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For other uses, see Paarthurnax.

Paarthurnax (Dragon Language: PAaRTHUrNAX), called "the Old One" by other dov, is the leader of the Greybeards. He served as Alduin's lieutenant during the Dragon War in the Merethic Era, during which he was said to have committed and witnessed unspeakable atrocities against mankind.[1]

Physical 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[]

Merethic Era[]

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 built High Hrothgar,[3] located near the peak of the 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]

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

First Era[]

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]

Fourth Era[]

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 committed during the Dragon War, the Blades are very keen on killing him despite contributing to mankind's victory over his own kind.

Interactions[]

The Throat of the World[]

Paarthurnaax (night)

Paarthurnax at night, with aurora in background.

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

Paarthurnax is not surprised when the Dragonborn is confused over his form as a dragon. When this is mentioned, he replies with "I am as my father Akatosh made me." He teaches the Dragonborn the Fire Breath shout. If the first word has already been learned, he will teach the second, and if the first and second words have been learned, he will teach the third one. He can also help the Dragonborn to meditate on their shouts, giving them additional perks depending on the word chosen.

Alduin's Bane[]

After the Dragonborn recovers the Elder Scroll from the Tower of Mzark and reads it at the Time Wound, Paarthurnax helps the Dragonborn in defeating Alduin. After the latter escapes to Sovngarde, Paarthurnax will devise a plan to capture a dragon in Dragonsreach to find out where Alduin has gone.

Paarthurnax[]

After the Blades learn that Paarthurnax aided Alduin during the Dragon War, they seek to kill him. When the Dragonborn mentions that Paarthurnax betrayed Alduin, the Blades will state that this simply means that he has the ability to betray them and others as well. If he is not killed, he appears for a small speech in the Epilogue. This quest will not go away until the Dragonborn kills him, or until the Greybeards are sought out afterwards, sitting at their table at High Hrothgar. They will give the Dragonborn a debriefing on their excursion to Sovngarde and battle against Alduin, and they will hint at their fate and future accomplishments.

Epilogue[]

If Paarthurnax was not killed at the request of the Blades, he appears at the Throat of the World in this quest, which is immediately after Tsun sends the Dragonborn back to Mundus upon completion of the final quest, Dragonslayer. Despite Alduin's defeat, Paarthurnax is struck with grief as he is not happy that Alduin has fallen since he still considers him as his brother. Nevertheless, he notes that Alduin's defeat was necessary. Paarthurnax then speaks of his intent on bringing the "Way of the Voice" to all dragons and flies off. 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. Although Paarthurnax behaves at this point like an essential character, it is possible to kill him after meditating (see below) upon a shout, but a powerful Poison of Lingering Damage Health will be needed to overcome his healing rate. At such point, the Dragonborn may return to Delphine at Sky Haven Temple to further their progress on the Blades quests.

Meditation[]

Main article: Meditations on the Words of Power

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 Unrelenting Force.
  • "Feim" grants the "Ethereal Spirit" perk to the Dragonborn, causing 25% faster health regeneration while ethereal. The effect is only triggered while the Become Ethereal shout is active. No constant effect is added to the active effects list.
  • "Yol" grants "The Fire Within" perk, which increases damage done by the Fire Breath shout by 25%.

Dialogue[]

Show: The Throat of the World
On top of the Throat of the World:

"Drem Yol Lok. Greetings, wunduniik. I am Paarthurnax. Who are you? What brings you to my strunmah... my mountain?"

I wasn't expecting you to be a dragon. "I am as my father Akatosh made me. As are you... Dovahkiin."
You're the master of the Greybeards? "They see me as master. Wuth. Onik. Old and wise. It is true I am old..."
I think you already know who I am. "Yes. Vahzah (True). You speak true, Dovahkiin. Forgive me. It has been long since I held tinvaak with a stranger. I gave in to the temptation to prolong our speech."
Why live alone on a mountain if you love conversation? "Evenaar bahlok (To extinguish hunger). There are many hungers it is better to deny than to feed. Dreh ni nahkip. Discipline against the lesser aids in qahnaar... denial of the greater."
I need to learn the Dragonrend Shout. Can you teach me? "Drem. Patience. There are formalities which must be observed, at the first meeting of two of the dov."
"Tell me. Why do you come here, volaan? Why do you intrude on my meditation?"
I need to learn the Dragonrend Shout. Can you teach me? "Drem. Patience. There are formalities which must be observed, at the first meeting of two of the dov."

