“ | Sky above, Voice within. | „ |
~ Arngeir, one of the five members of the Greybeards |
The Greybeards are a group of reclusive followers who follow the way of the voice and study the power of the Thu'um in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. They consist of five members that live atop of the Throat of the World in a fortress known as High Hrothgar. Most of the members only speak through the means of the Thu'um, being that their voices are to strong to speak normally.
Members
Paarthurnax
The leader of the Greybeards who lives at the very peak of the Throat of the World. Paarthurnax was once a follower of Alduin who later defected and began teaching mortals the Way of the Voice. He is capable of teaching the Dragonborn various forms of meditation which can assist them with using their shouts. After learning of his existence and his time while serving under Alduin, The Blades will order the Dragonborn to kill him, stating he/she is either "with them or against them". If the Dragonborn does choose to to kill Paarthurnax, the rest of the Greybeards will banish him/her from High Hrothgar, branding them as a traitor and enemy.
Arngeir
The main speaker of the four graybeards that live in High Hrothgar, he is the only member who can speak directly to the Dragonborn. While training the Dragonborn, he will act as their main mentor as well. He will also be the one who banishes the Dragonborn should he/she choose to defect.
Borri, Einarth, and Wulfgar
The three other members who live with Arngeir inside High Hrothgar. Their voices are too powerful to be able to communicate normally, which Arngeir notes that "even a whisper can kill you". If the Dragonborn tries to communicate with them, it will only result in a ring of a bell followed by the word "Dovahkiin". They will provide the Dragonborn will some of the necessary words of the Unrelenting Force, Whirlwind Sprint, and Clear Skies shouts, as well as the necessary souls to learn them.