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So lately I've been questing in and around the Rift, and EVERY SINGLE TIME I've gone back to Riften for what ever reason, there's been a dragon attack. Twelve out of the fourteen souls I've absorbed so far on that save file have been from dragons attacking the city of Riften.

No other city I've ever repeatedly visited has had this kind of dragon action. Why do you think Dragons dislike Riften so much? Is it because of all the wooden buildings, ripe for the burning? Is it because they secretly like the verdant Rift and are trying to remove Riften to claim it for their own? Or have I just accidentally stepped in dragon poo somewhere and they just keep smelling me when I visit the city?

I haven't ever had a dragon attack that many times in Riften. For me it's usually Windhelm that gets lots of dragons. although my last playthrough a dragon attacked as I was trying to get the gaurd who charges you a tax to let me in the city. after fighting the dragon the guard was nowhere to be found and I couldn't get in. I had to wait a day to get him to come back so I could persuade him to let me in.

edit: Winterhold, not Windhelm always gets lots of dragons.

If you're Fast-Traveling to and from the Rift a lot, (or just F-T'ing frequently inside the Rift), and have been spending a lot of game time within the Rift, you'd see a lot of Dragons there. Fast Travel causes Dragons to spawn more often.

^ That.

Also, there are three dragon lairs in the Rift; more than in any other Hold. Not that that actually affects the number of random dragon attacks (or does it?), but still.
I have noticed the same thing on a few saves - and I never fast travel, so it's not 100% because of that. It's also happened on both console and PC.

Lately Windhelm stables has seen more dragons than any other location. One of the most recent attackers used a Shout that was basically an AoE frenzy effect that affected everyone regardless of level. I greatly enjoyed having a dozen crossbow-wielding guards (in addition to the dragon) trying to kill me.

I had a similar issue at the COW, literally everytime i fast traveled there one spawned.

Well I know it's not fast travel, I have that modded out, so the only speedy way I have to travel is via carriages, but they lead me to outside of Riften. Still, it's interesting to see people having mass dragon attacks in other areas. Makes it interesting, and makes it seem like each save is different.

This is the sort of thing that makes The Elder Scrolls universe stand out from other fantasy franchises.

Most other fantasy stories, dragons covet princesses and gold. In Skyrim, dragons want mead instead.

To me, Morthal and Dawnstar seem to be hot spots for dragon activity. Need a dragonsoul? Fast travel to Morthal, attack is almost guaranteed.

I think its random as the die roll says today its Rifton next game its Dawnstar.