I decided to do every side quest, talk to everyone I could, and clear every dungeon that I could before I went forward with the Stormcloak vs Imperial questlines. I did this because I wanted to gather as much information as I could on the conflict, as well as have enough time to digest that information. Throughout the entire process, the Thalmor really got on my nerves, but I was still on the fence about which side I wanted to support.

Pretty much one of the last places I visited before I ran out of side quests was the college of winterhold. Arcano clinched it for me. I hated that guy to the core (don't ask why -- it should be obvious). I remember turning to my girlfriend during my first conversation with Arcano and uttering the words "I'm going to kill this [censored]". And, in the end, I did.


Did you side against the imperials? Were you influenced by the Thalmor? Were you influenced by Arcano?

If you hate the Thalmor, your side in the war is clear: the Stormcloaks are the only ones who openly talk about slaughering them, while Tullius licks their butts every time he can (at the beginning in Helgen, at the peace conference...).

I joined the Imperials, if the Stormcloaks eliminated the Imperials in Skyrim the Thalmor would move in and surely eliminate the Stormcloaks in a second.
Otherwise, it doesn't matter much if you choose the Imperials or the Stormcloaks, you don't kill much Thalmor....

I keep hearing this buy can't believe it.

Yes, because the Empire without Morrowind (destroyed), Valenwood (sided with the Thalmor), Elsweyr (same), Black Marsh (became independent), Hammerfell (the Empire dropped them), the Summerset Isles (obvious reasons) and Skyrim is SOOO much of an amazing force, that I understand the Stormcloaks are nothing compared to them...riiiight.

And how does the Empire reinforce the Legion in Skyrim if it's fighting a war against the Dominion in other provinces?

Well, the Empire had Nords and Imperials, during the Great War,and they still lost in theory.

I find that the Thalmor aren't, or shouldn't, be a factor in deciding which side to choose. Both ultimately hate the Thalmor. The Empire are gearing up to take it to the Elves, while Ulfric is planning on throwing a "No Pants, Hail Talos and let the mead flow!" party if he wins.


if you weren't being sarcastic, you'd be correct with this. The civil war in Skyrim is just a sideshow for the Empire, they're busy getting ready for the main event.

Technically they didn't lose, but both sides fought until a stalemate. Then the White-Gold concordat was signed.

Anyways, that's noit the point. The Stormcloaks at least have plans against the Thalmor, while the Empire are two-sided at the very best about that matter. And even if they had a "master plan" against the Thalmor, they either lack the humility or the intelligence to share it with the Stormcloak/Redguard resistance (saying "hey! you know, we know how to obliverate that elven scum, how about stop fighting between ourselves and center on that matter, and then once eliminated, we restore Talos worshipping and we re-add Hammerfell to the Empire?", or something like that).

But hey, they like secretism? Then they're alone on this game. And that IF they've a plan after all.

This is true.

Considering thati don't see how that would help the Legion... It's pretty much a headless chicken.

Yes when u look at the thalmor influence and imperial influence in other provences it seems that the storm cloaks do not stand a chance, BUT the stormcloaks live for battle, and embrace their death as they go to sovenguard.
I compare the stormcloaks to the Spartans in the movie " 300". 300 Spartans can take down thousands of soldiers as the Spartans are true soldiers and have no fear.
This in many ways is the same as the nords of skyrim. They are fierce, they are battle born (taught to fight as a child) and they are fearless and embrace sovenguard. I honestly think 100 stormcloaks could easily take 300 - 500 thalmor or imperials.
Not to mention the fact if the dragonborn doesnt get involved, the stormcloaks are the only side with the power of the voice. And if the grey beards decided to step in, they would back ulfric without a doubt, there for making the stormcloaks even stronger.

I need more knowledge on this topic, I'm going book hunting now lol

In fact, I dare to say the opposite: the Stormcloaks could possibly be more succesful at contacting and reuniting all Thalmor resistances (from Hammerfell, Black Marsh...maybe even a bit from Elsweyr and Valenwood as well), than a secretive Empire who are suspicious of boot-licking them. Besides, if the Empire haven't already contacted the two most important ones (Hamerfell and the Stormcloaks), then it's surely as I've already said in my previous post.

The greybeards wouldn't intervene.



Black Marsh isn't a 'Thalmor resistance'. The Empire aren't secretive either. Why should they share their military plans with states that are not part of the Empire, nor on necessary friendly terms. I can picture it now:

Empire: "Oh hey Hammerfell, we're about to launch a major offensive on the Aldmeri dominion. This is where our legions are going to be. Feel free to join in."
Hammerfell: "Oh yeah. We'll totttttaaalllly be down to kill some elves with you." *Hammerfell invades northern Cyrodill for the lulz*

Neither they are Thalmor allies. But apart from Hammerfell, I'd dare to say it's the only province where you could probably find a lot of people akin to the Thalmor resistance.


Simply because they aren't Thalmor' friends. And because both Skyrim and Hammerfell have far bigger concerns with the Thalmor menace rather than to think about expanding their frontiers.

Sometimes you just have to trust in people in order to get the job done.

Deang,
Yes but, if the thalmor manage to capture the old fella from the blades, and he tells them that paarthurnax is a dragon, the thalmor would then try to kill him, which will result in the grey beards defending him/ helping the stormcloaks