Into Skyrim, Elder Scrolls 8 Nirn's Beta-Chapter 101: Paarthurnax

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Hiking up the rest of the mountian was easy enough. Thanks to the blue jewel that sat around my neck the wind and cold ignored me. Though it still made the climb hard as I made a few near missteps off the side of the mountain.

It was safe to say the power that protects the throat of the world is similar to the one that covers Atmora. As even the ice wraiths that hide within the frosted wind ignored me.

Eventually though I passed the clouds and the winds began to fade. The snow was dense and I had to constantly shift my weight. I reached the peak as the night was consuming the day.

On the plateau Paarthurnax stood out against the red sky. "So you have come..."

I smirked, "What? Didn't think I would be interested in talking to the grandmaster of the greybeards."

Paarthurnax gave what looked like a shrug, "Joor Do Zok Paar, your ambitions, I expected them to guide you."

I mentally translated what he said, "Mortal of Greatest Ambition?"

Paarthurnax smiled at me, "Is that not what you are? Titles they come naturally, much like I am a traitor, or like Alduin is the world-eater. The question is, do you think you live up to the title."

It wasn't a question, I frowned at the cryptic message. "How long have you been watching me?"

Paarthurnax tilted his head, "Me? Watching? How would I do that?"

I sighed, "Can you not be so annoying? We both know you use far sight."

Paarthurnax nodded, "Fair enough, I suppose you don't wish to humor this old man. I will only be as verbose as I need to be. As for how long, Zu'u Dok'trin Nol Velhe... About as long as you have been in skyrim."

I whistled, that was surprising. "Why watch me? Why watch me for so long?"

Paarthurnax tilted his head, "Is that not obvious? I sensed the compendium, the dictionary, Fin Pel Do Dovahzul."

The draconic translator? He sensed the dictionary and decided to watch me? I thought for a moment and eyed Paarthurnax. "You know who wrote it?"

Paarthurnax nodded, "Of course I do. So do you, if you think about it."

I shook my head, "I don't know their name. Just that it was written by one of Jurgen Windcaller's first disciples."

Paarthurnax laughed at me, "Oh, I don't mean to be rude... It is just, unexpected." He smiled at knowing a secret I didn't. He spoke again letting me in on what he knew. "The writer of that book is named Asgeld Frostwane. As in the ancestor of Vek Frostwane, your ancestor."

I frowned, I didn't like what that implied. Paarthurnax nodded at my discontent. "Your feelings make sense on the matter. However just because you are Vek Frostwane, doesn't mean Vek Frostwane did not exist before you. Does this mean you are guided to name yourself this and take someone else's fate or did you name yourself Vek Frostwane and behest your own fate?"

I rubbed my eyes at the stupid question, "Do you know who Lokir is?"

Paarthurnax shook his head, "I do not, is he someone special?"

I shook my head, "I had someone else research this, but he does not exist. No man named Lokir ever lived in Rorikstead. No man named Lokir was ever captured by the imperial legion. However a man named Stephan is from Rorikstead. A man named Stephan stole a horse and was trying to escape the war..."

Paarthurnax frowned at my words, "I believe I understand your words. The Kiir Do Saviik's Dun, Stephan's soul replaced a man named Lokir. In your case, a chain reaction occurred, rewriting a small piece of history. This has happened on greater scales before, so it makes sense."

I nodded, "The significance is meaningless and there is no reason to dwell on said ideas."

Paarthurnax peered at me, "You do not wish to explore the notion?"

I shrugged, "I am who i am, nothing more, nothing less."

Paarthurnax laughed, "You are more than I thought. You deserve to learn what your ancestor designed."

I rolled my eyes, "Testing me?"

Paarthurnax responded with his own flippancy, "It was required, I needed to know if you are centered. I can only teach half of the knowledge and it is what I am born to do."

That made me raised an eyebrow, "The way of the voice is only half of what you suggest I learn?"

Paarthurnax nodded, "An unfortunate turn of events. However I am sure you can understand, as the civil war was started by a man who learned the way of the voice."

I continued my curious look, "I thought you didn't care what happens with worldly affairs."

Paarthurnax laughed, "When those worldly affairs cause strife in the hearts of those dear to me I tend to have a change of attitude."

I laughed, "I understand what you mean, but hearing you say that is funny. I mean I can understand why Arngeir would be torn up about the whole Ulfric vaporizing a man with his voice. However hearing a dragon say an old man is dear to him is just... out of left field funny for me."

Paarthurnax gave a chuckled of his own. "I can see it." I cleared his throat, "I feel we should get back on track."

I nodded, "So you are going to teach me Thu'um? but how is that only half of Asgeld's design? What even is this design you speak of?"

Paarthurnax nodded, "Well to start teaching you to use Thu'um will be easy. You have memorized many words from the Dovahzul translator. The design though, it is in the book. Named, but not translated."

I frowned, "Silovaas Lah, a word that came up in a last page of the dictionary. It was the most common not translated word. Is that the design?"

