List of Skyrim: The First Dragonborn episodes

These are the episodes of Skyrim: The First Dragonborn.

Episodes (2021-2022)

 * 1) Masked Assailants - 11/11/21 - After completing a variation of tasks for many people across Skyrim, the Dragonborn and Serana make their way to the town of Riverwood, in order to take a break from all the walking, running, and fighting. As they make their way towards the Sleeping Giant Inn, a pair of oddly-robed, masked men approach them. They hold their ground as the masked individuals walk up to the Dragonborn. The leading masked man speaks in a hostile tone, asking if the Dragonborn is the one people are calling the Dragonborn. The Dragonborn, suspicious and hesistant, answers positively, in which the masked assailants call him a liar, and refer to someone known as the "True Dragonborn", before attacking him and Serana. The masked assailants are adept at magical combat, but are swiftly dealt with by the Dragonborn and Serana. The Dragonborn inspects the corpse of the masked cultist who confronted him, and finds a note. As it turns out, someone named "Miraak" had sent them from the island of Solstheim in order to kill the "False Dragonborn". Serana questions what it could mean, in which the Dragonborn replies that they're going to head to the island of Solstheim in order to find out. The two make their way to the Windhelm docks, where they find the Northern Maiden ship mentioned by "Miraak" in the note. The captain of the ship is Gjalund Salt-Sage, who initially states right off the bat that he's finished making voyages to Solstheim. The Dragonborn asks Gjalund for his reasoning, then mentions the cultists that had attacked him that arrived from his ship. Gjalund is shocked and apologetic, but still refuses to take them to Solstheim. The disgruntled Dragonborn offers him 500 gold septims, in which Gjalund accepts due to business purposes. Serana and the Dragonborn take their seat as Gjalund sets the Northern Maiden off into the Sea of Ghosts. Serana is noticeably uneasy about the situation, and when asked about it, Serana states how she's afraid the scale of the situation is going to end up a lot larger than they think. The Dragonborn assures her that it probably won't be much, and that they've been through worse. In which Serana gives a slight smile, before leaning on the Dragonborn's shoulder. An hour passes, and the Northern Maiden approaches the island of Solstheim. As they enter the lagoon, Gjalund mentions that they've arrived at Raven Rock, and provides the two the best in finding out what's going on around the island. After docking, a Dark Elf adorning fancy clothing approaches the Dragonborn, mentioning that he's never seen them before, and inquires their intentions for arriving in Raven Rock. The Dragonborn, in return, asks if he knows who "Miraak" is. The Dunmer man acts confused, and a bit shocked upon hearing the name. He mentions that the name has something to do with the "Earth Stone". Something seems a bit peculiar, but the Dragonborn doesn't inquire anymore. The Dark Elf, named Adril Arano, then snaps back into normalcy, and states that Solstheim is territory of House Redoran, and that they're in Morrowind, not Skyrim, and that they must abide by and respect the laws of House Redoran while they're present in Raven Rock. Serana questions what he meant by Earth Stone, in which the Dragonborn looks to the left, and notices an odd rock on a small peninsula. The rock is surrounded by wooden scaffolding, and there appears to be a wide variety of people working away. The Dragonborn and Serana make their way through Raven Rock, and to the end of the peninsula. Serana comments on how alien the area seems to her, from the ashen wasteland, the buildings, the armor of the guards, even to the items being sold at the market areas. Upon reaching the Earth Stone, they notice an odd one out from the bunch. A Dark Elf man wearing an odd set of mage robes, who seems to be observing the people who are hard at work on constructing something unbeknownst to him. Upon noticing the two, the robed elf approaches them, and points out how they're not in the same condition as the others. The Dragonborn asks him what's going on, and the robed elf explains that the workers seem to be enthralled by an unknown source, that they keep repeating the same chant over and over again, not providing any response. Serana states that she's familiar with how thralls work, but also mentions how this seems different than any vampire enthrallment she's ever seen. The Dragonborn then inquires about Miraak, in which the elf mentions that there is a temple dedicated to Miraak somewhere up to the North. After their conversation ends, out of curiosity, the Dragonborn slowly approaches the stone, but being cautious as possible. Serana advises him against it, while the robed elf watches in curiosity. The Dragonborn puts his ear up to the stone, and hears a disembodied voice, reciting the chants that the workers keep repeating. The Dragonborn backs up, his suspicions rising. He informs the two about hearing a disembodied voice within the Stone, in which the robed elf responds that whoever's influence has been cast upon the stone, that they must be the source of the issue. After the conversation ends, the Dragonborn and Serana make their way towards the Temple of Miraak.
