The Paarthurnax Dilemma: Can You Join the Blades Without Sacrificing the Dragon?
The question of whether you can join the Blades in Skyrim without killing Paarthurnax is a thorny one, fraught with moral implications and gameplay consequences. The short answer is: no, not fully. To complete the Blades’ questline and unlock all their benefits, you will be forced to choose between siding with them and maintaining your relationship with Paarthurnax. You can join them initially and even complete some quests, but ultimately, the main quest will stall unless you eliminate the dragon.
The Moral Quandary: Paarthurnax’s Past vs. Present
The conflict centers around the past deeds of Paarthurnax, an ancient dragon who was once a lieutenant to Alduin. He aided Alduin in his tyrannical reign over Skyrim. The Blades, sworn protectors of the Dragonborn and staunch enemies of dragons, deem his past crimes unforgivable and demand his death as a necessary act of justice.
However, Paarthurnax has since repented. He has spent centuries in seclusion, meditating and guiding the Greybeards in the Way of the Voice, a philosophy of peace and self-control. He has become a valuable mentor to the Dragonborn, helping them understand their powers and their destiny.
This moral conflict forces players to weigh the value of redemption against the demands of vengeance. It’s a difficult decision, and there is no easy answer. The game doesn’t explicitly punish you for either choice, but each path has tangible effects on your gameplay experience and your relationships with other characters. It’s this type of ethical decision-making that can make games a powerful tool for learning, as discussed at the Games Learning Society.
The Gameplay Consequences: Blades vs. Greybeards
Choosing to kill Paarthurnax appeases the Blades. This allows you to continue their questline, which primarily involves recruiting new members and sending them on dragon-slaying missions. However, it comes at a significant cost.
- Loss of Greybeard Support: The Greybeards, who respect and trust Paarthurnax, will become hostile towards you. Arngeir will refuse to reveal the locations of new Word Walls, hindering your ability to learn new Dragon Shouts.
- Diminished Paarthurnax Bonuses: Paarthurnax provides unique meditation bonuses that enhance your Shouts. Killing him, of course, removes access to these beneficial effects.
Choosing to spare Paarthurnax preserves your relationship with the Greybeards and allows you to continue benefiting from his wisdom and guidance. However, it permanently halts the Blades’ questline. Esbern and Delphine will refuse to interact with you further, and you won’t be able to recruit new Blades beyond the initial three.
Making the Choice: A Matter of Personal Preference
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to kill Paarthurnax is a personal one. There’s no “right” or “wrong” answer. It depends on your playstyle, your moral compass, and your priorities within the game.
- Completionists who want to experience every aspect of the game may feel compelled to complete the Blades’ questline, even at the cost of Paarthurnax’s life.
- Role-players who prioritize moral consistency and character development may choose to spare Paarthurnax, even if it means sacrificing certain gameplay advantages.
- Pragmatic players may weigh the benefits of each choice and choose the option that provides the most tangible rewards.
Regardless of your decision, the Paarthurnax dilemma serves as a powerful example of the ethical choices that games can present, forcing players to confront complex issues and consider the consequences of their actions. This aligns with the research and discussions held at GamesLearningSociety.org, which explores the educational and social impact of video games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about joining the Blades and the Paarthurnax dilemma:
1. Can I initially join the Blades and then decide later about Paarthurnax?
Yes, you can join the Blades and even complete some initial quests. The quest “Paarthurnax” will remain active until you choose to either kill him or ignore the quest entirely.
2. What happens if I just ignore the “Paarthurnax” quest?
If you ignore the “Paarthurnax” quest, it will remain in your quest log indefinitely. You can continue playing the game as normal, maintaining your relationship with both the Blades and the Greybeards, but you won’t be able to complete the Blades’ questline or recruit any additional members beyond the initial three.
3. Can I kill Esbern and Delphine to avoid killing Paarthurnax?
No. Esbern and Delphine are essential characters and cannot be killed.
4. Does killing Paarthurnax affect the main quest?
Killing Paarthurnax does not affect the main quest completion. You can still defeat Alduin regardless of your decision regarding Paarthurnax.
5. Are there any mods that allow me to complete the Blades’ questline without killing Paarthurnax?
Yes, several mods are available that offer alternative solutions to the Paarthurnax dilemma. These mods typically introduce new dialogue options, quests, or factions that allow you to reconcile the Blades and Paarthurnax without sacrificing either. Search for “Paarthurnax Dilemma” or similar terms on Nexus Mods.
6. What are the benefits of recruiting new Blades?
Recruiting new Blades primarily serves to fulfill the Blades’ questline. These recruits will accompany you on dragon-slaying missions, providing additional combat support. The recruits gain experience and level up as you hunt more dragons with them.
7. Do the recruited Blades have unique skills or abilities?
No, recruited Blades are generic followers. Their skills and abilities are determined by their chosen combat style (e.g., warrior, archer, mage).
8. Does sparing Paarthurnax affect my ability to learn Dragon Shouts?
Sparing Paarthurnax preserves your ability to learn Dragon Shouts. Killing him will result in Arngeir refusing to tell you the location of new Word Walls.
9. Can I reverse my decision after killing Paarthurnax?
Without mods, you cannot reverse your decision after killing Paarthurnax. He is permanently dead, and the consequences of your actions are irreversible.
10. Is Paarthurnax evil?
Whether Paarthurnax is truly evil is a matter of perspective and interpretation. He committed terrible acts in the past as Alduin’s lieutenant, but he has since repented and dedicated himself to the Way of the Voice. Many players believe his redemption is genuine and that he deserves to be spared.
11. Can I marry Delphine?
No, Delphine is not a marriable character in the vanilla version of Skyrim. You would need to use mods or console commands to marry her.
12. What is the significance of the Greybeards?
The Greybeards are a monastic order dedicated to the Way of the Voice. They reside in High Hrothgar and serve as mentors to the Dragonborn, guiding them in the use of their Dragon Shouts. They are deeply respected within Skyrim society for their wisdom and their connection to the ancient dragons.
13. Does the Dragonborn canonically kill Paarthurnax?
There is no definitive canonical answer to whether the Dragonborn kills Paarthurnax. It’s a choice left entirely to the player, and Bethesda has not established an official stance on the matter.
14. Are the Blades Stormcloak or Imperial?
The Blades were formerly associated with the Imperial government, serving as their intelligence service and protectors of the Emperor. However, by the time of Skyrim, their allegiance is primarily to the Dragonborn, regardless of their political affiliations.
15. What is the most powerful Dragon Shout?
The “Become Ethereal” Dragon Shout is considered by many to be the most powerful, as it makes the Dragonborn invulnerable to all damage for a short period. However, other Shouts, such as “Unrelenting Force” and “Dragonrend,” are also highly effective in combat.