Poll: Skyrim: What is your take on the war?

[AngryMongoose]

Basically, I've found the Stormcloaks to be racists and many of them to be dicks, and the Imperials to be implicit in torture, cultural suppression and many of them to be dicks.

So I've yet to pick sides. Currently leaning towards choosing myself for King.

 

[The Wykydtron]

I'm tempted to go with the Stormcloaks, simply because their leader used one of my favourite lines of logic

"I fight onwards so that the deaths of those i've killed won't be in vain"

Also the Arnie voices are amazing...

But honestly there are too many conflicting accounts to think about before i can pick sides, but there is one book in the game that completely destroys the "we should be allowed to worship Talos" arguement, so go Legion i suppose (now if only I knew where to join up)

And i'm currently in the middle of raiding every dungeon in existance, those Words of Power shall be mine!

 

[Bvenged]

Since I engorge myself in the series' lore - I don't really want to pick a side. But here's a fact filled explanation to the situation at the root of my fence-sitting opinion:

Spoiler: Back story to Empire & Aldmiri Dominion - Which I think is best

I want to side with the empire as I seriously sympathise for them and I do hate the Aldmiri Dominion with a burning passion as they want to enslave humanity and unco-operators at one point or another; and have elves rule Tamriel once again. However, despite the majestic Aylied ruins & lack of war during elven rule in the 1st era, the golden years for Tamriel citizens were when Tamriel was under Empire rule, despite discrimination and bandits, Sloads and the Tsaesci of Akavir threatening stability. Thus the Empire, in my opinion, offered greater prosperity for all citizens than the Ayleids. Influenced by a mixture of greed, racial hatred rooted throughout history and a desire to unify Tamriel under elves - The Dominion are far from being the good guys.

So, the question to me is not "What side do I favour" but "Which side is better for the people of Skyrim; and just as importantly, the rest of Tamriel?"

Reasons for Empire support - I could support the Empire for simple moral reasons and ties to the previous games. Skyrim under the Empire could stabilise the region, uniting the northern territories of Hammerfell(pro-Empire), High rock(pro-Empire) and Cyrodiil against Elsweyr(conquored), Summerset isles & Valenwood(Aldmiri). [small]Morrowind(crippled-conquered by-) & Black Marsh(secluded) are not really involved for the time being.[/small]
This would bring the Empire more support for the upcoming war against the Aldmiri, with prospects to bring the Empire back to the strength it was during the Oblivion Crisis where life was fair for most. Independent, Skyrim could be crushed shortly after the hindered Empire, where Nords will be enslaved. But with the Empire, they would have a greater fighting chance. Additional: The Stormcloaks could surely have this rebellion AFTER the immediate threats have been dealt with; when the Empire is strong again I'm sure it wouldn't mind a slacking of control over Skyrim. Maybe even a self-ruled principality equivalent.

Reasons for Stormcloaks support - Under the Stormcoaks and SKyrim could stand tall against both the Aldmiri and the weak, pathetic Empire. This would certainly be the end of the Empire and most of Tamriel could fall under Aldmiri control. Skyrim could be fine as the Aldmiri show no interest in the region other than removing it as a stronghold for the Empire in any way, but what's to say they wont enslave the people - they banned Talos. Independent would surely lead to a stronger Skyrim and show any future conquerors it is not a place to mess with. But life would be ruined for Imperials, Redguards, Bretons, Kajiits - even elvish who are against the ways of the Aldmiri expansion and the lifestyle of the Ayleids. Additions - The empire are resorting to torture and the Emperor has left the Empire with no pride after the Great War, he game too much away in the terms of the treaty..

Spoiler: TLDR; / Summary

I love the Empire, it did many good things, much more so than the Aldmiri would do, but they are weak and feeble now. If Skyrim was to be independent it would certify a future for the Nords; but would cause the impending destruction of the good guys, the Empire, and ruining life for everybody else but the Ayleid wanna-bes, the Aldmiri.
If skyrim joins the Empire it increases the Empires' chance of survival and enhances the chance of a good life for everybody, but life in Skyrim would not be as good for a while until the Empire is back on its feet.

