This turned out to be too much for one night, but I decided to post what I had anyways to get some early criticism and recommendations. I'll be providing further updates over the next couple of days, but hopefully this is enough to judge my intention for the piece. And yes, it probably belongs in the Forum Scholars Guild rather than the Lore Forum, but I'm a man of habit if anything, so I've put it here for now.
Some points to comment on:
Dragon descriptions: I want to ultimately write more on Alduin here, including his mythic appearances, but his paragraph already dwarfs what will likely be written about most other dragons. Perhaps I should just reference the reader to another chapter to avoid such a disjointing essay?
Dragon name meanings: I'm not sure what to do here about the names that are unknown or partially unknown, or potentially partially unknown. I'm tempted to just slap the "unknown" label on the whole bunch.
How is the organization? Is the first part of the essay fluid and easy to understand? Is prophesorial a real word?
Should I include the "dragons" listed in MK's The Five Hundred Mighty Companions or Thereabouts of Ysgramor the Returned? It feels fanciful - perhaps more symbolic than anything - but I feel I'd be doing a disservice if I left it out.
I'd also like to know if I missed any dragons. I'm pretty sure there was one (besides Alduin) mentioned in the Aldudaggas, right?
(An Excerpt from The Legendary Dovah: A Complete Atlas)
Chapter 6: Known individuals, and their numbers.
On the limits of our knowledge
When it comes to identifying individuals, we are largely ignorant of the dragons.
Various names have surfaced throughout the historical record, sometimes appearing more than once, and sometimes (and even more scarcely) appearing with some sort of description or greater context within which we could place the given name. The reasons for our paucity in knowledge are multifold, and I will explain some of major issues confronting dragon identification below. I do this with the hope that I may instill some trepidation within my readers of the factual integrity of much of what I have to say below. First among the many reasons we are so lacking in our ability to identify individuals is the secretive nature of dragons, whom throughout history have been noted on many occasions as closely guarding their true names from mortals. The reasons for this are unclear. Some have speculated that this custom is born from the innate disdain dragons have long held for mortal men and mer, and that it is a matter of fierce pride. Others have suggested the more pragmatic view that, following the Dragon War and Akaviri invasions, guarding one's name was a matter of survival of dragons, whose atrocities were known by name (see Paarthurnax, Lodunost). A third theory postulates that dragon names carried with them a secondary magical nature, since it was common for their names to consist of three parts, emulating the Thu'um (see Chapters 2,7), and thus rendering dragons vulnerable to its magics.
The second reason often cited is the percieved fluidity that dragons treated their names. It is important to note here that we do not know how dragons acquire their names. Are they given by some higher power? Or are they chosen by the dragons themselves? We will likely never know the answer, although there is some evidence that the name of any one particular individual can actually change over time (see Durnehviir, Nahfahlaar). This remains in fierce contention amongst dragon scholars, however, as the alternate prevailing school of thought points to the magical nature of dragon names and their close association with time to draw the conclusion that dragon names are in effect prophesorial in nature.
The third most widely regarded reason behind our ignorance of dragons is the flamboyant disregard in their myths and histories for the Imperial and elven sense of facts, continuity, and overall homogenuity. As the famous scholar, theologian, and translator Michael Kirkbride once wrote;
Quote: [Nordic Literature] is decentralized by the inevitable embellishment and narrative entanglement of millennia of oral tradition. Most Nordic myths contradict each other, using anachronisms or elements co-opted from other cultures, or repeat themselves under different guises. Sometimes they do all of this, and purposefully so (tSoR:S).
Frankly, since so many of our primary sources come from Nordic oral histories and myths, we can never be quite certain if the names we are reading are accurate renderings, corruptions of the originals, or, indeed, complete fabrications. This dilemna remains a serious threat the scholarship surrounding dragons, and on more than one occasion has threatened the field with complete dissolution. However, the scholars of the field have proven both sagacious and wily, and the attempt to compile a more complete list of known dragons continues to this day.
On known individuals amongst their race
Below, after much research, I have compiled a register of every dragon to date that has been identified by name, as well as any additional information we have acquired about the subject. A wise reader would keep in mind the limitations I have listed above, and should not consider such a list at all comprehensive or factual.
Ahbiilok (Ah - Hunter, Bii - ???, Lok - Sky)
Recorded by the Dragonguard to have frequented the northern Jerall Mountains, he survived many assassination attempts at their hand. In the Second Era 373, they believe him to be lairing in Morrowind. Many scholars, including myself, have suggested that Ahbiilok is the dragon recorded in Brarilu Theran's book Twin Secrets, believed to have been written sometime during the first or second century of the Fourth Era, although this is by no means absolutely clear.
