Chapter Summaries

Li Chuan defeated the Draugr Lord at Bleak Falls Barrow and learned that his Dragonborn Bloodline let him absorb Dragon Shout knowledge from dragon script. After returning the Golden Claw to Lucan in Riverwood, he asked him to identify a Soul Stone.

• The Draugr Lord froze and staggered Li Chuan, but Li Chuan killed it with Light Speed Punch.
• Li Chuan resonated with the wall and learned the first part of the Unrelenting Force Dragon Shout, then realized his Dragonborn Bloodline let him understand dragon script and could help him learn shouts by absorbing dragon souls.
• Li Chuan found Soul Stones, burial goods, an enchanted axe, and a carved stone slab, then left the tomb through its hidden exit and teleported to Hrothgar's foothills.
• Li Chuan returned the Golden Claw to Lucan, who paid him one thousand gold coins and offered him a future discount.
• Li Chuan showed Lucan a crystal containing a soul and asked what it was.

Li Chuan learned about Soul Stones, bought an Empty Soul Gem at a discount, and read books about the gods, Daedra, and the ancient war between dragons and humans. The chapter left him wondering how powerful the gods and dragons were and whether he could face one.

• Kemira identified Li Chuan's crystal as a Soul Stone and explained its uses and value.
• Lucan offered Li Chuan an Empty Soul Gem, and Kemira secured him a discount before he bought it for twenty gold coins.
• Li Chuan returned to The Sleeping Giant Inn and read about the difference between Creator Gods and Daedric gods.
• Li Chuan read how Ysgramor's people brought animal-deity beliefs to Tamriel and how the Dragon Cult's rebellion led to war between humans and dragons.
• Li Chuan learned that some dragons helped humanity, reportedly after Akatosh intervened, and wondered whether he could face a god or dragon.

Li Chuan compared the dragons of this world with those from another world, then mastered the basic Destruction spell Shocking Spear. At the Sleeping Giant inn, Mayor Gerdur thanked him for clearing out the bandits on Hrothgar’s, beginning a conversation with him.

• Li Chuan judged the dragons of this world to be far more intelligent and powerful than the fire dragons from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
• Li Chuan dismissed the books Thief and Energetic Argonian Maid, then studied the Shocking Spear spellbook.
• Li Chuan tested Shocking Spear by firing twin columns of electricity into a river and stunning fish.
• Li Chuan returned to the Sleeping Giant, ordered venison and ale, and listened to the lively townsfolk.
• Delphine told Li Chuan that Mayor Gerdur was paying for his food and drinks.
• Gerdur approached Li Chuan and thanked him for clearing the bandits from Hrothgar’s.

Li Chuan agreed to carry Gerdur’s warning about the dragon attack to Whiterun and ask Jarl Balgruuf for soldiers to protect Riverwood. After giving Kemira an enchanted axe and setting out at dawn, he hurried toward Whiterun, aiming to arrive within half a day.

• Gerdur told Li Chuan that Ralof had escaped Sanctuary Town after a dragon attack and asked him to seek help from Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun.
• Li Chuan accepted Gerdur’s request because he was already planning to travel to Whiterun.
• Li Chuan told Kemira that he was married to Wanda Maximoff and gave her an enchanted Ancient Nord Battleaxe.
• Li Chuan left Riverwood at dawn and sped along the road toward Whiterun.

Li Chuan reached the plains outside Whiterun and saw Farkas and Aela of the Companions kill a giant attacking a farm. He continued toward Whiterun, wondering at the pair’s enormous dark circles.

• Li Chuan traveled from Riverwood toward Whiterun, fending off wolf and skeever attacks along the way.
• He learned about Whiterun’s origins and its connection to the Companions, then transformed a stone into a black horse to continue his journey.
• Near a farm, Li Chuan saw a giant rampaging as travelers fled and Whiterun guards hurried toward the scene.
• Aela struck the giant with an arrow that froze it, and Farkas finished it with a blow from his greatsword.
• The crowd applauded Farkas and Aela, and Li Chuan rode on toward Whiterun after noticing their enormous dark circles.

Li Chuan saved a farm girl from the giant’s falling club and received an invitation from Aela to join the Companions. After reaching Whiterun, he was escorted to meet the Jarl with news of the dragon.

