Previously, I was strictly Empire, but know I'm reconsidering the sides here.

My reasons for doing so are:

Hadvar states: "Your kind always seems to get in trouble." As a Khajiit, this statement sounds as though it should be offensive.

With the Thalmor at Helgen, I'm not sure if my character should feel guilty for the capture of the Stormcloaks because the Thalmor were searching for him, the Empire was searching for Ulfric. Our paths crossed, could be my fault 'cause the Thalmor could've informed Tullius as to Ulfric's whereabouts.

An alternate possibility is Tullius telling the Thalmor that I'm "their" prisoner and it is none of the Thalmor's business. This scenario would make the Stormcloaks at fault for my inability to get away into Cyrodiil. This was my original theory.

The goals of this topic are:
Finding out which side J'derras Dar-Jokrin shall take. Note that J'derras has an open mind, but he hates the Thalmor with a passion. He doesn't like murderers (which Ulfric is accused of being), but he likes freedom and choice. Show me your arguments.

Hmmm...this really is a hard decision. Try talking to some of the people in Skyrim, some of them have their thoughts about the war which could change your character his view about a certain side in the war.

It's hard to make a good decision because I'm trying to roleplay. J'derras can't really ask the people of Skyrim, despite the fact I know that Ulfric has some racist tendencies.

Oh yes, I forgot that the Khajiit are not allowed to enter the cities.

Ulfric has racist tendencies? Come on now, give me an example where he does/says something racist and not something someone who dislikes him says about him. You wont find one. Typically, all Nords are xenophobic of other races in their homeland, what you need to do is way your characters values over the misinterpretations. Stormcloaks are fighting for freedom, the Empire is trying to prevent them. For me, the issue was about freedom vs subjugation.



No, their caravans aren't allowed to enter cities, not the race itself. The caravans aren't because they've been accused of theift and skooma smugling, which isn't far fetched at all. Their war profiteers and undesirables based on their reputation, not that their cat folk.

Well, I'm not roleplaying against entering cities.

@Lord Tidus: The conflict arises between Stormcloaks fighting for freedom, and J'derras wanting to hurt the Thalmor as much as possible (for the murders of his parents and the unjustified bounty on J'derras head placed by the Thalmor). A unified Empire is better suited to fighting the Thalmor. If the Thalmor leave Skyrim, then I can't kill them in-game.

Still, I don't see any Khajiit in the cities. There must be a reason why.

If that's really the case, then that leaves me wondering why, in all the game I only ever seen one Khajiit within the city limits.

The funny thing is that Winterhold is the only city that has a Khajiit inside namely Jzargo and it is controlled by the Stormcloaks.

Nevertheless, the issue remains: Who should J'derras side with? His captors, or those responsible for his capture?

Hmmm...yes...I find that interesting aswell.

To put an end to the "why there are no Khajiit in cities" question, Khajiit do not like cold climates, therefore Khajiit avoid living in Skyrim as a resident. This is why Khajiit are rare in cities. The caravans are in Skyrim to reap opportunities from the war, as stated by Ri'saad himself.

Ah, that seems logical.
Anyway, back to your topic.

Perhaps it may be best to join up with the imperials, coming from a pro stormcloak like I am.
But...the choise is very hard indeed.

Ok, the racist argument has already been dealt with, let's look at the murder accusation.

According to Nord tradition, Ulfric had the right to challenge the High King to a duel, and the High King accepted. One can discusst how fair the set-up was (a seasoned warrior who knew the Thu'um against a young nobleman who only had some "martial training" but no combat experience, and had Troygg really any alternative but to accept?), but the circumstances remain: according to Nord traditional law and customs, when Torygg accepted the challenge, there was no murder, but a duel, which Torygg lost.

According to Imperial law, however, this tradition isn't acknowledged.

So it all comes down to whether your Khajiit thinks a province should have its own traditional laws and customs, or should obey Imperial law.

Other things: Does your Khajiit think the Empire really will take the fight with the Thalmor, or does he think the Empire has resigned? Ulfric & co are pretty outspoken about fighting the Thalmor.

Who does your Khajiit trust the most, the people he's met on the Imperial side or among the Stormcloaks?

And, last but not least: I've played through both sides, and I admit I am a bit biased since I've come to believe more and more in the Stormcloak cause, but fact is: As a legionnaire, I felt like just another cog in the wheel. It was terribly boring. But when I went Stormcloak, I felt genuinely appreciated for what I did. Much more fun!

Ulfric is nothing more than a warlord who will kill any who stand in the way of the throne, be they Empire or Stormcloak. Him winning will mean all non-Nords expelled or worse and a Skyrim so weakened and with no allies to call on that the Thalmor will march straight in and add it to their domain.

The Empire winning means the Empire continues to be the only thing in the world stopping the Thalmor from complete domination. No other land can do that, only the Empire can resist and only if Skyrim remains a part of it. The Nords built the Empire and helped drive the Thalmor out of Cyrodiil. There's absolutely not one single benefit to them leaving because they'd be overrun by the Nazis. Oops, I meant Thalmor.

Well the fact that Elsweyr is no longer an Empire province should be something to consider. But it's only you who knows your character...

I wonder why this is. I mean, the Khajiit are the only race to have full-bodied fur. Along with clothing and armor, wouldn't they be the warmest of the races. If so, maybe they don't like it because of personal reasons.

Ehm... where did you get that from? The only one I can recall who claims anything like that is Arcadia in Whiterun - you know, the same woman who tries to claim you have some disease so she can sell more potions... She also complains a lot about how the Stormcloaks won't buy from her if you side with them and let them take over Whiterun. I wonder why...

Actually, among the Stormcloaks themselves, no one says anything about expelling non-Nords. You are welcome to join them even if you're not a Nord. There are plenty of non-Nord inhabitants in Windhelm, the very Stormcloak headquarter, and some of them are very well off. And if they win, there's no sign or talk about non-Nords being driven out of Skyrim. IMO it's pretty clear Arcadia either is slandering on purpose, or has gotten something wrong.

This is the internet. Where facts are invented and opinions are presented as truth.

Well, I can't argue with that...

You can force people to fight for you, but you can't force them to fight with as much meaning as the Stormcloaks. Also Skyrim is in a good position to ally itself with Hammerfell.

Well, let's see. J'derras prefers civilized customs, so this would lead him to be against fights to the death on such matters. In addition, he hasn't had any exposure to Imperial law, being raised in Hammerfell. J'derras truly knows that another war between the Thalmor and the Empire is inevitable. Finally, he cannot say who he trusts more because while the Imperials send him to the block, it is most likely because the Thalmor bought off that imperial officer to execute me. If the Stormcloaks didn't cross paths with J'derras though, he could've made it to Cyrodiil.

There are so many circumstances here, that unless a true ultimate reason can be established, he would have to choose on instinct alone. He finds that Ralof is a bit too much of a martyr, and Hadvar sympathetic, but subservient. A good question for J'derras stands though: Why are the Thalmor in Helgen? Did they play a part in the capture of the Stormcloaks, or are they just trying to barter with Tullius for custody of J'derras (whom the Thalmor have a bounty on)?