Should I Kill Paratus Decimius?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You are playing a ruthless, mercenary, or evil-aligned Dragonborn and want to eliminate everyone in the Tower of Mzark. Paratus Decimius is not an essential NPC, so killing him will not block quest progress after you have obtained the inscribed Lexicon.
• Good fit: You want his gear and soul gems, or you prefer to clear Blackreach of a potential nuisance. Looting him can provide mage-themed items with no quest penalty or faction retaliation.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: You are roleplaying a principled hero, a College of Winterhold mage who respects scholarly neutrality, or a character who avoids unnecessary killing. Slaying a researcher after he has helped translate the Lexicon may feel out of character.
• Warning sign: You are attempting a pacifist, low-murder, or morally clean run. Killing a non-hostile NPC adds a murder to your statistics, may draw disapproval from certain followers, and conflicts with a no-kill playstyle.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• You can loot his clothing, staff, and any soul gems, giving a small material benefit with no risk of failing the related quest.
• Removing him prevents any future accidental hostility or dialogue interruptions while you continue exploring the Tower of Mzark and Blackreach.

Cons

• The kill counts as murder if he was non-hostile, which can affect follower approval and tarnish a moral-roleplay run.
• You lose the option to keep him alive as a living NPC in the world; while he has no further quests, players who value world preservation may prefer to spare named characters.

Decision Checklist

• Have I already advanced “Discerning the Transmundane” and secured the inscribed Lexicon so the kill has no functional consequence?
• Does my character’s moral code allow killing a non-hostile researcher simply for convenience or loot?
• Am I comfortable with the murder flag and any companion reactions, or would sparing him better fit my playthrough goals?

Alternatives to Consider

If you only want his items, try pickpocketing him while hidden or after using a Calm spell instead of killing him. If you want to keep the world intact but do not trust him, simply leave the tower without interacting further. Reloading an earlier save is also a valid option if you killed him impulsively and later regret it for roleplay reasons.

Final Recommendation

Kill Paratus Decimius only if your character concept or playstyle values loot and a cleared location over non-lethal restraint; it is mechanically safe once the Lexicon objective is complete. If you are roleplaying a hero, aiming for minimal murders, or simply dislike unnecessary violence, spare him—there is no gameplay reward tied to his death. This guide addresses a fictional choice inside The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim only. In real life, harming others is illegal and wrong; if you are experiencing thoughts of violence, please contact a qualified mental health professional or your local emergency services.