At the very beginning of the game you have to choose between the empire or stormcloak guy to follow.

This is really harsh seeing a how I love the empire but I cannot stand them in this particular scene in the opening.


Is this just temporary do they get better later on.


WHO ARE THE GOOD GUYS. I realise TES has always had grey ares but this choice is preventing me from playing the game. I just need to know a few non spoiler reason to chose what side.

I don't think it matters much but I haven't gone far enough to tell.

I littearly am having OCD about this and cannot continue playing without your help!

This game is far from black and white, with both sides fighting for semi-legitimate reasons. I followed the Empire guy because he basically saved my life... But then I saw the torture chambers in the keep. I honestly don't know what side to take now. >.>

Torture chambers are what did it for me as well.

Choose sides later...or not at all.
But for the opening I suggest you follow the Stormcloak.
Reasoning: The ensuing dead Legion soldiers have more valuable gear for you to loot.
Your coin purse will be much jinglier in the early going after some bartering in Riverwood, which should not be underestimated.

Just one opinion.

But wouldnt that mean ditching the nice Imperial guy?

Non spoiler?

Um.. ok.. well... The empire isnt bad... neither are the stormcloaks.

The stormcloaks are defiant in the fact that nords have traditions, traditions that should be kept. They want skyrim to be free from the empire, they dont hate it.. they just dont want to be part of it as they see the empire as dieing away and dont want to get pulled down with a sinking ship. They dont want the thalmor imposing their laws over skyrim as they have over the empire, as their laws make worshipping talos outlawed, talos being born within skyrim before becomming emperor, hes pretty important there.

The empire has been essentially beaten, the thalmor have taken over valenwood, black marsh and elsywer, alot of hammerfall, The empire lose the IC , nearly fought themselves into the ground to get it back again, forced to sign a peace treaty that meant worshipping their most loved god against the law and allow thalmor agents to control the empires dealings all over, dragging people off to prison if they feel they break their laws. They cant lose skyrim, if they lose the nords then they lose both the strategically important north coast, as well as a majority of their fighting force. If skyrim becomes independant, then they are not guranteed a strong fighting force, possibly the only fighting force currently left that can help them hold back the elves should this treaty go wrong.

This all happened before the setting of the game, the starting clip doesnt mean the imperials are bad, i mean they believe you to be in with this rebel leader, this leader they say killed the king of skyrim. This king was on the side of the empire and now hes gone they risk losing skyrim. So as far as they are concerned, you were captured near this big ambush, rather than risk you getting away and telling the rebels about how they executed their leader without trail (if he went to trial then the kingdom would be split in two as half the kingdom supports the rebels) so the imperial captain decides to make sure everyone dies.

Shes just doing her job...

Nice???
You do remember the halberd approaching your neck, right?

You need to think of yourself early on. And that means better coinage for better gear. Follow the Stormcloak and loot the Legion dead.

Neither side is particularly good. I personally went with the Stormcloaks because I naturally hate the empire after roleplaying a Renrijra Krin Khajiit in Oblviion...but I soon discovered that the Stormcloaks have no love for any race besides Nords...completely ignoring crimes if they are committed against non nord races.

Both sides have their reasons and I don't particularly want to help either one...

About what the guy above me said in regards to the empire about to execute you...if you pay attention you will realize that the imperial soldier that you have the option to go along with was the one that didn't really want to execute you but was ordered to by his superior officer.

I followed the imperial and he advised me to join so I replied I would think about it when I really was thinking nowaymanmyheadwasonthe block! There are loads of clubs you can join that don't much care about either party.

Uh what do you mean you have to choose between the Empire or Stormcloak guy you have to fallow? I started 3 times because I missed something and didn't understand and never got a chance to follow a Stormcloak.

It doesn't matter what you do right now.

You don't actually side with one or the other until later.

Just pick one.

But again, that's just him doing his job. As soon as the Dragon shows up, he turns around and saves your life.

No spoilers:
They meet up and talk. Then a message appears telling you to choose.
Go left with the Imperial or go right with the Stormcloak. From then on...play your game, not theirs.

I am actually in awe, I had the same problem as you, but the choice felt so natural that I think I overlooked it.

The choice early on seems to give a nudge in one direction or the other, but doesn't close any doors. I think the devs worked hard to make both factions realistic, without a clear good guy, and did a good job at that. I went with the Empire, and I'm glad I did because it sounds like Skyrim and the Empire need each other more than ever right now. But it does mean accepting some bad things, and forgiving the whole "tried to execute me" thing.

I have noticed that the Stormcloaks have lots of camps scattered around in good positions, and those can make good places to get resupplied and/or ambushed by the rebels because you're too loud about supporting the Empire.

Going to go Empire. I love the empire regardless of how bad it is doing. I believe in uniting all of Tamriel and without SKYRIM that will not be easy. YOU guys have helped me out a lot thanks! I can finally play the game now!