Stormcloaks are too mainstream.

[Boom129]

I see the stormcloaks as hippies, which is why I joined the Empire. The only thing the Empire is doing that is bad (it's a pretty big one though) is depriving skyrim from worshipping Talos which is a real dick move but other than that the stormcloaks are just dumb hippies ¬.¬

Wow I never realized how alike they are >:|

 

[Thyunda]

From what I've seen the Thalmore are basically the Nazis, except they haven't lost yet. On top of that the Thalmore have denied the Nords from worshiping their apparently most important God. So you think hes a manchild for not wanting the dudes who are basically SS guards that are religiously persecuting him, who the game points out over and over are basically information gathering spies that regularly kidnap and murder Nord civilians, and have been actively working to prolong the conflict, from being in the peace talks? Really? Honestly?

That's not what I meant. He didn't want to sit at the same table as a Thalmore, which is understandable, but almost refusing to attend the peace confrence that could save the whole of Skyrim (or probably Tamriel) from total destruction because you don't want to sit at the same table as somebody you don't like is more than slightly childish. As is nearly walked out of the peace treaty because the Imperials wouldn't give you the city you wanted. He failed to notice the full way through that conference that there were bigger things at stake that his own power.

The rest of your post was convincing though. I'm beginning to think I'd placed too much trust in the Empire's abbility to fight back against the Aldmeri Dominion, which is something that may not even be a possibility at all.

The real issue between the sides of the civil war is not which has the better morals and ideals, but which stands in a better position to fight the Aldmeri Dominion. I still can't figure out which side would be more up to the task.

He's a Nord. He's proud. Would you sit in a peace conference and listen to your superiors bend over and take it up the ass from a bunch of uppity high elves? I sure as hell wouldn't. Ulfric showed a lot of restraint in walking away, and not shouting the elves apart like he did the previous High King. You keep making out Ulfric's doing all of this for personal gain. His followers are diehard, though. You don't get diehard followers out of a selfish mission. He really cares for his people, that much is obvious. He knows what is best for Skyrim, and he's convinced that the Aldmeri Dominion are not to be trusted.

And he's right. The Empire don't stand a chance. Cyrodiil is open meadows. Hammerfell, judging by the Redguard I've met, is an Arabic type of land. Deserts. Not exactly the utopia the high elves came from. Easy enough for the Redguard to defend. Cyrodiil is a stroll for the Altmer.
Skyrim on the other hand. I see no reason why Skyrim should be a part of the White-Gold Concordat. The elves would not last a week if they tried a military occupation. Certain surprises, such as the fellow living at the top of the Throat of the World, the Greybeards in High Hrothgar, the fact that every Nord community is perfectly capable and willing to take up arms in a heartbeat?

Compare it to Great Britain and the Roman occupation. England was relatively easy to conquer. Kill the religious leaders, and ban their gods, and the Britons fell into line. With the exception of the Iceni rebels, things went pretty smoothly. In the Highlands, however, the Picts followed the ancient Scottish tradition of 'get oot ma hoose'. Mountainous terrain, freezing weather and the fact that every Pict was apparently part bear, and the Romans built a wall to keep them in Scotland.

Huh. Pre-unification Scotland sounds a lot like Skyrim. Suppose that goes for every Northern European country, though.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

How the hell do you think the Aldmeri are going to invade Skyrim? I don't know if you've tried, but I suggest you consider how hard it is to leave Skyrim without being able to fly over mountains. Skyrim is incredibly, mind-blowingly easy to defend because every single entrance is a narrow mountain pass and this is a world where it is not only feasible but fairly easy to bathe a small area in magical fire that will kill most normal people on a constant basis.

Man, how would an enemy based on an island attack?

Could it be by land?

No...

I doubt they'll attack by sea, what, there's only AN ENTIRE COAST LINE

So. Why did Britain not get invaded much during the middle ages? Or the modern age? Or World War I and II? Why did Napoleon fail to take their stuff? Same as Hitler?
Because. They had water. And the French are burned by water. And German people can't swim in anything other than beer. Or Jagermeister.
Now, the Thalmor are basically French, right? As such, they can't attack from the sea, because they would catch fire. Elves have a racial weakness to frost as well. Skyrim would probably not be their favoirte vacation location.

Besides, Skyrim has like the fiercest Mudcrabs in all Tamriel. Mofos can kill dwagons!

 

[Boom129]

Seeing as I killed the emperor prior to choosing a side, I thought it would be pretty odd to side with the imperials.

