walls. Some are skeletons, stripped bare of flesh, armor, and loot. Others are faded corpses with no life remaining within them. Despite these losses, most of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's Draugr and Draugr Lords are still alive and offer deadly challenges to trespassers. It’s likely the deceased Draugr have been completely drained of their life force, with their Dragon Priest master calling them forth to make the ultimate sacrifice. With the number of dead Draugr in each Skyrim dungeon, it’s unsurprising that Dragon Priests pose such a dangerous threat.
Skyrim’s Sovngarde Is Out Of Reach To Some Powerful Draugr
Dragon Priests aren’t the only enemy the Dragonborn can locate within Skyrim’s many dungeons. Investigating different texts can lead players to hidden locations with legends of their own, leading to an intense battle with Skyrim's most renowned warriors and villains. When saving the world from an apocalyptic dragon, it can be challenging to picture a time when Skyrim needed to be saved from a threat other than Alduin. The unfortunate truth is that Dragonborns aren’t Skyrim’s only heroes, and Alduin wasn't the only word-ending threat. Several quests hidden across Skyrim detail the kingdom's history, including the stories of characters like Red Eagle and the Gauldur brothers.
Red Eagle was a hero of the Reach before the Imperial Legions came to conquer his homeland. After making a deal with Hagraven witches, Red Eagle sacrificed his humanity to defeat his enemy. He cannot rest until his sword returns to him, causing him to wake from his slumber and lead his people again. The Dragonborn can return the sword to Red Eagle and slay him, ending his torment and fulfilling the prophecy. The Gauldur brothers are also powerful Draugr located throughout Skyrim, who each hold a piece of an amulet stolen from their father. Mikrul Gauldurson, Jyrik Gauldurson, and Sigdis Gauldurson have utilized the amulet to unlock unnatural, powerful abilities. From creating clones to conjuring elemental defenses, the Gauldursons are some of the toughest bosses in Skyrim.
The Elder Scrolls franchise is filled with unsolvable mysteries, but the Draugr represent a vital piece of Skyrim’s history. Bethesda’s worldbuilding and lore cover even the smallest details of Skyrim, down to architectural choices and enemy types found throughout the map. Remnants of legends long dead can become a chapter in the Dragonborn’s story, and Skyrim’s undead mysteries further the magical enigmas of the land.