Poll: Skyrim: Empire or Stormcloaks?
- Thread starter Josh123914
- Start date
Recommended Videos
Before I start, I am a heavy in roleplaying whenever I play any RPG.
Considering how limited the civil war outcome is I usually go neutral with a slight Imperial bent mainly due to the roleplay decisions I made pre game.
I play an Imperial who really hates the Thalmor and went to Skyrim after killing more than a few Thalmor in the imperial city. The headchopping incident, considering that my character would probably be subject to far worse if he remained in the Imperial city, I would say that he would be lucky if he got his head chopped off.
For the civil war itself the character would be ambivalent, on the one hand the Stormcloaks really hate the Thalmor as well but on the other the Imperials turn a blind eye when Thalmor are killed provided that they started the fight. All in all my character's motto is: Kill Thalmor, Kill Thalmor, Kill more Thalmor and when there are no more Thalmor to kill in a reasonable distance, go drink mead before finding more Thalmor to kill.
All in all, I don't care provided that I am allowed to kill Thalmor in peace, something that both sides let me do anyway.
Considering how limited the civil war outcome is I usually go neutral with a slight Imperial bent mainly due to the roleplay decisions I made pre game.
I play an Imperial who really hates the Thalmor and went to Skyrim after killing more than a few Thalmor in the imperial city. The headchopping incident, considering that my character would probably be subject to far worse if he remained in the Imperial city, I would say that he would be lucky if he got his head chopped off.
For the civil war itself the character would be ambivalent, on the one hand the Stormcloaks really hate the Thalmor as well but on the other the Imperials turn a blind eye when Thalmor are killed provided that they started the fight. All in all my character's motto is: Kill Thalmor, Kill Thalmor, Kill more Thalmor and when there are no more Thalmor to kill in a reasonable distance, go drink mead before finding more Thalmor to kill.
All in all, I don't care provided that I am allowed to kill Thalmor in peace, something that both sides let me do anyway.
Stormcloaks.
The plan for my character was always: Help the stormcloaks out, then shout Ulfric down and take over. (The shouting him down is apparently accepted for succession, and nobody has better screaming power than the dragonborn - you are practically their messiah-prophet anyway)
And from there, unite back in partnership with the Empire over the years.
The plan for my character was always: Help the stormcloaks out, then shout Ulfric down and take over. (The shouting him down is apparently accepted for succession, and nobody has better screaming power than the dragonborn - you are practically their messiah-prophet anyway)
And from there, unite back in partnership with the Empire over the years.
Empire for two reasons:
First, I've always played Argonians so frankly the Stormcloacks can go to the harshest realm of Oblivion for all I care for the injustices done to my proud and noble people.
Secondly, because Brunwulf is the single most sympathetic and likeable character in that game and I am glad to fight to make him the Jarl of Windhelm over Ulfric's dead, bloated, never-gets-cleaned-up-for-some-reason-even-after-he's-been-dead-for-days corpse.
Also the idea of the Nords being the true rulers of Skyrim is utter bunk as the Reachmen/Forsworn, the Dwemer, and the Snow Elves are the true natives who were genocided out of existence by the Nords in the first place so the Stormcloaks don't get a single shred of pity from me.
First, I've always played Argonians so frankly the Stormcloacks can go to the harshest realm of Oblivion for all I care for the injustices done to my proud and noble people.
Secondly, because Brunwulf is the single most sympathetic and likeable character in that game and I am glad to fight to make him the Jarl of Windhelm over Ulfric's dead, bloated, never-gets-cleaned-up-for-some-reason-even-after-he's-been-dead-for-days corpse.
Also the idea of the Nords being the true rulers of Skyrim is utter bunk as the Reachmen/Forsworn, the Dwemer, and the Snow Elves are the true natives who were genocided out of existence by the Nords in the first place so the Stormcloaks don't get a single shred of pity from me.