When learning Fire Breath:

"By long tradition, the elder speaks first. Hear my Thu'um! Feel it in your bones. Match it, if you are Dovahkiin! Yol...Toor...Shul! A gift, Dovahkiin. Yol. Understand Fire as the dov do."
"Now, show me what you can do. Greet me not as mortal (Or "Orc," "Khajiit," "elf," "Argonian"), but as dovah!" "Aaah... yes! Sossedov los mul (Dragonblood is strong). The Dragonblood runs strong in you. It is long since I had the pleasure of speech with one of my own kind."

If approached again:

"So. You have made your way here, to me. No easy task for a joor... mortal. Even for one of Dovah Sos. Dragonblood. What would you ask of me?"

Can you teach me the Dragonrend Shout? "Ah. I have expected you. Prodah. You would not come all this way for tinvaak with an old dovah. No. You seek your weapon against Alduin."
How did you know I came for Dragonrend? "Alduin komeyt tiid. What else would you seek? Alduin and Dovahkiin return together. But I do not know the Thu'um you seek. Krosis. It cannot be known to me. Your kind - joorre - mortals - created it as a weapon against the dov… the dragons. Our hadrimme, our minds cannot even… comprehend its concepts."
The Greybeards didn't want me to come at all. "Hmm. Yes. They are very protective of me. Bahlaan fahdonne (Worthy ally.). But I do not know the Thu'um you seek. Krosis. It cannot be known to me. Your kind - joorre - mortals - created it as a weapon against the dov… the dragons. Our hadrimme, our minds cannot even… comprehend its concepts."
Do you know Dragonrend or not? "Krosis. Sorrowfully, no. It cannot be known to me. Your kind - joorre - mortals - created it as a weapon against the dov… the dragons. Our hadrimme, our minds cannot even… comprehend its concepts."
How can I learn it, then? "Drem. All in good time. First, I have a question for you. Why do you want to learn this Thu'um?"
That's none of your business. "Nid. If you wish me to answer your question, you must answer mine."
I need to stop Alduin. "Yes. Alduin... Zeymah. The elder brother. Gifted, grasping and troublesome, as is so often the case with firstborn. But why? Why must you stop Alduin?"
I like this world. I don't want it to end. "Pruzah. As good a reason as any. There are many who feel as you do, although not all. Some would say that all things must end, so that the next can come to pass. Perhaps this world is simply the Egg of the next kalpa? Lein vokiin? Would you stop the next world from being born?"
The prophecy says that only the Dragonborn can stop him. "True... But qostiid - prophecy - tells what may be, not what should be. Qostiid sahlo aak. Just because you can do a thing, does not always mean you should. Do you have no better reason for acting than destiny? Are you nothing more than a plaything of dez... of fate?"
I didn't come here to debate philosophy with you. "Hahaha! You have much to learn of the dov, then. There is nothing else but philosophy to a dovah. It is no accident that we do battle with our Thu'um, our Voices. There is no distinction between debate and combat to a dragon. Tinvaak los grah. For us it is one and the same."
What better reason to act than to fulfill my destiny? "If you can see your destiny clearly, your sight is clearer than mine. Dahmaan - remember, Alduin also follows his destiny, as he sees it. But, I bow before your certainty. In a way, I envy you. The curse of much knowledge is often indecision."
I don't believe in destiny. But I will stop Alduin. "And so, perhaps, your destiny will be fulfilled. Who can say? Dez motmahus. Even to the dov, who ride the currents of Time, destiny is elusive. Alduin believes that he will prevail, with good reason. Rok mul. And he is no fool. Ni mey, rinik gut nol. Far from it. He began as the wisest and most far-seeing of us all."
