Stormcloaks are too mainstream.

[OldRat]

They are. Every damn poser is all Stormcloak this and Stormcloak that these days! Well, I was a Stormcloak supporter before they were popular and I certainly won't support this mainstream garbage they've become!

But on a more serious note, they need an underdog so you can (probably in whatever will pass as the canon as well) root for the little man. Who's actually kind of a dickish kid who's kicking the real little man in the teeth because a grown man with an axe came by and demanded things which he kinda had to obey unless he wanted to admire the world in a rather more... cephaloid new form.
Yeah, sure sucks they outlawed your god worship. Yet nobody actually seems to care about the crazy man hollering about Talos on the streets (yeah yeah, Whiterun's neutral and all that, but still), and what the hell were they supposed to do? Deny the Aldmeri and get curbstomped so far into the curb that they're reaching molten magma? I don't think so. And then Ulfric Stormcloak decides that it'd be an awesome move to totally screw everything up by killing their king in a spectacular display of butthurt that'd totally solve everything with the big oppressive empire that doesn't understand or care about their ways. Oh wait.

All in all, the Aldmeri are dicks, but the Stormcloaks are just stupid. Can't blame 'em, they're scared, but anyhow.

 

[pffh]

And Skyrim isn't even the original Nord homeland they took it from the original inhabitants. They are originally from another continent north of Tamriel.

You can't get north of Tamriel, that's like going north of Earth. But I think I get what you mean.

Yes you can just like you can go north of America or Africa. Tamriel is just the continent the name of the planet is Nirn.

"Even your realm is Daedric! Tamriel ae daedroth!"
I somewhat paraphrased, but I think other races also have a different name for earth than the Nords.

There are four know continents on Nirn:
Tamriel is the one we play on
Akavir to the east of Tamriel where the Akaviri live
Atmora to the north of Tamriel. The ancestral homeland of the Nords is there.
Yokuda to the west. This is where the Redguards used to live but it sank in the sea.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

I'm a Stormcloak why you may ask? Because they have virtues I agree with. I don't like how the empire can so easily tell everyone what to do, how to behave. And part of the reason Windhelm is doing so bad, is because they are pretty much by themselves. Very few of the cities are in their support. And I wouldn't say they are racist, I mean they did let an orc in. And they only can about returning Skyrim to its former glory, before they were left behind and given to the elves.

 

[Browncoat86]

I have yet to meet with/talk to either of the people in charge, but I am probably going to be siding with the Stormcloaks for one very simple reason. I was on my way out of Markarth heading for a dungeon when I ran into a Thalmor Justicar and several soliders, ignoring the fact that he starting being a big Elven dick before I even said hello, when I asked him where he was going he said something along the lines of "I'm here to make sure the Empire is following the orders of it's Elven Masters and enforcing the outlaw on certain gods". It's paraphrased, but I distinctly remember the Elven Masters part. So if the choice is side with an ignorant Nord Supremacist or submit to being ruled by a bunch of pointy ears, then the choice is clear. Besides, I can always shout Ulfric on fire and lead the Stormcloaks myself.

 

[Tsaba]

snip

Screw the empire, the Redgaurd of Hammerfell fought off the Aldmeri Dominion after the Empire abandoned them after the great war, and they won their freedom back. The mighty Noord can do the same! I reject your point for a "united Empire"

 

[Evil Top Hat]

And I wouldn't say they are racist, I mean they did let an orc in. And they only can about returning Skyrim to its former glory, before they were left behind and given to the elves.

Even if they haven't actively kicked out other races (yet) they are still heavy handedly racist towards non nords, disallow them seats of power within the Stormcloak ranks, and use the fact that Nords (who they view as a the superior race) are no longer controlling Skyrim as they should be. One of the main motivations for the conflict is that Skyrim is no longer purely Nordic. That's a pretty racist thing to start a war over.

I distinctly remember the Elven Masters part. So if the choice is side with an ignorant Nord Supremacist or submit to being ruled by a bunch of pointy ears, then the choice is clear. Besides, I can always shout Ulfric on fire and lead the Stormcloaks myself.

The elves fancy themselves to be the "masters", but they don't control the Empire yet, they are only on the more beneficial end of a peace treaty during the events of Skyrim. They are not "elven masters", they simply think they are.

I guess the whole issue of the Empire surrendering to the Aldmeri Dominion is really a matter of perspective. Some people seem to see the peace treaty as the mark of the Empire's doom, and the Aldmeri Dominion's victory. Up until now I have seen it only as what needed to be done, until the Empire were in a situation that made them able to break the treaties and continue the war, but I'm starting to question whether or not the Empire can ever be strong enough for such an event to occur ever again.

 

[Easton Dark]

I apologize to the Imperial families that will receive letters because of me, but... Stormcloaks.

The Empire is now just a puppet of the Aldmeri Dominion, everything the Empire does is in the service of their masters, the Emperor has no power, this is not the same Empire that Tiber Septim founded long ago...

And think about that: Tiber Septim, a mortal ascended to God-hood, a man/god that shares the same blood as me: dragon's blood. And the Altmer are saying he isn't fit to worship?

Yeah, the Stormcloaks may not have that bureaucratic infrastructure I do so love in my chosen factions, but siding with the current Empire is siding with the Aldmeri Dominion, and I just can't have that. Maybe if Skyrim is separated from the Empire, it will be an effective base to launch some rebel attacks against the Aldmeri, and reform the Empire to its former glory! They are going down.

Enemies of the True Empire hear me! You have come here to die! The God Talos is with us and we are invincible!

Our Warriors will strike you down! Our mages will bury you with their power! Our assassins will bring the embrace of death upon your leaders! You cannot win.

The gods have given us their greatest weapon to wield (Dragon born) so make yourselves ready.

We are the Empire of Tiber Septim, and today is our victory day!

 

[Lt. Vinciti]

I have to go with Stormcloak....Why?

BECAUSE I REFUSE TO BOW TO A GOD DAMN ALTMER!

"I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil. I fight for their wives and children, who's names I heard whispered in their last breaths. I fight for we few who did come home, only to find our country full of strangers wearing familiar faces. I fight for my people impoverished to pay the debts of an Empire too weak to rule them, yet brands them criminals for wanting to rule themselves! I fight so that all the fighting I've alread done hasn't been for nothing. I fight....because I must." - Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak

 

[StarStruckStrumpets]

The Stormcloaks are huge dicks. That's all you need to know.

There's hardly even any reason for you to side with them. You're not liberating Skyrim from the tyrannical Empire, the only reason conflict erupted in the first place is because Ulfric decided he wanted a slice for himself. I've gone past many-an-NPC telling me how good Empire are and how peaceful everything was beforehand.

There's no ideology behind the conflict other than "Nords live here...go away Empire".

Seriously, fuck the Stormcloaks.

 

[Thyunda]

The Stormcloaks are huge dicks. That's all you need to know.

There's hardly even any reason for you to side with them. You're not liberating Skyrim from the tyrannical Empire, the only reason conflict erupted in the first place is because Ulfric decided he wanted a slice for himself. I've gone past many-an-NPC telling me how good Empire are and how peaceful everything was beforehand.

There's no ideology behind the conflict other than "Nords live here...go away Empire".

Seriously, fuck the Stormcloaks.

Ulfric decided he didn't want to give up his life. His culture. You're not bowing to the Empire, you're bowing to the Aldmeri Dominion. No Talos worship. No more legal brawling. No more being Nords.

Fuck the White-Gold Concordat.

 

[snagli]

Join the stormcloaks? Are you silly? If I had the option to join either the Galactic Empire and the Rebellion, I'd never pick those smelly unprofessional Ewok-lovers. Same goes for this rebellion, their cause is stupid and the outfits are ugly.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Has anybody tried going Stormcloack as a high elf yet? I'd love to see somebody post a story about that...

Yo, legion for life. My primary enemies are the Thalmor, and I refuse to allow some jaundiced cunts (Skyrim made me realize just how racist against elves I am...) to take everything via divide and conquer. Skyrim as a place may be easy to defend, but keep in mind that there was a civil war and some flying lizard things. Neither side would be able to stop the elves for very long, so it would make sense to join forces. Secondly, Ulfric runs a shitty town just north of a fucking swamp. How the hell will he get the resources needed to 1) feed, and 2) equip his armies, 3) maintain necessary infrastructures, and 4) defend numerous mountain passes and a whole coast against the pointy eared assholes from the south when he couldn't even properly run a bloody city?
Oh yes, they're racist dicks. I guess that's another reason for my dumner with an aversion to clothing to join up with them...

 

[Actual]

The Empire is only a puppet of the Dominion for as long as the peace treaty lasts. End the peace treaty, and the war continues as normal. If the Empire can secure Skyrim before they are truly one with the Dominion, then they still have a fighting chance.

Having said that, this argument is the first to make me truly consider going with the Stormcloaks. It has been made twice now, and while I stick by my counter argument, there is truth in what you say, and that is certainly the best reason I've heard for going Stormcloak.

The peace-treaty doesn't seem like much of a peace-treaty to me, it seems more like a conditional surrender. The Empire gives up it's god and allows complete government oversight from the Thalmar, as well as Thalmar military bases within the Empire's borders, in return the Thalmar will stop wiping out the Empire. That's a pretty one-sided deal.

It's a wonderfully grey decision isn't it!? You can never really be sure you're making the right one.

 

[Thyunda]

Has anybody tried going Stormcloack as a high elf yet? I'd love to see somebody post a story about that...

Yo, legion for life. My primary enemies are the Thalmor, and I refuse to allow some jaundiced cunts (Skyrim made me realize just how racist against elves I am...) to take everything via divide and conquer. Skyrim as a place may be easy to defend, but keep in mind that there was a civil war and some flying lizard things. Neither side would be able to stop the elves for very long, so it would make sense to join forces. Secondly, Ulfric runs a shitty town just north of a fucking swamp. How the hell will he get the resources needed to 1) feed, and 2) equip his armies, 3) maintain necessary infrastructures, and 4) defend numerous mountain passes and a whole coast against the pointy eared assholes from the south when he couldn't even properly run a bloody city?
Oh yes, they're racist dicks. I guess that's another reason for my dumner with an aversion to clothing to join up with them...

Ah, but imagine Ulfric's military ability, but with the backing of all nine jarls, AND a seat in Solitude. The Thalmor themselves are terrified of this happening. While the Empire and the Stormcloaks are at a stalemate, the Thalmor have a chance. If the Empire win, then Skyrim becomes a vassal of the Dominion. If the Stormcloaks win, Skyrim will be a major pain in the ass for the Thalmor.

Taken from the Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak journal.

 

[M-E-D The Poet]

It seems from the many polls that have been taken on the subject, that most Skyrim players seem to be going with the Stormcloaks, and I can't figure out why. In the following post, I will make four points, after reading, feel free to respond and argue with my points.

1) The White-Gold concordat will surely be broken soon, and it will not be long before war with the Ald'meri Dominion resurfaces. If the Stormcloaks take hold of Skyrim, how can they even hope to defend themselves? The Ald'meri Dominion are an incredibly powerful force, how is a team of rag tag rebels ever going to defend Skyrim, especially after having just emerged from such a costly war?

2) Ulfric Stormcloak cannot run Skyrim. Have you seen Windhelm? The place is a total mess. The entire place is more like a stony slum than a city. The streets are filth ridden and the people are starving. Riften is even worse, the guard know exactly where the thieves guild are hiding, but apparently Ulfric doesn't want to waste reinforcements. He can't even manage his section of Skyrim well enough to eradicate a group of pick pockets. How will he ever run an entire continent of Tamriel?

3) Ulfric is a total manchild, and only cares about power. Main story spoilers coming up.

Spoiler

During the peace treaty with the Imperials, he acted like a child. he kicked up a fuss because he didn't want to be in the same room as a Thalmore, and then proceeded to demand city after city to be surrendered to the Stormcloaks, whilst ranting away at the Imperials with his bile about "true sons of Skyrim". Even in the face of the total destruction of Skyrim, he continued to act like a child, and to furhter his own power.

4) Last, but not least, the Stormcloaks are racist nationalists, that think the fact that they are the "correct" race means that they should be allowed Skyrim, and that other races should not have authority or power, because they aren't the right race. Homeland or no homeland, these guys are basically the Skyrim equivalent of the BNP.

did you finish the stormcloak campaign?

you're just like fox news you know that ?

MASSIVE SPOILER GTFO

1. The stormcloaks are in fact a quite able bodied and organised force, they fight with imperial weapons and imperial silver till the end of their campaign
2.The stormcloaks grant people their freedom if they want to, the only reason the legion's leaders get executed is that they want to die for their cause just the same
3.THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT: Ulfric stormcloak when he wins decides that he will only be busy rebuilding skyrim as unofficial king, he will only accept the title if he is chosen in the moot
4. following up on 3 the stormcloaks start prepping skyrim for war
5. you the dragonborn are part of the stormcloak force, the stormcloaks fight like a trained army, but a trained army using guerilla tactics, their inevitable victory with you on their side in that aspect gives them the best setup to beat a strongly overpowered invader
Let me elaborate on that : the empire is like rome, a big beast of a fighting machine, the stormcloaks are like the british, the germanic tribes, no matter how hard the romans tried they always got beaten into pulp. the only difference is the stormcloaks take the fight to the imperials

 

[Thyunda]

It seems from the many polls that have been taken on the subject, that most Skyrim players seem to be going with the Stormcloaks, and I can't figure out why. In the following post, I will make four points, after reading, feel free to respond and argue with my points.

