I'm going for a sort-of perfect character run. Right now I'm at a crossroads though. Level 18 at the moment and I'm at the point of the main quest where you enter Sky Haven Temple for the first time. I know Dragonbane is in there and I'm wondering if the highest level version is worth a lot of wondering and leaving Delphine and Esbern hanging out there waiting for me when I also want to roleplay a semi-cohesive story. Can anyone tell me if the difference in levels will be all that important in the grander scheme of combat?

There is a massive difference between them.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Dragonbane

IMO, Dragonbane is one of the most powerful non-crafted weapons in the game.

So worth the 25+ level wait?

if you want it to be your main weapon, especially at later levels, IMO, it is worth the wait.

Well, guess I've got a lot of grinding to do.

I always wait for the level 46 version. It's basically a katana with Daedric stats topped off with a ridiculous damage bonus to dragons and a shock enchant for mages. Best one-handed in the game after Miraak's sword IMO.

Yeah, my character is built around shock damage and Miraak's sword isn't an option for a Daedra despiser.

Is it 1H or 2H?

One hand.

Where in Sky Haven Temple is it located? I have visited there, but have never run across it. Can you find it after "Season Unending", but before "Parthunaax"? Or do you have to complete "Parthunaax" first?

IT is sitting on a table in a room, you can get it the moment you find the temple.

I can't believe I have never found it after hundreds of hours playing! I guess I can add this to the column about things we didn't know! Thanks so much!

Though if you don't use any mods shock damage being useful against mages is just a myth.