Paarthurnax

Paarthurnax
Paarthurnax atop the Throat of the World - by ©MashkaLord
Alias	The Old One
Title	Grandmaster of the Greybeards
Allegiances	Alduin (formerly) Greybeards
Race	Dragon
Born	In the Dawn Era (allegedly)

Paarthurnax is one of the last dragons of Tamriel, and currently serves as the leader of the Greybeards of High Hrothgar. Paarthurnax was once one of Alduin's chief lieutenants during the Dragon War, slaughtering tens of thousands of Nords to ensure the continued dominance of the dragons over Skyrim. During the war he began to pity the plight of Men, and taught them the thu'um so that they might defeat their dragon overlords, thereafter defecting to the side of the Nords to fight against his kin.

Paarthurnax has since become a secluded hermit atop the Throat of the World, and leads the Greybeards of High Hrothgar, teaching them more about the thu'um and often meditating with them. He claims to have overcome his violent and power-hungry nature, firmly standing against dragon dominance and overall maintaining himself neutral in worldly affairs.

History

During the Dragon War, Paarthurnax served as Alduin's lieutenant and is infamous for committing numerous atrocities. His name in the Dragon Language means "Ambition Overlord Cruelty". Eventually, he rebelled against Alduin and began teaching humans how to use the thu'um, allegedly at the behest of the goddess Kyne. One of his reasons for rebelling was Alduin's claim to lordship over Akatosh. After Alduin was defeated and Paarthurnax overcame his desire for power, he retreated to the Throat of the World and began practicing the Way of the Voice. As the leader of the Greybeards, Paarthurnax helped to teach and guide the followers of this philosophy. Although he was targeted by the Blades, he remained under the protection of the Greybeards.

Paarthurnax rarely interacted with anyone outside the Greybeards and spent much of his time meditating. Only those with a strong Voice were granted the privilege of seeing him, and even then, they had to undertake a perilous journey to reach him. Paarthurnax believed that the dragon race's decline was due to the slaughter of his brethren by the Akaviri in the late First Era.

In 4E 201, Alduin reappeared, and the prophesied Last Dragonborn arrived in Skyrim. With Paarthurnax's aid, the Dragonborn defeated Alduin. Alduin, during his confrontation with Paarthurnax, offered his brother the chance to join him or die, but Paarthurnax refused. Afterward, Paarthurnax took it upon himself to teach the remaining resurrected dragons the Way of the Voice, but the Blades wanted him dead for his ancient crimes. The fate of Paarthurnax is currently unknown.

Family

It is said that Paarthurnax was Alduin's brother, as well as his lieutenant and right hand.

Those who believe in the Dawn Era creation myth might claim that, as a dragon, Paarthurnax is the son of Akatosh, the Dragon God of Time in the Faith of the Eight.

Quotes by Paarthurnax

There were a few of us who rebelled against Alduin's thur... his tyranny. We aided the humans in his overthrow. But they did not trust us. Ni ov. Their inner councils were kept hidden from us. I was far from here on the day of Alduin's downfall. But all dov felt the... sundering of Time itself.

—Paarthurnax about the fall of Alduin thousands of years ago

Dov wahlaan fah rel. We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. I can be trusted. I know this. But they do not. Onikaan ni ov dovah. It is always wise to mistrust a dovah. I have overcome my nature only through meditation and long study of the Way of the Voice. No day goes by where I am not tempted to return to my inborn nature.

—Paarthurnax about a dragon's nature

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

—Paarthurnax on the nature of good and evil

Quotes about Paarthurnax

We needed his help. Now we don't, and it's long past time for him to pay for his crimes. And he's not just any dragon. He was the right hand of Alduin. He committed atrocities so infamous they are still remembered thousands of years later.

—Delphine about Paarthurnax's dark past

But understand—during the days of Alduin's rule, all dragons were his allies. There was nothing else they could be. If not for Paarthurnax, Alduin could not have been overthrown. It was he that first taught men to use the Thu'um.

—Arngeir about Paarthurnax's past