• Li Chuan secretly split the giant’s falling club in midair, protecting a farm girl beside him.
• Aela recognized Li Chuan’s skill and invited him to join the Companions, but he tactfully declined for the moment.
• Li Chuan left his horse at a stable and told a Whiterun guard that Gerdur had sent him with news about the dragon.
• The Captain escorted Li Chuan through the city gates to meet the Jarl at Dragonsreach.
• Li Chuan overheard an argument about supplying swords to the Imperial army and decided the Civil War did not concern him.

Li Chuan reported the dragon attack on Sanctuary Town to Balgruuf, who ordered troops sent to Riverwood despite Proventus’s objections. Balgruuf offered Li Chuan a reward, and Li Chuan asked for access to books instead of gold or enchanted gear.

• Li Chuan traveled through Whiterun and entered Dragonsreach to meet Balgruuf.
• Li Chuan told Balgruuf that a dragon had attacked Sanctuary Town and shared the information Gerdur had given him.
• Irileth urged Balgruuf to send troops to Riverwood, while Proventus warned that doing so could provoke Furyx.
• Balgruuf ordered Irileth to send a unit to Riverwood, and she left to carry out the order.
• Balgruuf offered Li Chuan 4,000 gold coins or enchanted gear, and Li Chuan asked to read as many books as possible.

Li Chuan traded his reward from Balgruuf for permission to study the Jarl’s books in Farengar’s collection. After reading more than half the collection, he pieced together an account of Nirn’s creation and the origins of the Aedra, Daedra, and magic.

• Li Chuan asked Balgruuf to let him read his books instead of receiving money or gear, and Balgruuf sent him to Farengar.
• Farengar warned Li Chuan to keep the books in order, read them only in the room, and not damage them, then showed him the collection.
• Li Chuan read in Dragonsreach for several days and finished more than half its books.
• Li Chuan concluded that Nirn was a planet and that Anu and Padomay gave rise to the universe and the Time Dragon God Akatosh and Serpent God Lorkhan.
• Li Chuan read that Lorkhan persuaded the Aedra to create the mortal world, while Magnus and other Aedra escaped to Aetherius, forming the sun and stars and allowing magical energy to reach Nirn.
• Li Chuan found conflicting accounts of magic’s origins, with some books crediting Gynesis rather than the Dragon Clan with teaching people magic.

Li Chuan learned how the Dragonfires and the Dragonborn Bloodline protected Nirn from the Daedra, and realized he no longer needed to hide his strength. At Dragonsreach, he recognized the cloaked Delphine but chose not to reveal her identity.

• Li Chuan learned that the Divines could not easily enter Nirn in their true forms, while the Dragonfires restricted the Daedra.
• Li Chuan discovered that Akatosh, not Talos, was the source of his Dragonborn Bloodline.
• Li Chuan learned that Martin had sacrificed himself to drive Mehrunes Dagon back and permanently stabilize the Dragonfires.
• Li Chuan concluded that he could use his powers openly unless he threatened the world.
• Li Chuan recognized Delphine leaving Dragonsreach in disguise but kept her identity secret and entered the hall.

Li Chuan gave Farengar the Dragon Stone and persuaded him to lend over spellbooks in exchange. After confirming he could safely use his abilities, Li Chuan used Shadow Clones to absorb the books’ contents and prepared to continue his magic studies at the College of Winterhold.

• Farengar asked Li Chuan about Bleak Falls Barrow and recognized the Dragon Stone Li Chuan had recovered there.
• Li Chuan gave Farengar the Dragon Stone, which Farengar planned to report to Jarl Balgruuf for a reward.
• Li Chuan asked to read Farengar’s spellbooks and demonstrated his skill with Shocking Spear.
• Farengar let Li Chuan read several spellbooks and recommended that he study at the College of Winterhold.
• Li Chuan used more than a hundred Shadow Clones to finish and absorb the books in the room and the spellbooks Farengar lent him.

Li Chuan studied the magical system of this world and discovered that its Meditation Technique could raise the fixed magicka limit granted by his Wizard Bloodline. He also found the Insight Spell especially useful and considered adapting it for use in other worlds.