I like this world. I don't want it to end. "Pruzah. As good a reason as any. There are many who feel as you do, although not all. Some would say that all things must end, so that the next can come to pass. Perhaps this world is simply the Egg of the next kalpa? Lein vokiin? Would you stop the next world from being born?"
I didn't come here to debate philosophy with you. "Hahaha! You have much to learn of the dov, then. There is nothing else but philosophy to a dovah. It is no accident that we do battle with our Thu'um, our Voices. There is no distinction between debate and combat to a dragon. Tinvaak los grah. For us it is one and the same."
The next world will have to take care of itself. "Paaz. A fair answer. Ro fus... maybe you only balance the forces that work to quicken the end of this world. Even we who ride the currents of Time cannot see past Time's end... Wuldsetiid los tahrodiis. Those who try to hasten the end, may delay it. Those who work to delay the end, may bring it closer."
"But you have indulged my weakness for speech long enough. Krosis. Now I will answer your question. Do you know why I live here, at the peak of the Monahven – what you name Throat of the World?"
No. Dragons like mountains, right? "True. But few now remember that this was the very spot where Alduin was defeated by the ancient Tongues. Vahrukt unslaad... perhaps none but me now remember how he was defeated."
I never thought about it. "This is the most sacred mountain in Skyrim. Zok revak strunmah. The great mountain of the world. Here the ancient Tongues, the first mortal masters of the voice, Brought Alduin to battle and defeated him."
You said you were going to answer my question. "Drem. Patience. I am answering, in my way. This is the most sacred mountain in Skyrim. Most Sacred Mountain. The great mountain of the world. Here the ancient Tongues, the first mortal masters of the voice, Brought Alduin to battle and defeated him."
Using the Dragonrend Shout, right? "Yes and no. Viik nuz ni kron. Alduin was not truly defeated, either. If he was, you would not be here today, seeking to... defeat him. The Nords of those days used the Dragonrend Shout to cripple Alduin. But this was not enough. Ok mulaag unslaad (His strength (was) unending). It was the Kel – the Elder Scroll. They used it to... cast him adrift on the currents of Time."
An Elder Scroll? What's that? "Hmm. How to explain in your tongue? The dov have words for such things that joorre do not. It is... an artifact from outside time. It does not exist, but it has always existed. Rah wahlaan. They are...hmm... fragments of creation. The Kelle... Elder Scrolls, as you name them, they have often been used for prophecy. Yes, your prophecy comes from an Elder Scroll. But this is only a small part of their power. Zofaas suleyk."
Are you saying the ancient Nords sent Alduin forward in time? "Not intentionally. Some hoped he would be gone forever, forever lost. Meyye. I knew better. Tiid bo amativ. Time flows ever onward. One day he would surface. Which is why I have lived here. For thousands of mortal years I have waited. I knew where he would emerge but not when."
How does any of this help me? "Tiid krent. Time was... shattered here because of what the ancient Nords did to Alduin. If you brought that Kel, that Elder Scroll back here... to the Tiid-Ahraan, the Time-Wound... With the Elder Scroll that was used to break Time, you may be able to... cast yourself back. To the other end of the break. You could learn Dragonrend from those who created it."
Show: Elder Knowledge
On top of the Throat of the World:

"You could learn Dragonrend from those who created it."

