Just something I got thinking about... what happens to the dragons consciousness after the Dragonborn absorbs its soul? Is it improsoned in some eternal prison much like soul gems? Or does the dragons consciousness simply cease to be? Even though they are dangerous beasts, its true that they are capable of reasoning with mortals. Isn't it pretty cruel to destroy their entire existence?

As well as -


Maybe I'm looking into things too much...

its similar to how ghosts are dealt with in ghostbusters

From what I made out, when you absorb their soul you aren't absorbing there mind and being. They are dead and their being does cease to exist, and what you are absorbing is their memories and experiences, which is what allows you to master the words of power so quickly.

But why would they cease to exist? Doesn't TES lore state that there are all different realms of an afterlife? For example, if you are a follower of Hircine you hunt in his realm in Oblivion. If you dies heroically in battle you would ascend to Sovangarde, etc.

You probably wouldn't be saying that if you had to spent all of eternity in it. You'd go insane...

Then not necessarily cease to exist, but they go on to wherever Dragons go instead of staying trapped inside of you.

Hmmm, okay then... is there any lore which suggests where a slain dragon's soul would go? And why can only the Dovahkiin kill them forever?

As stated during the game, when you absorb a dragon's soul, you consume it, effectively killing it permanently. That is why you are the only one who can kill dragons, otherwise alduin could simply return the soul to the body again an resurrect it again.
If you are still wondering where the soul goes though, I have two theories.
1. It becomes a part of your own, making your own soul more powerful. (most likely scenario)
2. Sithis is very pleased with your work. (Also very likely, but not as likely as the first.)

this

Their souls become soul-poo and are pooped back into the cycle of reincarnation.

Yes, but what would happen to the consciousness of the dragon? Merge with the Dovahkiin's? That's a terrible fate...

thats where souls go. when you absorb a dragons soul you are destroying it, utterly killing it forever. before dragons were immortal but could be killed however they werent truely dead because they are immortal and could thus be resurrected. which is what alduin did, he raised them from the dead. your absorbing their soul destroyed them forever. there is no afterlife for them, they just cease to be.

there is room for interpretation on whether they essentially live on in you or not and you essentially merge with them but thats just speculation.

Yes, that is what happens. It is effectively destroyed. The only part of its consciousness that passes over is a fragment of its knowledge. (Which lets you learn a word of their language.)
Isn't the nicest process, but at least it isn't turing up in ashpit or one of the other less attractive planes of oblivion.