Arngeir

Quests

 * The Way of the Voice
 * The Horn of Jurgen Windcaller

Dialogue

 * Dragonborn:
 * Why are the dragons returning? Does it have something to do with me?


 * Arngeir:
 * No doubt. The appearance of a Dragonborn at this time is not an accident. Your destiny is surely bound up with the return of the dragons. You should focus on honing your Voice, and soon your path will be made clear.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Surely there is more you can tell me.


 * Arngeir:
 * There is indeed much that we know that you do not. That does not mean that you are ready to understand it. Do not let your easy mastery of the Voice tempt you into the arrogance of power that has been the downfall of many Dragonborn before you.


 * Dragonborn:
 * What does it mean to be 'Dragonborn'?


 * Arngeir:
 * Dragons have the inborn ability to learn and project their Voice. Dragons also are able to absorb the power of their slain brethren. A few mortals are born with similar abilities — whether a gift or a curse has been a matter of debate down through the centuries. What you have already learned in a few days took even the most gifted of us years to achieve. Some believe that Dragonborn are sent into the world by the gods, at times of great need. We will speak more of that later, when you are ready.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Why are Shouts in the dragon language?


 * Arngeir:
 * Dragons have always been able to Shout. Language is intrinsic to their very being. There is no difference in the dragon tongue between debating and fighting. Shouting comes as naturally to a dragon as breathing or speaking. In mythic times, when mortalkind was in great need, the goddess Kynareth granted usthe ability to speak as dragons do. For most people, long years of training are required to learn even the simplest Shout. But for you, the dragon speech is in your blood, and you learn it almost without effort.


 * Dragonborn:
 * There are only four of you?


 * Arngeir:
 * Five. Our leader, Paarthurnax, lives alone on the peak of the Throat of the World. When your Voice can open the path, you will know you are ready to speak to him.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Tell me about the Greybeards.


 * Arngeir:
 * We study the Way of the Voice, according to the teachings of our founder, Jurgen Windcaller. Very few are permitted to study with us here at High Hrothgar. But in your case, Dragonborn, it is a privilege to guide you towards mastery of your Voice.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Why don't the others talk?


 * Arngeir:
 * Their Voices are too powerful for anyone not trained in the Way to withstand. Even a whisper could kill you.


 * Dragonborn:
 * What is the "Way of the Voice"?


 * Arngeir:
 * The Voice was a gift of the goddess Kynareth, at the dawn of time. She gave mortals the ability to speak as dragons do. Although this gift has often been misused, the only true use of the Voice is for the worship and glory of the gods. True mastery of the Voice can only be achieved when your inner spirit is in harmony with your outward actions. In the contemplation of the sky, Kynareth's domain, and the practice of the Voice, we strive to achieve this balance.


 * Dragonborn:
 * But I don't follow your philosophy. Why help me learn the Voice?


 * Arngeir:
 * The Dragonborn is an exception to all the rules — the Dragon Blood itself is a gift of the gods. If we accept one gift, how can we deny the other? As Dragonborn, you have received the ability to Shout directly from Akatosh. We therefore seek to guide you on the proper use of your gift, which transcends the restrictions which bind other mortals.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Who was Jurgen Windcaller?


 * Arngeir:
 * He was a great war leader of the ancient Nords, a master of the Voice, or Tongue. After the disaster of Red Mountain, where the Nord army was annihilated, he spent many years pondering the meaning of that terrible defeat. He finally came to realize that the gods had punished the Nords for their arrogant and blasphemous misuse of the Voice. He was the first to understand that the Voice should be used solely for the glory and worship of the gods, not the glory of men. Jurgen Windcaller's mastery of the Voice eventually overcame all opposition, and the Way of the Voice was born.


 * Dragonborn:
 * When can I meet your leader, Paarthurnax?


 * Arngeir:
 * As I said, you will know you are ready when your Voice can open the path to him.

Trivia

 * This character is voiced by the venerable Canadian actor Christopher Plummer.