I chose the Stormcloaks not because I found them especially likeable or anything but mainly because the Imperials try to KILL you in the beginning. Why would I help them with anything? I found it confusing as hell that the game offered you the choice to run after your captors.
Looking back at it the Stormcloaks are stupid racists but the Imperials are far from being "good" either so...Allowing the Aldmeri to just capture people they don't like and all that...They pretty much already lost the fight against the elves. Also the emperor is dead anyway *coughs*
Looking back at it the Stormcloaks are stupid racists but the Imperials are far from being "good" either so...Allowing the Aldmeri to just capture people they don't like and all that...They pretty much already lost the fight against the elves. Also the emperor is dead anyway *coughs*
I chose the Imperials, partly because of the character I was roleplaying but mostly because the Stormcloaks are racist, misguided, and petty.
The character I roleplayed was some far-flung descendant of the Septim dynasty, partially explaining the Dragonborn abilities who was partially aware of his heritage therefore interested in keeping the Empire together to fight the Thalmor, and eventually planning to take over himself. So he wasn't going to pass over the opportunity to return Skyrim to the fold and become a senior figure in the Imperial Army at the same time.
But really it's because the Stormcloaks just did nothing to appeal to me at all. Ulfrics own city has segregated slums for the non-humans and is quite badly crime-ridden, citizens make racist threats to people on the streets without fear of reprisals from the city guards or their neighbours. His goals will end up helping the Thalmor, not as much as the civil war continuing but cutting Skyrim off from the rest of the Empire massively weakens it.
The Empire isn't perfect, but the restrictions on Talos worship weren't even enforced until Ulfric made an issue of it in Markarth. Besides, the restrictions are part of the White Gold Concordat which was the enforced terms of peace. The Empire wasn't in a condition to continue the war, and is obviously planning to regain strength and strike back at the Thalmor. Losing Skyrim would be a massive blow to that.
Any doubts I had about joining the Empire were wiped out when I went to meet Ulfric Manchild and hear his side of the story. He came off as whiny and petty, unable to see the bigger picture. That really came through in the negotiation during the main questions where he was willing to sulk while dragons threatened everything.
Empire all the way, they do the best they can for Skyrim and are planning to strike back at the Thalmor. Ulfric started the war, got lots of people killed, and will just help the Thalmor in the long run.
The character I roleplayed was some far-flung descendant of the Septim dynasty, partially explaining the Dragonborn abilities who was partially aware of his heritage therefore interested in keeping the Empire together to fight the Thalmor, and eventually planning to take over himself. So he wasn't going to pass over the opportunity to return Skyrim to the fold and become a senior figure in the Imperial Army at the same time.
But really it's because the Stormcloaks just did nothing to appeal to me at all. Ulfrics own city has segregated slums for the non-humans and is quite badly crime-ridden, citizens make racist threats to people on the streets without fear of reprisals from the city guards or their neighbours. His goals will end up helping the Thalmor, not as much as the civil war continuing but cutting Skyrim off from the rest of the Empire massively weakens it.
The Empire isn't perfect, but the restrictions on Talos worship weren't even enforced until Ulfric made an issue of it in Markarth. Besides, the restrictions are part of the White Gold Concordat which was the enforced terms of peace. The Empire wasn't in a condition to continue the war, and is obviously planning to regain strength and strike back at the Thalmor. Losing Skyrim would be a massive blow to that.
Any doubts I had about joining the Empire were wiped out when I went to meet Ulfric Manchild and hear his side of the story. He came off as whiny and petty, unable to see the bigger picture. That really came through in the negotiation during the main questions where he was willing to sulk while dragons threatened everything.
Empire all the way, they do the best they can for Skyrim and are planning to strike back at the Thalmor. Ulfric started the war, got lots of people killed, and will just help the Thalmor in the long run.