Unless you've been working for the Aldmeri all along

 

[Cid Silverwing]

So happy that I sided with the Empire. Death to the kingslayer.

 

[kaizen2468]

Seeing as I killed the emperor prior to choosing a side, I thought it would be pretty odd to side with the imperials.

Unless you've been working for the Aldmeri all along

I also hold a bit of a grudge for almost being beheaded by them without cause.

 

[Boom129]

Seeing as I killed the emperor prior to choosing a side, I thought it would be pretty odd to side with the imperials.

Unless you've been working for the Aldmeri all along

I also hold a bit of a grudge for almost being beheaded by them without cause.

I meant if you joined the Imps after killing the Emprah

 

[X10J]

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.

Yeah, I agree on almost all points. I honestly went with the Ralof at the start because a.) the imperials have better weapons, and killing them let me take their stuff faster b.) It seemed more natural to go with the fellow the prisoners than the people who were going to unjustly execute me. After seeing some other playthroughs, Hadvar seemed like a nicer bloke and I might've gone with him otherwise. Other than the intro though, I've stayed out of the Civil War, but I may join the Imperials. Their wrong-doing is at least partially justified.

 

[Csae]

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.

Everything you said is true...

But i started the game by almost being beheaded by the Empire.

You can argue that it wasn't the empire itself and just a lowly sergeant, colonel, wtv, but that would be bull.

Aaaand lastly, F. the Thalmore, even if i was solo the damage i'd do to their entire army would allow anyone to walk over them after.

 

[YawningAngel]

How the hell do you think the Aldmeri are going to invade Skyrim? I don't know if you've tried, but I suggest you consider how hard it is to leave Skyrim without being able to fly over mountains. Skyrim is incredibly, mind-blowingly easy to defend because every single entrance is a narrow mountain pass and this is a world where it is not only feasible but fairly easy to bathe a small area in magical fire that will kill most normal people on a constant basis.

Man, how would an enemy based on an island attack?

Could it be by land?

No...

I doubt they'll attack by sea, what, there's only AN ENTIRE COAST LINE

Attacking a coastline on which the only natural harbours are protected by enormous fortress cities sailing in wooden boats that can be easily holed through magical means doesn't sound easy to me.

 

[Csae]

Or the fact that an attack on a coastline filled with sunken ships due to icebergs is also a bad idea... you know.

 

[Caimekaze]

Because my character is a dick who has a few problems with the empire, mostly they "they tried to cut her head off" bit.

And so she wants to mess them up as much as she can.

She's not particularly nice.

 

[pffh]

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.

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.

The Stormcloaks just racist? What? So wanting to rule your own home country instead of having a imperialistic group run it, is wrong? The way I see it, the Imperial Empire is like Britain, and the Stormcloaks are like the Irish, Indian or Chinese. They have a RIGHT to self-sovereignty (both the Stormcloaks and the Irish/Chinese/Indian).

What they have the right to rule the land that they stole after they slaughtered the original inhabitants? I'll repeat myself the Nord homeland is NOT Skyrim it's in Atmora not Tamriel.

Well if the original people exist, then I would support them over the Empire. However if the original people don't exist, then I would support the Nords over the Empire. My reason is because the Empire reminds me too much of the past European empires who acted like *ssholes to almost everybody.

They still exist. You know them as the Falmer but the Altmer and the Bosmer and even the Bretons have an equal claim for it since they're directly descended from the Aldmer who were also part of the original settlers. In fact all the mer (including Bretons the Manmer) have a better claim to be the true sons of Skyrim then the Nord.

 

[Dr Jones]

Also, they didn't try to cut my head off for no damn reason, fuck the Empire, seriously.

Hah, main reason i was gonna go Stormcloak (believe it or not, i'ma go Imperial due to this thread). My logic was, i don't really trust anyone about to cut my head off.

 

[M4t3us]

Most people go with the Stormcloaks because the Imperial Legion tries to cut your head off at the beginning of the game. They're supposed to be the bad guys. It might be reasonable that they would assume I'm with the Stormcloaks, but even so, in that situation, I'd do everything in my power to see them burn.

But you do see them burn, dragon ftw... and you get to kill a few on your escape from Helgen! That made them even with my character.