 * 2) The Temple of Miraak - 1/12/22 - The Dragonborn and Serana make their way to the Temple of Miraak, where many dragon skeletons remained embedded within the thick snow. Upon approaching the temple, they find more enthralled residents of Solstheim hard at work upon more wooden scaffolding surrounding the ancient temple. The Dragonborn and Serana make their way up the walkway and into the temple's entrance, where they find more people, wearing thick fur coats, at work, with a golden-haired woman wearing a set of odd armor yelling, trying to get them to hear her. As it turns out, another corrupted Stone resided within Miraak's temple: The Tree Stone. The armored woman approaches the two, and asks their intentions for coming upon the temple. The Dragonborn states how they're looking for Miraak, and state how Miraak had attempted to have him killed. The woman, who introduces herself as Frea of the Skaal, seems to be shocked, as Miraak was said to have been dead for an extremely long time, and that if he's the reason to why Solstheim is under an enthrallment plague, the answer must be within the temple. She then states that they should enter the temple in order to find out what. Abruptly, an area around the Stone slides open, and two cultists begin to charge out, blasting fireballs and lightning bolts at them. The three quickly charge into action, with the Dragonborn dispatching of one cultist, while Frea disposes of the other by cleaving into the head of the other with her stalhrim axe. Frea compliments the Dragonborn's combat skill, with the Dragonborn equally praising her's. This causes Serana to get slightly flustered, but she doesn't say anything as the three enter the temple. The temple has a very odd architecture design for being an Ancient Nordic temple, with lots of torture chambers, traps, piles preserved linen-wrapped draugr, etc. Even more powerful Draugr warlords are found within, followed by the displayed remains of dragons. Frea states how Miraak was using the temple in order to protect himself and gain power in the process, while Vahlok and a legion of dragons attempted to burn down the temple and kill Miraak for his betrayal to the Dragon Cult. Within the Gatekeeper's sect of the crypt, the Dragonborn discovered a new Word of Power that was previously unbeknownst to him, though he decided he'd only test it out if needed. Eventually, they'd reach the end of the temple, where the architecture had almost completely gone from Ancient Nordic, to something... alien. There were many statues and structures, resembling large flytraps and oddly-shaped slaughterfish heads. After passing the main burial chamber and slaying the powerful Draugr warlord at the end of it, the three find themselves within an odd room at the end of the temple, filled with the same alien statues from before. On a pedestal ahead of them remained a large, and ancient, black book. Frea states how she'd never seen anything within the likes of the room, and advises the Dragonborn to be careful. The Dragonborn cautiously approaches and lifts the book from the pedestal, then slowly opens it in order to begin reading. As he starts to recite the words from the book to Serana and Frea, abruptly, the pages glow a bright green, and black tentacles shoot out from the book, wrapping around the Dragonborn's shoulders and neck. Serana and Frea try to charge in to save him, but more tentacles shoot out from the book and knock them back. The Dragonborn tries to resist the book's grasp upon him, but is consciousness is eventually dragged into the book. The Dragonborn regains consciousness within an odd, alien realm, filled with bright green sky and black waters, full of writhing black tentacles that seemed like serpents within the depths. Abruptly, his attention was caught when he heard a voice ahead of him. The Dragonborn saw a masked man in a gilded robe, surrounded by odd, multi-armed creatures, and a bizarre, round-skulled dragon ahead. The figure abruptly notices the Dragonborn's presence, and turns around, blasting the Dragonborn with bolts of lightning, forcing him to his hands and knees. The man approaches him, and realizes that he is the other Dragonborn, and vice versa, the Dragonborn realizes that this must be Miraak. Miraak expresses gratitude for the Dragonborn for slaying Alduin, but states he could've done it himself, but he "chose a different path". He then mocks the Dragonborn, saying that he doesn't know the true power a Dragonborn could wield, before commanding the multi-armed, tentacle-faced creatures to send him back from where he came. As the creatures paraded him with a barrage of green magic, the Dragonborn watched with blurred vision as Miraak climbed upon the neck of the blue dragon, with the dragon then taking off towards an enormous structure in the middle of the ocean of black. The Dragonborn's consciousness snapped back into reality, as he found himself back within Miraak's temple. The tentacles that had their grasp upon him suddenly recoiled back into the book, and the book forced itself closed. Before Serana could say anything, Frea interrupted her, stating that she could see right through him, as if he were present, but gone at the same time. She then asks him about what he saw. The Dragonborn states that he was taken to a bizarre realm, and that he saw Miraak take off on a dragon, confirming Miraak is still alive. Frea states that they must take the Black Book to her father, Storn, the shaman of the Skaal. An exit opens up nearby, and the three make their way towards it. Serana is silent, but seems a bit discouraged, as she follows them out the exit.
