Why/why shouldnt I kill Paarthurnax?

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Officer

New Member
I haven't played skyrim in eight days because of this question. I know, in the past, Paarthurnax has done terrible stuff, but he's changed now...I felt a connection with him ever since he tought me the fire shout and meditated with me. But if not me, then who will punish Paarthrnax for what he's done?
 

Dabiene Caristiana

Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
This is why I have a love/hate relationship with this game and Bethesda. They make you think twice and some of the quests tug at your heartstrings.

I left him alone due to many reasons. For one, he is indirectly responsible for the salvation of all on Nirn. And thus, their decedents. He could have chose to defy Kynareth/Kyne and help his brother. Some sources say he pitied the mortal races and helped him. Other say it was both Kyne and his pity that made him teach the mortals the words of the dovah/dragons. Nevertheless, he helped when he could have just turned his back.

Two, he went against his own kin. For mortals this is an easy thing. It's seen all the time, brother fighting brother. But dragons have a huge pride. To choose mortals over the dragons is monumental in a dragon's view. It's pure betrayal. Paarthurnax new this but decided to go ahead with it. Against his own brother.

Three, he waited for thousands of years knowing his brother would return. He could have left at any time. Instead he decided to roost there and help the Greybeards with their meditation. When Alduin returned he did not join his brother. He could have joined and pillaged Helgen, Kynesgrove, and others, raised an army with him. But no, he stayed. Another reason I believe he stayed was Alduin was too furious with his brother and I doubt he would let him join after such a betrayal. I think Paarthurnax new this when he decided to betray him. What was the point of betrayal if he wanted to go back? He knew once he made the choice there would be no going back. None. But he did it anyway.

Another reason to believe he should live, is he once again inadvertently saves the world by teaching the Last Dragonborn and helping him find the Dragonrend shout. He even fights his own brother with you once Alduin comes.

When Alduin does die and you return he admits he feels a great loss. Which is understandable. Paarthurnax knew what would happen and accepted it. He also accepts the fact he may return for the real end times. Whatever the case, Paarthurnax always helps you even though he knew what was coming.

I believe this is due to his promise to helping the mortals when he betrayed his kin. Dragons keep their promises due to pride and honor. He fulfilled it to the very end at the cost of his brother and all of his kin. That takes guts.

Of all the lives he did took and due to his name sake, I believe he redeemed himself, in my eyes. He has secluded himself on purpose for a few reasons which are known, indirectly saved the world twice because of his actions, and thus saved thousands of lives. He's the cliche of the bad guy gone good, darkness turned to light. Paarthurnax also admits he has struggled with his inner nature. But he has always prevailed. That's true strength. If one were to question "What if he goes off on a killing rampage?!" He has been there for thousands of years. He could have 'cracked' at any time. Real strength right there.

That's why I always spared him. He pretty much saved the world. What an awesome dragon. :)
 

The Honorable Gidian Diva of Sass

Sahrot Vahlok Spaan. Bahnahgaar. Minion #88!
Staff member
Also, Delphine is a bit**. Don't do anything she says if you don't have to.
 

Mighty Pecan Pie

The secret American
I did kill Paartunax on my first playthrough, I was curious for what the Blades had in store for me. Well, I've never killed him again, felt bad for it later on.
 
I saved, backed up that save on a flash drive, and then copied that save to a different account before I went about finding out what happens if I murder my best friend. Needless to say, I returned to the save instead of going about it my business, the other pass is more horrid.
 
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This quest right here - right in the feels!

I couldn't do it. Like, even knowing that I could just reload a save, I couldn't do it - it was just wrong. I've spared him every time I've played and I've grown to hate Delphine and Esbern. I don't even like that portion of the story line anymore. :ashstab:
 

TheNatural

Active Member
I never Kill Paarthurnax. That being said, you might want to edit your thread title! Believe it or not, some people might not have reached that point in the game, and it's kind of a spoiler! ;)
 

Sah

Well-Known Member
sorry this one is late :p...*puts a bucket of butter & feathers on the table*.....*giggles*.....all set for tonight's initiation at the park! :D

such a simple question...but what a can of worms....inspired by events from our world...events we have lived and have affected us all on some level...this is not the place for this one to open that can...sorry
:sadface:

A Different Approach to the same question
;)

Skyrim will NOT judge you for who you are...the question is will you?....spoiler....have you eaten human flesh?...no one is watching you...no need be self-conscious of your action...no need to explain to anyone... your reasons for doing so...(but try explaining that too, lets say your Mother, Wife...friend?)...:eek:what the hell are you playing?

JUDGMENT its programed into us from the moment we take our first breath....we judge & get judged...and we use it like a shield or a mace...we reject(block) & attack (bash) with it...every one dose it....just think of how many times it happened today...how many examples can you find...and how many time where you Justified to Judge or to be judged...and why is there a need to inflict self-judgment.......and where dose the "he who is without sin may cast the first stone"....come into the picture....

at the end of the day it dose not mater what this one or any one else says....like it or not...you will have to dig deep into you and make your own mind up....then trust me you WILL know what to do with Paarthurnax....you will have to live with the results...but the best part is, for you to be asking...means you have the answer too...you just don't know it yet!


wish it was so easy in real life!, yours Sah
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
I don't trust reptiles. Paarth is a dragon. Dragons are reptiles. Once a reptile always a reptile. Humans feel remorse and guilt. Reptiles do not. Humans practice compassion and love. Reptiles do not. Dragons aspire to dominate, tis the order of the reptile. Paarth knew Alduin would be back to challenge any rule he may impose during his absence.

