Paarthurnax is one of the hardest moral choices in Skyrim. After Alduin’s Bane, Delphine and Esbern of the Blades learn that the leader of the Greybeards is Paarthurnax, once Alduin’s chief lieutenant in the ancient Dragon War, whom they hold responsible for atrocities against humankind. Bound by their oaths, they refuse to help you any further until the old dragon is dead.
How to start
- Complete Alduin’s Bane. Delphine or Esbern will then tell you that Paarthurnax must die.
- The quest is entirely optional and is not required to finish the main quest.
- If you finished the civil war (skipping Season Unending), go to Sky Haven Temple and talk to Esbern or Delphine to trigger it.
Walkthrough
Decide before you act
Killing Paarthurnax is the only way to get the Blades back on your side, and you must do it before the main quest ends if you want to continue their storyline. The price is the friendship of the Greybeards: you will no longer be able to deal with them, including their help locating Words of Power. If you talk to Arngeir about the Blades’ demand, he explains why Paarthurnax once sided with Alduin and how his later rebellion led to Alduin’s first defeat. You can tell Arngeir that Paarthurnax must die or that you will spare him, which affects the exchange between Esbern and Arngeir during Season Unending.
Kill Paarthurnax
Head to the Throat of the World and attack him. He is not an especially tough fight: he only has the standard dragon abilities, and by now you should have the Dragonrend shout and the Dragonbane sword.
Paarthurnax stops being essential as soon as Alduin’s Bane is complete, so you can even kill him before Esbern brings up the subject. When Esbern then introduces the quest, simply tell him Paarthurnax is already dead; this does not interfere with Season Unending.
Talk to Delphine
Return to Delphine at Sky Haven Temple and tell her the deed is done. The Blades are your allies again.
Choices and consequences
If Paarthurnax lives
- Taking items from Sky Haven Temple counts as theft.
- Certain items at the Sleeping Giant Inn count as stolen again, and you must pay for the bed that used to be free.
- If you have not yet received Esbern’s Potion, you cannot get it.
- The Blades’ dragon-hunting quests and the Dragonslayer’s Blessing are unavailable.
If Paarthurnax is dead
- Arngeir withdraws the Greybeards’ hospitality and no longer helps you find Words of Power. He bluntly tells you your actions are beyond forgiveness.
- Taking items from High Hrothgar counts as theft again.
- Any Fus, Feim or Yol meditation bonus you already chose stays active, but can no longer be changed.
- An extra scene with Paarthurnax after Alduin’s defeat in Dragonslayer will not happen.
Rewards
- The Blades become your allies again, unlocking their remaining services and quests
Tips and notes
- Delphine and Esbern are always essential, so there is no way to protect Paarthurnax by killing them.
- If you receive the quest during Season Unending and leave it unfinished until the main quest ends, it disappears from your active quests.
- After Season Unending you can still complete it by draining Paarthurnax’s health and quickly fast travelling to Sky Haven Temple.
- If you already finished the civil war, take the quest, complete Dragonslayer and then tell Arngeir you will not kill Paarthurnax, the quest simply vanishes from the log rather than failing. Keep an older save if you might change your mind.
- Paarthurnax can be invulnerable while perched on his rock right after you receive the quest. Getting him airborne – for example with ranged attacks or by letting a follower attack – usually makes him fight back normally.
