Are Dragon Breaks Canon in the Elder Scrolls Universe?

Yes, Dragon Breaks are unequivocally canon within the Elder Scrolls universe. They represent significant, albeit rare, events that fundamentally alter the flow of time, creating temporal anomalies and potentially branching realities. Understanding Dragon Breaks is crucial to grasping the complex and often contradictory lore of the Elder Scrolls. They serve as a narrative device to reconcile seemingly incompatible events and character histories, acknowledging the inherent unreliability of historical accounts and the fluidity of fate within the games.

Understanding Dragon Breaks: A Primer

A Dragon Break occurs when linear time is shattered. Think of it like a dam bursting; the orderly flow of the river (time) is disrupted, creating eddies, backflows, and potentially new channels. These breaks are often triggered by events of immense power, typically involving the manipulation of divine forces or powerful artifacts like the Numidium.

The consequences of a Dragon Break are far-reaching. During the event, multiple realities can momentarily co-exist, leading to seemingly impossible scenarios. Afterwards, these fragmented timelines often attempt to reconcile themselves, resulting in historical accounts that are contradictory and confusing. The most significant aspect is that all resulting versions of events are simultaneously true.

Dragon Breaks are not merely plot devices; they are integral to the world-building. They excuse inconsistencies, allow for player agency within a defined world, and add depth to the already rich history of Tamriel. They also allow Bethesda a degree of freedom to explore different narrative avenues without completely invalidating past lore. In effect, Dragon Breaks transform the Elder Scrolls universe into a kind of “multiverse” where different versions of events can exist in tandem.

Key Characteristics of Dragon Breaks:

• Temporal Disruption: The fundamental fabric of time is torn, creating anomalies.
• Multiple Realities: Different versions of events can occur simultaneously, leading to paradoxical outcomes.
• Divine Intervention: Often triggered by powerful artifacts or manipulations involving gods or god-like beings.
• Reconciliation of Timelines: After the break, the timelines attempt to resolve themselves, leading to inconsistent historical accounts.
• Lore Flexibility: Allows for narrative freedom and explains discrepancies within the established lore.

Examples of Dragon Breaks in the Elder Scrolls

Several events in the Elder Scrolls lore are attributed to Dragon Breaks:

• The Middle Dawn: This is perhaps the most well-known Dragon Break. Lasting for 1008 years (1E 1200 – 1E 2280), it was triggered by the Marukhati Selective’s attempt to separate Akatosh from Auri-El. The resulting chaos led to conflicting accounts of what transpired during this period, with different regions experiencing different realities.
• The Warp in the West (Miracle of Peace): This event, occurring in The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall, involved the activation of the Numidium and the creation of multiple kingdoms in the Iliac Bay region. Different factions simultaneously claimed victory, and all accounts are considered equally valid due to the temporal disruption.
• The Battle of Red Mountain: While not explicitly confirmed as a Dragon Break, the events surrounding the disappearance of the Dwemer and the use of Kagrenac’s tools on the Heart of Lorkhan have led many to speculate that a localized temporal anomaly may have occurred. The ambiguity surrounding the event leaves room for interpretation.
• Skyrim and the Time-Wound: The Time-Wound at the Throat of the World and Alduin’s ability to traverse time suggests a possible localized temporal anomaly. Some theories propose that this could be considered a small-scale Dragon Break, as Alduin’s actions disrupt the established timeline.

The Role of the Numidium

The Numidium, a colossal golem powered by the Heart of Lorkhan, is a recurring catalyst for Dragon Breaks. Its very nature as an artificial god challenges the linear flow of time. Every time the Numidium is activated, it has the potential to shatter reality, creating multiple timelines and altering the course of history. This makes the Numidium one of the most dangerous and lore-significant artifacts in the Elder Scrolls universe. The implications of its power are a constant threat to the stability of Tamriel.

Dragon Breaks as a Narrative Tool

From a narrative perspective, Dragon Breaks serve several important functions:

• Explaining Lore Contradictions: The Elder Scrolls lore is vast and complex, with inconsistencies arising from different historical accounts and perspectives. Dragon Breaks provide a convenient explanation for these discrepancies, allowing Bethesda to maintain a rich and varied history without being constrained by absolute consistency.
• Player Agency and Choice: In games like Daggerfall, where multiple endings are possible, Dragon Breaks can reconcile these endings within the overall timeline. The player’s choices have real consequences, but the broader narrative remains coherent.
• Adding Depth and Mystery: Dragon Breaks introduce an element of ambiguity and uncertainty to the Elder Scrolls universe. They encourage players to question the nature of reality and the reliability of historical accounts, fostering a deeper engagement with the lore.
• Creative Freedom: They allow the writers at Bethesda to explore unusual and fantastical scenarios, untethered by the normal constraints of established timelines and cause-and-effect relationships.
• The educational applications of the Elder Scrolls lore, and the potential for learning through gaming, are vast. Explore the potential for educational games and learning through play at the Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are Dragon Breaks just a retcon to fix lore errors?

