Miraak

The First Dragonborn returns to claim his throne and enslave the island of Solstheim.

Miraak is the First Dragonborn, who has unconsciously enslaved most of Solstheim's population and forced them to work on the All-Maker Stones. Centuries later, during the events of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Dragonborn, he re-emerges as the primary antagonist. His return begins when cultists worshipping him attack the player in Skyrim, revealing their origins on the island of Solstheim. Unlike the Last Dragonborn, Miraak became corrupted and seeks to control the world. He controls the island's population through an unconscious enslavement linked to runic monoliths called "All-Maker Stones." The player must journey to Raven Rock, investigate his influence, and ultimately confront him in a realm of Oblivion known as Apocrypha.

Quick Facts

Role: First Dragonborn
First appears: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Dragonborn expansion

Lore & Background

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.

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 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.