Normally, I sided with the Empire, but historically, lots of civilizations have been set back in a very bad way by foreign occupation. The Muslim empire was ruined by the crusades, and the Chinese cultural revolution along with a ton of China's other historical problems were sparked by it being bullied by foreign powers and entering a period of extreme xenophobia. I may not approve of the Nord way of running things, but civilizations usually work best when they develop independently, as long as they don't shut out foreigners entirely. Foreign occupation simply sparks a fear of foreigners, which leads to very hateful and close-minded development. Then again, the damage may already be done. After all, the Empire's been in power for awhile and the Storm Cloaks seem to be founded on the principle of being anti-Empire. The Stormcloaks may give rise to Skyrim's Cultural Revolution. So, in the end, it seems pretty lose-lose. Hell will break loose if the Stormcloaks run things, but if the Empire stays in charge, it will only allow Nord xenophobia to grow even more.
Still, then there's the matter of the Aldmeri Dominion. If The Empire loses, and the Aldmeri Dominion takes over, things will be much worse. Perhaps I'll side with the Empire. The Empire may not be good for Skyrim's development, but Skyrim cannot repel the Aldmeri Dominion without allies.
Still, then there's the matter of the Aldmeri Dominion. If The Empire loses, and the Aldmeri Dominion takes over, things will be much worse. Perhaps I'll side with the Empire. The Empire may not be good for Skyrim's development, but Skyrim cannot repel the Aldmeri Dominion without allies.
False. While the crusades certainly weren't pleasant and did nasty things to the collective Muslim psyche in the Middle East, the Empire certainly wasn't ruined. If anything the unity forged by Saladin left the Muslim East in better shape than the highly divided collection of Turks the 1st Crusade had faced. Who really ruined the Muslims were the Mongols in the 13th Century. They completely wrecked the place, ended the time when Islam was a beacon of enlightenment and progress in the world and did such extreme damage to the region it arguably still hasn't recovered.sageoftruth said:
Not that this really disproves your point, but you had the wrong foreign power in this case.
Empire, all the way. I've played two characters to the conclusion of the Stormcloak storyline and I felt dirty inside both times. The constant harping on about how great nords are (while utilizing the unstoppable, decidedly non-nordic power that was my characters without batting an eyelash), the whining over what was clearly a "we're forced to do this, but we won't look to hard" thing with Talos that was buying time to build up forces against the Thalmor, the complete lack of farsightedness...Does Ulfric seriously think that Skyrim alone can take on the Pointy Eared Reich? His ego pisses me off to no end. He's got a thin layer of nationalism overlaying his deep desire to be High King, no matter who he has to stomp into the dust to do it. General Tulius has some degree of cultural posturing, but it's milder and in the end he tries to overcome it, even chooses to retire in Skyrim. Ulfric never grows out of his racist tendencies. The whole "with us or against us" thing he pulled against Whiterun was probably the worst though. Betraying Balgruf made me want to punch Vignar off Dragonsreach, the smug bastard.
Ugg.
With the Empire regaining momentum with a victory in Skyrim, things will be setup to allow other locals to be rallied to the cause. Then the Thalmor can be chucked into Oblivion, preferably literally. We'll see how their so called supremacy stacks up against the whims of a daedric prince. Hermeas Mora owes me a favor, maybe he'll be willing to brain drain the lot of them.
Ugg.
With the Empire regaining momentum with a victory in Skyrim, things will be setup to allow other locals to be rallied to the cause. Then the Thalmor can be chucked into Oblivion, preferably literally. We'll see how their so called supremacy stacks up against the whims of a daedric prince. Hermeas Mora owes me a favor, maybe he'll be willing to brain drain the lot of them.
I always was torn on the choice and never really picked a side in my first playthroughs, instead forcing them into peace through the dragonborn questline. Coming back to it years later though, and having explored the world and the lore, I think I side more with the stormcloaks, albeit very tentatively.
The Empire is a shadow of its former glory and it will never rebel against the Thalmor at the current rate. The empire is simply being bent over and is appeasing the Thalmor to cling to peace a little longer. The idea of a united empire being best to fight them back is true, but sadly, it isn't there in the first place. Half want to fight them but are impeded, the other half do not want to fight at all. United, they are not. Instead skyrim is being dictated at from an empire that really has sold them out.The stormcloak's resentment and anger over it are very understandable.
I do understand the idea of those in the empire trying to keep it together and I can even agree there, but the root is too far past saving without radical treatment, and that treatment will not come from within. The Emperor seems more interested in saving his own skin, so any solution would likely have to deal with him and, well, that isn't going to be any less dramatic than skyrim rebelling.
Now the patriotic Nords are assholes, racist and isolationist. Though most seemed to be decent enough folk, tolerant of those who worked hard and earned their keep. Granted, leadership being racist jerks would cause trouble, though Ulfric, for all his appearances, doesn't seem as racist as first glance suggests. Yes there are slums and segregation, and that is indeed bad, but I recall that lore said that existed before him, and that his own actions lessened the segregation and actively improved the living conditions.
Both sides have good arguments and both are full of assholes. I guess I just see the stormcloaks as the more reasonable choice in terms of what the sides are trying to do and what they might be able to do.
The Empire is a shadow of its former glory and it will never rebel against the Thalmor at the current rate. The empire is simply being bent over and is appeasing the Thalmor to cling to peace a little longer. The idea of a united empire being best to fight them back is true, but sadly, it isn't there in the first place. Half want to fight them but are impeded, the other half do not want to fight at all. United, they are not. Instead skyrim is being dictated at from an empire that really has sold them out.The stormcloak's resentment and anger over it are very understandable.
I do understand the idea of those in the empire trying to keep it together and I can even agree there, but the root is too far past saving without radical treatment, and that treatment will not come from within. The Emperor seems more interested in saving his own skin, so any solution would likely have to deal with him and, well, that isn't going to be any less dramatic than skyrim rebelling.
Now the patriotic Nords are assholes, racist and isolationist. Though most seemed to be decent enough folk, tolerant of those who worked hard and earned their keep. Granted, leadership being racist jerks would cause trouble, though Ulfric, for all his appearances, doesn't seem as racist as first glance suggests. Yes there are slums and segregation, and that is indeed bad, but I recall that lore said that existed before him, and that his own actions lessened the segregation and actively improved the living conditions.
Both sides have good arguments and both are full of assholes. I guess I just see the stormcloaks as the more reasonable choice in terms of what the sides are trying to do and what they might be able to do.
Empire without a doubt. For key reasons.
The Aldmeri Dominion is a powerful, unified force. The only thing that can hope to stop it is a strong, unified force. The Empire is already starting to fall apart, Argonia is gone as is Hammerfell. Leaving High Rock, Morrowind, Orsinium, Skyrim, and Cyrodil. Letting the Stormcloaks take over Skyrim would be condemning almost any hope the of stopping the Dominion.
Not to mention, the Stormcloaks are nothing but a bunch of racist hillbillies, led by a man who only cares about himself and is willing to kill anyone to achieve his goals.
The Aldmeri Dominion is a powerful, unified force. The only thing that can hope to stop it is a strong, unified force. The Empire is already starting to fall apart, Argonia is gone as is Hammerfell. Leaving High Rock, Morrowind, Orsinium, Skyrim, and Cyrodil. Letting the Stormcloaks take over Skyrim would be condemning almost any hope the of stopping the Dominion.
Not to mention, the Stormcloaks are nothing but a bunch of racist hillbillies, led by a man who only cares about himself and is willing to kill anyone to achieve his goals.
Burn them, kill them all, PRAISE NAMIRA, BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD.
In all seriousness, one's a bunch of racist supremacists, the other one is controlled by a bunch of racist supremacists. But, it is "their" land and the imperials are going down the tubes. I'm all for one world government but the Empire is kinda fubar.