End note: I need to get out more - yes, at midnight. Time to go down the pub.

 

[Krantos]

I know they probably want us to side with the Stormcloaks, but I just can't get there, mainly because of Ulfric.

While the guy is charismatic, he's failed to justify himself to me.

When I asked him why he killed the king, his response basically boiled down to "Because I could." His exact words ran something like: "How can a king protect his country if he cannot protect himself?" So, by that logic the best warrior should automatically be king, regardless of leadership abilities and experience? Yeah, that will work great.

Also, he makes a comment to his housecarl (I assume that's who it was) that the war was because he was tired of Nord (wo)men dying in the Empire's wars. So, your solution is to tear the country apart in a bloody civil war? A war where most deaths are going to be Nords?

On that same line of thought, an Imperial made a good point. He said the legion was the only thing keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim. Does Ulfric really think he can hold the Dominion out after he's suffered massive casualties following a Civil War?

The way I see it, Skyrim needs the Empire, and the Empire needs Skyrim. Ulfric is potentially damning all of Tamerial to fall to the Dominion just so he can become High King.

So, no, I do not support the Stormcloaks. Long Live the Emperor!

 

[Radeonx]

I favored the Legion, and killed Ulfric.

With that said, I really only did it because Ulfric seemed like a giant douche.

 

[Bran1470]

I like the Stormcloaks just because they are fighting to preserve what they believe in and that's an honorable cause in my book.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Given that the Imperials tried to separate my head from my body just for trying to cross a border and that Stormcloak (who's name I can't remember) seemed nice enough I decided to side with them. It was in stark contrast to that biatch of an Imperial captain who insisted I should die despite being not being on the list.
How I enjoyed hoisting her on the end of my blade. I'm an anti-authoritarian Orc.

 

[theheroofaction]

Hmm, I'm gonna go for stormcloaks because of the whole "random executions" bit the imperials had going.

 

[Bvenged]

Dont forget follow up coup. The racial relations could be solved in one of two ways; maybe both. Someone might assassinate Ulfric and we get a better high king; one that cares for all the races. But Jarls are widely independent in governance so who is to say that the Jarls don't rule with differing opinion on race and nation divisions. I would guess that at least one hold in Skyrim would have the decency to be a haven for non-Nords.

Likely to be Whiterun since it seems the most cosmopolitan city i came by so far; even if i have only visited 4 holds. 2 were backwater as fuck(one had like 4 burned down houses), another was that one fishing place had lot of boats was on the north end of the map, the third was that run down hell hole of a frozen giants anus called Windhelm.

Good points on the Empires reason for being; even if it is being razed from within by the Aldmiri and its supporters.

Ah yes, but without spoiling I noted Ulfric was not too fond of being high-king. I think there is a way for you to be high king yourself. Maybe that is the way Bethesda will seal the Lore. The Dragonborn becomes High-king AND sides as a strong ally of the Empire, pushing the Aldmiri back onto their back foot and helping secure the Empires future as well as Skyrim's.

The civil war is short and sweet as the Dragonborn ceases power, unites the holds under an independent Skyrim - Morals are high; the Empire; less moral but reconciling it mishaps, sides as an equal ally and regrets trying to take control. this could then lead to the splitting of the empire; but with Cyrodill remaining as a centre-pin to the surrounding nations. A strong alliance is formed between the independent, more varied northern territories. the Aldmiri is crushed just in time for the setting for TES VI, where only terrorist-like Aldmiri are around for the Akavir invasion then counter-invasion.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

It's because of the imperials that chained me at the beginning of the game and ever since then and to the point where I reached by playing the game I have heard more bad things about the Imperials and their Thalamor allies than the Stormcloaks.

Also,I am a Nord and I stand by my people so..for the Stormcloaks!(or something).

