Some RPGs are fairly direct with their storytelling, choosing to overtly show and tell their plot, setting, and lore through unskippable cutscenes or dialogue. Some RPGs, on the other hand, choose to give their players the general outline out of the narrative, but leave the player to discover the world and its backstory through exploration.Skyrimis the perfect blend of both models of storytelling. Through cinematic sequences and character dialogue, the player will be kept informed on the game’s central plot and characters, but for more information onthe history of Skyrim, its inhabitants, and the rest of the world, players will need to scour the game’s books, talk to NPCs, and pay close attention to environmental details.
Because of this method of storytelling, it’s very possible for some players to miss a ton of neat little lore details throughoutSkyrim’s world, and one of these is finding out the origin of the game’s dragon crest logo. Although it’s now one of the most iconic images in gaming,Skyrim’s logo isn’t directly explained to the player, and they have to work it out for themselves.
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Skyrim’s Logo - The Seal of Akatosh
Though it’s primarily known as the logo forSkyrim, the sleek, silver dragon crest has actually cropped up in a few otherElder Scrollstitles over the years as it’s the main symbol of the Imperial faction. Titled the “Seal of Akatosh,” this symbol represents the Empire’s undying strength, and its ability to withstand the passage of time, and is therefore modeled after Akatosh, the father of the dragon gods and the God of Time.
Widely considered to be the first god to have formed in the Beginning Place, at the start of everything, Akatosh is the highest being in the pantheon of the Divines. Worshipped throughout Tamriel, Akatosh can be found in a variety of different religions in one form or another, with only a handful of civilizations, such asthe Dunmer and Argonians, not recognizing a God of Time in their own religions. With Akatosh representing ultimate power and strength, it’s only natural that the Imperials decided to adopt the dragon as its defining symbol, with the name “Seal of Akatosh” implying that the Empire has been blessed by Akatosh himself and that the dragon God of Time protects the Empire above all else.
The Seal of Akatosh can be found throughout Tamriel, predominantly in places of worship. In Cyrodiil, inthe city of Kvatch, the Seal of Akatosh can be found in a variety of chapels, as well as in the Temple of the One in the Imperial City capital. In Skyrim, in the city of Solitude, the Seal of Akatosh can be found in the Temple of the Divines, where a designated Shrine of Akatosh stands tall. The Seal of Akatosh can also be seen throughout Imperial camps, often decorating elaborate gateways and halls, and acting as a constant reminder of the Empire’s unrivaled force and power.
While the Seal of Akatosh is a representation of the dragon God of Time of the same name, Akatosh is also frequently represented by another symbol, depicting an hourglass. While both symbols represent the dragon god, the Imperial’s Seal is technically more of a representation of Talos, the founder ofthe Septim Empire, who was the first to be bestowed the power of the Dragonborn by Akatosh. So rather than just being a simple representation of the dragon, the Seal of Akatosh is more of a symbol of birthright, representing the Septim dynasty and how they were chosen by Akatosh to lead.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimis available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
