TheObstinateNoviceSmith Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Dante, I say it depends on the danger when it comes to panic. Panic doesn't always work out great that is true, but it is a survival mechanism that has lasted for countless of years for a reason. So while it might kill someone in a car that is sinking into the river, I feel that the good ole fight or flight response would have lead to getting the crap out of the village (especially since some obviously did that very thing and people go into a follower mode)... ...but I'll concede that it isn't such a stretch and is in fact a logical and possible outcome that people would run to home sweet home. Still, was Alduin's appearance there coincidence and he was just attacking Helgen because that is where he happened to appear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVampireDante Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Next time I'm poking around in the CK I'll see what the population of Helgen was, and try and work out the possible reactions of each person depending who they are (family, traveler, legion, prisoner etc...) and where they are. If someone is standing right at their front door when Alduin shows up, I see them just turning around and heading inside their home, not trying to make a panicked dash for the fort that's down the path, or the towers. One of which is under the Dragon at the start, and the other means running past the first. Especially they are a family person. The troops are out and attacking them, but such a sight is likely to make civilians bolt for the nearest safe spot. To some that might well have been the exit gates - but only if they were close to them to begin with. Most of the ones hiding in their homes would probably be of the mindset that they should stay hidden until the way is clear, then run if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheObstinateNoviceSmith Posted August 31, 2013 Author Share Posted August 31, 2013 Dante, how you still going when I've conceded to you? LOL I'll admit, initially I was like, "No way," but now I'm like, "Okay." The thing I am wondering about now is Alduin. Was his appearance strategy on his part or coincidence because I feel that would also impact the number of survivors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVampireDante Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Just making sure I was clear is all. The thing I am wondering about now is Alduin. Was his appearance strategy on his part or coincidence because I feel that would also impact the number of survivors. Let's see: (taking into account that he reappears somewhere south of the time wound, or was thrown out of it and had to correct himself). Alduin has just resurfaced into the world, with potentially no idea how long he's been gone. He takes to the skies and surveys the area. Seeing no Dragons or signs of their rulership he find and travels to the closest settlement that looks like it has people, but is not overly defended as he might not be at full strength and doesn't know if the mortals of the world have any defenses against Dragons - for all he knew every mortal might know the Dragonrend shout by now. So, he attacks this location - Helgen - in an attempt to both test the skills and power the mortals have against him (none) and also to spread fear amongst the people. Which could explain the reason for survivors - they'll spread the panic he has brought. While he is attacked by the soldiers at Helgen, they have no chance of holding him back - so he's partially proven that mortals have no defenses against Dragons - which makes any tales survivors tell even more useful. Whether be knows of the Dovahkiin or not - possibly, and seeing that even one of them has no ability against him at the time, he probably felt secure in the knowledge he had no one to challenge him. So he finished his attack and flew off, most likely to start raising his brethren from their graves and to check on his portal to Sovngarde. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riprock Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 ...uh, could it be that Dragons are legendary creatures of might and dread, and people think its amazing ANYone at all escaped? They don't know about you being tied up, who helped...they aren't mind readers. They say "holy crap! A dragon! We all donna die" . You're over-analyzing this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lachdonin Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Alduin calls out to the Dragonborn during his attack on Helgen, which indicates he knows you're around there somewhere. Given the connection all Dragons have to time and prophesy, its reasonable to assume that he knew he would resurface in a time and place to be challenged by a Dovahkiin. He may not have been expecting the Dovahkiin to run and hide underground, though... Which may indicate why he's so apathetic about actually bothering with you during your other encounters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riprock Posted August 31, 2013 Share Posted August 31, 2013 Alduin calls out to the Dragonborn during his attack on Helgen, which indicates he knows you're around there somewhere. Given the connection all Dragons have to time and prophesy, its reasonable to assume that he knew he would resurface in a time and place to be challenged by a Dovahkiin. He may not have been expecting the Dovahkiin to run and hide underground, though... Which may indicate why he's so apathetic about actually bothering with you during your other encounters. Or a dovah can recognize another dovah when he sees one, and it's a happy coincidence that you happen to be there and provide the reason for the MQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraquar Posted September 1, 2013 Share Posted September 1, 2013 There weren't more survivors for two reasons:1) Couldn't flee topside - every exit out of the city topside was blocked/destroyed.2) You killed most of the survivors that did manage to make it into the keep........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheObstinateNoviceSmith Posted September 2, 2013 Author Share Posted September 2, 2013 Alduin calls out to the Dragonborn during his attack on Helgen, which indicates he knows you're around there somewhere. Given the connection all Dragons have to time and prophesy, its reasonable to assume that he knew he would resurface in a time and place to be challenged by a Dovahkiin. He may not have been expecting the Dovahkiin to run and hide underground, though... Which may indicate why he's so apathetic about actually bothering with you during your other encounters. I didn't know he did that, but to be fair I have bypassed the opening a whole bunch of times lol. Still, I think Dante's explanation could still somehow work with this overall. Still, good point to you as well Lachdonin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheVampireDante Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Well, it's an easy part to factor in - it would be the reason why he's making such a display of power and scaring everyone. He knows that amongst the fleeing mortals around him is a Dovahkiin, one that hasn't just risen up and challenged him as soon as he showed face, but instead ran off. He's establishing his dominance over the Dragonborn, the irony being that if he'd just waited a while longer, he would have saved himself a great deal of (literally soul shattering) trouble later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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