At first glance, it would seem like Imperial is the only logical choice for a Dunmer character. I thought so when I played through the game for the first time. However, after reviewing in-game lore and thinking about the Dunmer's current position for awhile, I've decided that stormcloaks may actually be the better choice for a Dunmer in the long run.

Most Dunmer probably couldn't give less of a damn about the Nine Divines. The end of Morrowind indicated that, after the loss of the Tribunal's divinity, many Dunmer would probably return to the good daedra and ancestor worship of old. There isn't enough lore about this issue in Skyrim to prove that this did, in fact happen, but in my playthrough I only counted two types of Dunmer Nine Divine worshippers: the occasional Dunmer vigilant of Stendarr (who can be safely presumed to worship the divines), and Erandur (who, while a priest of Mara, at least used to worship daedra). Presuming most Dunmer have retunred to ancestor & Daedra worship, they probably revere Boethiah, who is considered to be one of the "good" daedra. Boethiah is a daedric prince of plots, lies and overthrowing of authority, among other things. Consequently, a Dunmer adhering to the tenants of Boethiahian faith would probably have no love for the empire and, indeed, most of the "old school" Dunmer in Morrowind did not.

Now let's look at the Dunmer's current political situation. A great deal of their homeland was destroyed in the Oblivion Crisis and the eruption of Red Mountain. What little that remained was conquered by the Argonians, who invaded Morrowind with a vengeance due to their race's enslavement by the Dunmer. The empire did little, if anything, to aid the Dunmer in these plights. While a great number of Dunmer retreated to Skyrim, the game indicates that most settled in Solthseim, which was turned over to them as a new homeland. Any Dunmer that remained in Morrowind are probably carrying out guerilla tactics against the Argonian rulers (as Dunmer are a fiercely independent people), or biding their time under the rulership of the Argonians, yearning to get their homeland back.

Let's look at Solthseim. It's in between Morrowind, currently occupied by a force that hates Dunmer (Argonians) and the Nords. It is true that the Nords and Dunmer have, in the past, been bitter enemies. However, they share a similar dislike for Argonians and, in the case of the pro-stormcloak nords, a passion for independence. Further, the Dunmer and the Nords share a common enemy: the Thalmor. Those familiar with Dunmer lore know that Veloth led the Dunmer (at that time, the Chimer) to Morrowind to escape persecution/mistreatment at the hands of the Thalmor. There is in-game evidence that their dislike of the Thalmor persists to this day. Malborn, if he survives the Diplomatic Immunity quest, flees to Morrowind because the dark elves do not like the Thalmor. Consequently, the pro-Stormcloak Nords and the Dunmer have some common ground for forming an alliance of necessity, despite their past history.

Most people who believe that Imperial is the only choice for the Dunmer feel that way because of the racism they experience in Windhelm. This racism does exsist. However, it exists, in large part, because the pro-stormcloak nords, for whom the civil war is a time of huge crisis, do not see the Dunmer as doing anything to help (as well as lack of knowledge that the Dunmer and Thalmor supporters are different groups of elves with very different views on each other). If the Dragonborn were to aid the Stormcloaks in driving out the imperials, it would refute this belief and Nords will be more likely to respect the Dunmer and see them as an ally. In fact, if you play through the questline as any kind of elven character (not necessarily a Dunmer), Galmar gains great respect for you as you continue to rise through the ranks and tells you that he respects anyone willing to fight for Skyrim and her people. Further, while many Dunmer in Windhelm lament their condition, only one (the inkeeper at the New Gnisis Cornerclub) has an outright hatred of the Stormcloaks. Others might include the one wandering Dunmer farmer you can find on the road who seeks to join the Imperials.

If the Dunmer gain the Nord's respect, their new homeland, Solthseim, will no longer be sandwiched in between two enemies. In fact, the Dunmer may, eventually, be able to enlist the Nords' support in taking back their homeland, Morrowind, once things die down. Because of the Dunmer's current political situation, there is everything to be said for attempting to gain the Nords as an ally, and everything to be said AGAINST having them as an enemy.

The empire do not persecute the Dunmer. That said, the Empire is dying, and its resources are spread thin. It has lost most of the provinces that were once under its control. The current emperor no longer rules under any kind of divine "right," but as the result of being a warlord. The Empire was unable to aid the Dunmer in the plights they experienced. Even if the Empire crushes the Stormcloak rebellion, its resources will continue to be spread thin and it will be a long, long time, if ever, that it accumulates enough resources to possibly bring Morrowind back into its fold and move the Dunmer that want to return back there. The Argonians will likely oppose. Worse, if the Empire is supported and eventually winds up losing to the Thalmor, any rebellious Nords that remain in Skyrim will have little reason to like the Dunmer or to aid them in any way.