 

[The Mighty Pepper]

I sided with the Imperials. There's something about Ulfric I just don't trust. The men under his command are honourable brave men. But he himself seems to me to be nothing more than a power-hungry coward. I don't love the Imperial General either I must admit... But, It's better someone trying to keep what they have, than someone trying to take what isn't theirs.

 

[WolfThomas]

I'm an Imperial, a worshipper of Talos and a renegade. I'd support the Empire if it was the noble line of Septim, that did only good in Morrowind or Oblivon. But the Empire is tatters, land lost and secedded to Elves and Agonians, the Blades disbanded and replaced with secret police, worship of Talos banned, a Mede not a Septim on the throne. It's dire times. I'm going to support Ulfric as the rightful king of Skyrim and I'm starting to believe I should be the next Emperor of Cyrodill by divine right.

 

[SeaTimeless]

I tend to favor the Imperials both in character and RL, primarily due to the fact that I'm a High Elf, and that the rebels' philosophy reeks of racism (especially towards non-humans such as myself, but also to most Non-Nords) and xenophobic attitudes. Plus I am just a fan of the Empire and like the towns on the Imperial side.

 

[Therumancer]

My self imposed backstory has made me favor the Stormcloaks. I have even killed a few Imperials I found being attacked by bandits. By making this decision, I have found myself actually hating Imperial sympathizer NPCs. Like the battle-born clan of Whiterun.


My backstory: I am a Nord born in Cyrodiil but always heard of the realm of Skyrim and the Nord culture there. Finally, after having a distaste for Cyrodiil over all, I made a journey to go see Skyrim. I had only been in Skyrim for a couple days on the border when I was captured by the Imperials and sentenced to death.

RP wise my current character is siding with the Stormcloaks simply because the imperials were going to cut her head off for no paticularly, and the imperial representitive she could have followed basically took a "oh well, we're sorry, but it's going to happen" attitude.

Overall, and beyond having a personal stake in the events that transpired, I tend to favor The Empire.

The way I see it is quite simply that a unified empire is better than a lot of warring nation states. There is no such thing as a utopian society, and like it or not, The Empire did more or less leave things a lot better than they were before their conquest. We're simply seeing The Empire falling apart due to a lot of very unusual circumstances.

To be entirely honest I kind of suspect that we're seeing a kind of metaplot here between Morrowwind, Oblivion, and other games. The events in Morrowwind destabalized the entire region, the death of the Emperor has weakened the central authority, and threat after threat are beating the crap out of the infrastructure and leading to a bunch of cultural nationalists clambering for freedom. In the case of the Nords their idea of freedom is pretty much "run around, get drunk, and make war with everyone constantly"... reading some of the history in books and such I think the Nords in the game view things through a sort of lense of "never was" and don't consider what The Empire actually accomplished for them... and well for all the regions who were all fighting each other before it pulled everything together.

I sort of suspect that if the series goes on, and we ever see another game where you can explore ALL of Tamriel again (like in say Daggerfall or Arena) the plot might very well be to restore The Empire and get all the nations to rally behind an Emperor against some common threat that wants everyone divided. Something presumably a bit more insidious than the forces of Oblivion. Perhaps the Alik'ar as they defeated The Empire in a war, banned the worship of Talos via a treaty (who *IS* a god, despite what you might read, he made an apperance as "wolf" in Morrowwind if I remember), but despite desiring conquest and subjugation themselves don't have the firepower to actually launch an invasion of Tamriel.


At any rate, I tend to see The Empire, for all it's ruthlessness as the greater good/lesser evil. The cry of "Freedom" from the Stormcloaks is endearing, and plays to the human spirit, but then again they haven't exactly been *that* horribly oppressed (as them walking around armed and armoered 24/7 even under imperial rule sort of demonstrates), and the Empire has done a lot for them and for global stability. Your beginning to see a sort of "one world goverment" there that we could only dream of in reality.

In short... "For The Emperor!" ... in this case in the Sigmarite sense.

My next playthrough when/if I get around to it will definatly be imperial.