PULSE

Ralof: Hey, you. You're finally awake. You were trying to cross the border,
       right? Walked right into that Imperial ambush, same as us, and that
       thief over there.

Lokir: Damn you Stormcloaks. Skyrim was fine until you came along. Empire was
       nice and lazy. If they hadn't been looking for you, I could've stolen
       that horse and been half way to Hammerfell. You there. You and me -- we
       should be here. It's these Stormcloaks the Empire wants.

Ralof: We're all brothers and sisters in binds now, thief.

Imperial Soldier: Shut up back there!

[Lokir looks at the gagged man.]

Lokir: And what's wrong with him?

Ralof: Watch your tongue! You're speaking to Ulfric Stormcloak, the true High
       King.

Lokir: Ulfric? The Jarl of Windhelm? You're the leader of the rebellion. But if
       they captured you... Oh gods, where are they taking us?

Ralof: I don't know where we're going, but Sovngarde awaits.

Lokir: No, this can't be happening. This isn't happening.

Ralof: Hey, what village are you from, horse thief?

Lokir: Why do you care?

Ralof: A Nord's last thoughts should be of home.

Lokir: Rorikstead. I'm...I'm from Rorikstead.

[They approach the village of Helgen. A soldier calls out to the lead wagon.]

Imperial Soldier: General Tullius, sir! The headsman is waiting!

General Tullius: Good. Let's get this over with.

Lokir: Shor, Mara, Dibella, Kynareth, Akatosh. Divines, please help me.

Ralof: Look at him, General Tullius the Military Governor. And it looks like
       the Thalmor are with him. Damn elves. I bet they had something to do
       with this.

       This is Helgen. I used to be sweet on a girl from here. Wonder if Vilod
       is still making that mead with juniper berries mixed in. Funny...when I
       was a boy, Imperial walls and towers used to make me feel so safe.

Haming: Who are they, daddy? Where are they going?

Torolf: You need to go inside, little cub.

Haming: Why? I want to watch the soldiers.

Torolf: Inside the house. Now.

[The wagon stops near the chopping block.]

Imperial Soldier: Whoa.

Lokir: Why are they stopping?

Ralof: Why do you think? End of the line. Let's go. Shouldn't keep the gods
       waiting for us.

Lokir: No! Wait! We're not rebels!

Ralof: Face your death with some courage, thief.

[Under the Imperials' watchful eye, the prisoners start jumping out.]

Lokir: You've got to tell them! We weren't with you! This is a mistake!

Imperial Captain: Step toward the block when we call your name. One at a time!

Ralof: Empire loves their damn lists.

Hadvar: Ulfric Stormcloak. Jarl of Windhelm.

Ralof: It has been an honor, Jarl Ulfric!

Hadvar: Ralof of Riverwood. Lokir of Rorikstead.

Lokir: No, I'm not a rebel! You can't do this!

[He makes a break for it.]

Imperial Captain: Halt!

Lokir: You're not going to kill me!

Imperial Captain: Archers!

[Lokir is downed with one bowshot.]

Imperial Captain: Anyone else feel like running?

Hadvar: Wait, you there. Step forward. Who are you?

Balgruuf: So, Irileth tells me you came from the western watchtower.

Whiterun Guard: Yes, my lord.

Irileth: Tell him what you told me. About the dragon.

Whiterun Guard: Uh...that's right. We saw it coming from the south. It was
                fast...faster than anything I've ever seen. 

Balgruuf: What did it do? Is it attacking the watchtower?

Whiterun Guard: No, my lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I never
                ran so fast in my life...I thought it would come after me for
                sure.

Balgruuf: Good work, son. We'll take it from here. Head down to the barracks
          for some food and rest. You've earned it. Irileth, you'd better
          gather some guardsmen and get down there.

Irileth: I've already ordered my men to muster near the main gate.

Balgruuf: Good. Don't fail me.

Balgruuf: There's no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help
          again. I want you to go with Irileth and help her fight this dragon.
          You survived Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons than
          anyone else here. But I haven't forgotten the service you did for me
          in retrieving the Dragonstone for Farengar. As a token of my esteem,
          I have instructed Avenicci that you are now permitted to purchase
          property in the city. And please accept this gift from my personal
          armory.

Farengar: I should come along. I would very much like to see this dragon.

Balgruuf: No. I can't afford to risk both of you. I need you here working on
          ways to defend the city against these dragons.

Farengar: As you command.

Balgruuf: One last thing, Irileth. This isn't a death or glory mission. I need
          to know what we're dealing with.

Irileth: Don't worry, my lord. I'm the very soul of caution.

[Irileth and the player go to the main gate, where her men are readied.]

Irileth: Here's the situation. A dragon is attacking the Western Watchtower.

Whiterun Guard: What?

Whiterun Guard: A dragon?

Whiterun Guard: We're in for it.

Irileth: You heard right! I said a dragon! I don't much care where it came from
         or who sent it. What I do know is it's made the mistake of attacking
         Whiterun!

Whiterun Guard: But Housecarl...how can we attack a dragon?

Irileth: That's a fair question. None of us have ever seen a dragon before, or

         expected to face one in battle. But we are honorbound to fight it,
         even if we fall. This dragon is threatening our homes...our families.
         Could you call yourselves Nords if you ran from this monster? Are you
         going to let me face this thing alone?

Whiterun Guard: We're so dead...

Irileth: But it's more than our honor at stake here. Think of it -- the first
         dragon seen in Skyrim since the last age. The glory of killing it is
         ours, if you're with me! Now what do you say? Shall we go kill us a
         dragon?

Whiterun Guard: Yeah!

Whiterun Guard: Damn right!

Whiterun Guard: Yeah!

Irileth: Let's move out.

Irileth: No signs of any dragon right now, but it sure looks like he's been
         here. I know it looks bad, but we've got to figure out what happened.
         And if that dragon is still skulking around somewhere. Spread out and
         look for survivors. We need to know what we're dealing with.

Whiterun Guard: No! Get back! It's still here somewhere! Hroki and Tor just
                got grabbed when they tried to make a run for it!

Irileth: Guardsman! What happened here? Where's this dragon? Quickly now!

Whiterun Guard: I don't know! Kynareth save us, here he comes again...

Irileth: Here he comes! Find cover and make every arrow count!

Whiterun Guard: Talos save us! It's a dragon!

Whiterun Guard: Slay it! Slay the dragon!

Whiterun Guard: I can't get a bead on him!

Irileth: Come down here and fight, you coward!

Mirmulnir: Dovahkiin! No!!

Irileth: Let's make sure that overgrown lizard is really dead. Damned good
         shooting, boys!

Whiterun Guard: What's happening?!

Irileth: Everybody get back!

Whiterun Guard: I can't believe it! You're...Dragonborn...

Dragonborn: Dragonborn? What do you mean?

Whiterun Guard: In the very oldest tales, back from when there were still
                dragons in Skyrim, the Dragonborn would slay dragons and steal
                their power. That's what you did, isn't it? Absorbed that
                dragon's power?    

Whiterun Guard 2: Dragonborn? What are you talking about?

Whiterun Guard: That's right! My grandfather used to tell stories about the
                Dragonborn. Those born with the Dragon Blood in 'em. Like old
                Tiber Septim himself.

Whiterun Guard 3: I've never heard of Tiber Septim killing any dragons.

Whiterun Guard: There weren't any dragons then, idiot. They're just coming
                back now for the first time in...forever.

Whiterun Guard 4: But the old tales tell of the Dragonborn who could kill
                  dragons and steal their power. You must be one!

Whiterun Guard 2: What do you say, Irileth? You've being awfully quiet.

Whiterun Guard 3: Come on, Irileth, tell us, do you believe in this Dragonborn
                  business? 

Irileth: Hmph. Some of you would be better off keeping quiet than flapping your
         gums on matters you don't know anything about. Here's a dead dragon,
         and that's something I definitely understand. Now we know we can kill
         them. But I don't need some mythical Dragonborn. Someone who can put
         down a dragon is more than enough for me.

Whiterun Guard 4: You wouldn't understand, Housecarl. You ain't a Nord.

Irileth: I've been all across Tamriel. I've seen plenty of things just as
         outlandish as this. I'd advise you all to trust in the strength of
         your sword over tales and legends.

Whiterun Guard 2: If you really are Dragonborn, like out of the old tales, you
                  ought to be able to Shout. Can you? Have you tried?

Whiterun Guard 2: By the gods! What manner of power is that?

Whiterun Guard: That was Shouting, what you just did! Must be. You really are
                Dragonborn, then...

Irileth: That was the hairiest fight I've ever been in, and I've been in more
         than a few. I don't know about this Dragonborn business, but I'm sure
         glad you're with us. You better get back to Whiterun right away. Jarl
         Balgruuf will want to know what happened here.

Proventus: Good. You're finally here. The Jarl's been waiting for you.

Balgruuf: You heard the summons. What else could it mean? The Greybeards...

Hrongar: We were just talking about you. My brother needs a word with you.

Balgruuf: So what happened at the watchtower? Was the dragon there?

Dragonborn: The Greybeards?

Balgruuf: Masters of the Way of the Voice. They live in seclusion high on the
          slopes of the Throat of the World.

Dragonborn: What do these Greybeards want with me?

Balgruuf: The Dragonborn is said to be uniquely gifted in the Voice -- the
          ability to focus your vital essence into a Thu'um, or Shout. If you
          really are Dragonborn, they can teach you how to use your gift.

Hrongar: Didn't you hear the thundering sound as you returned to Whiterun?
         That was the voice of the Greybeards, summoning you to High Hrothgar!
         This hasn't happened in...centuries, at least. Not since Tiber Septim
         himself was summoned when he was still Talos of Atmora!

Proventus: Hrongar, calm yourself. What does any of this Nord nonsense have to
           do with our friend here? Capable as he may be, I don't see any signs
           of him being this, what, "Dragonborn."

Hrongar: Nord nonsense? Why you puffed-up ignorant...these are our sacred
         traditions that go back to the founding of the First Empire.

Balgruuf: Hrongar. Don't be so hard on Avenicci.

Proventus: I meant no disrespect, of course. It's just that...what do these
           Greybeards want with him?

Balgruuf: That's the Greybeards' business, not ours. Whatever happened when you
          killed that dragon, it revealed something in you, and the Greybeards
          heard it. If they think you're Dragonborn, who are we to argue? You'd
          better get up to High Hrothgar immediately. There's no refusing the
          summons of the Greybeards. It's a tremendous honor. I envy you, you
          know. To climb the 7,000 Steps again...I made the pilgrimage once,
          did you know that? High Hrothgar is a very peaceful place. Very...
          disconnected from the troubles of this world. I wonder if the
          Greybeards even notice what's going on down here. They haven't seemed
          to care before. No matter. Go to High Hrothgar. Learn what the
          Greybeards can teach you.

          You've done a great service to me and my city, Dragonborn. By my
          right as Jarl, I name you Thane of Whiterun. It's the greatest honor
          that's within my power to grant. I assign you Lydia as a personal
          housecarl, and this weapon from my armory to serve as your badge of
          office. I'll also notify my guards of your new title. Wouldn't want
          them to think you're part of the common rabble, now would we? We are
          honored to have you as Thane of our city, Dragonborn.

          Back to business, Proventus. We still have a city to defend.

Proventus: Yes, my lord.

Dragonborn: What's it mean to be Dragonborn?

Balgruuf: Well, in the old tales, the Dragonborn heroes would use the power of
          their Voice to defeat the enemies of Skyrim. Wulfharth was
          Dragonborn. Talos, too -- the founder of the Empire, back in the good
          old days. In the very oldest tales, back from when there were still
          dragons in Skyrim, the Dragonborn would slay dragons and steal their
          power.

Dragonborn: Who are the Greybeards?

Balgruuf: They're the Masters of the Way of the Voice -- of Shouting. They live
          up on top of the Throat of the World. If you're really Dragonborn,
          they'll want to talk to you. In the old stories, they always summon
          the Dragonborn for training.

Dragonborn: How can you protect Whiterun from the dragons?

Balgruuf: With good planning and constant vigilance. Even now, my court wizard,
          Farengar, continues his research into ways we might drive back these
          terrors. We must also have ample reserves of water to combat the
          fires that will surely spread after an attack. But our greatest
          weapon? Courage. For if we cannot kill the beast, we must at least
          have the tenacity to drive it back. Until brave heroes step forward
          to destroy these monsters, that is the best we can do.