Do you know where I can find an Elder Scroll? "Krosis. No. I know little of what has passed below in the long years I have lived here. You are likely better informed than I."
Hmm. Esbern or Arngeir might have some idea. "Trust your instincts, Dovahkiin. Your blood will show you the way."
What do I do with the Elder Scroll when I find it? "Return it here, to the Tiid-Ahraan. Then... Kelle vomindok. Nothing is certain with such things... But I believe the Scroll's bond with Tiid-Ahraan will allow you a... a seeing, a vision of the moment of its creation. Then you will feel - know - Dragonrend, in the power of its first expression. You will see them... wuth fadonne... my friends - Hakon, Gormlaith, Felldir."
Hakon, Gormlaith, Felldir? Who are they? "The first mortals that I taught the Thu'um - the first Tongues. The leaders of the rebellion against Alduin. They were mighty, in their day. Even to attempt to defeat Alduin... sahrot hunne. The Nords have had many heroes since, but none greater."
How could an Elder Scrolls cast Alduin through time? "Vomidok. I do not know. Perhaps in the very doing they erased the knowing of it from Time itself. The dov are children of Akatosh. Thus we are specially... attuned to the flow of Time. Perhaps also uniquely vulnerable. I warned them against such a rash action. Even I could not foresee its consequences. Nus ni hon. They would not listen."
You mean you were there? "Yes. There were a few of us that 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."
What does the Dragonrend Shout actually do? "I cannot tell you in detail. I never heard it used. Kogaan. It was the first Thu'um created solely by mortals. It was said to force a dragon to experience Mortality. A truly vonmindoraan... incomprehensible idea to the immortal dov."
You're the master of the Greybeards. Do others come here to train? "I have taught the Way of the Voice for centuries and the Thu'um since long before that. But no, Dovahkiin. Others do not come here to train anymore. Saraan. You are the first in over a hundred years. I meditate on the Rotmulaag - the Words of Power. I counsel their use. It is enough for me."
You meditate on the Words? How? "Knowing a Word of Power is to take its meaning into yourself. Contemplate the meaning of a Rotmulaag. You will become closer to that Word, as it fills your inner self. Will I teach you Dovahkiin? What Word calls you to deeper understanding? There are three to master: Fus, Feim, and Yol."
Fus "It is called "force" in your tongue. But as you push the world, so does the world push back. Think of the way force may be applied effortlessly - imagine but a whisper pushing aside all in its path. That is Fus, let its meaning fill you. Su'um ahrk morah. You will push the world harder than it pushes back."
Feim ""Fade" in your tongue - mortals have greater affinity for this word than the Dov. Everything mortal fades away in time, but the spirit remains. Ponder the meaning of spirit, unslaad zii. Where mortal flesh may wither and die, the spirit endures. That is Feim, let that meaning fill you. Su'um ahrk morah. You will find that your spirit will give you more strength."
Yol "In your tongue, the word simply means "fire." It is change given form, power at its most primal. That is the true meaning of Yol - suleyk, power. You have it, as do all Dov. But power is inert without action and choice. Think of this as the fire builds in your su'um, in your breath. Su'um ahrk morah. What will you burn? What will you spare?"

"Su'um ahrk morah."

After obtaining the Elder Scroll:

"You have it. The Kel - the Elder Scroll. Tiid kreh... qalos. Time shudders at its touch. There is no question. You are doom-driven. Kogaan Akatosh. The very bones of the earth are at your disposal. Go then. Fulfill your destiny. Take the Scroll to the Time-Wound. Do not delay. Alduin will be coming. He cannot miss the signs."

Show: Meditation dialogue
On top of the Throat of the World:

"Speak, I will listen." I wish to meditate on a Word of Power. "Which calls to you Dovahkiin; Fus, Feim or Yol?"

Fus "It is called "force" in your tongue. But as you push the world, so does the world push back. Think of the way force may be applied effortlessly - imagine but a whisper pushing aside all in its path. That is Fus, let its meaning fill you. Su'um ahrk morah. (Breath and focus.) You will push the world harder than it pushes back."
Feim ""Fade" in your tongue - mortals have greater affinity for this word than the Dov (Dragonkind). Everything mortal fades away in time, but the spirit remains. Ponder the meaning of spirit. Unslaad zii. Where mortal flesh may wither and die, the spirit endures. That is Feim, let that meaning fill you. Su'um ahrk morah. (Breath and focus.) You will find that your spirit will give you more strength."
Yol "In your tongue, the word simply means "fire." It is change given form, power at its most primal. That is the true meaning of Yol - suleyk (power), power. You have it, as do all Dov (Dragonkind). But power is inert without action and choice. Think of this as the fire builds in your su'um (breath), in your breath. Su'um ahrk morah. (Breath and focus.) What will you burn? What will you spare?"
Show: The Fallen
On top of the Throat of the World:

"Lot krongrah. You truly have the Voice of a dovah. Alduin's allies will think twice after this victory."

