I've been working on my Skyrim character's backstory for a long time now, and there is one thing I've never truly understand / haven't found the answer for:

Is the blood of a dragonborn something that was is hereditary, or does one become dragonborn simply by random chance?

It seems to me like it would be weird if Martin Septim was called Dragonborn if he wasn't dragonborn (and I suppose he would have gotten his gift since he is related to Tiber Septim), but someone said that it wasn't hereditary, so I had to ask...


I would appreciate it if someone could explain more in detail how exactly one becomes dragonborn.



Thanks in advance

Lots o' threads dedicated to this, but a quick gander at the Cyrodillic dynasties makes it apparent that being Dragonborn is not hereditary. Also, by way of Mankar (and the Septim bloodline, if that floats your goat), its possible to obtain it well past birth. 'Divine' mystery sums it up pretty nicely, no one has pin pointed how or why it happens.

I thought Talos, or one of the other divine's picks someone(s) to be dragonborn. And that basically the reason there was none after Martin was because there really wasnt a need for one, till Alduin reappeared from the time wound.

Strictly speaking, neither. Dragonborn status is a blessing conferred by the gods. Specifically Akatosh/Lorkhan.


We're not sure. Presumably its up to the gods' discretion.

Regarding the Cyrodiilic emperors, make sure you've read http://www.imperial-library.info/content/book-dragonborn.


Its mysterious because the author can't state what might be the easy answer - that all emperors were not dragonborn - because that would be heretical.

In any case, she makes the point that it might be the ceremony itself that renews the Cyrodiilic pact with Akatosh, obliging him to bestow upon the Emperor this great blessing. If we're going to say purely within the orthodox, I'd say this is the best explanation.

Yes and no.

Typically, the Dragon's blood is a gift from Akotosh. However, at least in the event of the rulers of the Empire from the first through the third eras, it was a hereditary condition, given to the heirs (or possible heirs) of the throne, likely by Akotosh himself. This was to prevent the events of Oblivion.

However, this is all conjecture based on tales. Because the only sure-fire mark of a Dragonborn is the absorption of a dragon's soul upon death, ability to learn Thu'ums easily from the Greybeards, or (at least until the 3rd era) ruling the Empire without having to deal with Oblivion gates. Since none of those three events are anywhere remotely common enough to use as experiments, we can't really say if being dragonborn is or is not hereditary, or when it manefests.

It's a slippery slope this Dragonborn buisness. Your question can't really be answered without alot of assuming and the Septims themselves make it all the more complicated. I don't think anyone can confidently tell you 'this is the way it is', only offer you possibilities based on what few and often biesed sources we have.