Not exactly. While Dragon Breaks can explain lore inconsistencies, they are more than just a retcon. They are an integral part of the Elder Scrolls cosmology, representing a fundamental aspect of the universe and the nature of time itself.

2. How common are Dragon Breaks?

They are rare events. Only a handful of Dragon Breaks are explicitly confirmed in the lore, suggesting that they are exceptional occurrences rather than commonplace.

3. Can mortals cause Dragon Breaks?

Yes, mortals can trigger Dragon Breaks, typically through the use of powerful artifacts or by manipulating divine forces. The Marukhati Selective’s actions during the Middle Dawn demonstrate that mortal actions can have profound temporal consequences.

4. Does every use of the Numidium result in a Dragon Break?

While the Numidium is strongly associated with Dragon Breaks, it is not always guaranteed. The circumstances surrounding its activation and the specific motivations of those wielding it can influence whether a Dragon Break occurs.

5. Is ESO (Elder Scrolls Online) affected by Dragon Breaks?

ESO’s timeline is complex, and while it doesn’t directly feature a confirmed, full-scale Dragon Break in its main storyline, it does explore temporal anomalies and manipulations that hint at the potential for such events. Some storylines also suggest the existence of separate timelines, which is a common consequence of Dragon Breaks.

6. How do Dragon Breaks end?

Dragon Breaks typically end when the fragmented timelines attempt to reconcile themselves, resulting in a single, albeit often contradictory, historical record. The process of reconciliation is not always smooth or complete, leaving lingering anomalies and uncertainties.

7. Are all accounts of events during a Dragon Break equally true?

Yes, that’s the core concept. During a Dragon Break, multiple realities exist simultaneously, and all accounts of what transpired are considered equally valid, even if they contradict each other.

8. Can Dragon Breaks be prevented?

Preventing a Dragon Break is difficult, as they are often triggered by events of immense power and complex circumstances. However, understanding the potential consequences and avoiding the manipulation of dangerous artifacts or divine forces could potentially mitigate the risk.

9. How do Dragon Breaks affect individual characters?

The effects on individual characters can vary. Some characters may experience the temporal distortions directly, while others may be unaware of the changes. The long-term consequences can also differ, with some characters’ histories being altered or erased, while others remain unaffected.

10. Does CHIM have anything to do with Dragon Breaks?

While not directly causing Dragon Breaks, achieving CHIM (Complete Harmony in Mundus) involves understanding the nature of reality and the illusory nature of the world. This understanding could potentially allow an individual to navigate or even influence Dragon Breaks.

11. Is Alduin responsible for a Dragon Break in Skyrim?

While not a confirmed, full-scale Dragon Break, the Time-Wound at the Throat of the World and Alduin’s ability to travel through time suggest a localized temporal anomaly. Some theories propose this qualifies as a smaller-scale Dragon Break.

12. If time is broken, does that mean free will doesn’t exist?

Not necessarily. Even with the disruptions caused by Dragon Breaks, characters still make choices within their respective timelines. The fact that multiple timelines exist due to the break may also increase the overall amount of “free will,” but that may just be due to the illusion of free will. Dragon Breaks provide narrative flexibility for the exploration of complex philosophical themes in the Elder Scrolls universe.

13. Can the Dragonborn prevent Dragon Breaks?

The Dragonborn possesses immense power, but there is no evidence to suggest they can prevent Dragon Breaks. Their primary role is typically to restore balance and order to the world after a crisis, rather than preventing the crisis itself.

14. What is the significance of dragons to Dragon Breaks?

Dragons, as children of Akatosh, are intrinsically linked to time. Their presence and actions can influence the flow of time, and they may play a role in triggering or resolving Dragon Breaks.

15. Does the concept of Dragon Breaks allow writers to “cheat” on lore?

While Dragon Breaks can be used to explain lore inconsistencies, they are not simply a convenient excuse. They are a carefully constructed element of the Elder Scrolls universe, with their own rules and implications. When used thoughtfully, they can enhance the lore and add depth to the narrative.