The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is praised for its stunning landscapes, its empowering and sometimes soothing soundtrack, and its memorable characters, among many, many other things.
One such character that finds its way into players hearts is the dragon Paarthurnax, who plays a key role in the journey of the Dragonborn to put an end to Alduin's destruction.
However, at a certain point later on in the game, the player is tasked with a very difficult quest that many choose to ignore; to kill Paarthurnax.
The quest, titled "Paarthurnax", is handed down from the Blades once they learn of his existence, and is essential for the continuation of the Blades questline.
Many players find themselves in front of a dilemma for a variety of different reasons, and most players eventually choose to spare Paarthurnax. Some, however, argue that the Blades make valid points, and that killing Paarthurnax is not such a bad idea.
The purpose of this article
This article was written with two purposes in mind, mainly to help players make a better informed decision on their own, and secondly, to touch on some of the questions the game raises with this infamous quest.
The complex situation at hand
As mentioned previously, Paarthurnax plays a crucial role in defeating Alduin. Upon meeting the Dragonborn, he aids the player in a variety of ways, from passing down important and valuable knowledge, to teaching shouts and battling Alduin on the throat of the world.
This series of interactions position Paarthurnax in a positive light, especially once the player is informed of Paarthunax's role in betraying Alduin during the Dragon War, an ancient war fought during the mythic era. He also helped teach the thu'um to man, which was necessary in banishing Alduin, and slaying the dragon overlords.
However, as it is also revealed, Paarthurnax had a dark past prior to that betrayal, as he used to serve under Alduin as his lieutenant. During this time he is said to have committed many atrocities and crimes against man, which is one of the main reasons why the Blades want him dead.
The other reason why the Blades wish to kill Paarthurnax is because he is a dragon. In the Elder Scrolls universe, it is in the very nature of dragons to dominate and to deceive.
Paarthurnax claims that he has been able to suppress these urges by constantly meditating in isolation, and studying the way of the voice, but he also states how not a day goes by where he is not tempted to return to his inborn nature.
The player has to take into account the possibility that one day Paarthurnax may betray man, like how he once betrayed Alduin. Some people like to argue that his betrayal of Alduin was for his own sake, and not because of any morals or principles. While that is plausible, it remains a theory.
It's also worth considering how he came to betray Alduin. According to Paarthurnax, he disagreed with Alduin's false claim to godhood, while according to Nordic legends, it was because he was approached by the goddess Kyne.
At this point, the player has to try and figure out the motives of Paarthurnax, and whether or not his betrayal of Alduin was genuine. Furthermore, the player must be aware of his perception of Paarthurnax, and how they are inclined to view him based on how the story progresses.
Speaking of perception, there exists another character at the other end of the spectrum, one that is often disliked in the community for various reasons, and one that orders you to kill Paarthurnax; Delphine.
Delphine as a character is hard not to dislike, she is arrogant, impulsive and acts superior to the Dragonborn, the very person she is supposed to serve as a Blade. This is important to mention, because the player has to be aware of whether or not such a character ordering you to kill a character you are very fond of, influences the way you perceive the quest.
Esbern on the other hand, is relatively far more reasonable. He is a very knowledgeable person, so much so that he had successfully predicted the return of the dragons and Alduin. He too recognizes the risks of keeping Paarthurnax alive, and states that he should be brought to justice for his crimes.
When confronted about his crimes, Paarthurnax utters his most famous quote: "What is better, to be born good, or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?" Here is where the quest becomes more philosophical, and where the player has to answer that question, and think of the implications of the answer.
The philosophy at play
Which is indeed better: To be born good? Or to overcome your evil nature through great effort?
As far as achievements go, it is true that results obtained through effort weigh more than those which are innate, but in this context, is it valid?
Would a criminal, arrested for his crimes, be freed upon stating those words in court?
Is the delivery of justice still required when the criminal has changed for the better? If a criminal does as much good as he has done evil, how much of a criminal is he?
What if it had been 5 years since his crimes? Or 25? Does time elapsed since crime lessen the need for justice?
What is the point of justice? Is it to punish? Or is it to turn criminals into something better? Would it therefore make sense to apply it to someone who has claimed they have changed for the better?
How can one be sure a criminal has truly changed? Are his words enough? Would it require great acts on their behalf?
What of the victims? Would their opinions on the criminal change in any capacity? What if they're dead? How can one determine what a deceased victim would come to think?
Do the achievements of the criminal, however great they are, outweigh the suffering they have caused?
These are some of the many questions a player may find themselves wondering about throughout this quest.
Conclusion
Whether or not it was intentional, this quest raises some important philosophical questions about the concepts of justice and redemption, and truly puts the player in an uncomfortable position, and makes them judge a very difficult case.
While to the player, the eventual decision matters, what matters as much is their reasoning behind the path they take. It is my hope that this article helps players in viewing the situation under a different light, and realize the sheer amount of things to consider and weigh, from facts to beliefs, I hope this quest now sparks within you new and interesting conversations worth having with yourself and with fans around you.
I didn't kill Paarthurnax. As for your philosophical question, since I tend to stand in stark disagreement with the criminal justice system as a whole, I would say that to persecute someone who has demonstrated true remorse and isn't likely to reoffend to be wholly worthy of living his or her life free from the debilitating nature of a criminal record.
We see this same philosophical question poised in Les Miserables. Jean Valjean has quite a rap sheet, and he ultimately breaks his parole when he realizes his record will leave him in shame and poverty. Yet as the readers (or theater audience for musical lovers), we are meant to be on his side. Javert is cold and unforgiving, Valjean a man who has helped many, many people.
I believe achievements always outweigh suffering. As victims of crime (or their families) can attest, the pursuit of "justice" often just reopens old wounds and doesn't allow them to get on with their lives. They are forced to go through the initial process, then the lengthy appeals process.