• Li Chuan finished reading Farengar's books and spellbooks, recalled his Shadow Clones, and organized the knowledge they had gathered.
• Li Chuan learned that meditation could increase a mage's total magicka, but that the technique was not sold privately and had to be learned from a mage, academy, or organization.
• Li Chuan realized the Meditation Technique could let him exceed his Wizard Bloodline's fixed magicka limit and cast future spells with greater costs.
• Li Chuan studied the world's schools of magic and found that the Insight Spell could reveal the location of any named place that existed in the world.
• Li Chuan reasoned that he could adapt the Insight Spell for other worlds, while deciding that the technique for enslaving summoned Daedra's minds was also worth studying.

After learning the Insight Spell and studying a magicka cultivation method, Li Chuan prepared to leave Whiterun for Winterhold, but a dragon attack drew him to the Western Watchtower. As the dragon dove toward Irileth’s guards, Li Chuan understood the meaning of its roars and realized it was bad news.

• Li Chuan decided to leave Whiterun for Winterhold after studying Farengar’s spellbooks and gathering information around the city.
• Irileth told Farengar that guards had spotted a dragon near the Western Watchtower, and Balgruuf ordered her to lead elite guards there while Farengar prepared the city’s defenses.
• Li Chuan followed Irileth’s unit to the Western Watchtower, where they found ruins, burned corpses, and one surviving guard who reported the dragon was still nearby.
• A dragon roared in the distance and dove toward Irileth and her guards as Li Chuan watched from the clouds.
• Li Chuan understood the meaning in the dragon’s roars and frowned at what they implied.

Li Chuan realized that Alduin had returned and was reviving dragons as Mirmulnir overwhelmed Irileth and Whiterun’s guards. The guards’ retreat was blocked, and Mirmulnir disarmed them with a Dragon Shout, leaving them helpless before him.

• Li Chuan recognized Mirmulnir’s words as evidence that Alduin had returned and was reviving the dead dragons.
• Mirmulnir crushed Irileth and Whiterun’s guards with dragonfire and attacks from the air.
• Irileth ordered the guards to retreat toward Whiterun and its magical ballistae, but Mirmulnir landed in their path.
• Irileth commanded the guards to fight to the death when they could not escape.
• Mirmulnir used the Dragon Shout “Disarm,” stripping the guards of their weapons and leaving them defenseless.

Li Chuan intervened when Mirmulnir attacked Whiterun, revealing overwhelming strength and learning that Alduin had returned. After blocking Mirmulnir’s dragonfire and striking him down with the Rising Dragon of Lushan, Li Chuan forced the dragon to flee.

• Mirmulnir prepared to burn the Whiterun guards, but Li Chuan seized his tail and hurled him away.
• Irileth and the guards recognized Li Chuan, while Mirmulnir mistook him for a traitorous Dovahkiin and accused him of siding with mortals.
• Li Chuan questioned Mirmulnir about Alduin through Mind Transmission, and Mirmulnir confirmed that his lord had returned and threatened to destroy them.
• Mirmulnir attacked with dragonfire, but Li Chuan blocked it with Crystal Wall and continued asking about Alduin.
• Mirmulnir dove at Li Chuan as the guards counterattacked, but Li Chuan struck him beneath the jaw with the Rising Dragon of Lushan and sent him crashing through the ground.
• Mirmulnir realized Li Chuan could kill him permanently as a Dovahkiin and tried to escape.

Li Chuan pinned Mirmulnir down to question him about Alduin, but the dragon knew little and escaped using an ethereal shout. Li Chuan killed him with the Golden Arrow of Sagittarius, absorbed his soul, and learned the first segment of Unrelenting Force.

• Li Chuan subdued Mirmulnir and demanded to know Alduin’s whereabouts and plans, but Mirmulnir said he had been told to roam freely and wait for his master’s summons.
• Li Chuan’s Phantom Demon Emperor Fist failed to control Mirmulnir, who turned ethereal and flew beyond the reach of Irileth and the guards.
• Mirmulnir taunted Li Chuan from the sky, but Li Chuan summoned the Gold Cloth of Sagittarius and killed him with the God-Slaying Golden Arrow.
• Li Chuan absorbed Mirmulnir’s dragon soul and fully understood the first segment of Unrelenting Force.
• Li Chuan used Unrelenting Force to shove Mirmulnir’s fallen body more than ten meters away.

