Skyrim: Dragon Priests Used to Rule Alongside the Dragons

gamerant.com:

Dragon Priests are fearsome enemies in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim. They wield powerful magical abilities, far beyond what normal humans or elves can attain. Thus, they’re difficult to defeat and prove a challenge even to the Dragonborn.

Found across different dungeons in Skyrim, these foes drop valuable items when defeated. All named Dragon Priests drop a unique mask with a specific set of status effects. Some even have staffs with strong magical effects. This power stems from the pact that was formed between them and the dragons millennia ago.

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In the Merethic Era, dragons ruled over a large part of Tamriel. These creatures were worshipped like gods, and they happily accepted this role. To dragons, power and truth meant the same thing. Thus, their strength over humans, elves, and other smaller animals was proof of their inherent superiority.

However, the dragons did not care much for their affairs, so they appointed a chosen few to rule over people for them. These chosen became the Dragon Priests — people who swore absolute obedience to their dragon masters. In return, the dragons imbued a small amount of their power into them. The Dragon Priests then rose in stature and were revered just as much as the dragons.

With their newfound influence, the Dragon Priests began creating laws and codes that the people were to abide by. They also required tribute, either for themselves or their dragon masters. It’s even believed that the highest-ranking Dragon Priests would meet at what is now known as the Labyrinthian to discuss civil and political matters. Through such careful practices, the Dragon Priests ensured that there was peace between the dragons and their worshippers.

This, however, did