However, before he came to the aid of Mankind, he had been an ally of Alduin, and apparently committed many atrocities in Alduin's name against Man and Mer during the ancient reign of the Dragon Cult. He has also assisted Tiber Septim and the Greybeards since that time, just as he assists the Dragonborn in the present day. Paarthurnax is an ally of mankind and assisted in the rebellion of Men against Alduin in ancient days.

He lives atop the Throat of the World, just above High Hrothgar, and serves as the grandmaster of the Thu'um monks known as the Greybeards. Paarthurnax is one of the last living dragons in the world, until the unexpected reappearance of Alduin and his resurrection of many of the dragons buried in mounds all over Skyrim.