Yeah, but thats the Akaviri. They were a far more capable fighting force than an army of elves that have a reputation as being among the worst melee fighters on Tamriel.

And indeed, it would be. But depending on how the Civil War is decided (and what happens immediately afterwords) Skyrim will either be have to fight in its southern mountains (or perhaps northern Cyrodiil) or will have to rush to have forces ready in Cyrodiil. Especially if the Dominion decides it wants to attack the moment the war ends. Either way though, Cyrodiil is likely going to be devastated again, and I don't think theres going to be any way around that unless the Legion both wins the civil war and miraculously returns to its former strengths.

We also have the issue of Hammerfel. If they were to be called upon for reinforcements (and lets face it, they will eventually have to come into the war with the Dominion again anyway. Especially if the Dominion somehow manages to take High Rock and Skyrim) Skyrim would be far more likely to get them to agree to it than the Empire would be.

Hence why I support the Empire, so Cyrodiil stands more of a chance and Skyrim doesn't have to worry about either invading the Dominion by themselves, or having to fight a defensive war. And war with between the Empire and Dominion would also end the ban on Talos.

Regarding Hammerfell, I imagine it may be even worse off than Cyrodiil, considering the Redguards continued to fight the Dominion for five years after the war ended in Cyrodiil.

Meh. Cyrodiil as far as I'm concerned is a relic and needs to be abandoned (much like the former Empire. The Mede Empire is just a bastardization of the Septim Empire, and both have long since past their expiration date. A new one needs to be formed). Skyrim wouldn't be alone (as regardless of Hammerfel, Skyrim would have High Rock at its side) and if Skyrim was to engage in a defensive war it would be far better off. Its southern and eastern terrain and all possible sea routes gives them a massive advantage against the Dominion as the Dominion would never be able to split Skyrim's army like it did to the Legion, would be forced into a direct ground war (which we've already seen two examples where they failed at doing this. Both in Hammerfel and in Cyrodiil), and just simply wouldn't have the home advantage.

You also have to remember that the Dominion has the problem of Valenwood. Civil war is brewing there in much the same way it brewed in Skyrim. The Bosmer did not join the Dominion willingly and in all liklihood would join with a new Empire (or may be even the old one) if they saw a chance in gaining their independence again.

And yes, Hammerfel did fight with the Dominion for 5 years. Thing is, they fought them to a standstill within the first months of fighting and kept them there until the Dominion decided to strike peace with them. Southern Hammerfel was devastated, but they still won. Now imagine what would have happened if they had the backing of the rest of the capable Legion and fresh troops from Skyrim and High Rock.

My Nord sided with the Imperials. Ulfric is too shortsided and self ambitious to see more than Skyrim is at stake and if he free's Skyrim it is but for a moment.

Until you get back to the reality of the situation and see that Ulfric doesn't even matter.

A defensive war may seem easier, but it also means that (1) either Hammerfell or Cyrodiil has been conquered or (2) as long as they're on the defensive, far from the Dominion lands, there's less of a chance for them to actually take the fight to the Dominion and end the threat of the Thalmor once and for all. Siding with the Empire guarantees Skyrim two provinces as allies, including the province that actually borders the Dominion.

And yes the previous Empire fell apart after about 600 years, but the Alessian Empire managed to last 2000 years despite antagonizing about half of Tamriel.

Really? I was not aware there was any unrest in Valenwood. If so, this would be good regardless of who won the civil war.

I had trouble aligning my Dunmer. Especially since he firmly believes himself to be Nerevar. He's the actual Nerevarine, still alive due to corprus, and therefore he's fond of neither the Nords nor the Empire, really.

Only slightly spoilerish:

The Bosmer who helps you inside a certain building during the main quest talks about the Thalmor purges in Valenwood which killed his whole family. That's why he helps the Blades.

Now I'm not necessarily saying that Skyrim should just outright abandon Cyrodiil, but I don't think it should rush to its defense either if the Dominion decides to invade before Skyrim has a real chance to establish a foot hold in the province. However, if Skyrim were to get pushed into a defensive war (and presuming they came out on top, which is very likely even if its just Skyrim alone. Throw in High Rock and possibly Hammerfel (and may be even whatever forces come up from Cyrodiil) and the chances are even greater) this would give them an advantage when it comes to the offensive against the Dominion. For one they'd be able to establish a foothold during what is essentially a guaranteed period of peace time (as I doubt a thrice defeated Dominion will be willing to go to war again so quickly) in Cyrodiil, and two they'd be able to have easy and direct contact with Valenwood and possibly even the two Elseweyr kingdoms depending on how they feel about the Dominion when the time comes.

