Miraak

Lore & Background

Miraak was the first being to gain the power of the Dragonborn, serving originally as a dragon priest before rebelling against his masters. In the expansion's narrative, he is revealed to be the source of power for the cultists who attack the player in Skyrim. His influence extends across Solstheim, where he has unconsciously enslaved the majority of the population, forcing them to work on "All-Maker Stones." He communicates from within Apocrypha, a realm of Oblivion guarded by Seekers and Lurkers. Within this timeless library, Miraak plans his invasion of Tamriel. His power is derived from Hermaeus Mora, the Daedric Prince of Fate, Knowledge, and Memory, who acts as the "keeper of forbidden knowledge." The conflict escalates when the player learns that to defeat Miraak, they must acquire the same knowledge he possesses, specifically the "Bend Will" shout, which was instrumental in his original rebellion.

In Their Own Story

The story begins when the player is attacked by cultists worshipping Miraak. Investigating their orders reveals their origin on Solstheim, prompting a journey there via the Northern Maiden from Windhelm. Upon arrival, the player learns that most of Solstheim's citizens are enslaved to Miraak's will through All-Maker Stones. A Telvanni wizard named Neloth directs the player to the Temple of Miraak, where they meet Frea, a Nord immune to his control who helps purify the first stone with the help of Skaal shaman Storn. Inside the temple, the player reads a Black Book and is transported to Apocrypha, witnessing Miraak's plans before being dismissed as inferior by him and returned by Seekers. The questline involves freeing more stones, traveling again to Apocrypha, and meeting Hermaeus Mora. To learn the final word of "Bend Will," the player must persuade Storn to surrender the Skaal's secrets, a act that results in Storn's death as Mora saps his knowledge. Finally, the player returns to Apocrypha, uses "Bend Will" to tame Miraak's dragon Sahrotaar, and flies to the Summit of Apocrypha for the final battle.

Reader's Guide

To defeat Miraak, players must first charter a ship from Windhelm to Raven Rock on Solstheim. The initial phase involves investigating the island's citizens to uncover Miraak's influence over the All-Maker Stones. Players must then follow Neloth and Frea to the Temple of Miraak to retrieve a Black Book, which transports them to Apocrypha. After returning, the player must free the remaining stones with the help of Storn and the Skaal. A critical turning point occurs at Nchardak, where the player retrieves another Black Book and learns of the "Bend Will" shout. The final confrontation requires the player to enter Apocrypha again, use "Bend Will" on Miraak's dragon Sahrotaar, and fly to the Summit of Apocrypha. In the battle, Miraak sacrifices his dragons—Sahrotaar, Relonikiv, and Kruziikrel—to replenish his strength. The fight concludes when Hermaeus Mora intervenes, fatally impaling Miraak for his betrayal, and transfers Miraak's soul and power to the player.

Did You Know?

• Miraak was imprisoned in Apocrypha after being saved from death by Hermaeus Mora, where he remained until the events of the Dragonborn expansion.
• The majority of Solstheim's population is unconsciously enslaved by Miraak and forced to work on runic monoliths called "All-Maker Stones."
• During the final battle, Miraak sacrifices three dragons—Sahrotaar, Relonikiv, and Kruziikrel—to replenish his health.
• Hermaeus Mora kills Miraak by fatally impaling him after expressing anger at his rebellion and betrayal of trust.
• The player learns the final word of "Bend Will" only after persuading Skaal shaman Storn to surrender the tribe's secrets, an act that results in Storn's death.