It wasn't really a victory, since Alduin escaped. "Ni liivrah hin mere. True, this is not the final krongah - victory. But not even the heroes of old were able to defeat Alduin in open battle. Alduin always was pahlok - arrogant in his power. Uznahgar paar. He took domination as his birthright. This should shake the loyalty of the dov who serve him."
I need to find out where Alduin went. "Yes... one of his allies could tell us. Motmahus... But it will not be easy to... convince one of them to betray him. Perhaps the hofkahsejun - the palace in Whiterun... Dragonsreach. It was originally built to house a captive dovah. A fine place to trap one of Alduin's allies, hmm?"
The Jarl of Whiterun might not think so. "Hmm, yes. But you su'um is strong. I do not doubt you can convince him of the need."
Dragonsreach was built to hold a dragon? "Yes. This was ages ago, you understand. There were more of us then. Before the bruniike - the Akaviri - came and killed all my zeymah. I used to visit him from time to time. Nearly crazed by loneliness and captivity. Tiiraz sivaas. He did not even remember his own name. I do not know how he came to be caught. But the bronjun... the Jarl... was very proud of his pet. Paak! The hofkahsejun has been known as Dragonsreach ever since."
Show: Paarthurnax
On top of the Throat of the World:

"Drem Yol Lok. Greetings."

The Blades say you deserve to die. "The Blades are wise not to trust me. Onikaan ni ov. I would not trust another dovah."
Why shouldn't they trust you? "Dov wahlaan fah rel. We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. You feel it in yourself, do you not? 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. Zin krif horvut se suleyk. What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"
Show: Epilogue (Skyrim)
On top of the Throat of the World:

"So, it is done. Alduin dilon (Alduin's dead). The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been."

You don't sound very happy about it. "Happy? No, I am not happy. Zeymahi lost ont du'ul Bormahu (My brother was once the crown of our father). Alduin was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creation. You did what was necessary. Alduin had flown far from the path of right action in his pahlok (Arrogance)- the arrogance of his power. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah (I am sad at his fall). He was my brother once. This world will never be the same."
I have no regrets. Alduin had to be destroyed. "Of course. Alduin wahlaan daanii (created his (own) doom). I would have not helped you if I thought otherwise."
Alduin brought this on himself. "Indeed. Alduin wahlaan daanii (created his (own) doom). His doom was written when he claimed for himself the lordship that properly belongs to Bormahu - our father Akatosh. But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same. Rok funta koraav (He failed to see). Perhaps now you have some insight into the forces that shape the vennesetiid... the currents of Time. Perhaps now "
I was just fulfilling my destiny as Dragonborn. "Indeed, you saw more clearly than I - certainly more clearly than Alduin. Rok funta koraav. Perhaps now you have some insight into the forces that shape the vennesetiid... the currents of Time. Perhaps you begin to see the world as a dovah."
The world is a better place without Alduin. "I am glad you believe that. At least it will continue to exist. Grik los lein. Even I cannot see past Time's ending to what comes next. Niid koraav zeim dinoksetiid. We must do the best we can with this world."

"But I forget myself. Krosis (pardon). So los mid fahdon (Sorrow is (a) loyal friend). Melancholy is an easy trap for a dovah to fall into. You have won a mighty victory. Sahrot krongrah (Mighty victory) - one that will echo through all the ages of this world for those who have eyes to see. Savor your triumph, Dovahkiin. This is not the last of what you will write upon the currents of Time."

The conversation ends as Paarthurnax leaps off the wall and ascends to the skies.

"Goraan! I feel younger than I have in many an age. Many of the dovahhe (dragons) are now scattered across Keizaal (Skyrim). Without Alduin's lordship, they may yet bow to the vahzen (truth)... rightness of my Thu'um."

Paarthurnax pauses in mid-air, and will face the Dragonborn.

Paarthurnax: But willing or no, they will hear it! Fare thee well, Dovahkiin!"

Quotes[]

Quote Audio
"Dov wahlaan fah rel. We were made to dominate. The will to power is in our blood. You feel it in yourself, do you not?"
(Dov wahlaan fah rel. = "Dragons were created for domination.")
"I can be trusted. I know this. But they do not. Onikaan ni ov dovah. It is always wise to mistrust a dovah."
(Onikaan ni ov dovah. = "Wisdom is not trusting a dragon.")
"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. Zin krif horvut se suleyk."
(Zin krif horvut se suleyk. = "Honor (is) fighting the lure of power.")
"What is better - to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?"
"They were mighty, in their day. Even to attempt to defeat Alduin... sahrot hunne. The Nords have had many heroes since, but none greater."
(sahrot hunne = "mighty heroes")
"This is the most sacred mountain in Skyrim. Zok revak strunmah. The great mountain of the world."
(Zok revak strunmah. = "Most sacred mountain.")
"Here the ancient Tongues, the first mortal masters of the Voice, brought Alduin to battle and defeated him."
"Drem. Patience. I am answering, in my way."
"Yes and no. Viik nuz ni kron. Alduin was not truly defeated, either. If he was, you would not be here today, seeking to... defeat him."
(Viik nuz ni kroon. = "Defeat but not victory.")
"The Nords of those days used the Dragonrend Shout to cripple Alduin. But this was not enough. Ok mulaag unslaad."
(Ok mulaag unslaad = "His strength (is) unending.")
"It was the Kel - the Elder Scroll. They used it to... cast him adrift on the currents of Time."
"Hmm. How to explain in your tongue? The dov have words for such things that joorre do not."
(dov = "dragonkind," joorre = "mortals")
"It is an... artifact from outside time. It does not exist, but it has always existed. Rah wahlaan. They are...hmm... fragments of creation."
(Rah wahlaan. = "Gods (of) creation." or Creator gods.")
"The Kelle... Elder Scrolls, as you name them, they have often been used for prophecy. Yes, your prophecy comes from an Elder Scroll."
"But this is only a small part of their power. Zofaas suleyk."
(Zofaas suleyk. = "Fearful power.")
"Tiid krent. Time was... shattered here because of what the ancient Nords did to Alduin."
"Yes. Alduin... zeymah. The elder brother. Gifted, grasping and troublesome as is so often the case with firstborn."
"True... But qostiid - prophecy - tells what may be, not what should be."
(qostiid= "prophecy")
"Qostiid sahlo aak. Just because you can do a thing, does not always mean you should."
(Qostiid sahlo aak. = "Prophecy is a weak guide.")
"If you can see your destiny clearly, your sight is clearer than mine."
"Dahmaan - remember, Alduin also follows his destiny, as he sees it."
(Dahmaan = "remember")
"But, I bow before your certainty. In a way I envy you. The curse of much knowledge is often indecision."
"There is nothing else but philosophy to a dovah. It is no accident that we do battle with our Thu'um, our Voices."
"There is no distinction between debate and combat to a dragon. Tinvaak los grah. For us it is one and the same."
(Tinvaak los grah. = "Talk/Speech is battle.")
"Hmm. Yes. They are very protective of me. Bahlaan fahdonne."
(Bahlaan fahdonne. ="Worthy friends.")
"Alduin komeyt tiid. What else would you seek? Alduin and Dovahkiin return together."
"I am as my father Akatosh made me. As are you... Dovahkiin."
"They see me as master. Wuth. Onik. Old and wise. It is true I am old..."
(Onik. = "Wise.")
"Drem Yol Lok. Greetings, wunduniik. I am Paarthurnax."
wunduniik = "traveller"
"You are bold, wunduniik. You dare enter a Dovah's home without permission."
"You have it. The Kel - the Elder Scroll. Tiid kreh... qalos. Time shudders at its touch."
"Do not delay. Alduin will be coming. He cannot miss the signs."
"Odahviing will come to your challenge. Boziik. Krilot. He will not be able to resist your call, from the Hill of the Dovah itself... he will come."
"Lot krongrah. You truly have the Voice of a dovah. Alduin's allies will think twice after this victory."
(Lot krongrah. = "Great victory.")
"Happy? No, I am not happy. Zeymahi lost ont du'ul Bormahu. Alduin was once the crown of our father Akatosh's creation."
Zeymahi lost ont du'ul Bormahu. = "My brother was once the crown of our father."
"But I cannot celebrate his fall. Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. He was my brother once. This world will never be the same."
(Zu'u tiiraaz ahst ok mah. = "I am sad at his fall.")
"So, it is done. Alduin dilon. The Eldest is no more, he who came before all others, and has always been."
"Dovahkiin, vosaraan! Use Dragonrend before Alduin consumes you!" [?]
"Use Dragonrend, Dovahkiin!" [?]
"He is too strong on the wing! Bring him to gol with Dragonrend!" [?]
"Use Dragonrend! It is the only chance to defeat him!" [?]
"Now, Dovahkiin! Now he is vulnerable!" [?]
"This is your chance, Dovahkiin! Strike with all your force!" [?]
"Hurt him while he is grounded!" [?]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