A lot depends though on what Hammerfel and the Dominion decide to do after the Civil War ends. (Presuming a Stormcloak victory)

I sided with the stormcloaks.
First I went into the keep with ralof like almost everyone else, because the imperials wanted to chop my head of.
Then I played for a while and learned more about both factions and visitet Windhelm and solitude.
And I decided to join the stormcloak because I absolutely agree with their cause and to be honest, ulfric has way more style than tullius.
I can't stand it if I don't have my freedom (religious or otherwise).
Now I'm 100% pro stormcloaks (the reason for my nickname).


And they are not that racist actually, the dark elves are just cry babies, even Niranye says so and she is an elf herself.

Hail Ulfric the true high king of skyrim!

Totally not racist.

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Bolund

I joined the stormcloaks mainly because the empire is dying. Its nothing more than just a shadow of its former self, with hammerfell and morrowind gone and the aldmeri dominion at their throats the empire will die, and its gonna drag skyrim down with it.

One rude and stupid man?

His brother who is an actual Stormcloak veteran will tell you: "Well met. Unlike my brother, I've no dislike of strangers. Met lots of 'em while I was a Stormcloak"

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Solaf

Brunwulf Free-Winter also tells you Ulfric only pursues crimes when Nords are targeted.

And during Blood on ice, as expected when the butcher murders the altmer woman publicly in the marketplace ; the Nord guards do nothing.

Totally not racist

He also doesn't retake Fort Amol - a Stormcloak fort overrun by necromancers. It's probably more to do with resources than it is to do with racism.


The lack of resources is also mentioned during that quest. It's why no-one's gone after him before the PC.

Except you know; when Susanna the Wicked (Nord) was murdered; which starts the quest. The guards were all over it.

The Imperials, because it was Nords that founded the Empire and because the Empire is the only thing keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim. The Stormcloaks are just the end result of Thalmor plans to divide and conquer the Empire. You side with the Stormcloaks then you're damning Tamriel to Thalmor domination.

Brunwulf? The same Brunwulf who replaces Ulfric as Jarl if the Imperials take over? And he bad-mouths Ulfric? What are the chances?

And the quest you mention belies his statement. The first murder victim you find is Nord. Yet there is no investigation because Ulfric can't spare the men, as the guard explains.

And the guards not intervening when the Altmer is attacked? Because the event is scripted for you to stop the murderer. It's the mission! The mission ordered an rewarded by Ulfric's steward, BTW. You're the first one looking for racism behind that.

I went with Imperials...by accident. I was talking to someone in Solitude, and a join the Imperial quest came up. I wasn't gonna do it, but then I was forced to in order to progress in the Main Quest, so meh, I'm an honorary Imperial now, I suppose.

But now that I think about it, the Stormcloaks are kind of jerks. Ulfric murdered the Imperial king cause he wanted Skyrim to be part of the Empire, which is a big country full of colonies that help each other out, for the most part. Now the wife is alone and depressed, and Ulfric's sitting around ordering for cities to be captured and stuff to be brought to him just because. But also, the Thalmor are morons, and since they're associated with the Imperials...it's difficult to decide. But I figure I'll just stick with the Imperials and continue killing all the Thalmor I find.

I think someone wasn't paying attention when he talked to the guard.

the stormcloaks are gona fight the thalmor.
I actually wanted to make an evil character and join the imperials but I can't, it goes against all my views and beliefs..lol
And I really don't see why so many think they are racist, ok maybe a little bit but I don't care.

Yes, that's the guard that tells you that their resources are limited.

Three other Nord murders - two Shatter-Shields and a Cruel-Sea, no less - were completely ignored.


You have a simplistic view of the empire, and it doesn't match up to the reality represented in-game.


That's what both Stormcloaks and Imperials do in order to win the war.

The Imperials hate the Thalmor as much as the Nords, if not more. However, they're more subtle about it because Cyrodiil, unlike Skyrim, borders the Dominon.

They could have a reasonable shot at defeating the Dominion, or at least pushing them out of Valenwood, if Titus Mede II wasn't such a coward.

He didn't know that at the time.

Edit: Of course, should the Empire prevail in Skyrim, who's to say they still can't?