I'm not saying that everything the Empire does is all good and pure, and I definitely don't condone the actions of the Thalmor, but I can't see myself siding with rebels who's ranks and leader are, even if subtly, and not explicitly stated, xenophobic.

The Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion took an equal hammering in the last war, in that they both had their main armies eviscerated. The Empire, however, is still larger, more populous, and more resource-rich than the Dominion, and men reproduce at a (much) faster rate than High Elves. Therefore on paper the odds are on its side. If you take away the main disadvantages it had during the last war, such as being taken by surprise and being over-confident, then it could easily turn the tables.


If they were xenophobic, they wouldn't have elves (especially Altmer) and an Argonian among the richest residents in their cities, as stewards, and as court wizards.

If they were racist wouldn't they force the Argonians and Dumner to live in the Gray Quarter and fight it out amongst themselves?
Maybe they are racist just really bad at it?

True, but even Tiber Septim had to use the Numindium to conquer Alinor(Summerset Isles).

I always make a point of using Healing Hands on wounded troops of both sides.

A reconquest is out of the question at the moment, but the Thalmor couldn't conquer the empire in a conventional war. They failed to do it last time - with the element of surprise, an epic invasion force, and two hundred years of planning and plotting. And were stopped by a relatively weak leader, no less.

There's the fact that the Dark Elves completely ignore the people who offered them refuge for over 200 years when they are in the middle of a war. And besides two 'village idiot/town drunk' type Nords who are paranoid with suspicion and a wealthy Nord involved in shipping, people in Windhelm aren't prejudice to Dark Elves at all. Infact about the only Dark Elves who complain are the same one's who spend all day on their asses skulking in the New Gnisis Cornerclub.

There's also the fact that the Dark Elves could've just as easily kept walking or left. Windhelm, the heart of a rebellion of people wanting Nord sovereignty.

There's also the fact the the Argonians and Dark Elves were recently in a bloody war, in which the Hist commanded the Argonians to slaughter every Dunmer they came across. I'm sure that kind of ethnic tension wouldn't cause riots or anything. Again, no is forcing them to stay there.

You mean, like your character who was also about to be executed?

It's not that he had to use it. He had planned on leaving Alinor out of his conquest. We'll never know how that battle would've went if it had eventually come to that.

In fact, there's only two Dunmer who complain - Ambarys and Malthyr. Look upstars in his inn to find out why.

Most of the elves of Windhelm agree totally that these two are lazy or 'extreme.'

Still formulating my views. I was more pro-Empire to begin with but I've been growing in sympathy for the Stormcloaks although I still lean towards the view that effective resistance to the Thalmor would be more likely with a united empire than an independent Skyrim.

It's not about conquering Alinor, it's about regaining land from the Aldmeri Dominion and pushing them back. And besides, who needs Numindium when you have Odahviing.

It is just as much about disolving the Thalmor once and for all. As long as they exist they will sooner or later threaten Tamriel again.

Odahviing isn't too much help. He's not too effective against another dragon, I'd hate to see how easy he'd get taken down by an army of Thalmor.

Lore-wise, one dragon can turn the tide of battle. And one battle can turn the tide of war...

A question

Did he have to use or did it just make it a great deal easier?
Akin to the atomic bomb being used on Japan without it it would have cost a great deal of lives and resources.

Yes. Would you call it "good company" if you find yourself getting executed? The other prisoners all had their heads low and no one even dared to spit into the face of authority. They walked to the block like sheep.

That sure is no good company to me.

I was dead set against the Empire in the beginning because they wanted to execute me (and some thief) for no good reason, just because we were in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, after visiting Windhelm and I began to have second thoughts. So far, none of my five characters has actually joined the Imperials, but only my Nord has joined the Stormcloaks.

Invasion is not the main priority right now. Kicking the Dominion off of the mainland and eliminating Thalmor influence is the main goal right now. An invasion will be next, obviously. Maybe they'll embead an insurgency within Summerset, it would be quite annoying.

He doesn't.

'He's a true Nord. He'll come around.'

Not sure, but I still find it very hard to believe any army in Tamriel in any forseeable future will have the power to invade Alinor. Powerful mages + large portions of water will make it very hard to invade.

Speaking as a Breton - they arent.

Your quote is

I say screw them both!

Here is actual racism: