I have always liked and been a fan of the Imperial race for one reason or another.

I see they are not included at launch for TES:O - Do you think they will be added later as part of an Expansion pack?

I am really hoping they are to be honest.

I believe that they're the enemy race in this one. Maybe we'll see Imperials who defect into another faction as part of an expansion pack, but as it stands now they're the hated-by-all enemy.

Yea I just spotted the Lore posted on the Facebook page and it would seem the Imperials are the bad guys in all of this.

As you said, I am hoping for some defectors or something similar. Will have to wait and see :/

As Eyil said, I believe Zenimax Online mentioned at some point that rebelling Imperials will be introduced in an expansion as a playable race.

I presume they will be... I'm swooping -very- low and presume they might be Zenimax's Pandaren; A faction of Imperials, who 'might' be able to choose which one of the three factions to join.

''A faction of Imperials, who 'might' be able to choose which one of the three factions to join. ''

That would be awesome and something I would love to see happen. It would be a great way to introduce them into the game as a playable race while also filling my need to play Imperial.

Agreed. And lore-wise, it could indeed form a basis for the future of the Empire seen in the earlier... later... uh... the earlier later games!

You know, establish Imperial outposts on the provinces, teach the other races to teach respect for the Imperials and a possible new Emperor, and overall lift their public image from the mud up to the semi-heavens.

...Yes. To me, that sounds flawless.

I would have to agree. It could serve as the defining moment in Imperial rule throughout Tamriel.

Very clever for an Orc Targolak, very clever indeed.

*cocky and ill-toothed grin*

well we have to remember that the game happens during the Second Era before the coming of Tiber Septim and the founding of the Septim dynasty.... Also, Imperials, if I remember well, are not a "race" originated from Cyrodiil since this region was inhabited by Aldmeri before the rebellion and founding of the Human Empire... Most of "today" imperials descend from Nords but though there has been some evolution, I have never seen Cyrodillians as a "origin race" , as opposed to the 9 others (well, there could be debate here, as Bretons also come from Nords, and all Mer race... could be seen as "elves")

(well considering that even elves, Redguards and "Humans (Nords,Bretons,Cyrodillians) themselve are not from Tamriel itself ... that leaves only the Khajit and Argonians the true first inhabitants of Tamriel hehe)

"Known as Cyrodiils, Cyrodilics^{http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Imperial#cite_note-PGE3C-0} or Cyro-Nordics before the time of http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Tiber_Septim, the well-educated and well-spoken Imperials are the natives of the civilized, cosmopolitan province of http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Cyrodiil"
"The Imperial race emerged out of the original Nibenese tribesman, http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Nede and Cyro-Nords in the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Merethic_Era."
~ http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Imperial

"The Nedes (more commonly known as Nedic peoples) were a race of men who were widespread in Tamriel until the First Era, when they were absorbed into the bloodlines of the modern human races. Their characteristics and ancestry are unknown because of conflicting historical accounts and definitions of the word, but modern-day http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Imperial (especially the Nibenese) are known to be their closest relatives."
"It now appears probable that the term "Nedic" has been used by historians to refer to all human people not of Atmoran or Yokudan descent, a catch-all for the forgotten cultures of Tamriel's confused past."
"The document http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Before_the_Ages_of_Man uses the word Nedic as a synonym for Nordic: the http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Atmora settlers who followed http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Ysgramor to Tamriel. According to this text and some others, Nedes are simply http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Nord."
~ http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Nede

That's what I could catch about the Imperials' ancestry, which, to me, seems to point either (suspiciously straight-forwardly) that Imperials are actually declined Nords or (hinted slightly) the native people of the continent of Tamriel.
It appears the Imperial bloodline can never be entirely mapped; Tamriel is such a mess. A cozy mess. Like a home.

Aye thats all well and good, with some info there I have never come across before. But, if they feature in the game in any way shape or form I would love to have them as a playable race.

Not that it would make or break the game for me. I am perfectly happy playing most races lol

Nords and/or Bretons are the best Imperial substitutes, I'd say... Probably someone will roleplay either as an Imperial.