 * 3) The Skaal Village - 2/18/22 - Frea, Serana, and the Dragonborn exit Miraak's temple through the hidden tunnel, and make their way towards the Skaal Village. After crossing the bridge, Frea points out the Wind Stone to the left, which, like the other Stones on Solstheim, is completely corrupted by Miraak. They make it to the village, where Storn Crag-Strider, alongside two other Skaal villagers, are casting a magical barrier over the village in hopes of protecting it from the evil. Frea notifies Storn of the Dragonborn's experience within the events of the Temple of Miraak. Storn asks multiple questions, including whether or not he is Dragonborn. The Dragonborn confirms this, and Storn states that it could mean the Dragonborn could be their salvation or their destruction, and that Miraak was also Dragonborn, but not only that, that he was the First Dragonborn. Storn then points out that if the Dragonborn wished to defeat Miraak, he would need to learn the Shout that Miraak learned long ago at Saering's Watch, which is now used as a lair for a Serpentine Dragon that had recently taken up residence there. Storn also states that the Shout could be used to cleanse the Stones of the evil that resided within. The Dragonborn and Serana make their way towards Saering's Watch, in which Serana asks about Frea. The Dragonborn reassures that there's nothing to worry about regarding Frea, as she was just there to provide more help. The two continue on through the snowy terrain, and eventually stumble upon Saering's Watch, which as of itself, resembles the entrance to a large Nordic ruin. Sure enough, a dragon, much similar to the one Miraak rode, bursts from the snow after being awakened, and attacks the two. This dragon is quite fearsome, forcing the Dragonborn to use the "Dragon Aspect" shout he learned within Miraak's temple. Combined with the Dragonrend Shout, the Dragonborn was able to dispatch of the Serpentine Dragon by striking with swift, colossal blows, followed by a sword to the brain. As the dragon collapsed in death, the environment brightened, and with a small burst of energy, an embodiment of Miraak appeared. Without hesitating, the Dragonborn lunged forward in an attempt to attack Miraak, but his sword went right through the embodiment. The embodiment laughed, then stated how it takes great skill to control a dragon's soul, and that the Dragonborn isn't as powerful as he thinks. With that, Miraak steals the dragon soul from the Dragonborn, then disappears with another small explosion. Serana asks as to what's up, in which the Dragonborn, seemingly frustrated, notifies her harshly about Miraak stealing the soul. She states that she didn't see him, though she did notice that she also didn't see the dragon soul enter his body. The Dragonborn calms down, then makes his way up to the top of Saering's Watch, where he approaches the World Wall and learns of first Word of Power to the "Bend Will" shout. The Dragonborn and Serana then make their way to the Wind Stone, near the Skaal Village, where multiple enthralled Skaal villagers, alongside the historian Tharstan, proceeded to work against their will on whatever Miraak was wishing for them to build. Standing steadfast, the Dragonborn used the Bend Will shout on the Stone, causing it to quake. The confused and panicked enthralled workers quickly made distance, taking cover as the scaffolding cracked. The Wind Stone let out a strong glow, before the magical ward around it bursted, shattering the scaffolding. Shortly after, a gigantic, bipedal, fish-like creature emerged from the water beneath the Stone. It let out a vicious, guttural roar, black tentacles spewing from its horrendous jaws as it roared. Combat engaged against the bizarre creature, in which it used a variety of attacks that resembled the black tentacles from within the Black Book. After a lengthy battle, the Dragonborn and Serana brought the "Lurker" to its knees, where he'd finish it off by impaling it through the jaw with his sword. The nearby Skaal, along with the historian, were questioning what had happened, and that they didn't remember anything. The two make their way back to the village, where the Dragonborn informs Storn that he had cleansed the Stone, and the details of the odd, fish-like creature. He then shows the Black Book to Storn out of his belief of the Book being connected to the Stones. Storn states that the book doesn't look like anything produced by the Dragon Cult, and that a Dark Elf wizard by the name of Neloth had recently come by the village asking about the Black Books. Storn pointed out that Neloth would have a better idea of what the books were and if they were connected to Miraak. To follow, Storn also states that if the Wind Stone was cleansed, perhaps the Dragonborn could free the rest of the island's Stones from Miraak's grasp.
