Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-11296535-20130914180002/@comment-74.239.209.220-20140802203521

I myself am under the opinion it was likely Paarthurnax. Presumably, as Delphine once said, paarthurnax was protected by the greybeards and soon after the emperor's of the empire. So I would think Paarthurnax would not be seen so much as a threat than Alduin when he visited Numinex during his imprisonment. I think he did it as a mercy killing. I think King Olaf One-Eye was cruel to the captured dragon. Immortality or not, I doubt a prideful dragon being humiliated every day was something an immortal had in mind to endure. The way paarthurnax talked about him only further implies how sympathetic and compassionate he was to him and thus ended his suffering. It could explain whether or not he was unable to resurrected as well. I'm of the understanding only a fellow dov can truly slay another and absorb their soul for power. That being said, I imagine it's difficult to resurrect skeletal remains that are detached as Numinex is. Plus being crazed, Alduin likely saw him more as a detriment than an advantage. And also being as prideful as Alduin, he likely saw Numinex's capture, imprisonment, and madness to be a sign of weakness. He doesn't strike me as an all mighty leader of dragons loyal to his underlings. I feel nothing but pity for him, Durnehviir, Sahrotaar, Relonikiv and Kruziikrel for being forced into servitude or simple display of power. I mean at least Nafaalilargus swore himself to Tiber Septim willingly, but the rest are just tragedies. Quite a few are deceived and imprisoned and I don't hear a word of Alduin making an attempts to help them. Hell, during the main questline when there's bodies of his comrades around Gormlaith, Hakon, And Felldir he doesn't even bat an eye. Paarthurnax seems to be the only dragon capable of compassion for his other kind so deeply I think he'd kill Numinex to let him finally be at peace. My guess as to why he didn't free him was because by the time word got to him of what had happened it was too late to intervene and it would likely only reflect on him for the deed. It's the only explanation I can think of that's sound. I doubt a dragon can commit suicide any way. I'd imagine that's quite hard for an immortal to do.