Paarthurnax
Race	Dragon
Gender	Male
Faction	Greybeards
Rank	Grandmaster
Services	Meditations on the Words of Power
Essential	Yes
Ref ID	0003C57D
Base ID	0003C57C

For other uses, see Paarthurnax.

"What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"

―Paarthurnax^[src]

Paarthurnax (called the Old One by other dragons or in the Dragon language), is the leader of the Greybeards and brother of Alduin. He served as Alduin's lieutenant during the Dragon War in the Merethic Era, during which he was said to have committed terrible atrocities against mankind ^[1].

Appearance

Despite dragons being immortal, Paarthurnax shows clear signs of great age, including tattered skin on his wings and tail, broken and chipped horns and chin-spikes, dulled color in his skin and eyes and several teeth missing.

History

Paarthurnax claims it was Alduin's false claim of godhood that turned him against his older brother ^[2], however Nordic legend states that it was Kyne herself who intervened, and sent Paarthurnax to assist mankind^[3]. Either way, Paarthurnax, along with several other Dragons, betrayed their former master and taught mankind to use the Thu'um^[2]. Mankind eventually prevailed and Alduin was banished from Mundus.

As with all Dragons, the lust for power was innate and still strong within him and if left unchecked, he would surely revert to his old ways. To overcome this, he retired to the peak of the Throat of the World and lived in seclusion so that he could meditate and focus on the Way of the Voice, a pacifist creed developed by Jurgen Windcaller that preached the Thu'um should only be used for the worship and glory of the gods rather than martial exploits ^[4][5]

Jurgen Windcaller also founded the Greybeards, a monastic order dedicated to mastering the Way of the Voice. He also built High Hrothgar ^[3], located near the peak of Throat of the World, which served as the monastery where the Greybeards meditated and perfected their voice. Paarthurnax became the grandmaster of the Greybeards, but continued to live in seclusion at the peak of the mountain ^[5].

	Length:	0:07
	Description:	Paarthurnax speaking to the Dovahkiin

Some time after 1E 420, he would often visit the legendary Dragon Numinex during his imprisonment in Dragonsreach. He recalls that Numinex was so lonely and disturbed by his captivity that he could not remember his own name ^[2].

Modern day

The Blades kept a record of any known surviving Dragons from the Dragon War. According to the Atlas of Dragons, Paarthurnax is recorded as one of the only dragons that survived. Given his history and the atrocities he comitted during the Dragon War, The Blades are very keen to see him brought to justice.

Interactions

Elder Knowledge

After the Greybeards teach the Clear Skies shout to the Dragonborn, he or she uses it to approach the summit of the Throat of the World, seeking Paarthurnax for information on the location of an Elder Scroll.

The Throat of the World

Paarthurnax is not surprised when the Dragonborn is confused over his form as a dragon. When asked why he is a dragon, he replies with "I am as my father Akatosh made me". He teaches the Dragonborn the Fire Breath shout and can help the Dragonborn to meditate on his shouts, giving them additional perks depending on the word chosen.

Paarthurnax

After the Blades learn that Paarthurnax aided Alduin during the First Dragon Wars, they seek to kill him. When the Dragonborn mentions that he betrayed Alduin, the Blades will state that this simply means that he has the ability to betray you and others as well. If he is not killed, Paarthurnax appears to leave the Throat of the World in the Epilogue, intent on bringing the "Way of the Voice" to all Dragons. However, he can still be found perched on the mountain's Word Wall at any given time, and will still aid the Dragonborn in meditating on Shouts.

Meditation

Paarthurnax will guide the Dragonborn in meditating on words of power. Meditating on a word grants a perk related to that shout until the Dragonborn meditates on a different word. There are three choices:

• "Fus" grants the "Force Without Effort" perk which increases the Dragonborn's stagger resistance by 25% and causes the Dragonborn to stagger opponents 25% more. Note that this is for all forms of stagger, not just stagger relating to the Fus shout.
• "Feim" grants the "Ethereal Spirit" perk to the Dragonborn, causing 25% faster health regeneration while ethereal. The effect is only active while ethereal. No constant effect is added to the player's active effects listing.
• "Yol" grants the "Fire Within" perk which increases damage done by fire breath by 25%

Quests

• The Throat of the World
• Elder Knowledge
• Paarthurnax (Quest)
• Epilogue

Trivia

• His name means either "Ambition Overlord Cruelty" or "Ambition Tyranny Cruelty".
• Due to his old age, Paarthurnax plans to visit Numinex when he was captured, and comments about this.
• Paarthurnax is voiced by Charles Martinet, best known for his work as the voice of Mario, Luigi, and Wario in the Super Mario Bros. video game franchise.
• Sometimes, the two girls running around Rorikstead may say "I had a dream that there was a good dragon. He was old and grey but he wasn't scary."

Bugs

•  PC   360   PS3  When the Dragonborn is told by the Blades that Paarthurnax should be slain, Paarthurnax may remain essential, making him invincible. Because of this, Paarthurnax can used to exploit skill leveling.
  • Dual Wielding Daedric Swords, both tempered and enchanted, at level 100 One-Handed, may reduce Paarthurnax to near zero health, at which point, killing him despite his health regeneration, becomes possible.
• During the initial conversation with Paarthurnax, his flying animation can lock up, resulting in a rapid flailing which ultimately results in his disappearance. Even with Paarthurnax gone, the conversation proceeds despite the dragon being too far away to hear. The speech can be read if subtitles are enabled.
  • Fix: Exit the conversation, and Paarthurnax will fly back down and land on the Word Wall he sat on before. Then, re-initiate the conversation.
•  PS3   When talking to Paarthurnax, he might circle up above in the air or simply exit the conversation.
•  360   Followers may attack Paarthurnax on sight.
•  360   During the fight with Alduin atop the Throat of the World, Paarthurnax may get stuck in the ground.
•  PS3   If Paarthurnax is attacked while teaching "Yol", he may fly off and not return.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (First appearance)

References

1. ↑ Dialogue with Delphine
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2} Dialogue with Paarthurnax
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} 7000 Steps Etchings
4. ↑ Pocket Guide to the Empire, First Edition: Skyrim
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Dialogue with Arngeir