 * 4) Cleansing the Stones - 4/23/22- The Dragonborn and Serana are directed to the locations of each of Solstheim's remaining corrupted Stones: the Sun Stone, the Beast Stone, the Earth Stone, and the Water Stone. Frea quickly rushes and offers assistance, saying that she wishes to aid them in cleansing Solstheim of Miraak's grasp. Serana tries to shut her down, acting sassy and saying that they don't need her help, while the Dragonborn shuts Serana down and says they could use as much help as they could get, considering the Lurkers are no pushovers. Serana is annoyed and irritated by this, but still goes along with it anyways. First, they make their way back to Raven Rock in order to cleanse the Earth Stone. Once more, the Dragonborn uses Bend Will on the Stone, in which the ward erupts once more, and a similar scenario occurs. Except this time, two Lurkers appear; one from within the Stone, and a smaller one emerges from the Sea of Ghosts. A few Redoran Guard, of which had been enthralled by Miraak's influence over the Stone, assist the three in bringing down the two Lurkers. Afterwards, the trio make their way up Solstheim's west coast, passing along the entry ruins of Bloodskal Barrow along the way. They make their way up to the Water Stone, where a group of miners had been enthralled by Miraak's influence. As the Dragonborn uses the Bend Will shout, it turns out that a dragon under Miraak's command had also been protecting the Stone, quickly making its way over the mountain as the Water Stone's Lurker guardian emerged from the water. Frea offered to take out the Lurker, acknowledging Serana in order to tell her to help with the Lurker while the Dragonborn dealt with the dragon guardian. Serana, a bit bitter towards Frea, was hesitant at first, until the Dragonborn commanded her to help out with the Lurker, as there wasn't really any other option. Each guardian was swiftly dealt with, with Serana bringing the Lurker to its knees with lightning magic followed by Frea lodging her stalhrim axe into its skull, while the Dragonborn slit the dragon's throat. The Dragonborn expected Miraak to appear in order to steal the dragon soul once more, but fortunately, Miraak didn't appear, and the Dragonborn was able to absorb the soul without issue. The three continued onwards toward the Beast Stone, in relative proximity to both Miraak's temple and Thirsk Mead Hall. A group of Rieklings were hard at work, under Miraak's influence, while a pair of cultists observed nearby. Upon spotting the three, the cultists engaged in combat, but were quickly slaughtered. The process commenced once more, the trio effectively and quickly slaying the Lurker within. Only the Sun Stone, in relative proximity to Tel Mithryn - Neloth's mushroom tower residence - remained. The three make their way to the final Stone, repeating the cleansing process. After slaying the Lurker within, Frea states that it is high time that she heads back to the village, and thanks the Dragonborn for contributing to purifying Solstheim, before giving him a hug, infuriating Serana. As Frea leaves, Serana expresses to the Dragonborn how she feels on the situation, admitting to her jealousy. The Dragonborn tries to tell her that it wasn't supposed to be anything major, and that he still loves Serana. Serana, still upset, and not believing him, runs off, with tears in her eyes. The Dragonborn tries to reach out, but Serana is out of distance. The Dragonborn sighs, before looking towards Tel Mithryn, heading towards the gigantic mushroom tower, now by his lonesome again.
 * 5) Nchardak - 6/20/22 - The Dragonborn arrives at the doorstep of Tel Mithryn, passing by Talvas Fathryon - Neloth's apprentice - and Varona Nelas - Neloth's steward - along the way. He makes his way inside the tower, and finds himself on a magical seal, with a beam of magicka floating upwards towards the top of the tower. Before he could perceive the function of the seal, the beam of magicka suddenly launched him upwards, setting him safely upon the top of the tower, where he is greeted by a familiar face: the Dunmer mage with the odd robes that he met at the Earth Stone upon first arriving at Solstheim. As it turns out, he is Neloth. Neloth asks how his investigation of Miraak's temple went, and the whereabouts of Serana, of which he refers to as the Dragonborn's "vampire wife". The Dragonborn is quick to shut down the topic of Serana, then informs Neloth about the Black Book he found within Miraak's temple. Neloth states how he knows the Dragonborn had read it upon observation of his expressions, then elaborates how the Black Books are artifacts of Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric Prince of Fate and Knowledge. He theorizes that Hermaeus Mora himself is behind the source of Miraak's power, and that is how he remained hidden from the Dragon Cult, and how he survived into modern ages. He states that he has a Black Book within Tel Mithryn, but assures the Dragonborn that it is unconnected to Miraak, as it doesn't share the same type of power as the one the Dragonborn read. However, Neloth knows of another Black Book, relatively nearby, within the Dwemer ruins of Nchardak, of which he is certain is related to the energy that plagued Solstheim. The Dragonborn and Neloth exit Tel Mithryn, and make their way to the ruins of the Dwarven city. They dispatch of a band of Reavers that swarm the entrance to Nchardak, and make it to the entrance, in which Neloth informs that he had used one of the control cubes he had found within the ruins to seal the doors shut to prevent any Reavers from meddling within. The two enter the reading room, in which the Black Book is visible, sealed beneath the floor. Neloth explains how that if magic