In all seriousness, one's a bunch of racist supremacists, the other one is controlled by a bunch of racist supremacists. But, it is "their" land and the imperials are going down the tubes. I'm all for one world government but the Empire is kinda fubar.
This was a tough choice for me that eventually came down to my playstyle. If i'm leaning heavily on magic, i'll join the Empire so I can get Ulfric's attire and make some bad ass mage armor. If there's no magic, the I join the stormcloaks.
My brother made the choice by going to each other headquarters and listening to them talk. Once he realized the Empire was cowardly curs that took Altmer side only because they couldn't win the war, he side with the Stormclokas for honourable and willing to die for their cause.
My brother made the choice by going to each other headquarters and listening to them talk. Once he realized the Empire was cowardly curs that took Altmer side only because they couldn't win the war, he side with the Stormclokas for honourable and willing to die for their cause.
I'd role Aldmeri Dominion if I could, since I tend to roll Wood Elf, Kitty, or Lizard. It seems they're doing pretty well for themselves, and they have such swanky gear.
If it was between Stormcloak and Empire, though. Empire's the only viable option for having a chance. I can easily see the Dominion just wrecking Skyrim when the Stormcloaks try to assert their control if they win. Especially if they armed the second class citizens for some rioting for rights.
If it was between Stormcloak and Empire, though. Empire's the only viable option for having a chance. I can easily see the Dominion just wrecking Skyrim when the Stormcloaks try to assert their control if they win. Especially if they armed the second class citizens for some rioting for rights.
Interesting. This is the first I've heard of it. I have a book on the crusades, but I lent it to my boss before I could finish it, since it was just a stand-in for another book I was waiting to get. I'll have to get back to it when I get the chance.Megalodon said:
Imperials for a number of reasons.
There is without a doubt another war with the Aldermeri coming, its just a matter of time. Even if Skyrim gains its independence (and that has any real benefit) they cannot stand alone against the might of the elves. Only united do the other realms stand a chance.
Also, Ulfric is such a goddamn tool. A man who is manipulating religious belief and patritism all for the cause of his own desire to rule. Man, that guy was such an elitist douche. At least the head Imperial guys seemed decent fellows for the most part.
There is without a doubt another war with the Aldermeri coming, its just a matter of time. Even if Skyrim gains its independence (and that has any real benefit) they cannot stand alone against the might of the elves. Only united do the other realms stand a chance.
Also, Ulfric is such a goddamn tool. A man who is manipulating religious belief and patritism all for the cause of his own desire to rule. Man, that guy was such an elitist douche. At least the head Imperial guys seemed decent fellows for the most part.
HehheheheheheheheheeHAHAHAHAHA!
Well, it depends on my character. Typically I side with the Empire as I like to believe that it's possible to destroy the Dominion's hold over the Empire from within. It's debatable how keeping Skyrim within the Empire's grasp would help though. (Also aside from the racism and narcissism there's that one easily overlooked possibility of Ulfric being an unwitting pawn of the Thalmor.)
My most recent playthrough had me siding with the Stormcloaks. Originally I was going to do a stereotypical Proud Stormcloak Nord Warrior Who Eventually Falls To Darkness but then I realised I could do anything in any order I wanted. So my vampire lady found out she's the Dragonborn and calculated that isolating Skyrim by using the Stormcloaks would serve her foody needs. The other factions are crippled (the 'darker' ones) or brought under her control as private armies/tools. Thus she becomes the Vampiric High Queen of Skyrim! Mwahaha!
Let's face it though - they're all screwed anyway. Skyrim, the Stormcloaks, the Empire, Belethor.
I do love all the "true Nord" BS though, it becomes all the more amusing given the Nords of Solstheim not to mention how Skyrim's plight is mirrored in the struggles of the Reachmen and others.