After absorbing Mirmulnir’s dragon soul, Li Chuan’s Nascent Soul reached the threshold for a breakthrough, and he considered using more dragon souls to strengthen it. He admitted he was Dragonborn to the Whiterun guards, then treated the wounded while Irileth promised to report his deeds to the Jarl.

• After absorbing Mirmulnir’s soul, Li Chuan sensed that he could enter seclusion and break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.
• Li Chuan considered hunting other revived dragons to absorb their souls and strengthen his Nascent Soul, confident he could withstand the Four-Nine Heavenly Tribulation.
• The Whiterun guards recognized Li Chuan as the legendary Dragonborn, and he confirmed his identity.
• Irileth thanked Li Chuan for saving Whiterun and promised to report his actions to the Jarl for a reward.
• Li Chuan treated the wounded guards using Healing Magic and Medical Ninjutsu in place of Restoration magic.

After Li Chuan was recognized as Dragonborn, the Greybeards summoned him to High Hrothgar, but he decided to prepare for a cultivation breakthrough before answering the call. Jarl Balgruuf named him Sword of Whiterun, assigned Lydia as his housecarl, and gave him the right to buy a home, where he planned to enter seclusion.

• A tremendous roar came from High Hrothgar, and Li Chuan realized the Greybeards had likely summoned him.
• After hearing Irileth's account, Balgruuf confirmed Li Chuan was Dragonborn and explained the Greybeards' history and their summons.
• Balgruuf named Li Chuan Sword of Whiterun, appointed Lydia as his housecarl, and granted him the right to buy a home in Whiterun Hold.
• Li Chuan decided to buy a house and postpone visiting High Hrothgar or Winterhold until after he broke through to the Nascent Soul Stage.

Li Chuan bought Tundra Estate outside Whiterun, appointed Lydia its steward, and entered seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage. After a month, he succeeded and tested his Soul Projection, leaving him with vastly increased True Essence.

• Li Chuan chose the spacious Tundra Estate, bought it from Proventus, and flew there with Lydia using his Flying Sword Wings.
• Li Chuan appointed Lydia as the estate’s steward, left her gold and instructions, and began seclusion to pursue the Nascent Soul Stage.
• After a month, Li Chuan broke through, forming a Soul Projection in his Cosmo as his aura cleared the rain clouds above Whiterun Hold.
• Li Chuan projected his Soul Projection outside his body, tested its flight and ability to pass through walls, then returned to his body.
• Li Chuan realized his True Essence had increased nearly a hundredfold, making it easier to use Three Heads Six Arms.

Li Chuan set out with Lydia to visit the Greybeards at High Hrothgar, but their departure was interrupted by a strange jester hauling a coffin filled with powerful death energy. When Li Chuan warned that the corpse might be a draugr, the jester attacked and vanished using an Invisibility Spell.

• Lydia told Li Chuan that dragon sightings had spread across Skyrim and frightened merchants into halting their travel.
• Li Chuan invited Lydia to accompany him to High Hrothgar, and she eagerly agreed.
• Li Chuan sensed powerful death energy coming from a coffin being hauled past the manor by a jester.
• The jester identified himself as Cicero and claimed the coffin held his dead mother, while Li Chuan urged him to inspect it for a draugr.
• Lydia declared that Li Chuan was the Thane and ordered Cicero to open the coffin, but Cicero drew daggers and attacked.
• Cicero disappeared from sight using an Invisibility Spell as Lydia raised her shield to protect Li Chuan.

Li Chuan captured the assassin Cicero and opened the metal coffin, discovering the charred mummy known as the Night Mother. She declared that Li Chuan was the chosen Listener and ordered him to convey her will to Cicero, leaving him questioning what she was.

• Cicero attacked Li Chuan from behind, but Li Chuan caught his dagger and immobilized him with Petrificus Totalus.
• Li Chuan reassured Lydia, moved the coffin into the manor, and opened it to reveal a metal coffin marked with the Dark Brotherhood’s symbol.
• Lydia explained that the Dark Brotherhood was a notorious assassin organization that accepted contracts through evil rituals.
• Li Chuan used Alohomora to open the metal coffin and expose a burned female mummy radiating dark death energy.
• The mummy spoke into Li Chuan’s mind, called herself the Night Mother, and named him the chosen Listener who must deliver her commands to Cicero.