Thu'um Master
How To Unlock: Learn 20 shouts.
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Because our main character is “Dragonborn,” he can learn the language of the dragons to perform mighty “shouts” – which are spells, if we’re being perfectly honest. It doesn’t require magicka to use and it’s not specifically for mages, so even warriors can have fun with magic!
Anyway, I digress. Throughout Skyrim are ancient inscriptions that the Dragonborn can absorb to use as their own – AKA dragon shouts. Each shout has three words and the more words you have, the more powerful a shout can be, so for the “Words of Power” achievement, you need all three of one specific shout. By standing near one of these ancient inscriptions, you’ll learn a shout. For this achievement, you need to learn 20 separate shouts (not 20 words, 20 shouts).
For the most part, dragons generally guard dragon shouts as well, if not, it’s some Daedric being, so be careful and be prepared. Sometimes though, they’re just well hidden. I’ve tried to describe them as easily as possible using the 9 major cities in Skyrim as landmarks, so use those as your guide. When you’re close enough the locations should appear on the maps anyway, and you’ll generally find that dragon icons means there’s a dragon and a shout there. Without further ado, here’s a list of as many dragon shouts I’ve found and while it’s not ALL of them, it is enough for you to get the achievement – and then some.
The dragon shouts and their locations are as follows:
Unrelenting Force #1 (Force) - "Bleak Falls Barrow" – West of Riverwood in the mountains – get sent there on the first real main story mission from Whiterun (north of Riverdale) or for “The Golden Claw” mission from Lucan in Riverwood.
Unrelenting Force #2 (Balance) – Given to you by Arngeir in the main quest “The Way of the Voice” when you get to High Hrothgar.
Unrelenting Force #3 (Down) – Given to you by Arngeir after you take back the horn to him in the main quest, “Horn of Jurgen Windcaller.”
Whirlwind Sprint #1 (Whirlwind) – Given to you by Borri in the quest “The Way of the Voice” when you get to High Hrothgar, after you get Unrelenting Force #2.
Whirlwind Sprint #2 (Fury) – Volskygge – High in the mountains in the corner of the map of Skyrim, west of Solitude, sits an ancient temple with a dragon shout being guarded by a powerful demon. It’s not actually at where “Volskygge” is on the map, but northwest, up the closest mountain.
Become Etheral (Fade) #1 – After “The Way of the Voice” quest, Arngeir will send you to Ustengrav Depths to retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. When you reach the main cavern room, instead of heading onto the objective, head down the outside and to the bottom. Where the waterfall is with the green trees you’ll see the plinth with the word of power on it.
Become Etheral (Spirit) #2 – In between Markarth and Falkreath is a huge settlement with waterfalls and large stone structures. Get to the top, fight the Hagravens and in their little den, at the end of the Bard’s Leap Summit point (where you’re stood over the waterfall), you’ll find this dragon shout.
Ice Form #1 (Ice) – This shout can be found in Mount Anthor, the middle mountain in the range to the northwest of Windhelm, which is home to a big scary dragon. You can get this location from Arngeir at High Hrothgar when talking about dragon shout locations.
Ice Form #2 (Flesh) - Found in the mission “Under Saarthal” for the Circle of Mages, at the end after you’ve discovered the artefact in the Saarthal dungeon, on your way out. It’s southwest of Winterhold.
Kyne’s Peace #1 (Kyne)– Letter delivered to you after fighting your first dragon and reporting back to the Yarl. Location: “Rannveig’s Fast” – Dragon (ice) protecting the entrance with ghost adventurers and ice skeletons around. Use any fire spell when on the ground. Defeated it at a level 7, but it’s a slow fight to the finish. Then head in after for the Shout.
Kyne’s Peace #2 (Peace) – Shroud Hearth Barrow (depths). Located in Ivarstead will be a quest from the inn keeper, Wilheim. After heading into the Barrow to take care of a troublesome spirit, players will get a Sapphire Dragon Claw from Wilheim as a reward and they can now gain access to the previously locked door inside the Barrow. Head inside and follow the path through to the end where you’ll find your second Kyne’s Peace word.
Kyne’s Peace #3 (Trust) - Ragnavald Temple – North of Markarth im the mountains is a ruins called Ragnavald with a temple inside. When inside, don’t be fooled by how close the objective is, you need to head left and right into the canal and the crypts to get the keys to access the dragon shout area. Oh, and defeat the Daedric, Otar the Mod.
Aura Whisper #1 (Life) - Northwind Summit – After receiving a letter from a “friend” regarding a source of power in the mountains between Windhelm and Riften, round the corner from Shor’s Stone, you’ll fight a dragon.
Animal Allegiance #1 (Animal)- First, head to Helgen, go south-west, through Bonechill Passage and then the Dragon Shout is the other end, protected by a dragon. Watch out for the Snowy Saber Cat inside Bonchill, he’s fast, aggressive and strong as hell.
Fire Breath #1 (Fire) – Dustman’s Cairn mission, but only after you’ve done/doing the Proving Honor quest from The Companions as it opens up a new area of this dungeon.
Fire Breath #2 (Inferno) (and Sun?) – Learnt during the main mission, “Throat of the World.”
Marked for Death #1 (Kill) – Autumnwatch Tower - South of Ivarstad (and further south more of the Rift Imperial Camp) you’ll find a couple of towers in the mountains. There’s also a dragon here, but it’s at the top of the farthest tower to the south.
Marked for Death #2 (Leech) – Inside the “Forsaken Cave,” which is slightly southwest of Wintehold, at the base and south side of the mountains that surround it. North of that small lake on the map. Curamil, a tough-ass-bastard Draugr guards it.
Marked for Death #3 (Suffer) - Inside the Dark Brotherhood Sanctuary – See the “With Friends Like These…” achievement for info on how to get access.
Frost Breath #1 (Frost) - Brownstrewn Crest – Directly south of Windhelm in the middle of the swampland up on the top of a big large hill. Guarded by a dragon.
Frost Breath #2 - Can be found at the Skyborn Altar, guarded by a dragon. It's at the south-western end of the large mountain due east of Morthal. The one with Dagon's shrine on it. It's on a line due south-east of Dawnstar.
Frost Breath #3 (Freeze) - Folgunthur – Deep in the depths of this dungeon is a powerful Draugr and a dragon shout. It can be found southeast of Solitude. Not too far away, on the way to Morthal.
Dismay #1 (Fear) – Can be found at Lost Tongue Overlook after killing the dragon you get from a bounty letter from Wilhelm in Ivarstead’s Inn.
Dismay #2 (Run) - At the top of Dead Crone Rock (west of Markarth) is a dragon shout. Right at the top... through all the keeps that surround it - you have to go here on the mission "Mehrunes Dagon." {C}{C {C Elemental Fury #1 (Air) - Can be found at Dragontooth Crater, which is in between Solitude and Markarth in the northwest of Skyrim. The large mountain range there.
Throw Voice #1, #2 & #3 (Voice, Fool, Far) - Directly west of Windhelm is a dragon hangout on the top of the big mountain nearest it. The second peak, furthest away, that is. The dragon shout is there… I got all three here, not sure whether that was a glitch. It was guarded by a powerful Daedra though called Krosis. Struggled at level 24.
Disarm #1 (Weapon) – At the top of the mountain, south of Morthal, you’ll find Eldersblood Peak where a dragon and a drgaon shout is.
Disarm #2 (Hand) – When doing the thieves guild mission, “Speaking With Silence,” you’ll head to Snow Veil Sanctum. In the second area Mercer will mention something about being a perfect ambush area. It’s in that room.
Slow Time #1 (Time) – Found during the Mage’s Guild mission, “The Staff of Magnus,” after you fight the Draugr Deathlord by his throne in the final level of the Labyrinthian. As far as I’m aware, you can gain access to this place without doing this mission as you get an artefact to open the door.
Slow Time #2 (Sand) – Northeast of Whiterun, just into the snowy area on the map, you’ll find Korvanjund. In the crypt you’ll find the shout in the area at the bottom. Will come here on the second Imperial/Stormcloak mission.
Clear Skies #1, #2 & #3 (Sky, Spring, Summer) – In the mission, “Throat of the World,” Arngeir will give you all three words for this shout when you get to High Hrothgar.
Dragonrend #1 (Mortal), #2 (Infinite) & #3 (Temporary)– Learnt during the main quest, “Alduin’s Bane.”
Storm Call #1 (Storm) – High Gate Ruins – East of Solitude is a huge structure and set of ruins. Head inside and down to the last chamber (Vokun’s Throne Room). After defeating Volkun, the word of power is in the room behind the one you’re in.
Storm Call #2 (Wrath) - Found in the main quest, “The World-Eater’s Eyrie,” at the Skuldafn Temple level.
Call Dragon #1 (Snow), #2 (Hunter), #3 Wing – Received in the quest, “The Fallen.”
Call of Valor #1 (Hero), #2 (Champion) & #3 (Legend) – Received for completing the main quest, “Dragonslayer.”
There are more of course, but there are enough here to grab the achievement.