I think he can be trusted. After all, the Dragonborn defeated him in combat, and in the dragon culture (?), being powerful is the same as being right. Then again, if the Dragonborn shows any weakness, either proving they're weaker than Odahviing, or after another proves their strength, then there might be an issue.

Yes. At least while TLD is around. Dragons have a very potent sense of loyalty to power, and I believe the Winged Snow Hunter would behave himself as long as Dovahkiin is around to [censored]-slap him back into his place.

Odahviing knows the Dragonborn is currently more powerful than him. I'd imagine he'd feel very confident that no mortal other than him can match him if he decides to attack the populace. That's why I used the quotation marks because I agree that all bets will be off, eventually.

But for the short term, I think it depends on when the Dragonborn decides to do the TES hero disappearing act, or when Odahviing feels he's the strongest and can do whatever he wants without fear of the Dragonborn stopping him.

You underestimate the population of Skyrim. Cloth-equipped iron dagger-wielding commoners can easily take down a dragon

(Notice the emoticon)

I think Odahviing can be trusted he see's you as a powerful dragon and respects you after defeating him in battle, but once you're gone it could be a different story...

Oh probably after all Paarthurnax no longer has to worry about Alduin so once the Dragonborn up and vanishes he'll be free to do what ever he wants. At least in Skyrim and maybe the neighboring provinces except for Morrowind.

Odahviing is My [censored]. He comes when called. If he were not to, I would devour his soul and keep him in Dragonsreach for us all to relieve ourselves on.

ha this pretty much sums up my thoughts, Durnehviir is spared from the wrath of my axe because he's an honorable old warrior and already suffers a horrible existence....killing him will only send him back to his misery anyway.

Odahviing respects that my thu'um is strongest yet he was too quick to betray the previous holder of that title so he can't be trusted and neither can the crafty old Paarth playing his ages old chess game.

Unless you have a mod that makes him a feathere, psycho dragon that murders EVERYTHING.

As long as nothing makes him doubt that your Thu'um is the strongest, you're safe. Paathurnax can be trusted, I mean, he's spent too long overcoming his Dovah-Nature in meditation to revert back to it.

He did say your Thu'um was stronger than even Alduin's. Hence, until one is stronger than your PC (has that Starship Trooper vibe to it ) your PC can trust him in that extent. As for the rest of Nirn, hmm unsure tbh, unless the LDB can convince him.

He is very trustworthy, to the Dovahkiin. Everyone else? Who cares about them.

He isn't a slave though. You can count on him to support you, and to "not cause too much problems." He'll likely remain passive against random people, but he won't hesitate to slaughter anyone whom attacks him first.

Not a day goes by when he doesn't want to embrace his true nature, you know. He even said so himself.

a dragons gotta eat every now and then

In a word? 'No'. It's more of an alliance through power. The Dragonborn and Odahviing aren't exactly going to go chill at the Winking Skeever, get piss drunk on Nord Mead and sing bawdy songs to each other. So long as the Dragonborn proves that he/she is strong enough, Odahviing will follow his/her commands.

If the Dovahkiin shows him/herself as weaker than the dragons, then they'll question his/her leadership just as they questioned Alduin's.

The problem is that no such agreement was ever made.

He has accepted that the Dragonborn is mightier, why would he test it by torching the people the Dragonborn cares about? That would be the most idiotic thing he's done. He's smart, and I assume he wants to live. Well, how can he live? Simply don't anger the Dragonborn.

His kin's entire culture revolves around following the strongest, and as of now, he believes the Dragonborn is the strongest and as such won't want to find himself on the wrong side of the Dragonborn's weapons. If anything else, we should be wary of Paarthunax as his name means to dominate, so he may very well try to dominate the dragons himself.

However, he's succeeded at it for thousands of years. His stability is very strong.

And when Alduin returned, Paarthurnax still made the same decision he did ages ago.

We have a Ruby Dragon, a Religion that actually worships a Dragon (but does not have a great Dental Plan), and a Ruby Throne that may become vacant.

The Hist may prefer turning Thier Pets pro-Empire to becoming Ash. Bosmer have the opposite problem. Moon Sugar is grown in vast Fields that can become Ash.

Odie has the Essential Tag, and other Dragons do not.

Ships are made of Wood, and Alinor is just a short glide South.

Vvardenfell has had a reduction in the Cliffracer Population due to Saint Jiub.

All Hail Emporer Od-Ah-Viing, Son of Bormahu!

I think that Odahviing goes his own way, very much like the Dragonborn himself.

It really depends if you're talking gameplay or lore. But either way the main character has proven to be worthy of their respect. And don't forget about Dragonrend, a feared shout amongst dragons.