could break it, he'd have it already. He then informs the Dragonborn that they'd need to collect the rest of the cubes within the ruins in order to provide steam for the reading room. The two then use the elevator to head down into the ruin, where they make it down to the boiler rooms. Neloth points out on a "map" within the ruins that there are four cubes within the ruins. After fighting their way through steam animunculi, including Dwarven Ballistas, a new type of Dwemer architect that could fire armor-penetrating crossbow bolts within the Workshops and the Aqueducts, the Dragonborn manages to acquire all the cubes needed. Four cubes needed to restore the steam, and one cube to stabilize the water level. Using all the cubes, the Dragonborn restored the steam. Before they could make it back to the reading room, a bridge lowered from across the steam supply pedestals, and a large, powerful Dwarven Centurion made its way towards them. It seemed heavily resistant to Neloth's magic, and shrugged off the Dragonborn's attacks. Neloth advised that they retreat to the reading room, but the Dragonborn insisted on taking on the Centurion Master. Using his Unrelenting Force shout, the Dragonborn launched the Centurion into the water, forcing the animunculi to sink. Neloth praises the cleverness of the Dragonborn's method, before the two make their way back to the reading room. Neloth presses the now-open button within the reading room, and the Black Book is lifted from its cell, up onto a pedestal. Neloth tells the Dragonborn that he should have the honor of looking at the Black Book first, due to his help within the ruins. Regardless of being hesitant from his last experience, the Dragonborn reluctantly opens the Black Book, and begins to read once more. Again, the pages glow green, and tentacles shoot out from the pages, wrapping around his neck and shoulders, transferring his consciousness back to the odd realm with the green sky and the black, tentacle-infested waters. The Dragonborn slowly takes a few steps forward, still fascinated with the foreign realm he found himself in once more. Abruptly, a black mass began to materialize up ahead of him, with black tentacles writhing about, with fish-like eyes acting as an aura to the mass. A large eyelid opened up within the center of the mass, with a green iris and large, double pupils that were connected by a pupil bridge. The mass spoke in a bizarre, guttural voice, introducing itself as Hermaeus Mora, welcoming the Dragonborn to Apocrypha, his personal Plane of Oblivion. He notifies the Dragonborn that all seekers of knowledge come to the realm eventually, and either they remain forever, or die. Afterwards, the mass disappears, and the Dragonborn is left to traverse this area of Apocrypha and find the "Hidden Knowledge" within. The Dragonborn makes his way through the wretched structure, fighting more Lurkers and the same multi-armed "Seekers" which he had seen upon his first encounter with Miraak. While the residents of Apocrypha tried their best to stop him, the Dragonborn's will remained potent as he cut through many Seekers and Lurkers, finding each "Chapter" of the Black Book. At last, the Dragonborn made it to the "Final Chapter", where the Hidden Knowledge had been stored. Upon opening the large book at the end, the black mass embodied itself once more, and informed the Dragonborn that he is the second one to acquire the knowledge that "only one other has before". Hermaeus Mora recognizes that he is Dragonborn, and says that he knows what he desires: to bend the will of mortals for his purposes. Hermaeus Mora then provides him the second Word of Power to the Bend Will Shout, but then states that it is not enough; that Miraak knows the third and final Word. Hermaeus Mora states that if the Dragonborn provided him with the "secrets of the Skaal", he would provide him with the final Word of Power to the Shout, before fading away once more. The Dragonborn then transports himself back to the Nchardak reading room, where Neloth asks if he learned what was needed about Miraak. The Dragonborn informs Neloth that he learned the second Word to the Bend Will Shout, but that he would need to provide Hermaeus Mora with the Skaal's secrets in order to learn the third. Neloth questions what the Skaal could have that Hermaeus Mora needed to know, but also states that the Dragonborn had become the "second most powerful Dragonborn that ever lived". The two part afterwards, and the Dragonborn questions the path ahead of him. He thinks about Hermaeus Mora's offer, then of Serana. He gives off a deep sigh, before leaving the ruins of Nchardak behind.
 * 6) The Ash Spawn Threat - 8/25/22 - While out searching for Serana, and still troubled about the path ahead of him, the Dragonborn makes his way back to Raven Rock. However, upon his arrival, he notices three mysterious ashen beings attacking a lone, helmetless guard. The Dragonborn quickly rushes to the aid of the guard, helping him dispel of the ash humanoids. Upon destroying them, the guard thanks the Dragonborn for assisting him, as he didn't think he would get out of the farm area alive, then points out how two guards that were with him weren't as fortunate. He introduces himself as Modyn Veleth, Captain of the Guard in Raven Rock. The Dragonborn asks to what the ash creatures were, in which Captain Veleth replies that the guards call them "Ash Spawn", and that they're supposedly the risen forms of those who had died within the eruption of the Red Mountain. While he doesn't care about what they're called, he does care that they're a threat to Raven Rock. Veleth tells the Dragonborn to look for anything that could tell them more about the "Ash Spawn Threat". The Dragonborn digs around