1) The White-Gold concordat will surely be broken soon, and it will not be long before war with the Ald'meri Dominion resurfaces. If the Stormcloaks take hold of Skyrim, how can they even hope to defend themselves? The Ald'meri Dominion are an incredibly powerful force, how is a team of rag tag rebels ever going to defend Skyrim, especially after having just emerged from such a costly war?

2) Ulfric Stormcloak cannot run Skyrim. Have you seen Windhelm? The place is a total mess. The entire place is more like a stony slum than a city. The streets are filth ridden and the people are starving. Riften is even worse, the guard know exactly where the thieves guild are hiding, but apparently Ulfric doesn't want to waste reinforcements. He can't even manage his section of Skyrim well enough to eradicate a group of pick pockets. How will he ever run an entire continent of Tamriel?

3) Ulfric is a total manchild, and only cares about power. Main story spoilers coming up.

Spoiler

During the peace treaty with the Imperials, he acted like a child. he kicked up a fuss because he didn't want to be in the same room as a Thalmore, and then proceeded to demand city after city to be surrendered to the Stormcloaks, whilst ranting away at the Imperials with his bile about "true sons of Skyrim". Even in the face of the total destruction of Skyrim, he continued to act like a child, and to furhter his own power.

4) Last, but not least, the Stormcloaks are racist nationalists, that think the fact that they are the "correct" race means that they should be allowed Skyrim, and that other races should not have authority or power, because they aren't the right race. Homeland or no homeland, these guys are basically the Skyrim equivalent of the BNP.

did you finish the stormcloak campaign?

you're just like fox news you know that ?

MASSIVE SPOILER GTFO

1. The stormcloaks are in fact a quite able bodied and organised force, they fight with imperial weapons and imperial silver till the end of their campaign
2.The stormcloaks grant people their freedom if they want to, the only reason the legion's leaders get executed is that they want to die for their cause just the same
3.THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT: Ulfric stormcloak when he wins decides that he will only be busy rebuilding skyrim as unofficial king, he will only accept the title if he is chosen in the moot
4. following up on 3 the stormcloaks start prepping skyrim for war
5. you the dragonborn are part of the stormcloak force, the stormcloaks fight like a trained army, but a trained army using guerilla tactics, their inevitable victory with you on their side in that aspect gives them the best setup to beat a strongly overpowered invader
Let me elaborate on that : the empire is like rome, a big beast of a fighting machine, the stormcloaks are like the british, the germanic tribes, no matter how hard the romans tried they always got beaten into pulp. the only difference is the stormcloaks take the fight to the imperials

Except the Romans conquered Britain and West Europe...I would make more of a comparison to the Picts v Romans or even the Swedes and the Danes, which is a more fitting comparison.

 

[Spineyguy]

I'm Bosmer, I care not for Nord or Imperial, their fight is their own. That said, I got Phat lootz with the Empire, and the Stormcloaks are a trifle peevish.

The trouble with Revolutions is that usually the rebels care far too much about taking power and far too little about using it well. If the Nords ruled Skyrim then it'd be cleared of Elves and infested with bandits within a century. The Empire, on the other hand, represents a civilisation with a strong army, an iron-fisted government and an efficient societal model. That, coupled with Skyrim's abundance of natural resources, engenders a economic climate wherein progress is limitless.

Or I might be over-thinking it.

 

[thethingthatlurks]

Ah, but imagine Ulfric's military ability, but with the backing of all nine jarls, AND a seat in Solitude. The Thalmor themselves are terrified of this happening. While the Empire and the Stormcloaks are at a stalemate, the Thalmor have a chance. If the Empire win, then Skyrim becomes a vassal of the Dominion. If the Stormcloaks win, Skyrim will be a major pain in the ass for the Thalmor.

Taken from the Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak journal.

There's a problem with this line of reasoning: it was a dossier destined for some head bloke, and you took it. Ergo the Thalmor head people are not entirely aware of the current situation, or of the factions' military potential. Aside from that, anybody in the residence who may have known the contents of the dossier came down with a sudden case of slit throat. This seems to happen frequently wherever my character travels. Not sure if those are related...

So, the Thalmor are not aware of the consequences just yet. To them this is an opportunity to further weaken the empire, and to foster division among the former provinces. A united Skyrim/Cyrodiil is more of a threat to them because of what it represents than two divided, although militarily more powerful factions.

I really like this schism in the game. It is a major improvement from the usual good vs evil...

 

[2fish]

1. I am dark brotherhood I care not for their petty war. Everyone bleeds.

2. But hollywood says root for the underdog...

4. Ok yes as a dark elf assassin I almost killed a few people in the street for verbally assulting another dark elf. They are asshats but asshats have to sleep sometime.

Kill well

 

[0mn1p0t3ntg6y]

I must say, the intense political debate about a game is pretty entertaining.