Miraak was the First Dragonborn, but had not been instructed, or taught, like the Tongues of the Dragon War. Instead, Miraak was one of the Dragon Priests of the Dragon Cult. He sought power, like all of them, but attempted to rebel against the leadership structure of the Cult, wishing to be ruler himself, instead of serving Alduin.
He was defeated by Vahlok, then imprisoned in Oblivion by Hermaeus Mora. He learned a great deal from Hermaeus Mora, then once again attempted to rebel and free himself so he could once more take his rightful place as ruler of all of Skyrim, and ruler of Dragons.
| Miraak's Mantra: | Follower's Mantra: |
Here in my shrine That they have forgotten Here do you toil That you might remember By night you reclaim What by day was stolen Far from yourselves I grow ever near to you Your eyes once were blinded Now through me do you see Your hands once were idle Now through you do I speak And when the world shall listen And when the world shall see And when the world remembers That world shall cease to be | Here in his shrine That they have forgotten Here do we toil That we might remember By night we reclaim What by day was stolen Far from ourselves He grows ever near to us Our eyes once were blinded Now through him do we see Our hands once were idle Now through them does he speak And when the world shall listen And when the world shall see And when the world remembers That world shall cease to be |
Miraak's Curse begins when a creature is in possession of one of his artifacts. If the creature fails the Wisdom save, they are then compelled to abide by Miraak's commands. These commands begin with a search for the other artifacts. All along the way, the creature will gain access to some powerful items that will, without question, bless them with incredible power and capability. However, once all the artifacts are acquired and Miraak is satisfied, he will use the Thu'um, and Miraak will end the compulsion, only to supplant the creature's soul, confining the creature to the Apocrypha while Miraak takes over their body.