the ashes that acted as the remains of the slain Ash Spawn, in which he discovered a note about a "declaration of war" from a "General" named "Falx Carius". The Dragonborn hands the note to Veleth, who tells the Dragonborn that Falx Carius was the Imperial General of Fort Frostmoth, who was supposed to have died over 200 years prior. Captain Veleth says if Falx Carius is alive, something must be keeping him as such. Likewise, Veleth instructs the Dragonborn to head to Fort Frostmoth and kill General Falx Carius. He states that he would assist him, but he already has to deal with the drunken rabble of the Guard. The Dragonborn makes his way to the mostly-ash covered Fort Frostmoth, where multiple Ash Spawn are already on alert. From the top of the Frostmoth Tower, General Carius emerges, issuing a war cry, stating that "Fort Frostmoth will never fall! Long live the Empire!" before returning inside the tower. The Dragonborn fights his way through the guarding Ash Spawn, and makes his way into Fort Frostmoth. He finds the doors to Falx Carius' hiding area are locked shut, and that he must head down deeper into the Fort in order to find the key. After slaying a few more Ash Spawn, he discovers the key, as well as a journal belonging to someone named "Ildari", which mentions talk of having experimented with a "Heartstone" on Falx Carius' body, which ended up being successful after many days of experimentation. The Dragonborn kept the journal with him in order to show Veleth evidence of what's kept Falx Carius alive. He makes his way back up to Falx Carius' quarters, where the undead General commands nearby Ash Spawn to attack. The Dragonborn is easily able to destroy the Ash Spawn, and engages in combat with Falx Carius, who wields a large, unusual hammer. The General manages to disarm the Dragonborn, knocking his sword out of his hands, before launching him back with a blow from the hammer, which simultaneously burnt, shocked, and froze the Dragonborn. It was a hammer of the deadly elements. An infusion that greatly advanced the power of the weapon. The undead General launched himself forward, swinging his hammer at the Dragonborn. It seems that the Heartstone within him was providing him with potent strength and stamina, and that the best way to kill him would be to force out the Heartstone. As the Dragonborn reconstituted himself, Falx Carius charged forward, ready to deliver the killing blow. Swiftly, the Dragonborn reacted by using the Frost Breath Shout, stunning the Imperial General, dropping his warhammer to follow. The Dragonborn then clutched Falx Carius by the throat, lifting him up into the air, before grabbing onto the spherical Heartstone within his chest, yanking it out of its socket. Flesh had began to grow around the stone, stretching out from the hole where it once resided. The fading General grumbled, reaching out towards the Dragonborn. With a final tug, the flesh that connected the Heartstone to his body was severed, once more killing the General. The Dragonborn crushed the Heartstone in his hands in order to make sure it wasn't exploited upon again, before retrieving the elemental warhammer, called the "Champion's Cudgel" and returning back to Raven Rock, where he reported his success to Captain Veleth, before showing him the journal he found within. Captain Veleth is shocked to find out the truth of Falx Carius, but was somewhat sorrowful, as Falx Carius' exploits were great within Solstheim, even rumor having it that he founded Raven Rock. Regardless, he was grateful of the Dragonborn putting an end to the Ash Spawn threat, and rewarding him with a large sum of gold.
 * 7) The Bloodskal Blade - 10/19/22 - Continuing his pursuit to help Raven Rock, the Dragonborn learns from the Raven Rock blacksmith, Glover Mallory, that Crescius Caerellius had stolen his Ancient Nordic Pickaxe. The Dragonborn offers to retrieve it, and heads into the Raven Rock mine, where he finds Crescius arguing with his wife, Aphia, about a topic mentioning Crescius' great-grandfather Gratian. The Dragonborn approaches the two as they finish the argument, then notifies Crescius about the pickaxe. While Crescius claims that Glover had stolen it from the Skaal, and that it should be using for mining - not selling - the Dragonborn states that regardless, it doesn't belong to him. Crescius then hands the pickaxe over to the Dragonborn, telling the Dragonborn to tell Glover that he hopes "that he drops it on his foot". The Dragonborn exits the mine, and heads back to Glover with the pickaxe, but Glover tells him that he should keep it, that he just wanted to get a message across to Crescius not to take people's belongings. The Dragonborn inquires to what the specialty of the Ancient Nordic Pickaxe is, to which Glover replies that it's the only tool durable and strong enough to mine stalhrim, a form of enchanted ice with the durability and strength of ebony. Afterwards, the Dragonborn returns to the mine out of curiosity of finding out what the argument was about between Crescius and Aphia. Upon inquiry, Crescius informs the Dragonborn that his great-grandfather, Gratian Caerellius - who was an explorer of ancient ruins - had died within the Ancient Nordic ruins beneath the mine over 200 years prior, and that there was a secret within that would put Raven Rock "back on the map". The Dragonborn offers to delve within the ruins beneath the mine, in which Crescius hands him the key to the locked gate that lead into the ruins. The Dragonborn makes his way through the mine, dispatching of a Frostbite Spider brood on the way down, before heading into the ruins, and once more facing an entourage of Draugr below. Along the way, he finds a sarcophagus, sealed by stalhrim. The Dragonborn