Paarthurnax shook his head, "I am surprised you do not know what it means. I figured someone as smart as you would figure it out. Silovaas Lah, no it is not Asgeld's design. It is only the Dovahzul word for the other half of his design."

I sighed, "It is the word for Tonal Magic. I had a theory about it, but I wasn't sure. Words matter a lot when it comes to Dovahzul so I couldn't be sure."

Paarthurnax nodded, "A good perspective, the basis of Dovahzul is understanding. I am not keen on the details however Tonal magic is much the same. When Asgeld combined the two his voice grew to be immeasurable..."

His voice trailed off and I heard the unspoken words. "To the point it killed him."

Paarthurnax nodded once more, "Torn apart by a song of words."

My eyes widened, "This design, its chain shouting? An Infusion of multiple shouts?"

Paarthurnax smiled at me, "You are quick, yes. This is an accurate idea of Asgeld's design. Normally one must speak the words and turn them into power bit by bit. With his design one could string words together, fusing the power of multiple shouts together. One of his many theories was if one mastered both the Thu'um and Tonal magics you could alter the world without the need of spoken words."

I nodded, "I could see it, though I would need to know more about Tonal magics before I could say it is feasible. By mastering both one may be able to turn their thoughts into the magic. My guess Asgeld likely tried this trick and blew his head off."

Paarthurnax shook his head, "I do not know the details of how he died. I only heard of his death years after. However I do believe that would be an accurate guess."

I looked at Paarthurnax, "Why do you want me to try and learn this?"

Paarthurnax smiled, "I wish to see if such a thing is possible. You are certainly not the ideal moral individual. However from what I watched from here, you won't use such a power for needless violence."

I nodded, that was a fair assessment. "So I have to learn Tonal magics on my own and complete the design?"

Paarthurnax did something akin of a shrug. "Yes, that part is mostly up to you. However I believe Asgeld wrote other books. Though, I do warn you. You may need to translate them."

I nodded, "Tonal magics are dwemer in nature. It would make some sense he would write other books in the related languages."

Paarthurnax paused, "This may be difficult, but an old friend may know where one or two books are. Though if you meet them I'd suggest you do not mention me. Vulthuryol of blackreach may know."

I frowned as I received a quest to head to blackreach and speak with Vulthuryol. Paarthurnax though seemed squeamish at the mention of Vulthuryol. "What are you hiding? This Vulthuryol? What is your relationship with them?"

Paarthurnax sighed and blew smoke out his nose. "Dragons... we do not have gender. The birth of a new dragon is complicated though possible. This is why some dragons are younger and more naive than others. I believe you know one such dragon by the name of Maarnid? The point I am leading to is we are born in... Batches?"

I laughed, "You mean they are essentially a sibling?"

Paarthurnax nodded, but disagreed verbally. "Close, the term is lost on me. When mortals... How do I? Ah, sometimes you a parent births clones. This is an accurate term for me and Vulthuryol."

I frowned as I tried to figure out what Paarthurnax meant. He clearly had no education on this subject and discussion of it is difficult. I snapped my fingers, "You mean twins!."

Paarthurnax laughed, "Yes! That is the word. Dovahzul doesn't have such a word. Numbers have no meaning in Dovahzul so a word for twin doesn't exist."

It made sense, that opened a different can of worms though. "I though Ma means ten? What is Maarnid's name mean?"

Paarthurnax laughed, "Tin Skull Sprout, Dovah do not have many phrases. However his name is one of the few phrases that have double meaning."

A translation issue, "I suppose that makes sense. A translational issue... When you teach me The way of the voice can you teach me words not commonly used?"

Paarthurnax paused and nodded. "I can do that, but I believe Asgeld had notes on words like that. For that book I believe it would be stored in the College of Winterhold."

I had to go there eventually anyway, "So..."

Paarthurnax laughed, "Mu Lomaas Do Faal Geld, we have danced about the subject. We will start your training tomorrow. I suggest you head down the mountain. Sleeping up here is not ideal."

I nodded, "Thanks for the translation, Lomaas means dance and Geld means Subject. When should I climb up?"

Paarthurnax tilted his head in thought, "The translation is no problem. You asked for the help on the uncommon words. Geld is surprisingly unused. As for the time, whenever you feel like it really. I have plenty of time."

I looked around the peak of the mountain. "Yeah, do you just sit up here?"

Paarthurnax nodded, "I mostly meditate and fly around sometimes. Use far sight to spy on mortals..."

I stared at him and he stared back. I raised a hand, "Do you want some kind of toy? I am sure I can come up with something to entertain you and fill your time."

Paarthurnax shrugged, "Yeah, if you want. I do not mind how I spend my time."

I started walking toward the path back down. "I'll come up with something, I don't fault your time. It just sounds really boring."

Paarthurnax made gesture to confirm or deny my words. "Be careful heading back down."

I took that as it was in fact very boring, and I made my way back down the mountain.