Shouldn't the imperial guards auto attack you if you're wearing stormcloak armor? Especially if you're in one of their holds?

What can you protect when you are dead though? Not all Nords are barbarians and blind with pride. Some understand what it means to be loyal to your allies. Some understand that the Empire is also biding it's time with the Thalmor as the Thalmor also does with the Empire. The Empire is a tool for the Thalmor... a dangerous tool that will bite back when given a chance. There are many Nords who understand when they support the Empire they support the very idea of peace, that someday through patience they may be able to fight to protect their families again. If your boss is a jerk do you quit going to work or continue to feed your family? That is my point. There is no glory in throwing your life away so it isn't wrong that the Empire decided to outlaw Talos... Talos is just a casualty of war. The Empire didn't give into the Thalmor because they were "weak". No, they are rebuilding and biding their time to strike back at the Thalmor.. but what is the point in giving up and being slain? Who can you protect by giving up?

@Herping yeah he is an ass. There's a particular part in the Empire story line where he attacks a certain Jarl that I respect and come to like. He is a barbarian no ifs ands or buts about it. Although, those who fight for Ulfric who do want independence from the Thalmor are allowed to feel that way. I disapprove of how some stormcloaks treat other races but then there are those who are still respectful and just want freedom. I do like the Empire more than the Stormcloaks. Funny too because before the game came out I was sure I would like the Stormcloaks more. I guess racism even in a video game turns me off.. not that the entire faction is "racist".

There are Nords on both sides of the fight. That's what makes civil wars so ugly. Brother fighting brother and whatnot. I personally have to agree the Jarl of Solitude. She said something to me about how before Talos was a god he was a man. So my opinion is that the best way to honor him is to maintain the empire, gather strength, and then overthrow the Thalmor. Damn elves.

your last statement sounds like something the stormcloaks would say haha!

I am not sure I can blame Ulfric entirely.. How would you feel if you went to fight a war, you lost and came home to see your country occupied by your enemies? They teach you in war time to think of the opposition as evil, as the enemy.. to be hated. How do you come home and see your hated enemy walking the streets and banning your worship

Still curious about this. Is there a reason for it other than the A.I. not being able to realize you're wearing stormcloak armor?

Random interjection incoming.

I'd like to thank all of those who've been posting in here, I've not made a decision on aligning myself with either faction, for the singular reason that I don't know enough about the conflict and the larger issues to really make a decision that I'm confident in (from a RP perspective).

Like some others have said, I'm starting to lean more towards the Empire the more I learn about the overall issues in the games setting.

Same reason they have a lot of essential NPCs. They don't want the headache of figuring out how to deal with allowing people to accomplish quests. Just roll with it

@shift I would suggest going with the Empire first. I did it and loved it. You will love Hadvar too, great guy.

Grrr now I just need to figure out who I want to side with for my Nord warrior!

Hadvar is a Nord and he joined the Imperial Legion, but then Hadvar is a butt[censored]ing traitor so join who you will. Is your Nord a butt[censored]ing traitor? Then perhaps the Imperial Legion is for you. But in all seriousness I have not picked a side yet, leaning towards the Stormcloaks however I dont like the idea of rallying behind somebody who only wants to be king. Is Ulfric really doing what he thinks is best for Skyrim or did he merely see an opportunity to take the crown? I support the people of Skyrim not the person who wishes to rule over them.


You mean the Empire who surrendered to the Thalmor in the first place? The same empire that lets the Thalmor run across Skyrim unopposed murdering those who keep a shrine to Talos? The Nords were never actually allowed to practice in private but many did so in secret, whether or not Ulfric and his Stormcloaks forced the Empire to crack down is debateable but I am sure that the Empire would have done nothing if some Thalmor Inquisitors decided to abduct or murder anyone who they suspected of worshiping Talos.


Is that a spoiler I see?

I can assure you that if you like Hadvar and how kind he is to you in the beginning you will grow to love being on the Empire's side. I cannot speak for the Stormcloaks yet. Ralof of Riverwood is a kind man as well so maybe I will enjoy that faction too. Just make a decision, there is no wrong choice.

edit: @Sir Greywolf Nords who follow the Empire are not traitors. They gave their allegiance to the Empire long ago! They are fighting to protect that allegiance, it is actually the Stormcloaks who are the traitors. You got it backwards If you understand how proud Nords are then you must also understand that when a Nord says he will fight for you he means to the death and always. He will not back down even if his life is on the line. How is that traitorous to give your life for those you swore to protect?

I'd side with Stormcloaks, but the thing is both of them have a huge down side... Imperials are all nice and good, but then they side with Thalmor... Stormcloaks sound like honey and wine, but Ulfric sounds like all he wants is power... So yeah :\ I'm all for Nords having Talos, but in the end, Ulfric is not to be trusted and besides, Nords are total a-holes with anyone but Nords and ESPECIALLY with Redgaurds, Argnoians, and Khajiits... :L One account going with Imperials, one account going with Stormcloaks... :3

The Empire lost, it's a mystery they were even allowed to sign a peace agreement.

This was happening before Stormcloak, he drew more attention to secret Talos worshipping with his ranting and raving. Now, thanks to Stormcloak, the Imperials can't look the other way when Nords are secretly worshipping. They've been put in the position of having to save the Nords from themselves, and not out of the kindness of their hearts, the whole Empire is on the line if they don't fix this.

