Killed dragon but can't find its corpse

[whitecrow]

After a very strange battle with a blood dragon at Moesring's Pass (it wouldn't die even though it's health bar was gone), it finally fell into one of the waterfall crevices around the mountain. I've searched everywhere but can't find it so I can absorb its soul. Is there an amount of time before they dissolve on their own? I can't even find a skeleton. The only other dragon I've fought was outside Whiterun and it died right in front of me, so I'm not sure what normal behaviour is. I need the soul to activate the word of power I picked up @ Moesring. If I can't find it or it disappeared, am I screwed (I need to use the word on a nearby stone)? Do I just have to do other stuff until I meet another dragon and if so, will I always be one behind? Should I bother to keep looking?? I've been all around and in every crevice.

[wowszer]

Any dragon soul will activate any shout, so not to worry. You can find another dragon to activate that word of power. The fact he wouldn't die might be a cause for concern though. If you had a save from near the time but before the dragon appeared, you might want to replay that fight again.

[whitecrow]

Well, in the process of searching I discovered several locations, picked up some quest items for people, and upgraded my armor, so I don't think I want to go back if I don't have to. I was worried because dragon appearances seem scripted which would mean there is a limited number. But that is not the case?

[Ten Year Old Squeaker]

Dragons are a common sight in Skyrim. Not to worry if you lose one.

[whitecrow]

Ok, I'll just go do other stuff until I come across another. Thanks.

[Valden21]

AFAIK, only some of them are scripted to show up, and the ones that are usually have names, so you don't have to worry about that. Oh, according to the UESP, dragons won't die right away if you kill them while they're in the middle of an animation, like landing, or taking off. This might be why the dragon you fought took a long time to actually die.

[whitecrow]

Ah, ok. I am starting to see dragons more often; unfortunately I started the Dragonborn storyline and the evil wizard from that keeps showing up to steal the souls. I guess I need to finish that quest ASAP.

As for the blood dragon, by an amazing stroke of luck it fell out of the sky near me when I was playing today, and I got that soul. Now there's a weird glitch where its body keeps appearing outside buildings when I exit. Unfortunately, can't keep taking its soul!

[wowszer]

Originally posted by marmaladecat:

Ah, ok. I am starting to see dragons more often; unfortunately I started the Dragonborn storyline and the evil wizard from that keeps showing up to steal the souls. I guess I need to finish that quest ASAP.

As for the blood dragon, by an amazing stroke of luck it fell out of the sky near me when I was playing today, and I got that soul. Now there's a weird glitch where its body keeps appearing outside buildings when I exit. Unfortunately, can't keep taking its soul!

The dragon has only 1 soul, so you can only gain it once. Does it only appear in the same general area, like Whiterun? If so that is normal, it will only clear if you stay away from the area for several days, so the area can reset.

[whitecrow]

It appeared when I exited the Riekling Chief's house, again when I exited the Grand Hall in Skaal, and I think one other time. I know dragons only have one soul but since the body was whole when it appeared I didn't know if it would go through the decay process again as well. I'm back in Skyrim now and it seems to have stopped occurring.