Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-110.168.240.168-20140424104245/@comment-2253300-20160507170250

I feel the need to point out a few things. First of all we don't know why Paarthurnax actually betrayed Alduin. He says it's for the right reasons, but for all we know it was because he had a grudge against Alduin, or because he was ambitious and trying to get rid of a rival, something Dragons are known for if Paarthurnax and Durnehviir's dialogue is anything to go by. This is at least somewhat supported by the fact that the ancient Tongues did not entirely trust Paarthurnax, as he states that he was kept out of their inner councils.

I would also like to point out that while from our perspective Delphine's reasoning of "he betrayed Alduin, thus he could betray us" isn't unfounded given the nature of the period. In the middle ages people put a great deal more importance on oaths and allegiances. Betrayal has always been considered the worst possible taboo in the ancient world, and even more so if you are betraying your kin. From a medieval perespective, like the one that many Elder Scrolls characters are likely to have, someone he isn't even loyal to their own people, or their lord is not worthy of trust. It's a flawed reasoning admittedly, but understandable.

Finally I would like to point out that the arguement "It was thousands of years ago" is not sufficient. The reality of the matter is that Paarthurnax commited numerous cruel atrocities against innocents, and not merely because he was forced to follow Alduin's lead. Paarthurnax himself admits to this. So let me ask you, is it right that heis victims will never know justice simply because his crimes have a thick coat of dust on them, and because he seems penitent? I agree that holding a grudge in perpetuity is a bad thing, but did Paarthurnax ever really answer for his crimes? Do his victims not deserve retribution? I generally side with Paarthurnax in most playthroughs, but Esbern's reasoning that Paarthurnax should still answer for the injustices he committed isn't wrong.

Besides as I have stated above I have doubts that Paarthurnax's actions have been entirely altruistic. It's ver ypossible that he betrayed Alduin for his own benefit, and his hermitage on the Throat of the World may have been his way of hiding from the Akaviri Dragon slayers, and other would be Dragon slayers over the years. His teaching of the Dovahkiin may additionally be his way of gain powerful allies to protect him from those that would hunt him, as Esbern stated that previous Emperor's protected him, and many of the families of the Cyrodilic empires were stated to descend from Dragonborn.

As stated most of this is speculation, and ultimately the decision is up to you. I personally don't kill Paarthurnax because my character doesn't feel obligated to take up a fight that he has no part of, and because Paarthurnax personally aided him. As far as he was concerned whatever Paarthurnax did before he met him wasn't his business. However I do believe that the Blades aren't entirely backwards. Esbern in particular is a sagacious fellow, and his reasoning has weight. Ultimately it's a matter of the Dragonborn's own preferences and values that makes the decision, but neither choice is necessarily wrong.