 

[DracoSuave]

How the hell do you think the Aldmeri are going to invade Skyrim? I don't know if you've tried, but I suggest you consider how hard it is to leave Skyrim without being able to fly over mountains. Skyrim is incredibly, mind-blowingly easy to defend because every single entrance is a narrow mountain pass and this is a world where it is not only feasible but fairly easy to bathe a small area in magical fire that will kill most normal people on a constant basis.

Man, how would an enemy based on an island attack?

Could it be by land?

No...

I doubt they'll attack by sea, what, there's only AN ENTIRE COAST LINE

So. Why did Britain not get invaded much during the middle ages? Or the modern age? Or World War I and II? Why did Napoleon fail to take their stuff? Same as Hitler?
Because. They had water. And the French are burned by water. And German people can't swim in anything other than beer. Or Jagermeister.

You're starting to see my point...

Now, the Thalmor are basically French, right?

No wait, you're not...

As such, they can't attack from the sea, because they would catch fire. Elves have a racial weakness to frost as well. Skyrim would probably not be their favoirte vacation location.

Those elves haven't had that weakness in centuries. They've got it sorted out. But more importantly, you've confused the Summerset Isles (an island nation, like Britain) for Skyrim (a coastal nation, like France)

Skyrim's capital is on the shore, which means that isolating it for a siege is EASY. Land on both sides, surround it, you're good! Most foreign trade in Skyrim comes from the port in Solitude. Cut that off (which the Dominion is more than capable of doing), and Skyrim's completely cut off.

The Empire cannot effectively defend Skyrim from the Thalmor, because Skyrim is too easily cut off. The Storkcloaks, on the other hand, seek to ensure every hold in Skyrim has a standing militia and a Jarl willing to bash some skulls to defend her. That means Skyrim, under Ulfric, actually HAS a standing army, rather than having to rely on a force that either needs to traverse the mountains, or ferry around the continent navally--either the long eastern route, or a western route that has to pass through the waters of... oh yes. The Altmeri Dominion.

Naval advantage IS with the elves, good sir.

 

[LordRoyal]

Come to think of it.

Spoiler

The emperor is kinda euh... dead. Who's leading the Empire now anyway?

He is only dead if you killed him during the Dark Brotherhood questline. If that's the case then it's just like in Oblivion.

Spoiler

The High Council takes over until a new Emperor is elected.

Likely one of his children or a relative of some sort.

 

[LordRoyal]

Skyrim's capital is on the shore, which means that isolating it for a siege is EASY. Land on both sides, surround it, you're good! Most foreign trade in Skyrim comes from the port in Solitude. Cut that off (which the Dominion is more than capable of doing), and Skyrim's completely cut off.

The Empire cannot effectively defend Skyrim from the Thalmor, because Skyrim is too easily cut off. The Storkcloaks, on the other hand, seek to ensure every hold in Skyrim has a standing militia and a Jarl willing to bash some skulls to defend her. That means Skyrim, under Ulfric, actually HAS a standing army, rather than having to rely on a force that either needs to traverse the mountains, or ferry around the continent navally--either the long eastern route, or a western route that has to pass through the waters of... oh yes. The Altmeri Dominion.

Naval advantage IS with the elves, good sir.

Bare in mind that Windhelm would likely become the capital of the new Sovereign Skyrim, due to it being the oldest city and all.

With regards to defending Skyrim, the Legion has always kept a standing force inside the country. Assimilating whatever standing army of Stormcloaks that still exists would be a very logical step.

 

[Helmholtz Watson]

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.

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.

The Stormcloaks just racist? What? So wanting to rule your own home country instead of having a imperialistic group run it, is wrong? The way I see it, the Imperial Empire is like Britain, and the Stormcloaks are like the Irish, Indian or Chinese. They have a RIGHT to self-sovereignty (both the Stormcloaks and the Irish/Chinese/Indian).

What they have the right to rule the land that they stole after they slaughtered the original inhabitants? I'll repeat myself the Nord homeland is NOT Skyrim it's in Atmora not Tamriel.

Well if the original people exist, then I would support them over the Empire. However if the original people don't exist, then I would support the Nords over the Empire. My reason is because the Empire reminds me too much of the past European empires who acted like *ssholes to almost everybody.

They still exist. You know them as the Falmer but the Altmer and the Bosmer and even the Bretons have an equal claim for it since they're directly descended from the Aldmer who were also part of the original settlers. In fact all the mer (including Bretons the Manmer) have a better claim to be the true sons of Skyrim then the Nord.

thats fine, just as long as it isn't the imperialistic Empire.