I've noticed that people tend to judge the Cyrodillic empire based on real world values towards empires which I can empathise with but I think there are lore reasons as to why they're not really that bad. Could always be propaganda though.
Well, it depends on my character. Typically I side with the Empire as I like to believe that it's possible to destroy the Dominion's hold over the Empire from within. It's debatable how keeping Skyrim within the Empire's grasp would help though. (Also aside from the racism and narcissism there's that one easily overlooked possibility of Ulfric being an unwitting pawn of the Thalmor.)
My most recent playthrough had me siding with the Stormcloaks. Originally I was going to do a stereotypical Proud Stormcloak Nord Warrior Who Eventually Falls To Darkness but then I realised I could do anything in any order I wanted. So my vampire lady found out she's the Dragonborn and calculated that isolating Skyrim by using the Stormcloaks would serve her foody needs. The other factions are crippled (the 'darker' ones) or brought under her control as private armies/tools. Thus she becomes the Vampiric High Queen of Skyrim! Mwahaha!
Let's face it though - they're all screwed anyway. Skyrim, the Stormcloaks, the Empire, Belethor.
I do love all the "true Nord" BS though, it becomes all the more amusing given the Nords of Solstheim not to mention how Skyrim's plight is mirrored in the struggles of the Reachmen and others.
I've noticed that people tend to judge the Cyrodillic empire based on real world values towards empires which I can empathise with but I think there are lore reasons as to why they're not really that bad. Could always be propaganda though.
Tried the stormcloaks on my third playthrough. Wasn't impressed. Empire usually, though my latest playthrough I was trying to be the most evil bugger I could be, usually I'm a paragon of virtue. But I've never played Skyrim as an asshole before, got curious. Will go back to it at some point.
My first character I made for Skyrim was an Orc, with the intention of driving the Empire out of Skyrim. Then, I went and talked to the Stormcloaks. It seems the position they had for me was to be the great savior of the North, the one doing all the heavy lifting in every major conflict, so that they could ensure that people like me got the dung out of Skyrim.
Talking to the Empire, I got the impression they were trying to end this civil war fast so they could consolidate their forces against the Aldmeri, and possibly rise against them.
Skyrim had been part of the Empire for ages, so that's not the concern. The crux is the worship of Talos, and the Aldmeri ban on it. Helping the Empire breaks that ban, but only if the Empire has the strength to beat back the Aldmeri Dominion, which it needs Skyrim to do.
I dunno. I've played a few characters, to be honest, and I've never been able to really get behind Ulfric, if you know what I mean. The Imperial win-position seems to be "united now so we can rise up later" while the Stormcloak win-position seems to be "fuck you got mine". I also found the NPCs involved in the Imperials, and their actions, more comparable with how I play my characters, while Ulfric has a ghetto for Dark Elves and is turning a blind eye to bandits who stay away from Nords.
Yea. Empire.
I'll go Stormcloak when I want to play second fiddle to Ulfric's Medieval Lex Luthor.
Talking to the Empire, I got the impression they were trying to end this civil war fast so they could consolidate their forces against the Aldmeri, and possibly rise against them.
Skyrim had been part of the Empire for ages, so that's not the concern. The crux is the worship of Talos, and the Aldmeri ban on it. Helping the Empire breaks that ban, but only if the Empire has the strength to beat back the Aldmeri Dominion, which it needs Skyrim to do.
I dunno. I've played a few characters, to be honest, and I've never been able to really get behind Ulfric, if you know what I mean. The Imperial win-position seems to be "united now so we can rise up later" while the Stormcloak win-position seems to be "fuck you got mine". I also found the NPCs involved in the Imperials, and their actions, more comparable with how I play my characters, while Ulfric has a ghetto for Dark Elves and is turning a blind eye to bandits who stay away from Nords.
Yea. Empire.
I'll go Stormcloak when I want to play second fiddle to Ulfric's Medieval Lex Luthor.