Prerequisites: Complete Main Quest: Alduin’s Bane

Intersecting Quests: Main Quest: The Fallen, Main Quest: Paarthurnax, Other Faction Quests (The Greybeards Quests): Word Wall Revelations*, Other Faction Quests (The Greybeards Quests): Meditations on Words of Power*

Locations: Whiterun, Dragonsreach

Characters: Esbern, General Tullius, Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, Jarl Vignar the Revered, Master Arngeir, Paarthurnax, Ulfric Stormcloak

Enemies: Alduin, Odahviing

Objectives: Talk to Paarthurnax, OR Talk to Arngeir, OR Talk to Esbern, Talk to the Jarl of Whiterun, Learn Shout to call Odahviing, Prepare trap for Odahviing, Call Odahviing to Dragonsreach, Defeat and trap Odahviing, Interrogate Odahviing

Part 1: Expert Mediation

Objective: Talk to Paarthurnax
Target: Throat of the World

Objective: OR Talk to Arngeir
Target: High Hrothgar

Objective: OR Talk to Esbern
Target: Sky Haven Temple

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Alduin collapses to the ground after you deal him a particularly impressive blow. But the arch-dragon isn’t some common serpent; he is firstborn of Akatosh! He cannot be slain here, even by you.

He takes to the skies, and even your Dragonrend cannot stop him. He seems weakened; he’s down but not out. Now you must seek the guidance of your chosen ally. You have three to choose from:

1. Paarthurnax

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If you are favoring the kinship of the Greybeards over the Blades, you may seek council with Paarthurnax. Mention that you need to find out where Alduin went, and the dragon ponders this. Perhaps an ally of his could be convinced to betray him...