Of course Paarth is gonna kiss some Dragonborn butt, he's weak and he needs a bodyguard for the return of Alduin who will surely take his vengeance out on Paarth first and foremost. Paarth is a traitor, a coward and a criminal. Paarth doesn't even trust himself. He had a thousand years or more to help prepare mankind for the return of Alduin and all he did was hide on a mountain and wait for the Dragonborn to appear and carry the load.

Paarth will outlive pretty much every humanoid on Skyrim and I wouldn't hang the future of Skyrim on a traitorous reptile.

Anyway, that's why I think you SHOULD kill him. :)
 

Dabiene Caristiana

Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
Because he's... A reptile? That's your argument? o_O

Meh, to each his own. I also explained all those things you pointed out. But again! To each his own. :)

Though I sense something... Perhaps a traumatic experience as a child? With... Snakes and lizards perhaps? ;) It's ok, those scaly creatures aren't so bad. Perhaps some... 'therapy' might help you. :pinkdragon::p:D
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
Because he's... A reptile? That's your argument? o_O

Meh, to each his own. I also explained all those things you pointed out. But again! To each his own. :)

Though I sense something... Perhaps a traumatic experience as a child? With... Snakes and lizards perhaps? ;) It's ok, those scaly creatures aren't so bad. Perhaps some... 'therapy' might help you. :pinkdragon::p:D


Ahhhhhh... personal attacks in defense of Paarth. Not unexpected. Lol.
 

Dabiene Caristiana

Your friendly neighborhood weirdo
Nah, just playing around ;)

I can see why people would kill him. Either putting him out of his misery, revenge for fallen ancestors, etc. Like I said before, to each their own. I tried going through with it and killing him. But I felt terrible. I think I have an overdose of empathy to the point where I bond with fake characters/legendary creatures. :p
 

LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
Nah, just playing around ;)

I can see why people would kill him. Either putting him out of his misery, revenge for fallen ancestors, etc. Like I said before, to each their own. I tried going through with it and killing him. But I felt terrible. I think I have an overdose of empathy to the point where I bond with fake characters/legendary creatures. :p

It's all good. I practice empathy constantly in Skyrim. I've never killed a bunny or a fox, not once. I don't join the DB. Never went cannibal, ever. Adopt both homeless kids, etc. etc, but with regards to Paarth, he's not an innocent. He's a war criminal of the highest order and leaving him around with a bunch of dragons running around just seems like a terrible idea. Paarth is part of the hierarchy that almost wiped out mankind, that can't be tolerated nor allowed to flourish imo. With Alduin gone, Paarth becomes the head of the snake and must be dealt with.... in my opinion. :)

Btw, no fear of reptiles whatsoever. I've had reptile pets in fact.
 

Sah

Well-Known Member
Bethesda has revealed that The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has sold more than 20 million copies since its launch back in 2011, and as a result has pushed it into the top twenty bestselling games of all time. Jan 28, 2014 TIME MAGAZINE


so lets get started...using the above model...20 million people played the game of Skyrim...let’s say that all 20 million finished the game...that means all 20 million had to make the same discussion about Paarthurnax...

this one will look at this using the middle path...this one will accept, only for arguments sake that the percentage is 50/50...10 million people kill him & 10 million spare his life

you see the interesting thing here is that there are 20 million games running...20 million parallel lives...all converging onto one point...one character; Paarthurnax in our case of interest...

that's 20 million people at one point in time thinking about the same thing.....NOW we have entered into the domain of the collective consciousness...think of it as a cloud...but for thought...you can upload & download from it...the Skyrim collective is only part of a lager one...the human collective consciousness...everything is here...all thoughts ever made & all the thoughts about to be made (inspiration)...here time stops existing...it is just a concept...a word

Now in the case of the 10 million people that do decide to kill Paarthurnax...that's 10 million times he is punished for the same crime ... the thing is that he just dose not die 10 million times...he will be despised, hated...all our anger is dumped onto him...10 million times......it does not matter anymore...he now is the embodiment for all ATROCITY...even the ones he hasn't committed...this is very justified to do so...you have your core set of beliefs...you would not be killing him... if there was not something there to support your actions...

but there is one point this one must add....if it makes any one who is facing this dilemma...if it makes you feel better...Paarthurnax is already in Hell.... punished again & again for his crimes...even the ones he has not committed...

so next time you charge in ...screaming for blood...... just ask yourself one thing...aren't 10 million deaths not enough?...will it make you happy that you are about to be number 10,000,001



yours Sah
 
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LotusEater

I brake for blue butterflies
Well, in the ether Paarth and I are playing horseshoes and I'm letting him win. So it's all good. We all have our roles to play here in the physical realm. :)
 

T. Rakinson

A Brute among Beasts
When I kill Paarthurnax, I don't do it for his soul. I don't do it in agreement with the Blades. I don't even do it after formulating an opinion of my own. I do it so that I can RAGDOLL HIS BONEY CORPSE OFF OF DA TOTW!
Try it, its fun.

Funny aside though, I just cant trust him. Of course he didn't turn evil after the revolt, there were barely any dragons left (also Akaviri), he would be dead within a month. But by 4E 201Y there is lots of dragons, and once you've killed the kingpin (Destroyer Devour Master) he's in a good position to claim power. I mean, do any of you ever get bored and go on killing spree's? Its like that, but this chaps had nothing to do for MILLENIA. Except from making snow dragons.
 

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