Quote Originally Posted by Resileaf View Post
Which is why the theory claims that the roar comes from Paarthurnax trying to warn the village. Alduin can't hear that Tullius is trying to hasten the executions to get rid of Ulfrik as quickly as possible. He doesn't know that the Imperials aren't going to cancel it and try to investigate what that roar is. And he most definitely doesn't know that the Dragonborn is the next one on the chopping block. All he knows is that Paarthurnax is interfering and he can't leave things to chance.
But he does leave everything very much to chance. We know that, at minimum, present in Helgen were: Tullius, Elenwen, Ulfric, the boy (Haming?) and his carer, Ralof and Hadvar, and all these people escaped. Probably several other unnamed people also escaped, because it would be a huge coincidence for all survivors to be so high profile.

As you emerge from the tunnel at the end of the intro, you see Alduin flying off. We know from later encounters that he has excellent perception skills, but he either doesn't see you (or any other survivors) - or he just doesn't care. In any event, he doesn't care enough to hang around another hour or so and try to catch some of the survivors.

This is simply not the attitude of one who is determined to make sure everyone dies.