Is there a sensible way to find out if someone is Dragonborn?

Danikat · March 2018

This isn't really relevant to ESO, since beyond a few individuals being explicitly NOT Dragonborn (most importantly for us the player character and the Prophet) it doesn't really come up in this game, but it's something I've been wondering about.

As I understand it any individual could be Dragonborn - contrary to popular belief they don't have to be a descendant of St. Alessia and it's unclear if they are actually related to dragons in any way (biological, spiritual or otherwise) or simply have similar innate abilities, so even if it was possible to trace everyone's lineage back to the dawn of time it wouldn't necessarily help identify them.

So far we know of just two ways to find out if a person is Dragonborn:
1) They kill a dragon and absorb it's soul. (Or rather they're present when it dies, once in Skyrim I was chasing a dragon but I don't think I ever even hit it, then some giants killed it and I still got the soul.)
2) They use the Amulet of Kings to relight the Dragonfires and seal Nirn away from Oblivion.

These methods are, to put it mildly, impractical. The first because throughout the majority of Tamriel's recorded history there have been no dragons to fight, and because even when there were it involves finding and defeating a dragon, which is pretty demanding just to check if you possess a particular kind of magic. The second is considerably worse given what can happen if the person attempting it is not Dragonborn. (Which is basically the opposite of the intended effect, and the setup for ESO's main story.)

Given that throughout history a succession of individuals, some of whom had fairly dubious claims, have used the Amulet of Kings to light the Dragonfires it seems like there should be some way to check in advance whether it's going to work. Or was it really left to chance/trusting they are who they say they are all those times?

I think in a way it would make more sense if it was Akatosh choosing to give that power to someone, so all the Emperors who successfully lit the Dragonfires just had to convince him they were worthy. Pretty harsh that he'd allow the Soulburst to happen, but maybe letting Varen become Emperor and go on trusting Tharn and Mannimarco would have been even worse?

Asardes · March 2018

Make him sing Fus-Ro-Dah at "Tamriel's got Talent" with the Greybeards giving him marks for it

Merlin13KAGL · March 2018

Simply attempting to wear the Amulet of Kings will answer that for you.

If you're Dragonborn, it's a necklace. If you're not, it's a keychain.

These methods are, to put it mildly, impractical.]

Lol...it's Dragonborn... it should be a bit impractical.

WhiteCoatSyndrome · March 2018

I suspect this is a factor in why the Dragonguard started teaching everyone to Shout and become Dragon Knights. The Dragonborn can Shout without training, so if they get a student who's remarkably quick at picking up new Shouts...he or she would at least merit watching.

There are probably other ways too; there's that blood seal in Sky Haven Temple that needs the blood of a Dragonborn to open. Maybe they could make more that are portable? Or trundle potential Dragonborn up there to prick their fingers, but if the Dragonguard made one I'd assume they could make more.

Merlin13KAGL wrote: »

Simply attempting to wear the Amulet of Kings will answer that for you.

If you're Dragonborn, it's a necklace. If you're not, it's a keychain.

The issue with that is that you have to have the Amulet of Kings. And it's expensive-looking and small enough to be stealable, with the added bonus that there are sixteen or so Daedric Princes with a vested interest in keeping it away from someone who can wear it.

Asardes · March 2018

The Amulet of Kings can be used by people who are not Dragonborn. It won't be harmless at all, but in fact work in devious ways. Just a few examples in ESO:
- Manimarco uses it to initiate the Soul Burst, by tricking Varen Aquilarios
- Abnur Thrarn uses it to capture the soul of one of the Companions and power it
- The Soul Shrieven subsequently uses it to defeat Molag Bal although he/she is not revealed to be a Dragonborn

tyjoie · March 2018

If you are a dragonborn you will find out one way or another. If you're not Dragonborn by bloodline, the Gods(or their "representatives"), or just some woke individual(s) will get the message to you somehow. Such as Tiber Septim finding out when he was visited Wulfharth while on campaign against the Reachmen or Reman Cyrodiil finding out when the invading Akaviri recognized him as one. You don't just randomly get made dragonborn. There's a reason for it, and you have to be told about it in order to "fulfill your destiny".