I'm been mulling over a line that Paarthurnax speaks to the Dragonborn, after bringing up the Blade's desire to kill him:
"Dov wahlaan fah rel. We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. You feel it in yourself, do you not?" (Credit: UESP)
I'm certain that many people here are aware of this, that dragons inherently seek power and that those of the dragonblood shares this nature. But what are the true implications of this in regards to Skyrim's Dragonborn?
Reman Cyrodiil and Tiber Septim both managed to subdue and unite the provinces of Tamriel, each founding imperial dynasties in the process. Both of these men were Dragonborn. In fact, most recorded Dragonborns throughout history have been either prominent figures or powerful rulers. This "will to power" that those of the dragonblood inherently possess appears to be very potent, making those who have it capable of incredible ascendancy. Even Alduin can be seen as a terrifying exemplification of this.
...So what of the last Dragonborn? If this nature of domination is so powerful, what is he (or she) capable of? How does it affect the Dragonborn as a person? Does the dragonblood shape the conscience or temperament of one who possess it (perhaps akin to a mental condition or illness)? Should it be revered or vilified?
I'm curious to hear people's thoughts on this subject.
Hmm, that's an interesting thought indeed.
I think it would be unsurprising, then, for us to later discover the last Dragonborn made a bid for the position of High King/Queen in the moot.
It's unfortunate that the gameplay doesn't reflect this, but the Dragonborn would naturally be predisposed to leadership. Power and desire to dominate (rule) doesn't necessarily mean complete self-interest. If you want to look at it another way, the dragon soul influencing the Dragonborn would more likely suggest "power is truth" rather than "might is right".
Those are two completely different notions though they sound the same. "Power is truth" implies that because I am the most powerful in a group, I am obviously the leader. "Might is right" implies, instead, that because I am the most powerful, I can do whatever I want. For dragons, I imagine both concepts apply; but for a Dragonborn, who is also part human, the former is likely to apply. Unless you're a sociopath, it's very difficult to just do whatever you want because you have power. Ultimately, you will somehow factor in the needs of others, especially since the last Dragonborn is reportedly so very helpful and heroic.
It's certainly an interesting thought, something that I've though about a few times actually. I imagine that my character would probably feel some sort of inner conflict, with one side being more of who he really his and the other side being the dragonblood that wants to dominate over others, and I can imagine that maybe most characters that are Dragonborn have this inner conflict to some extent at least.
It's a very interesting though but many of you failed to realize that all or most or at least one of your characters already has shown his dragon hunger for power and dominance many times over. The Dragonborn in all rights is a dragon, but just stuck in a mortal form bound to certain power and restricted access to other dragons. Ohdaviing made a comment about this when you captured him, ''You may have the thu'um of a dova but you do not have the wings.'' Or something of the sort, Talvas seemed to misplace my notes again. Anyway, back to my first line.
You have already conquered Skyrim of sorts and filled your need for power already. Have you not been made the leader of the Companions? The Dark Brotherhood? The College of Winterhold? Thieves Guild? Volkihar Clan? And have you not been made Thane of multiple holds? However you see to fit your character these are all things he can accomplish whether it be story driven or not. They're there so that your need for power is satisfied...and for your enjoyment of course.
I always had a problem with my character becoming the 'leader' of everything. That's why when I played the main quest, my character did not engage in any other major quest-line. I also made a different character for each of the 'guilds'.
But I do agree with the character having similarities to dragons; my MQ character sought power, hoarded items, etc, much like a dragon.
Another excuse if you can call it that to join almost all the factions is to play as a bard. There was a bard build a while back which used this sort of playstyle in an excellent way (I forget the name of the build). A support character for companions in a way, collecting their stories on the way to the top. The key thing is that your different companions become the leaders of the different guilds, thanes etc.
I tried it, and its fun if you can keep them alive