The Greybeards The Greybeards are an ancient and honored order that dwell in their mountain sanctuary High Hrothgar , which is located on the highest mountain peak in Tamriel , the Throat of the World . As masters of Thu ' um , or " the Voice , " they live in absolute silence in order to better attune themselves to the voice of the sky . They are a peaceful order , not using their Thu ' um to augment their martial skills , but to worship and honor the gods , as the " Way of the Voice " decreed . When the Greybeards speak , storms brew above High Hrothgar , and people are forced to evacuate due to the imminent danger of avalanches . When they even so much as whisper the word " " Dovahkiin , " " it rumbles through the world , and the mountains shake . Such is their power , the last time that they spoke was when they announced the greatness of Tiber Septim . History . The Greybeards were founded by a powerful Tongue , Jurgen Windcaller , in the First Era . After he suffered a disastrous defeat at Red Mountain , where his army was annihilated , he spent seven years pondering the meaning of his defeat . He finally came to the conclusion that the gods had punished the Nords for their arrogant and blasphemous misuse of the Thu ' um . Following this revelation , Jurgen developed a pacifist creed called the " Way of the Voice " that thought that the Thu ' um should only be used for the worship and glory of the gods , rather than martial exploits . He built High Hrothgar , located near the peak of the Throat of the World in Skyrim , which served as the monastery where he and his disciples meditated and perfected their voice . It is unclear exactly when in the First Era that the Greybeards were formed , as the exact time of Jurgen Windcaller ' s seven - year meditation is not known . It occurred after a momentous defeat at Red Mountain , and the most well - known defeat of the Nordic forces at Red Mountain was the Battle of Red Mountain , circa 1E 700 . However , the Nords had been driven out of Morrowind hundreds of years earlier , around 1E 416 , and the " Five Songs of King Wulfharth " suggests that the Greybeards were already in existence before Wulfharth ' s first death in 1E 533 . During the Second Era the Greybeards were silent for years until they spoke a name ; Tiber Septim , who was called to High Hrothgar to be blessed and named Dovahkiin . It was also during this time that Tiber Septim learned that he was destined to become Emperor of Tamriel . By the Fourth Era , there are only five members of the Greybeards . Four of the monks live in High Hrothgar . Their grandmaster , Paarthurnax , resides higher up on the Throat of the World in constant meditation . The leader of the Stormcloak rebellion , Ulfric Stormcloak , was once a student , learning the ways of the Thu ' um . Interactions . Main quest . The Greybeards are featured prominently in the main questline . When the quest Dragon Rising is completed , they call out for the Dragonborn , summoning them so that they may meet and test them . They also help the Dragonborn understand the unique power they wield . They do meet and test the Dovahkiin , then they give some training . Upon arrival , the Dovahkiin must prove they are Dragonborn by demonstrating the power of the Thu ' um . They teach a couple shouts and then , for the final test , they send the Dragonborn on a quest to retrieve the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller . Words of Power . Arngeir will reveal the locations of Word Wall s throughout Skyrim to the Dovahkiin if they favor the Greybeards , as opposed to the Blades . He mentions how the Dragonborn arrives , at this certain moment in time , at the turning of the age . If asked if it is a coincidence that they were brought here at the time of the dragons returning , he states that it is not a coincidence . Combat . Upon attacking a member of the Greybeards , they respond with the Ice Form shout to paralyze the attacker , as well as utilizing a plethora of other shouts and spells . Unsuccessful pickpocket attempts cause them to attack as well . The Greybeards do not wield weapons , and may engage in unarmed combat when foes reach melee range . Weapons dropped near the Greybeards may be picked up and used by them . Flagged as essential , it is only possible to reduce their health to a low level . After this , they crouch down until their health regenerates and resume battle with their attacker . Using Unrelenting Force or Vampiric Grip on a Greybeard to knock them off the mountain does not cause them to re - spawn . If a dragon appears near High Hrothgar , a Greybeard may attack it only if they are outside . Should this occur , other Greybeards emerge from High Hrothgar to assist in the battle . The Greybeards will also initiate combat with the Dragonborn or follower if they are caught stealing in High Hrothgar .