The Fallen

1. Season Unending (if needed)

Jarl Balgruuf won't risk his city while the Civil War rages. If you haven't finished the war, Arngeir hosts a peace council at High Hrothgar between the Stormcloaks and Imperials. Broker a temporary truce — you can trade holds and prisoners in the negotiation to appease both sides. Once there's peace, Balgruuf agrees to bait the trap.

2. Setting the Trap

Balgruuf leads you to the great porch of Dragonsreach — built by the ancient Nords specifically to hold a dragon. The plan: lure one in, drop the yoke, and interrogate it. Paarthurnax tells you which dragon to summon: Odahviing.

3. Trapping Odahviing

• 1

  Call the dragon

  Step onto the balcony and use the shout Call Dragon (Od Ah Viing), taught to you by the Greybeards. Odahviing answers and attacks the guards.

• 2

  Lure him inside

  Retreat into the Great Hall so Odahviing follows and pokes his head through the doorway. Wound him enough and he'll fly in to bite — that's your cue.

• 3

  Spring the yoke

  Pull the lever to drop the ancient yoke onto his neck. Trapped, Odahviing strikes a bargain: he'll fly you to Skuldafn, the temple where Alduin's portal to Sovngarde lies.

4. To Skuldafn

Free Odahviing and he carries you to Skuldafn. Fight through the temple (its word wall teaches the Nahkriin dragon priest mask and a Word of Power), open the portal, and step through into the afterlife for the final confrontation.