Paarthurnax is arguably one of the most memorable NPCs inThe Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim.His wisdom and patience with the Dragonborn make him a valuable ally, and a likable character. That said, his road to becoming the dragon he is now was long and arduous.
To meet Paarthurnax, the player must progress the main storyline ofSkyrimuntil they meet the Greybeards. After this, they will eventually let the Dragonborn meet their Grandmaster.
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Turning Against Alduin
“Paarthurnax” in the dragon tongue means “Ambition, Overlord, Cruelty.” This was likely an accurateportrayal of his character, as Paarthurnaxonce served as Alduin’s lieutenant during the Dragon War, during which he committed countless atrocities against the human race. He was also Alduin’s brother, and thus, the two shared a familial bond.
At one point, however, Paarthurnax rebelled against Alduin. He took the side of the humans and taught themhow to use the Thu’um or the Voice. Some say that this change of heart was due to the divine intervention of Kyne, goddess of the Storm and mother of men and beasts. With help from Paarthurnax and other defector dragons, the humans managed to defeat Alduin. Though they did not kill him. Instead, they sent him forward in time, ensuring his inevitable return to Mundus.
Becoming the Grandmaster of the Greybeards
After Alduin’s banishment, Paarthurnax retreated to the summit of the Throat of the World. He was still a dragon and knew that all dragons held an innate desire for power. Paarthurnax did not want to turn back to his old ways, so he isolated himself at the Throat of the World, following the pacifist teachings of the Way of the Voice. It wasa philosophy developed by Jurgen Windcaller, who believed that the Voice should be used to worship the gods, and not for violent exploits.
Paarthurnax meditated on these teachings for a long time in an attempt to better control his innate desire for power. Eventually,the Greybeards made him their Grandmaster. Though, even then, Paarthurnax rarely spoke to anyone. He continued to live his life in isolation.
However, during the First Era, Paarthurnax would visit the dragon Numinex whilehe was imprisoned in Dragonsreach. King Olaf, the ruler of Whiterun at the time, had defeated Numinex in battle and decided to keep him as a pet. Numinex lived a miserable life after his capture, lonely and upset by the imprisonment to the point that he could no longer recall his name. Unfortunately, Paarthurnax couldn’t save him. When Numinex perished, his head was removed and mounted above the throne in Dragonsreach.
Numinex was only one of the many dragons that died during Paarthurnax’s time in isolation. In the same Era, many more of Paarthurnax’s brethren died at the hands ofthe mysterious Akaviri people. Much later, the Blades did the same. Paarthurnax was only able to evade them because of the Greybeards’ protection. The Blades’ “Atlas of Dragons” reveals that the group is still very much intent on getting to the old dragon to “exact justice upon him.”
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Paarthurnax’s Actions in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
By the Fourth Era, Alduin resurfaced in Mundus and brought the fallen dragons back to life. He and his allies then began wreaking havoc acrossSkyrim. Around the same time Alduin returned, however,the Last Dragonborn was also alive. Upon learning of their existence, the Greybeards summoned them to High Hrothgar and eventually allowed them to speak to their Grandmaster.
Paarthurnax assists the Dragonborn in defeating Alduin by firstteaching them about Shouts, including the infamous Dragonrend. He explains that Dragonrend was created by humans and is a shout capable of making dragons experience mortality and finiteness. As children of Akatosh, dragons are essentially immortal. Unless their soul is stolen away, they can be resurrected countless times. Because of this, no dragon can ever learn Dragonrend.
Duringthis first conversation with Paarthurnax, it also becomes clear that the old dragon has a penchant for philosophy. He asks the Dragonborn why they want to learn Dragonrend, then continues inquiring based on their answers. If they reply that it’s their destiny, Paarthurnax questions whether destiny is in line with what is right. On the other hand, broaching the topic about saving the word spurs Paarthurnax to suggest that perhaps delaying the inevitable end of this world means hindering the creation of the next, and whether that is the right thing to do.
After the interesting conversation, Paarthurnax will remark that the Dragonborn has indulged him enough, then implore them tofind the Elder Scrollthat was used to cast Alduin through time. Upon acquiring it, they must return to the Throat of the World and read it. This would then allow the Dragonborn to learn Dragonrend.
Immediately after reading the Elder Scroll and learning the Shout, Alduin will arrive, forcing both the Dragonborn and Paarthurnax into battle. Alduin will mock his brother, saying that Paarthurnax’s power has weakened, while his has only grown stronger. With the help of Dragonrend, the Dragonborn manages to defeat Alduin, buthe then escapes to Sovngarde. There, the Dragonborn must hunt him down for one final battle.
Paarthurnax cannot accompany the Dragonborn to Sovngarde, but when they return, he and the remaining dragons greet them. Some rejoice at Alduin’s death, but others feel sorrow at his passing. This includes Paarthurnax, who says thatAlduin was once his brother, and that the world will never be the same with him gone.
The Blades’ Vendetta Against Paarthurnax
Even with Alduin defeated, Paarthurnax still is not safe. When the Dragonbornspeaks to the Blades, Delphine demands that they kill Paarthurnax, arguing that his crimes against humankind justify his death. The Dragonborn can then travel back to the Throat of the World and speak to Paarthurnax about the Blades’ wishes. Paarthurnax, surprisingly, understands why the Blades want him dead.
Dragons were made to dominate. Paarthurnax affirms this himself. Though he knows that he won’t revert to his innate dragon nature, he acknowledges that the Blades do not know this, thus their decision. Then, old philosophy Paarthurnax asks a question — one of the most iconic lines in the game. “What is better — to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?” The Dragonborn provides their own answer to that question in choosing betweensparing or killing Paarthurnax.
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimis available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
