Hey guys, my friend and I were having a debate about the Stormcloaks and the Imperial Legion. My friend is a die hard Legion fan and I am a little conflicted on my views. He says that the Stormcloaks if they win the civil war would weaken Skyrim to the point where they couldn't fight the Aldmeri Dominion if need be. He believes that Skyrim should just sit back and wait to fight. I disagree and feel like if they don't take action now then things will only get worse. Now I don't believe in all of Ulfrics ideals especially the extreme hatred for anyone who isn't a Nord, but I think he has the right idea about taking up the fight and not just sitting back and giving up their beliefs.
Well, I just felt like sharing that with you guys and think it would be great to hear from all of you and know some of your opinions on this topic.

-Thanks

The Empire is a chain. A chain keeping the AD from taking over the world. If one link in the chain breaks, the chain is worthless.

I.E. Without Skyrim, AD wins, Empire loses.

Look at it from a real-life, historical perspective.

Skyrim is like Russia. Many people think they can invade and take it over, but they all fail.

Napoleon Bonaparte, failure. Adolf Hitler, epic failure.

The Elves would not stand a chance.

Hammerfell left the empire and then they pushed the Dominion from their land ON THEIR OWN. Dominion power is overrated, and the Empire made a dumb move giving in.

The Aldmeri Dominion is actualy pretty weak after the war with the Empire. And think about the geography of Tamriel. The Dominion can't just walk through the other hostile provinces to get to Skyrim and they risk losing ships in the rough seas north of Skyrim. From my knowledge they really have no reason to even conquer Skyrim. There goals can be achieved with small elite teams carrying out tasks in secret.

I feel more inclined to side with Stormcloaks more than the Empire because it seems as if the Empire just wants to sit back and let the Dominion sweep through getting rid of many of Skyrims customs.

A lot of the people in the Legion still worship Talos outright.

I agree, but they shouldn't really have to keep it a secret in anyway.

Well, here's the reason I tend NOT to side with the Legion, even though I play as an Imperial.

The Legion, if I remember correctly...

TRIED TO CUT MY HEAD OFF!

Screw them!

Honestly I could see the loss of Skyrim to be an issue in future Elder Scrolls depending on what the canon is (Imperial or Rebellion) though honestly I can't see the AD really doing much. You could compare it to Casear's Legion in Fallout. Depending on the state of the Empire and if in the future it can reclaim most of the areas they had lost it would take the AD possibly years to even try to take over the Empire, which kinda confuses me as to how they were able to really take on the Empire even in it's weaken state.

If the Empire had not come to the agreement with the Aldmeri Dominion then things could be a lot worse. It is admirable that Ulfric fights for his beliefs but he is short sighted and rash because by fighting he is opening the way for the Dominion who could care less about his customs as opposed to the Empire who actually give a Scamp.

I know right, I take joy in finding Legionaries taking a Stormcloak captive and then I decapitate them with the one handed perk, it makes me feel good lol

think of it as the american civil war how england supported the south because if they succeded in prolongging the civil war it would weaken the entire country

Skyrim is not like Russia, only half of skyrim is completly snow covered. Many areas like Riften and Whiterun are part of a tundra which could be easily crossed. Skyrim is only losing the support of the empire by deserting them. The empire wants to rebuild to its former glory and take back what is theirs but this rebelion is an idiotic distraction that is costing the empire time and troops. Ulfric only cares about Nords. If Skyrim defeats the Elves then what stops the Nords from becoming an all powerfull force that enslaves others?

If the Empire continues to rule Skyrim, it means the Thalmor can continue to kill potential soldiers while at the same time spreading mistrust against the Empire in Skyrim. Heck, even if the Legion wins the female Blacksmith in Windhelm states that Ulfric's dream will continue to be fought for meaning he became a martyr which means that there will be another to fight the Empire who could be even more barbaric than Ulfric could ever be. If the Empire wins, it is almost certain that there will be a second civil war as the Thalmor are certain to start up another conflict. Plus in an Imperial Skyrim the Thalmor can continue to gain favor with people like Maven Black-Briar and her entire family. This is bad as the Black-Briars are a VERY influential family in the Empire and Maven becomes Jarl of Riften and states she supports the Thalmor. Who knows how many other influential people are being brought to the Thalmor's side in other areas of Cyrodiil and High Rock. At least in an independent Skyrim troops are being prepared without the Thalmor being able to spy on their formations or strengths while at the same time being a wrench in the Thalmor's plans as they can't use subterfuge in a country that openly hates them.

At this point, it seems obvious that the Empire only sees Skyrim as a resource for its wealth, minerals, and troop supply and doesn't care about the people

Screw the elves and screw what the legion has become. The stormcloaks would be way better tho ulfric has to be a little more lenient with other races. Except the argonians and khajit. They are humanoid scum ... Seriously

It doesn't matter. the dragon born could single handedly destroy the aldmeri dominion, so the side that he/she joins will be able to destroy them regardless. I believe the nords have the right to leave the empire if they wanted to though.

My favorite race is the Khajiit lol but you can have your opinion.

Without skyrim though the legion loses, and if they lose the dominion will conquer high rock and cyrodil, then skyrim is in trouble.
Have you ever heard the phrase "divide and conquer", AD is following it perfectly

So what would you have Skyrim do? Sit back and let these elves come through destroying their customs? Imagine if you were in the same place, what would you do?

Then what is stopping the Empire from allowing Skyrim to peacefully secede so the Thalmor have no ability to enter an independent Skyrim and thus train troops there while making deals for resources without allowing Thalmor influence?

the empire is done. it only has high rock, cyrodiil and... thats it. if the empire doesnt make peace with hammerfell their screwed. hammerfell repelled the dominion by themselves i think the stormcloaks should form together with hammerfell and take the northern region of tamerial for themselves. then work their way down south. more then likely high rock will side with hammerfell. so if they get black marsh to cooperate the dominion will have their hands full. i feel sorry for the dark elves they dont have the power to decide since their lands controlled by black marsh.

Exactly.Therush, Are you telling me that you would be perfectly willing to allow your country to allow Nazis to enter it and allow the nazis to kidnap anyone they please for a certain reason and would allow it because time will be needed. Would you be willing to allow that even if it meant the nazis would torture and kill your friends and family and potentially hunt you?

Ulfric's act of regicide that left Skyrim leaderless and his blocking of the Moot that prevents a High King from seceding.