It's made pretty clear in the dialogue from the very beginning that the Imperials had no interest in seriously enforcing that law, then Stormcloak had to open his big mouth and basically announce to the Aldmeri Dominion that the Empire wasn't keeping its end of the bargain (the peace they were sued for after losing a war).

I would like to explain something.. Put yourself in the position of the Emperor. If you had a war and you lost and it was either concede to banishing worship and obeying orders would you do it to keep your citizens safe? That is what happened there. The Empire tried to keep the citizens safe from genocide by conceding to the demands of the Thalmor. It wasn't cowardice it was making a decision for the greater good. They are biding their time. The Empire hates the Thalmor and will strike back when given the opportunity. It is a game of chess.

Well since the background story very losely parallels the decline of the historical Western Roman Empire and the beginning of the "dark ages" in western Europe, I kinda assume the canon in the next game will fallow the eventual break up of the Empire in one way or another.

There are a few non-spoiler information that you get from the npcs that give you some hint.

1. Aldmeri Dominion groups can be seen capturing a prisoner who is suspected of worshipping Talos and are being dragged off without a trial. The Imperials aren't doing anything about it because they signed a treaty and do not wish to war with them. Would you as a Nord stand there and let this happen? Drag a man off into the night simply for worshipping Talos? You would be bitter at both the Aldmeri Dominion, AND the Imperials for doing nothing to protect them.

2. Pretty sure as a Nord you would be peeved too if you let some elves tell you who you can or cannot worship in your own country.

3. Talos was of course Tiber Septim, the dragonborn Nord who ruled Tamriel. The Dovankiin should be a canonized Nord, and Skyrim will be united under him who see him as a succesor to Tiber Septim, and will be inspired to be an independent country.

So lorewise, I think as a Nord you will side with the Stormcloaks.

It's probably best demonstrated by drawing a (very flawed) comparison with the surrender of the Empire of Japan.

Japan had no intention of surrender. The vast majority of Japanese were willing to fight to the last man and turn the island of Japan in to a meat grinder, no matter how many men the Allies threw at their shores, because they were fanatically devoted to the emperor. It was only when the atomic bombs were exploded over Japan that they realised how far the allies were willing to go, that any resistance was one hundred per-cent hopeless, and so they chose survival.

The Aldmeri Dominion are essentially the ultimate supremacists. They think humans are inferior and have gotten seriously bitter over them ruling Tamriel, they also refuse to believe that it was men who saved mer from Oblivion. They're not going to rest until they can rule men like second-class beings, they had the upper hand and it's clear they only offered the Empire peace for their own reasons.

no, the Dragonborn does not have to be a Nord. This is a gift from Akatosh not given to a particular race. It is a mortal body born with the soul of a dragon. It does not say a Nord born with the soul of a dragon. Just because Talos of Atmora was Dragonborn does not mean it is inherent.

inherent, no
poetic? depends.
I can say Nord as much as not. In fact, looking at TES3 with a similar "outlander" situation, it would be poetic if it was an Imperial. (Or Nord. Or beast race. Blah, really, the Dunmer hate on EVERYone).

So. Grey-Mane, or Battle-Born?

You know... I usually say I support Grey-Mane if I go stormcloak and Battle-Born if I support Empire but have you ever listened to the head of the Battle-borns? Total jerk.. He brags about being wealthy and how the Grey-Manes are poor fools. The guy is a windbag. I don't like the Battle-Borns

edit: I also want people to understand that I stand up for both sides. I see each side and why they fight. I only pick a side because I have to and each playthrough is different. So it does sound like I am pro-Empire but that's only because I finished that side and enjoyed it. Hadvar is also awesome. I cannot vouch for Stormcloaks.

As a True Nord, my only allegiance is to Talos and my people.

The Stormcloaks are racist purists who are commanded by a power hungry madman.

The Imperials bend a knee to the Aldmeri Dominion and made Talos--a mortal-made-god who was originally a Nord--worship illegal and therefore do not deserve my loyalty anymore.

I fight for a free Skyrim. I fight for the people. And I fight for HONOR!

i dont understand the question... youre asking who a nord would side with in the nord's civil war? well who would an american side with in the american civil war? its kind of implied by the "civil" part that the people are split on who to side with. its kind of like asking if gray is closer to white or black.

All of this is in contradiction if you fight for Stormcloak, as independence would be the quickest way to get your people crushed and treated as slaves or animals.

I don't like how they call it a "civil war" in the game as it's more of a revolutionary war.

I chose to go Stormcloak for my first character. I really like Ralof and some of the people he introduces you too. However, after a few missions within the stormcloaks.... I'm not so sold on Ulfric. I agree with many of his aims, however his methods give me pause.

Depends who you like more.

I just said I didn't follow either side of the war. I only assist the people who are the ones who really need help, and most of their woes stem from the war. And now dragons are coming back to life. Being a peasant in Skyrim at this point in time would svck.

If it was at all possible, my Nord would like to get the Stormcloaks and the Imperials to join forces against the Thalmor. They are, after all, the root cause of the war and just plain dikes anyway.