Paarthurnax

Paarthurnax.

  • The name "Paarthurnax" may translate to "Ambition-Overlord-Cruelty" in Dragon Language.
  • Paarthurnax is voiced by Charles Martinet, best known for his work as the voice of Mario, Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi among others, in the Super Mario Bros. video game franchise.
  • When attacked and killed before the start of the quest "Paarthurnax," he makes a pose, typical for humanoid essential NPCs.
  • Sometimes, one of the little girls running around Rorikstead, Sissel, may say, "I had a dream that there was a good dragon. He was old and grey but he wasn't scary." This is most likely a reference to Paarthurnax.
  • If the Dragonborn kills Paarthurnax during the quest of the same name, then the dragon's skeletal remains will have two intact horns even though one should be broken.
  • Paarthurnax will encourage the Dragonborn to use the Dragonrend Shout against Alduin during "Alduin's Bane," by repeatedly saying that Dragonrend is the only chance to defeat Alduin. In addition to that, when Alduin is under the effects of Dragonrend, Paarthurnax will remark that it is the Dragonborn's chance to strike Alduin.
    • Once Dragonrend was used against Alduin and the effects are worn off from him, Paarthurnax will continue to encourage the Dragonborn to use Dragonrend against him, but will say so in a less stressful tone.

Bugs[]

This section contains bugs related to Paarthurnax (Skyrim). Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:

  1. Please reload an old save to confirm if the bug is still happening.
  2. If the bug is still occurring, please post the bug report with the appropriate system template  360  /  XB1  ,  PS3  /  PS4  ,  PC  /  MAC  ,  NX  /  PS5  ,  XS  , depending on which platform(s) the bug has been encountered on.
  3. Be descriptive when listing the bug and fixes, but avoid having conversations in the description and/or using first-person anecdotes: such discussions belong on the appropriate forum board.
  •  PC   360   PS3   When the Dragonborn is told by the Blades that Paarthurnax should be slain, Paarthurnax may remain essential.
    •  PC (Fix)   To remedy this, simply open the command console, click on Paarthurnax with the cursor, and enter Disable. Paarthurnax will disappear and the game will act as if he was killed. The soul will still be absorbed, sometimes with sound and sometimes without. Fast Traveling right after disabling Paarthurnax will not stop the soul from being absorbed.
    •  PC (Fix)   Alternatively, open the command console, click on Paarthurnax with the cursor, and enter setessential 0. Paarthurnax will be rendered as non-essential, and then enter kill to kill Paarthurnax.
  •  PC   XB1   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.
  •  PC   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   PS4   If Paarthurnax is attacked while teaching "Yol," he may fly off and not return.
  •  XB1   Paarthunax may not spawn.

Appearances[]

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
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