uses his new pickaxe in order to mine into the enchanted ice, hoping he could make a gift for Serana, once he found her. Eventually, the Dragonborn discovers an odd section of the ruins, with a large, peculiar seal on a rock wall ahead of him, followed by the skeletal remains of Gratian Caerellius, and his assistant, Millius, as confirmed by the journal, and the peculiar red greatsword beside Gratian's remains. From Gratian's journal, the Dragonborn learns that the red claymore, known as the Bloodskal Blade, had the ability to launch a magical energy from the pattern of the strikes, and that the glowing fissures in the seal acted as a way to unlock what was actually the entrance to the main burial chamber of Bloodskal Barrow. The Dragonborn, with a firm grip on the Bloodskal Blade, launched multiple energy blasts towards the fissures, in the responding patterns to the gate. Sure enough, the gate opened, leading into a hall of swinging blade traps. The Dragonborn would use Whirlwind Sprint to make his way through the hall, and into the main burial chamber, in which was a beautiful sight, with pristine water within the center, with a Word Wall across it. The Dragonborn approached the treasure chest, only to open it and find nothing inside. It was a trap, as the Dragonborn learned, when a Dragon Priest, surrounded by an aura of lightning, emerged from the water, lightning magic surging throughout its undead body, to its bizarre mask. The Dragonborn held his ground as he clutched the Bloodskal Blade firmly. The powerful Dragon Priest, named Zahkriisos, proved to be no mere pushover, using a variety of powerful lightning bolt attacks to temporarily stun the Dragonborn, and even almost manages to kill him. However, with the power of the Bloodskal Blade, the Dragonborn was able to eviscerate Zahkriisos, using a barrage of energy attacks from the blade to bring him down. The Dragonborn then claimed his mask as a trophy, then made his way towards the World Wall, where he learned the second Word of Power to the Dragon Aspect Shout. He then headed towards the exit of the barrow, where he found another Black Book upon a pedestal in a room very reminiscent of the Black Book's chamber from within Miraak's temple. Concerned for the safety of future adventurers, the Dragonborn took the Black Book from its pedestal, but didn't open it, still worrisome about Hermaeus Mora and his request to bring him the Skaal's secrets. The Dragonborn exits the barrow, dealing with a band of reavers along the way back to Raven Rock. Upon returning to the mine, he hands the journal over to Crescius, who is very excited about the discovery, and that steps to reopening the mine could now go into effect.
 * 8) The First Meets the Last - 12/25/22 - At the Raven Rock smithy, the Dragonborn crafts a stalhrim dagger, with the help of Glover Mallory. The Dragonborn decides that it's time to seek out Serana, in hopes she hadn't taken the Northern Maiden back to Skyrim, and also to finally come to the Skaal shaman, Storn, about Hermaeus Mora and the "Secrets of the Skaal". Coincidentally, without looking, the Dragonborn and Serana bump into each other. Serana still seems upset, and backs off a bit, before asking him about Frea, in which he confesses that he didn't know how much he actually meant to Serana, and that he didn't know Frea's gratitude meant so much to her, but he reassures Serana how deeply he cares about her, in which Serana responds that she shouldn't of been jealous, and regrets her decision to split away. The Dragonborn then gives her the stalhrim dagger, a gift he made specifically for her. Serana accepts the gift, and gives the Dragonborn a strong hug. They catch up on events with each other, with the Dragonborn informing her of the events that occurred within Fort Frostmoth and Bloodskal Barrow, in which Serana responds that she heard word of a "hero" around Raven Rock, and suspected that it was him. She then informs him about her efforts to help out Raven Rock, dealing with reavers and Riekling tribes. The Dragonborn then informs her about the events of Nchardak, and that he spoke with Hermaeus Mora, receiving the second Word of Power to the Bend Will Shout. In order to gain the third and final Word of Power, he needed to give Hermaeus Mora the "Secrets of the Skaal". Serana feels uneasy, due to her experience with being a servant of the Daedra, but the Dragonborn assures her that he won't become Hermaeus Mora's pawn. The two, once more rejoiced, head back to the Skaal Village, where he informs Storn about Hermaeus Mora requiring their secrets in order for him to defeat Miraak. Storn is hesitant, his tone changing, as if he has a grudge. He informs the Dragonborn about "Herma-Mora" trying to trick the Skaal into giving their secrets to him throughout the centuries, but also tells him of stories when they finally give up their secrets, and that fate is left to him. The Dragonborn gives Storn the Black Book that he recovered from Nchardak. In protest, Frea tries to prevent Storn from reading it, but Storn tells her that it is the destiny that the "All-Maker" has laid out for him. The entire village gathers around as Storn opens the Black Book, which suddenly shoots from his grasp. Abruptly, the black tentacles shoot out from the pages of the Book, impaling Storn through the chest and lifting him into the air. Storn struggles to breathe, unable to fight back, as Hermaeus Mora appears in front of the Dragonborn, in front of Serana, and in front of the Skaal. Hermaeus Mora rejoices in how he was finally able to acquire the Skaal's secrets, before impaling Storn through the mouth with a final tentacle, killing the Skaal shaman. The Lord of Fate holds up to his promise, as he brands the