Let's analyze what a parent needs to do.

So the first thing you think about is probably caring. Word probably wins out here on the whole "not letting your ten year old kid think you're dead" factor, but he is pretty cold to Moordryd. Both of them regularly send their offspring into life-threatening situations, however Word has made sure that Moordryd is more experienced than Artha, and does not deliberately send him and/or guilt him to do horrifically risky jobs that he and his giant powerful dragon could probably handle better, and definitely doesn't send a ten-year-old out to fight, admittedly because it wouldn't be efficient. On balance, I'm going with Word.

A parent also typically has a reason to want to bring up a child, and hopefully that reason is not "I don't want to pay child support". Artha and Beau are the same age and Connor is responsible for both and expected them to get together, so it's reasonable to assume that he timed Artha for that reason. However, Lance is probably a love child. Word, on the other hand, knew nothing about the breeding program, so it's probable he actually wanted a kid with Zulay. Let's say they come out even here.

Unfortunately, parents also have to pay expenses for their child, and though financial status is definitely not a reflection of good parenting, there's no question that most people would rather have a rich parent than a poor parent. Word wins out here, because he can afford to shell out a lot more money on you than Connor. On the other hand, he's not that generous with it. Looks like they're even again.

There's also punishment as an unpleasant factor in parenting, and Word definitely loses on this one. Word mag-blasts Moordryd; Connor only guilts Artha and Lance. Winner: Connor.

A parent also needs to ensure their child's education. Both Word and Connor hide information from their children, both because they don't think their children are ready (and/or want to maintain their influence over them, whether for the Greater Good or personal ambition). However, Word has ensured that Moordryd has spent a lot more time on his racing skills to prepare for the battles ahead than Connor did for Artha or is doing for Lance (whom he also allows to fight), so this skews slightly in his favour.

As well, self-esteem is an important factor in good parenting. Word does nothing good for Moordryd's; Connor possibly encourages Artha's to go too far. However, Connor definitely comes out ahead here.

So that's two for Connor and two for Word, the rest even. We'll call this one the decider:

And finally, your children are the best testimony. Moordryd thinks of Word very highly; Artha and Lance think so little of Connor he had to disguise himself as a Dragon Priest so they'd obey him. Artha uses a superpowered dragon in racing; Moordryd decides he's against cheating. Moordryd is a great success in an authoritarian model of parenting; Connor's encouraged more fuzzy feelings, but he tried very hard to be more authoritarian as Mortis and failed.

Votes on!

I wanted to vote for Connor based solely on the fact that he 'loves' his kids more but your reasoning made that difficult, because you pointed out things about Connor that I'd never even thought about.

However, I voted Word based on 'It is far better to be feared than loved'. Moordryd admires his father, and wants his attention. Moordryd works for it and while Word may be a (insert mild insult) most of the time he does care for Moordryd.

(That might've changed if Zulay died giving birth to Moordryd. :plot: )

(Very good points, Sarah) All this is in Word's favor. (IMO) So there you go: I think Word is the better father...

But not by much. Connor is a bit nicer (personality-wise).

I voted Conner cause he shows more love, but that was before I read your post Sarah Frost. And now I want to chang my vote.

I've got to start reading the posts before I vote.

connor most definetly, word is not all that supportive and he is allways telling moordryd what to do and yelling at him all the time. and what kind of father activates citadel deffences on his son ( in paynn rising ) and i never see word and moordryd smile at each other.

Wow, you have pointed out the positive parts of Word as a parent.

A vote for Word from me.

connor of course no doubt about it

Connor wins any day. Not only is there seemingly nothing Moordryd can do to win his father's approval, Word also uses Moordryd to commit crime on his behalf (e.g., stealing dragons and eggs), actively encourages him to cheat and lie (e.g., the dragon joust), and leaves Moordryd to hang out to dry the moment Word thinks he has no further use for him (e.g., after trapping DB in the Shadow Track, he just leaves moordryd in there as well, and in "Wraith Booster" Word just leaves Moordryd stuck in the obelisk thingy as soon as he has control of Artha and Beau, with Moordryd nearly being a snack for a hydrag). Not a father I would want at all.

Connor of course. He is loved by his sons.

I voted for Word because he will actually support his son and his actions. Take 'The Mouth That Roared' He was proud of Moordryd for going blackmarket gear. Then, he warned Moordryd about Malto being caught. Sure, he explodes at Moordryd for some things, but he doesn't restrict him from anything. Moordryd pretty well can do what he want and Word won't say that he isn't ready for stuff. He actually just cares about beating Connor.

Conner of course :D

Connor

In spite of all he have done he love his kids

Yeah, but Word still appreciates Moordryd. True that Connor is nicer, but look at the prat Artha is. Word 'trained' his son not to be like that.

Connor Penn

I vote for Connor. Although he left his sons after seeing Moordryd intruded into the Penn Stables to change into Mortis, I would go for him.

i would have to say that it would have to be cooner because even though he "dies" he still helps support artha and give him advice where as word just bashes his son and tells him that he is no good basically thats just my thought

I vote for Word. I like the fact Word still apprecites the fact Moordryd do the job. Moordryd may be evil, but he is not a wimp like Artha.