Alduin (Al - Destroyer, Du - Devour, In - Master)
Included here for the sake of completeness, it is clear to most scholars that Alduin is unique amongst his brethren, not the least for his ties to Akatosh Time God and for his firstborn status amongst his supposed immortal equals. He was first defeated in the Mythic Era by the heroes Hakon One-Eye, Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, and Felldir the Old; though only after slaying many great heroes beforehand, including Galthor, Sorri, and Birkir. When he later reappeared during the Fourth Era, he displayed his formiddable powers by destroying the town of Helgen, and later displayed his unique apptitude with time by resurrecting many of his previously fallen brethren. He was finally defeated by the Last Dragonborn at the summit of the Throat of the World.
Sometimes interpreted as "Everlasting Curse", and sometimes interpreted as "Cursed
Immortal", Durnehviir has been recorded in the past by necromancers as having been in the service of the Ideal Masters of the Soul Cairn in Oblivion. More recently he has been seen in Tamriel accompanying the Last Dragonborn, reopening the furious debate that surrounds dragon name origins. Durnehviir is a particularly dramatic case in this regard since his name clearly refers to his meddling in Necromancy. This leaves scholars guessing as to whether Durnehviir was in fact the original name he acquired in the Dawn. The dragon also draws debate regarding his appearance (and smell!) of a rotting corpse. How this is possible for an immortal being - even one engaged in necromancy - remains a mystery.
Recorded in the Dragonguard's Atlas of Dragons as having been slain in the Second Era 184 at their hand following a killing spree in the eastern holds of Winterhold and Eastmarch. Nothing further is known.
Haynekhtnamet (UNKNOWN)
Only known from the tome of Tamrielic Lore by Yagrum Bagarn, the last living Dwemer. Apparently residing in Black Marsh until he was slain by "northern men" (Dragonguard?), he was apparantly known by local Argonians in their native Jel as a "Wamasus." Although the account seems fanciful in some regards (i.e. "lightning for blood"), it is otherwise regarded as a reliable source, in no small part thanks to Bagarn's reputation. The dagger itself, sought out to confirm its draconic origins, has remained elusive. Its last known owner was the Nerevarine of Morrowind, and rumors persist that it now resides in Akavir.
Kahvozein (Kah - Pride, Vo - "Opposite of", Zein - ???)
Like Haynekhtnamet, Kahvozein is also best known for a dagger made from one of his teeth. With this dagger now residing at the College of Winterhold, it is available for further study by interested sages. Nothing much is known about the dragon himself.
Krahjotdaan (Krah - Cold, Jot - Maw, Daan - Doom)
Slain in the First Era 2871, as recorded by the Dragonguard. As an interesting aside, the name was confirmed by the dragon himself. Under what circumstances, however, is unclear. Some scholars have maintained the suspicion that the dragon could have lied, either in an attempt to save itself or to save another.
Krosulhah (Kro - Sorcerer, Sul - Day, Hah - Mind)
Testified by the Last Dragonborn to have been a thrall of Miraak, the First Dragonborn, and to have been slain outside the ruins of Nchardak on Solstheim. Its possible that Krosulhah had been hiding within Apocrypha along with his master, although by what means he reached Tamriel remain uncertain.
Kruziikrel (Kruziik - Ancient, Rel - Dominate)
Another of Miraak's servants, he escaped the fate of many of his brethren by residing in Apocrypha. The Last Dragonborn testified to his death at the hands of Miraak in the Fourth Era 201.
Lodunost (Lo - Deceive, REST UNKNOWN, with Du - Devour, and Dun - Grace, and Nos - Strike, as possible components)
Known only from an inscription on one of Skyrim's legendary word walls, the wall marks the burial place of Jafnhar, recording the child-king's death at the firery breath of Lodunost. Nothing more is known about Lodunost, despite a relentless search by scholars to identify a date and place of death.
Mirmulnir (Mir - Alligence, Mul - Strong, Nir - Hunt)
Recorded by the Dragonguard as having last been seen in Skyrim's Reach in the year 212 of the Second Era, he was the first dragon to be slain following Alduin's destruction of Helgen in Fourth Era 201. He is perhaps more widely known across Skyrim as being the first dragon defeated by the Last Dragonborn. While it is unknown as to whether Mirmulnir was resurrected by Alduin, or if he survived continuously in the Reach until the time of Alduin's return, most scholars affirm to the latter; citing Alduin's southeast- northwest resurrection pattern and the lack of any record of Mirmulnir's death.
Naaslaarum (UNKNOWN)
Encountered and confirmed slain by the Last Dragonborn in an unidentified hidden
valley in western Skyrim; accompanied by his fellow dragon Voslaarum. It is likely that the two remained hidden in the valley to the present day, and therefore were not resurrected by Alduin during the Fourth Era.
Nahagliiv (Nah - Fury, Ag - Burn, Liiv - Wither)
Originally recorded by the Dragonguard to reside in the dragon mound west of Rorikstead, this has been confirmed by the Last Dragonborn, who defeated him upon his resurrection by Alduin during the Fourth Era. The date of his original death is unknown, but it is suspected that he met his end during the Dragon War era, or shortly thereafter.
Nahfahlaar/Nafaalilargus/Nafalilargus (SEE BELOW)
Numinex (UNKNOWN, with Nu - Now, or In - Master, as possible components)
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