I was just thinking about Paarthurnax, the request of Delphine, the history of Alduin, Paarthurnax and the first dragon war. Is it possible that Paarthurnax was tired of taking orders from Alduin and wanted to find a way for him to take the position at the top. Maybe he didn't think he could beat Alduin on his own (seems likely that he couldn't) so he had to recruit humans to help him. The first war ended in a bit of a stalemate so he just bides his time and lays low waiting until a dragonborn adventurer revealed himself and looked capable of beating Alduin. In the intervening time he comes up with a more final solution to the problem of his brother while he lives on top of a mountain where he can pay lip service to peace among the greybeards whenever they feel the need to hassle him about something.

He's 5000 years old. All he needs to do is stay peaceful during the lifetime of the Dovahkiin and there won't be anyone to stop him taking over where Alduin left off. Well, maybe not the eating the world bit as he seems content with this one, but pretty much doing whatever he wants. This seems slightly more likely after I read his name either means "Ambition Overlord Cruelty" or "Ambition Tyranny Cruelty".

It seems an awfully long game to play even for a dragon.

but I play a high elf so he might have to wait for a long time.

its possible, anything is really. dovah seem to have a really loose grasp of time so the 5000 year wait wouldn't effect him that bad. All though he meditates constantly to repress his tyrannical and homicidal tendencies. I don't think that part is an act, all though it is his very nature to want to do those things

Seeming as my dragonborn is an immortal vampire I would say that's a terribly silly plan.

Op it's entirely possible. Also consider that the greybeards are merely a reformed dragon cult, Dragr and Dragon Priests are the remnants of the first dragon cults. The greybeards are extremely powerful and if they grow in number, while Paarth waits for the Dovakiin to die, they could become a serious force to be reckoned with. Also Paarth is bound to recruit some dragons to his side, based on the conversion with Odaviing it appears dragons will side with whoever is strongest in the way of thee voice. Which pretty much leaves Paarth as the only option since most wouldn't side with the Dovakiin since he isn't a dragon.

It's an interesting theory.
And Alduin had to come back from banishment first to resurrect the fallen dragons.
Otherwise Parth would have no army to lead.

Oh great Divines, what have I done?
[img]http://ll-media.tmz.com/2009/08/18/0818_favre_viking_bn-1.jpg[/img]
Dovahkiin played as a pawn!

all the main games heros have been pawns to some extent


Hell the Nerevarine was the biggest pawn as The Mythic Dawn had infiltraded The Empire and got him to free the heart of Lokrhan allowing Dagons invasion in Oblivion.

5000 years is nothing if your'e immortal.

I think you guys have convinced me to off him after the main quest >_>

Unless of course your wrong in which case you kill the last hope for peace between Dragon and Man.

That's the thing that's keeping my sword in it's sheath. It comes down to whether you think a dragon which was once the scourge of humankind could have developed a conscience. I'd like to think so, but I'm a suspicious sort. (Though thinking of the only peaceful dragon as having possibly sinister motives would probably indicate that for you in any case)