In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, players are given the unique opportunity to meet the first human to walk the face of Tamriel: Ysgramor, the legendary Nord hero. Ysgramor can be encountered in Sovngarde during the quest of the same name, where he and other Nordic heroes reside in the Hall Of Valor. Being the first human to venture to Tamriel, Ysgramor is responsible for the first and oldest human civilizations on the continent, making him an important figure to all of the human races.

The story of Ysgramor can be heard from various NPCs, books, and in some of Skyrim's best quests.  The Atmoran king came to Tamriel before the first era, his people fleeing civil war in Atmora, and upon arriving in ancient Skyrim founded the first human settlement of Saarthal. The settlement was eventually attacked by Snow Elves, and Ysgramor returned to Atmora to gather an army, seeking revenge for the attack. When he returned he brought with him the Five Hundred Companions, driving the elves out of Skyrim and immortalizing himself as a Nord hero.

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By the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Ysgramor has long since died and his spirit resides in the halls of Sovngarde. He's remembered across Skyrim, with a statue of his likeness guarding his tomb and wielding his enchanted axe, Wuuthraad. His memory inspires the modern-day Companions, honorable mercenaries who revere Ysgramor's campaign across Skyrim and model themselves after his army. The Companions can be encountered fighting monsters in various locations in Skyrim, earning their own titles as Nord heroes.

Meeting The First Human In Tamriel

During the main quest, the player must travel to Sovngarde to face and finally defeat Anduin. After battling through Skuldafn temple and reaching Anduin's portal to Sovngarde, the player can pass over to the other side and will be greeted by statues of Nord warriors. After helping the soul of a Stormcloak warrior pass through a trap laid by Anduin, the Dragonborn will reach Shor's Hall where Ysgramor and other Nord heroes can be met.

Ysgramor will greet the Dragonborn with, "Welcome, Dragonborn! Our door has stood empty since Alduin first set his soul-snare here," in reference to the mist standing between new souls and Shor's Hall. Though Ysgramor won't fight by the Dragonborn's side and can't be recruited as a Skyrim follower, three Nord heroes will, as he soon explains: "But three await your word to loose their fury upon the perilous foe. Gormlaith the fearless, glad-hearted in battle; Hakon the valiant, heavy-handed warrior; Felldir the Old, far-seeing and grim."

Certain interactions with Ysgramor are different depending on which quests the Dragonborn has completed during their Skyrim playthrough. If the Dragonborn has completed the Companions questline, interacting with Ysgramor after his introduction will yield the unique dialogue, "Do not fail Kodlak. He's earned his place here, and does not deserve to fall prey to Alduin's insatiable hunger." This is in reference to Kodlak Whitemane, the former harbinger of the Companions who dies during the questline, and whose soul is trapped in Anduin's soul-snare.

While very little can be gained from Ysgramor's presence in the game besides some unique interactions, he is a very interesting character who plays an important part in the timeline of Tamriel and The Elder Scrolls. Learning of the character's storied past throughout the game can make finally meeting him in Sovengarde an imposing experience, where a player unfamiliar with him might just see another NPC. Ysgramor's deeds in his life have certainly earned him a place in Sovengarde, and while some of the elven cultures may not be a fan of him, he is undeniably one of Skyrim's most revered heroes.

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