Lore:NahfahlaarEdit
| ThalJ/sandbox | |||
|---|---|---|---|
ThalJ/sandbox Circa 2E 582 |
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| Race | Dragon | Gender | Male |
| Died | 2E 864 Stros M'Kai |
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| Resided in | Stros M'Kai, Stormhaven, Pellitine | ||
| Appears in | Redguard, ESO | ||
- "I am Nahfahlaar, I do not fear you, hunter. If you seek a battle, understand that it will be to the death. I would rather talk, though." — Nahfahlaar
Nahfahlaar (also known as Nafaalilargus, which is sometimes spelled Nafalilargus[1] or N'falilaargas[2]) was a red dragon who often allied with mortals for his own protection. He acknowledged that dragons are bound by Fenjuntiid, the will of Akatosh, meaning that it is in a dragon's nature to pursue domination. However, he was willing to ally himself with select mortals in order to bide time and ensure his presence for events that may require his intervention.[3]
Early HistoryEdit
Nahfahlaar's early history is shrouded in mystery, but it is clear that he made powerful enemies among his fellow dragons. In particular, Laatvulon, the black beast, was his most ancient rival. To defend himself from Laatvulon, Nahfahlaar forged an alliance with a Khajiit heroine known as Ja'darri. He granted her his horn as a boon. This horn would eventually become known as the Horn of Ja'darri and was recognized as one of the most powerful of Dragonhorns, which are tools that emit a sound capable of incapacitating dragons. The Dragonguard managed to seal him at the cost of Ja'darri's life, leaving Nahfahlaar with feelings of guilt due to her death. Prior to her death, Ja'darri asked Nahfahlaar to empower the Mask of Alkosh, but he refused. Thus, this powerful tool was rendered unusable.[3]
Over the years, Nahfahlaar would continue to forge alliances with mortals who could protect him from death. After Ja'darri, his last known mortal protector was King Casimir II of Wayrest. The Dragonguard successfully ended the alliance in 2E 369, but Nahfahlaar managed to escape. Following this event, his location was unknown[4] until over 200 years later in the Second Era.
A Rage of DragonsEdit
During the Alliance War, Abnur Tharn, the Imperial Battlemage, inadvertently released the seal that had trapped a rage of dragons within the confines of the Halls of Colossus. This colossal mistake inspired Laatvulon and many other dragons to come out of hiding. Laatvulon sought to carry out his master Kaalgrontiid's plan of bringing on the Dark Aeon, intending for Kaalgrontiid to become Akatosh's equal. Laatvulon created a Khajiiti dragon cult, the New Moon Cult, whose ranks were bolstered by many of the vulnerable Khajiit from the region, such as those who were affected by the Knahaten Flu. Nahfahlaar dueled Laatvulon near the city of Senchal in southern Elsweyr, but he was overpowered due to Laatvulon's newfound power. At his hideout of Tideholm, he was encountered by the Dragonguard who were recently reformed by the Redguard Blademaster Sai Sahan. Despite the history of animosity between the Dragonguard and the dragons, an alliance was forged between the former foes, one in which Nahfahlaar served as a valuable asset. This unlikely alliance led to victory, and Laatvulon, the Demon from the East, was slain.[3]
Nahfahlaar subsequently aided the Dragonguard in defeating Kaalgrontiid and the remnants of the New Moon Cult. Kaalgrontiid planned to siphon the energy contained within Jode's Core and become empowered by a giant cluster of Aeonstones. To prevent anyone from disrupting his plans, he utilized the energy of the Aeonstones to create an aegis, a giant and impenetrable spell, in his fortress of Dragonhold. Through the combined efforts of Nahfahlaar, the Dragonguard, and Queen Khamira's forces, Kaalgrontiid was slain. However, the Dark Aeon overloaded as a result of Kaalgrontiid's machinations and threatened to destroy the entire continent of Tamriel. It required the combined power of Abnur Tharn and Nahfahlaar to prevent the Aeonstones from affecting the area outside of Dragonhold. Nahfahlaar and Abnur were successful, but only at the cost of Abnur's life. After putting a stop to the rage of dragons, Nahfahlaar sought out another place to wait until his intervention became necessary once again.[3]
The Battle of Hunding BayEdit
Towards the end of the Second Era, Nahfahlaar, now choosing to style himself as Nafaalilargus, started working as a mercenary dragon in the employ of Tiber Septim during his conquest of Tamriel. He was a proud soldier and a loyal vassal, causing him to be considered "a jewel of the Imperial crown".[5] During the Battle of Hunding Bay, the dragon was called in to help defeat the Crowns of Hammerfell. He sank Prince A'tor's ship with a single fiery breath after the prince had been struck down by a poisoned arrow, thus ensuring that A'tor's wizard could not attempt to expunge the poison.[1]
Nafaalilargus was then put under the command of Lord Amiel Richton, a man who had been named the provisional governor of Stros M'Kai.[1] He was assigned to guard the soul gem of Prince A'tor, which was locked away in the treasuries beneath the island's palace. He coveted gold for unclear reasons and was paid large amounts for his service.[5] The dragon was slain in 2E 864 by Cyrus the Redguard, while confined to a tight space in the Stos M'Kai treasure vaults. Cyrus then dipped his sword in dragonfire and pierced Nafaalilargus' hide, dealing a killing blow.[6][UOL 1] Cyrus then stole back the soul gem, and Richton was informed by Dram of the dragon's death.[6] His death weakened the Imperial presence on the island considerably. However, due to the immortal nature of dragon souls, Nafaalilargus isn't truly dead and could be raised again.[7][8]
LegacyEdit
Although its popularity faded as dragons began to disappear from Tamriel, a ballad concerning Tiber Septim and Nafaalilargus was still being recited in Skyrim circa 4E 201.[UOL 2]
GalleryEdit
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Nafaalilargus the Imperial Red Dragon
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Nafaalilargus burning down A'tor's flagship
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The many piles of gold in the dragon's chamber
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A Dragon's treasure trove
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The Horn of Ja'Darri, the dragon horn given willingly by Nahfahlaar
NotesEdit
- Depending on how the syllables of "Nahfahlaar" are broken up, his name can spell out two words in the Dragon Language. First, it can be broken up to "Nah" meaning "fury", and "fah" meaning "for". If broken up differently, it can be "Nah" for fury, and "aar" meaning servant. The first variant leaves "laar," while the second variant leaves "fahl" as the remaining syllable.
- The name 'Nafaalilargus' has no known translation in the Dragon Language, however, the syllable "faal" in translates as "the". This name also has more than the usual three syllables found in most other dragon names. "Nafaalilargus" may simply be a Cyrodilic, or imperialised version of his real name, seeing as he served under the Empire during the events of Redguard.
ReferencesEdit
- ^ a b c Introduction of Redguard
- ^ The Redguard Companion
- ^ a b c d Nahfahlaar's dialogue in ESO: Dragonhold
- ^ Atlas of Dragons — Brother Mathnan
- ^ a b Nafaalilargus' conversation with Cyrus
- ^ a b Recover the Soul Gem quest in Redguard
- ^ Arngeir's dialogue in Skyrim
- ^ Paarthurnax's dialogue in Skyrim
Note: The following references are considered to be unofficial sources. They are included to round off this article and may not be authoritative or conclusive.
- ^ Even more on dragons in Tamriel - GT Noonan's Posts
- ^ Sven's cut dialogue in Skyrim