I've got what I hope is a bomb to drop on this discussion, which is especially relevant to the Draugr.
Anyone remember the quest Andurs' Arkay Amulet? Whiterun's priest of Arkay loses his Amulet in the catacombs and can't or won't enter to retrieve it because,
It's the source of my divine powers and also a sacred badge of office. I misplaced it in the catacombs. I'd look for it, but I've been hearing noises down there. I fear the dead have become... restless. Without that amulet, I'm powerless to confront them.
The dead can rise on their own, especially when Arkay's rites aren't performed. The Draugr never received Arkay's blessings or rites since most were interred before Arkay was a god, or even worshipped by the nords. This is why we see Draugr in crypts unconnected with the Cult.
EDIT: To clarify, remove the connection between Draugr and the Dragon Cult, there is nothing connecting Jurgen to the Dragons, and no reason to suspect conspiracy between Paarthurnax, the Grey Beards, and the Way of the Voice.
I've got what I hope is a bomb to drop on this discussion, which is especially relevant to the Draugr.
Anyone remember the quest Andurs' Arkay Amulet? Whiterun's priest of Arkay loses his Amulet in the catacombs and can't or won't enter to retrieve it because,
It's the source of my divine powers and also a sacred badge of office. I misplaced it in the catacombs. I'd look for it, but I've been hearing noises down there. I fear the dead have become... restless. Without that amulet, I'm powerless to confront them.
The dead can rise on their own, especially when Arkay's rites aren't performed. The Draugr never received Arkay's blessings or rites since most were interred before Arkay was a god, or even worshipped by the nords. This is why we see Draugr in crypts unconnected with the Cult.
EDIT: To clarify, remove the connection between Draugr and the Dragon Cult, there is nothing connecting Jurgen to the Dragons, and no reason to suspect conspiracy between Paarthurnax, the Grey Beards, and the Way of the Voice.