final Word of Power to the Bend Will Shout upon Storn's exposed chest and releases the lifeless, limp body. As the Dragonborn learns the final Word of Power, Hermaeus Mora fades. A distressed, and infuriated Frea, tells the Dragonborn that her father sacrificed himself in order for Miraak to be slain. She then commands him to kill Miraak, and not to fail. Serana says that she wants to help avenge Storn alongside the Dragonborn, but the Dragonborn reminds her that the Black Book will only take him. Serana is upset, but is understanding on the situation. She gives him her best hopes, and provides him with a goodbye kiss, before the Dragonborn opens the Black Book from within Miraak's temple. The Dragonborn once more finds himself within the realm of Apocrypha, and wastes no time charging through, slashing through Lurkers and Seekers, set on vengeance for Storn and cleansing Solstheim of Miraak forever. Along the way, the Dragonborn discovers four mysterious books, each named after appendages of Hermaeus Mora. Upon the gate to the Summit, the Dragonborn placed the "puzzle books" on their respective puzzles, bringing him to the foot of the Summit, where two Seekers remained, gazing at a Word Wall within Apocrypha. The Dragonborn rushes in, and slays them both, before embracing the word from the World Wall, which completes the Dragon Aspect Shout. Afterwards, the sky quakes, and the Serpentine Dragon that Miraak had rode, Sahrotaar, rushes down from the Dragonborn from above. However, the Dragonborn used the full Bend Will Shout to shatter Sahrotaar's allegiance to Miraak, taming the Serpentine Dragon. Sahrotaar lands, and warns the Dragonborn about Miraak's strength, and that he expected the Dragonborn's arrival. The Dragonborn climbs aboard Sahrotaar's neck, and the dragon takes off in the direction of the Summit. Along the way, Sahrotaar kills a Lurker and a pair of Seekers, before flying up to the Summit of Apocrypha, where Miraak notices the Dragonborn upon him, along with his other two dragons: Relonikiv and Kruziikrel. The Dragonborn commands Sahrotaar to land, and then hops off, approaching and confronting Miraak, stating "and so the First Dragonborn meets the Last Dragonborn, upon the Summit of Apocrypha". Miraak states how Hermaeus Mora is a fickle master, and soon he would be free of him, and using the power of the Dragonborn's soul, he would return to Solstheim and rule over it once again. The two Dragonborn engaged in combat, each activating the Dragon Aspect Shout, and clashing blades, emitting shockwaves of power from the Summit. The two would trade various Shouts, clashing their Voices together. Miraak's sword would extend like a whip, and would try to strike the Dragonborn as distance was made between the two. However, neither of them were able to land solid hits on each other. Eventually, Miraak gains the upper hand when he disarms the Dragonborn by using the properties of both his sword and staff to restrain the Dragonborn. Miraak goes in for a finishing blow, before the Dragonborn equips the Bloodskal Blade, sending an energy slash at Miraak, leaving a deep gash in his shoulder and chest, tearing through his robes. Miraak lets out a grunt of pain, before retreating into the black waters. Miraak would bring Kruziikrel to the ground, using a four-Word Shout to instantly kill the dragon and absorb its soul, healing Miraak. The clash would continue, with the Dragonborn once more gaining the upper hand. After a quick retreat, Miraak would bring Relonikiv to the ground, absorbing his soul and healing once more. The Dragonborn would get the upper hand once again in the third round, in which Miraak would bring Sahrotaar to the ground and absorb his soul. With no dragons left to assist him in combat, the Dragonborn went all out, as did Miraak. Trading more colossal blows that quaked the Summit, the Dragonborn would impale Miraak through the chest, but before he could finish the former Dragon Priest off, Miraak retreated back into the black waters after using Become Ethereal followed by Whirlwind Sprint. However, Miraak had nowhere left to go as he was lifted into the air and impaled through the chest by an angered Hermaeus Mora, who stated that Miraak could hide nothing from him, and that he has found a new Dragonborn to serve him, in which Miraak responds that he wishes that the Dragonborn is as richly rewarded as he was. Following afterwards, Miraak's apparel and flesh burns away, leaving only a skeleton behind as the Dragonborn absorbs Miraak's soul, while Hermaeus Mora explains that Miraak had harbored fantasies of rebellion against him, and that he would proceed to reward the Dragonborn richly if he proceeded to serve him. Before returning to Solstheim, where Serana is relieve and overwhelmingly ecstatic to see the Dragonborn back safely, where she provides him with a strong, and long hug. Frea approaches the Dragonborn, asking if Miraak was slain, in which the Dragonborn responds positively. As new shaman of the Skaal, Frea informs the Dragonborn that he should not serve Hermaeus Mora, lest he end up in the same position as Miraak had, and that the All-Maker made him Dragonborn for a good reason. She then hands the Black Book that Storn read back to him, telling him that it is evil, that she would like nothing to do with it, and that he should cast it into the sea. Afterwards, Frea and the Skaal bid the Dragonborn and Serana farewell, as the two leave the Skaal Village and make their way back towards Raven Rock. The Dragonborn says that there's something on his mind, but refuses to reveal when Serana asks, as he says that "now's not the time", and that they'd discuss it once they returned home. The camera zooms up into the air, and the credits roll.