So let me get this straight..

[chibimyuutsu]

Alduin is Akatosh, and is rising again in Skyrim?

...Why? I guess I'm confused by this, because Martin turned into the Avatar of Akatosh in Oblivion and banished Mehrunes Dagon. Why would he come back, years later, to cause chaos?

[dubq]

Different cultures, different gods. Alduin is the Nord's version of Akatosh. As in the alpha and the omega type god. Think of it like Zeus and Jupiter being versions of the all-powerful god for the Greeks and Romans.

[everar]

most mythical narratives have this kind of loosely-coupled and ambiguous duality. i think by the era of german gothic literature it was perfected (see: ETA Hoffman's The Sandman), and now writers are so often tempted to use it because it gives so much freedom to introduce deus ex machinas, and whatever they want really.

combined with the LotR and Star Wars-type tropes of what Joseph Campbell called the Monomythic Hero's Journey, where main characters meet some challenge and must overcome their faults at some crucial point, these concepts tend to be seen in the best of classical films and epic novels.

[Hejerrick]

We know that Alduin is the nordic version of Akatosh, but we still can't be sure if he is or isn't the same being. I suspect this will be clarified during the MQ.

[SuperNull]

most mythical narratives have [...]

+1. Surprisingly good answer.

[Avron the S'wit]

A great place to search and read for answers to questions like this is our Lore subforum. There's a few of us who are experts and love to discuss this sort of thing! Just make sure you search the pages there; there's a lot of topics to cover.

[Hyder]

But Martin turned into the Avatar of Akatosh, not Akatosh himself. If I understand correctly, it's just the physical representation of the Divine, so Alduin wouldn't actually be Martin. I don't think that's a very good explanation, but I'm sure you get what I mean...

Even so, as others have also highlighted, Alduin is just the Nordic equivalent (I think) to Akatosh, so it still wouldn't be Martin.

[Wolfie]

I find it funny that months ago I was one of the only few here saying they dont have to be the same person

[dubq]

You're right Hyder. The avatar is just a vessel. Akatosh's spirit was flowing through him and left once it did what it was summoned to do. It's pretty standard sci-fi/fantasy fare.

[Breton Wind]

evenar: most mythical narratives have this kind of.......

Yes, great post. It's what it's all about. These games are one way keeping the myths alive in a culture driven by greed and aggression. Would love to hear more like this. "Any time now.'

[chibimyuutsu]

I did say he turned into the Avatar of Akatosh, I understood that. I misread/misinterpreted the Lore pages on the wiki. Thank you all for clearing this up.

[Duderino Abides]

The dragon god of time has different aspects. It's possible the Akatosh aspect was removed for good when Martin broke the amulet.

[everar]

evenar: most mythical narratives have this kind of.......

Yes, great post. It's what it's all about. These games are one way keeping the myths alive in a culture driven by greed and aggression. Would love to hear more like this. "Any time now.'

hehe thankya, i agree. it just gives so much creative potential, and room for all sorts of conflict permutations. it's what i love about the many races of Elder Scrolls and Warhammer universes. it must be kept alive like that, otherwise we get too comfortable and end up like Blizzard's Warcraft; gotta suddenly introduce panda expansions...