What I want to know is what happened to the Mede dynasty. From what I gathered from the books (granted, they took place a couple centuries before Skyrim does), the Medes actually seemed competent and fair. The Legion in Skyrim is neither.

I want to join the legion. but i also want to join the theives guild and DB. that wouldn't make sense either huh

Divines only know what happened to them haha

I believe Titus Mede II is the current Emporor. Definitely NOT as good of a leader as Titus Mede I.

They're like this because the Thalmor handed their asses back to them during their little war.
They're the Thalmor's little puppets now

Cyrodill is in ruin, some of the towns destroyed.
On the DB questline

Do the Thalmer recognize you as a High Elf?

The Forsworn would like a word with you.

The Empire has lost the legitimacy to rule because of the shameful peace treaty so now the Nords have to make their own way and prepare a strong defense against the Thalmor emperium. I am joining the Stormcloaks so that the Nords can form a new and stronger Empire.

Ah, that's true.

The Stormcloaks in Markarth did the very same thing to the Forsworm.
But then again, Markarth is one helluva corrupted town.

I'm a Nord and I planned to join the Stormcloaks, but as I got closer and closer to Windhelm, I got more and more disillusioned with their cause. Finding the "Gray Quarter" in Windhelm with all the oppressed Dunmer made me stop. I can't help but view them with a cynical eye now that I realize how racist they really are.

But the Dunmer had it coming.

And to be fair, pretty much all of the Races are racist. Nords, Altmer, and Dunmer are the worst though.

Reading this thread has convinced me that the rebels have the moral high ground. The Thalmor are the true enemy here, and it is sad to see the Empire reduced to their puppet. I have always been an Empire fan, and I think that despite its many faults, the Pax Tamriel it has brought still make it on the balance a force for good.

However my Orc will continue to fight for the legion. The Thalmor defeated the entire Empire, one half of one province cannot stand alone. By working from within to return the Legion to its rightful glory, the balance between the races can be restored. The best way to counter them is a resurgence of Imperial assertiveness and the brutal competence of the Legion. Even if we must wait for the current Emperor to die (or perhaps it may be sped up...)

http://imperial-library.info/content/skyrim-concises-account-great-war-between-empire-and-aldmeri-dominion It appears in Skyrim.

You guys critically misunderstand the Empire and Legion. The Aldmeri Dominion and Thalmor are the Empire's enemies, not masters; the two are the superpowers of Tamriel (if you care to draw resemblances to the Cold War), having just fought one of the bloodiest conflicts in Tamrielic history a mere 20-30 years ago, and though they're currently at peace, more war between the two is simply inevitable because of Thalmor expansionism.

The White Gold Concordant (the peace treaty) and the banning of Talos worship was a strategic play to temporarily end a war which the Empire couldn't have kept on fighting (with its legions as decemated as they were) and which will break out again, eventually. Right now is the interwar peace period when the Empire has to rebuild its military and mend ties with Hammerfell to prepare for the inevitable Thalmor invasion, and a rebellion in Skyrim severely messes this plan up.

That's why Skyrim has to remain part of the Empire - to face the greater Thalmor trheat. Ulric likes to play the populist anti-Thalmor card, but the truth is that if Skyrim secedes, both the Empire itself and Skyrim will be weakened to the point of being overrun by the Thalmor.

And that is why I side with the Legion, and so should Argonians, Dunmer and Nords alike. Ulric is a short-sighted fool who is endangering the very fate of all men on Tamriel just so he can play Braveheart.

Maybe, but if the rest of the Legion is full of people like most of the Legion NPCs in Skyrim (particularly Mrs. "Hurr durr, let's kill an innocent person just for kicks." in the beginning), I don't really fancy the Empire's chances in a second round with the Thalmor. Military strength can only go so far when you're going out of your way to make enemies out of the people you're supposed to be protecting.

Hasn't anyone ever stopped and read the small 'Report : Ulfric Stormcloak' at the Thelmor Party break in?
Quite revealing as to Ulfric's motives, AFTER reading that report, i went straight to the empire.

I have, and it's hilarious how many people are in his corner. Folks need to read the information given in game more often.

My argonian brother, we take no sides in conflicts between man and mer, for we the beasts are superior to both, and shall destroy both the storm cloaks and imperials when the time comes. Just like we did to the Dunmer.

Wait what? Youve got it all wrong my friend, first of all, how can you say that you should join the legion if you dislike nords when plenty of the imperial soldiers are nords and when alot of the population support the empire?
Second, if you do the main quest you

Exactly, it's in a book that you get, it holds valuable information as to his motives.

My personal thoughts about his motives : He is disgusting, nothing more but a pawn who broke, and now wants to be king...
How about NO, if someone will be king, it should be the Dovahkiin.

Debating making a nord character...

*minor spoiler*
The thalmor said they're just using ulfric to keep the war going, which makes skyrim weak. So joining the stormcloaks is actually just helping the thalmor, but so is joining the empire.
They all svck. It's a pity. Stormcloaks are racist scumbags, and imperials are tyranical scumbags.

Really, NOT joining a side is how the Thalmor wins. While the Empire devotes its resources to fighting Ulfric, the Empire cannot rebuild its shattered strength after the Great War.

I think the Thalmor would like to see Man divided, which is why I sided with the Empire. In the face of overwhelming Merish aggression, Ulfric has no place dividing humanity.

My argonian thief/assassin is going against the imperial forces for the simple fact that they tried to behead him at the beginning of the game.

He's good at holding personal grudges, too.

I'm Imperial and I'm in Stormcloaks .
And I don't see anything strange about it.
My character's just different than other Imperials.