The racism the Nords have against the Dunmer is definitely awful. However, looking at the larger picture, I have concluded that Stormcloaks may, in fact be the better choice for the Dunmer in the long run. I welcome any comments or criticism of this view.

The only races have played that have chosen a side are Nords (either), Imperial (Empire) and an Orc (Empire). None of my other characters, including elves, beasts, etc. ever do the Civil War quests. I just can't RP enough reason for them to care. In fact some (like a Dunmer of mine) rather enjoys seeing the Empire and Nords killing each other.

Something else to consider. I consider myself something of a Stormcloak sympathizer, even though I don't support them (because of the Dominion).

It can be argued that the Dunmers' problems in Windhelm are not necessarily Ulfric's doing. In Riften, there are a lot of Dunmer. They have blended seamlessly into the city's bustling economy and culture. As the book "Scourge of the Gray Quarter" states (and rightly, I think), immigrants should expect to adapt to their new homeland, not the other way around. A Dunmer who grew up in Riften might consider himself a son of Skyrim first, regardless of his bloodline. And he might believe that once the Dunmer in Windhelm do as the Dunmer of Riften did, conditions for them might improve.

The argonians never took solstheim. The Nords gave solstheim to the dunmer after red year, so a large portion of the dunmer refugees went there too.

You are correct. However, Morrowind is occupied by the Argonians and, as I said, Solthseim is "sandwiched" in between Morrowind and Skyrim.

Your understanding of the current status of Morrowind is lacking.

Argonia was the only provience actually kicking the Daedra's ass so hard they Dremora closed there own gates to keep from being overwhelmed, At which point they Argonians in Black Marsh decided to become independent. And the Empire just let them go, the swamps were never that valuable and every other provience was devestated by the Oblivion Crsis so there was simply no arguing when they wanted to leave.

Shortly after the Oblivion Crsis the Nords and Orcs actually attacked Morrowind from the north probably contining there fighting with House Redoran, A few years after that the Ministry of Truth finally fell on the City of Vivic triggering Red Mountain's eruption and destorying the island of the Vvardenfell. I would imagine this triggered tsunami's which would have devestated the coasts of Morrowind's mainland. Then the Argonians invaded. Which is why the Dunmer scattered to the four corners of Tamerial the universe spent about five years kicking them in the ass. Many of whom settled in the nearest friendly imperial provience of Skyrim.

But many Dunmer remained or returned to rebuild Morrowind. As you said Malborn, if he survives the Diplomatic Immunity quest, flees to Morrowind because the dark elves do not like the Thalmor. The Argonains never occupied Morrowind beyond the southern portions. They didn't come for conquest but to wipe out the houses that most supported slavery.

The stormcloak goal is an independent skyrim, they won't help Morrowind rebuild its towns and cities or even recapture the southern portions from the Argonians. Fighting for the stormcloaks as a Dunmer hoping it mean the Nords will look kindly on the rest of your people is naive, segregated minories have tried that in the past it never worked. The fact the Empire is in need of resources would be a reason for them to help rebuild the provience which is technically still part of the Empire no mention is made of it actually leaving.

The same can be said of anyone who isn't a pure Altmer. This includes the Argonians and the Khajiit even if they haven't figured it out yet. The Great War Part II is coming the Empire are the enemy of the Thalmor too.

The fact they blend in fine in Riften is evidence that it IS Ulfric's doing in Windhelm. Its the only city in Skyrim that legally segregates the Dunmer. One of the Dunmer merchants flat out states they aren't allowed to live outside the Slums in Windhelm. You can't blame the Dunmer in Windhelm because legally they aren't allowed to intergrate with the rest of the city.

The only reason my vampiric dunmer chose to rise through the ranks of the imperial legion is that it seemed smart for the The Listener of The Dark Brotherhood to be an officer in the imperial legion; she doesn't particularly care about what's best for Skyrim.

Edit: Lord Vukodlak told it better while i was typing my mess

OP's anolysis looks spot on to me.

I think you're understating matters. The An-Xileel are actively anti-imperial. Umbriel targeted imperial cities, perhaps at the behest of a Hist (though it might have been rogue). The novels also state that the Argonians are preventing the empire from reclaiming territory they hold in southern Morrowind.

Source?


I view the Grey Quarter as a special enclave created with similar terms to those in the Decree of Monument. It makes more sense than the idea that the Dunmer are segregated there because of racism; the Altmer aren't segregated, for instance. Septims to sweetrolls the Dunmer themselves insisted on living in sovereign enclaves so that they wouldn't be beholden to Nord jarls. No matter what the reason, the Grey Quarter's existence can't be put down to Ulfric's doing because it predates him.