Killing Paarthurnax is one of the most controversial decisions in Skyrim. As the leader of the Greybeards and the one who helped mortals learn the Voice, Paarthurnax has done much good. However, he was also Alduin’s right-hand dragon during the Dragon War and committed atrocities. Whether to kill Paarthurnax or let him live is a difficult decision. This article examines the reasons for and against killing Paarthurnax to help players make the right choice for their Dragonborn.
Background on Paarthurnax
Paarthurnax is an ancient dragon who served as Alduin’s lieutenant during the Dragon War in the Merethic Era. Together they ruled over mortals and committed many acts of tyranny and cruelty. However, Paarthurnax eventually had a change of heart after meditating on the Thu’um. He rebelled against Alduin and taught mortals how to use the Voice so they could revolt against the dragons.
After Alduin was banished to the future, Paarthurnax took pity on the remaining dragons. He taught them the Way of the Voice, a pacifist philosophy that uses the Thu’um only for worship of the gods. The disciples of the Way of the Voice became known as the Greybeards. Under Paarthurnax’s leadership, the Greybeards secluded themselves at High Hrothgar and practiced meditation on the Voice.
When Alduin returned to Skyrim in 4E 201, Paarthurnax again helped the Dragonborn learn the Thu’um and defeat Alduin. He offers much guidance in the main questline. After Alduin’s defeat, Paarthurnax continues teaching pacifism to the remaining dragons but expresses worry that his past crimes may never be atoned for.
Reasons to Kill Paarthurnax
Here are some reasons why players may want to kill Paarthurnax:
He committed war crimes and atrocities
During the Dragon War, Paarthurnax was Alduin’s chief lieutenant. He helped Alduin establish the dragon cults and allowed dragons to rule over and tyrannize mortals. Many innocent lives were lost due to the cruelty of the dragons.
He’s guilty of complicity and complacency
Even if Paarthurnax did not directly commit all the crimes, he was complicit as Alduin’s right-hand. His inaction allowed Alduin and other dragons to ravage Skyrim. He also did nothing to stop the atrocities until his change of heart.
His past crimes are unforgivable
Some players may feel that Paarthurnax’s wartime atrocities are unforgivable. No matter how much good he has done since, it cannot make up for the untold lives lost because of his actions and complicity.
He could be lying about changing
Paarthurnax claims he became pacifist and had a change of heart. But dragons live for eternity – a few thousand years of good behavior may just be a ruse. He could return to his old ways after the Dragonborn dies.
He’s still dangerous despite reforming
Even if Paarthurnax is sincere about changing, he is still an extremely powerful dragon. Letting him live is risky – if he loses control and relapses, few could stop him wreaking havoc in Skyrim again.
Killing him completes the Blades faction quest
The Blades make killing Paarthurnax a prerequisite for officially joining their faction. From a gameplay perspective, completing this questline provides rewards and completes the Blades faction arc.
The Blades advise killing him
Delphine argues strongly that Paarthurnax needs to pay for his crimes against humanity. As dragonslayers and experts on dragonkind, the Blades believe Paarthurnax is still a threat.
Reasons to Spare Paarthurnax
Here are reasons why players may want to spare Paarthurnax:
He helped defeat Alduin
Paarthurnax was vital to the Dragonborn’s success against Alduin. He survived Alduin’s initial attack to guide the Dragonborn in learning the Thu’um, an essential weapon against Alduin.
He leads the Greybeards now
As Grandmaster of the Greybeards, Paarthurnax has spent the last eras teaching the Way of the Voice and meditation on the Thu’um. His teachings have been forces for good.
He preaches pacifism to other dragons
Paarthurnax has guided many dragons away from violence and cruelty. His work reduces the chance of another dragon uprising occurring in the future.
He regrets his past deeds
Paarthurnax expresses deep remorse for the atrocities committed during the Dragon War. He spends his time now trying to atone through teaching pacifism and meditation.
He has reformed from his past cruelty
Paarthurnax has spent millennia reforming himself and changing his ways for the better. He has avoided violence for eras, suggesting true redemption.
Killing a pacifist feels morally wrong
From a roleplaying perspective, the Dragonborn may not feel right murdering a reformed, pacifist leader who has renounced violence.
He is defenseless at the Throat of the World
When confronting Paarthurnax, he makes no effort to defend himself and accepts his fate. Killing a defenseless elderly sage may seem dishonorable.
The Greybeards object to killing him
Arngeir makes it clear that killing Paarthurnax would betray everything the Greybeards stand for. As an honorable faction, the Dragonborn may want to heed the Greybeards’ objections.
Dragon souls are needed to fight Alduin
From a pragmatic standpoint, absorbing Paarthurnax’s powerful dragon soul can help strengthen the Dragonborn’s Thu’um against Alduin. However, after Alduin is defeated, this rationale goes away.
Weighing the Decision
Ultimately there are good reasons both for and against killing Paarthurnax. Players must reflect on their Dragonborn’s personality and moral code to decide if justice, mercy, or pragmatism is the right path.
A Dragonborn focused on justice and retribution for the crimes of the Dragon War may want to kill Paarthurnax. One motivated by practical good in Skyrim may see more benefit in keeping him alive. Roleplayers who envision their Dragonborn as an ethical paragon may find the pacifist Paarthurnax undeserving of death.
Here are some key questions to consider about your Dragonborn when making the choice:
- Is your Dragonborn more inclined to dispense justice or extend mercy?
- Does your Dragonborn value pragmatism over ideology?
- How does your Dragonborn view redemption and change?
- Does your Dragonborn trust others easily or remain suspicious?
- Is your Dragonborn generally honorable or more flexible about morality?
Analyzing your Dragonborn’s personality and moral code can provide clarity on whether slaying or sparing Paarthurnax aligns better with their character.
Conclusion
The fate of Paarthurnax comes down to a complex moral decision without an obvious right choice. Good arguments can be made both for killing and sparing him. Players must decide based on their Dragonborn’s unique moral code and sense of justice, mercy, and honor.
Ultimately, there are reasonable justifications for either decision. What matters most is that players make the choice true to their Dragonborn’s personality and roleplaying style. Betraying your Dragonborn’s moral code for gameplay incentives like the Blades questline misses the deeper roleplaying value in Skyrim’s ambiguous dilemmas.
While the death of a wise old mentor seems tragic, some Dragonborn may see it as necessary justice. Others may find inspiration in Paarthurnax’s example of redemption through nonviolence. There is no perfect answer, but the choice you make can bring meaningful resolution to your Dragonborn’s story.