Skyrim: Do You Have To Kill Paarthurnax? (& What Happens if You Don’t)

Skyrim has its fair share of memorable and iconic characters; it’s part of what makes the game great. It’s part of what makes the Elder Scrolls Franchise great in general. One of those characters is Paarthurnax, his wisdom and perseverance showed us what the power of discipline can do. He showed us that with enough determination, one can change one’s nature and pre-destine path. One faction present in Skyrim, Blades, didn’t quite get Paarthurnax as the majority of players did, and they set you up on a path to kill him. Let’s see, do you have to kill Paarthurnax in Skyrim, and what really happens if you don’t?

Who is Paarthurnax in Skyrim? 

Paarthurnax (Paar Thur Nax – Ambition Overlord Cruelty in Dovahzul) is one of the characters in the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. You can find Paarthurnax on Throat of the World (or Monhaven as it is known among the dragons). Paarthurnax is among the first characters in Skyrim that greets you as Dragonborn using Thu’um. He is involved with several quests, such as The Throat of the World, Elder Knowledge, Alduin’s Bane, Dragonslayer, Repairing the Phial, and Paarthurnax. His role in Dragonborn’s quest to defeat Alduin is vital as he gives you unique insight and information on how to locate everything you need to defeat him. 

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

Paarthurnax

Before Paarthurnax took on the role of Greybeards’ leader and staunch advocate of the Jurgen Windcaller’s Way of the Voice, Paarthurnax was a lieutenant to Alduin during the mythical Dragon War. He did eventually have a change of heart and was instrumental in the Alduin’s defeat. He joined the side of men as the war was raging, and he taught them how to use and utilize Thu’um. The first Tounges: Gormlaith Golden-Hilt, Hakon One-Eye, and Felldir the Old learned the ability to Shout from him. 

After the Dragon War Paarthurnax adopted the philosophy of Jurgen Windcaller called the Way of the Voice and eventually took on the duty of leading Greybeards. The Greybeards are extremely protective of him and won’t allow just anyone to see him, in fact, most of the Tamriel is not aware of who leads the illusive Greybeards, as only a selected few throughout history had been granted the audience with him. 

Does Paarthurnax turn evil?

No, quite the opposite: Paarthurnax was born or rather created evil, just like his brother Alduin, Akatosh’s firstborn. In time, he recognized the evil of his ways and sided with humans in the great Dragon War. Paarthurnax’s help was instrumental in the Dragon War as he was the one who taught men how to Shout, just as he revealed to Dragonborn how to defeat Alduin.

Why do the Blades want to kill Paarthurnax?

The Blades want to kill Paarthurnax because he committed terrible crimes against humanity before and during the Dragon War. There is no love lost between Blades and Greybeards, as you can figure out if you pay attention to their interactions. Greybeards consider Blades to be violent savages, and Blades consider Greybeards to be passive, old, useless men. When Esbern and Delphine figure out who leads Greybeards, it doesn’t end well.

Even though Paarthurnax changed his ways, the Blades believe that he should still face the consequences. And in a way, I can see the logic behind it, and I can partially agree with them. The problem is the Blades are practically useless and terribly annoying in Skyrim (I’m talking about Delphine primarily here), so you don’t have any real incentive to actually kill Paarthurnax, or do you? 

Does killing Paarthurnax do anything?

Yes, killing Paarthurnax causes quite a few things in the game to change. First, Greybeards will shun you, and you will lose access to their radiant quests concerning Word Walls. You will also not be able to enhance your Shouts by meditating with Paarthurnax, and everything you take from High Hrothgar will count as stealing. On the other hand, you will be a fully-fledged member of the Blades, with every perk available and every radiant quest the faction provides. 

You also don’t get any reward for killing Paarthurnax, that fact alone makes the quest not worth your while alone.

What happens if you don’t kill Paarturnax?

If you don’t kill Paarthurnax, The Blades will shun you as well. So the real choice when it comes to the Paarthurnax quest is whether you would like to continue playing as a part of the Greybeard faction or Blades faction. If you decide not to kill Paarthurnax, everything you take from Sky Haven Temple will count as stealing, you will not be able to recruit new members, and you will lose access to Dragon Hunt quests and access to Esbern’s Dragon Research. All additional interactions you have with Paarthurnax will likewise still be available. 

You don’t really have to kill Paarthurnax

You don’t have to kill Paarthurnax; the quest is pretty insignificant and minor. If you delay it long enough, it disappears from your journal altogether. Of course, that counts as you not killing Paarthurnax, and the Blades will not be as friendly with you anymore. 

There is a mod that allows you to avoid that altogether. It’s called Paarthurnax Dilemma and you can download it on this link. The mod makes it possible to convince Blades to leave Paarthurnax alone and technically you can be on friendly terms with both Blades and Greybeards. 

I’ve already mentioned that the only real choice when it comes to this quest is whether you want perks granted to you by Greybeards or by Blades. And it’s true. Paarthurnax is, after the main story ends, a pretty minor character, and his being there or not does not change any major things. The decision is completely on you, and there is no “best way” to approach this quest, except, of course, if you download The Paarthurnax Dilemma.

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