I haven't seen any discussions of what type of future scenario a war with with the Dominion would be like so decided to jack up this thread so that we can head on to some of the details. I'll be first describing the current situation from my account and afterwards what outcome arise should quae proximo bellum break out.

I can assuredly say that if the Empire wins it would remain steadfast and ready against any military strike conducted by the Thalmor on its borders and any neighbouring lands. The Dominion from a strategic point-of-view would prefer in the event an independent Skyrim to see that the Empire is separated from High-Rock which undoubtedly disintergrate into chaos given the political nature of the province... (NOTE: The Imperial Navy might still have enough power to exert its influence on High-Rock though we may not know if it has the ability to bypass Redguard waters). Regardless whether the Imperials lost, their is a strong possibility that an Independent Skyrim would not let Cyrodiil fight alone should the Dominion invade its territories as the balance of power in Tamriel would be tipped inexorably towards the Thalmor.

Now to the question at hand. The first scenario should the second-great war arise is likely that all the lands of man (the Empire, Hammerfell, Skyrim etc.) would unite into a grand coalition against the Aldmeri Dominion. Given the measure of power both sides would share have this would likely draw into a stalemate along the Elsweyr border. The second scenario would a be that the situation with both the Imperials and Thalmor will remain dormant and culminate into a cold-war with both powers concentrating their influence in Black-Marsh in order to get the Argonians onto their side. I would very much appreciate if everyone contribute and give intelligent answers as how you think the Second Great-War would occur.

hm....i would hope for the sake of man that the empire stays whole and reunites with black marsh at least.....idk about hammerfell id imagine the redguards are still mighty pissed .....but yeah the argonians need to be involved in the war effort....and i kinda doubt black marsh would ever ally themselves with the thalmor

First and foremost the union of the empire is very important in saying that the empire is going to need something similar in power to the Numidium to defeat the mage lords of the Dominion. Keep in mind that Dwemer golem is the only way Tiber Septim defeated the old Dominion. It is going to take nothing short of a miracle for the weakened empire to unite against the growing force that is the Aldmeri Dominion. Now lets not forget the Thalmor wish to be completely rid of Talos then destroy man, then escape the prison of Mundas by the uncoiling of the dragon the end of time. They want a mass genocide to reclaim their lost immortality.

they also wish to reclaim there lost sweetrollls dont forget that either...... that said the empire is definitly ina tiffy

That might actually be a part of their end game, to take all sweet rolls with them.

Gee why did I never think of that.

Im guessing it will be around the Hammerfell/Cyrodil border, when the Emire and Hammerfell set asid their differences and unite against the Dominion.

As far as Lore and The Great War goes, I would like to see the Empire make a deal with the Stormcloaks that they could have temporary control of Skyrim in return for aligning with the Empire against the Dominion. Then the Empire would have to forge temporary alliances with the Hammerfell and the Argonian State, as those are basically both lost to the Empire. They would then be able to attack the Dominion from 4 different armies, crushing them and winning the war.

Tamriel should be rebuilt with the Argonians taking full control of Morrowind, save for Vvardenfell (if it still exists) which would be the only safe home of the Dunmer. Elsweyr, The Summerset Isles and Valenwood would be absorbed back into the Empire, though Skyrim would resist, the Nords have never been fair weather friends and would rejoin the Empire as well. Hammerfell, would remain independent, and would align with the Orcs in order to stay that way, the Redguards in return would help the Orcs reclaim Orsinium as well as expand it to Wayrest and the boarder of Hammerfell. The Orcs would then become part of Hammerfell.

Sheogorath may chime in for old times sake.Granted he may work for the other side just to see the looks on their faces when they fail.

Guys we all know that Hammerfell will conquer the Thalmor. After that they will make a new Empire and crush all those that opsoe them

In a more seriouse note, I believe the Empire and Hammerfell will settle their differences. Not only that but I think Black Marsh will ally with the Empire. The great War this time will be larger. It will be like what WW2 was to us. I believe canon will be that Skyrim will stay with the Empire and the Empire starts to rebuild.
After the Empire starts rebuilding, it passes a few laws, one of them bans the Thalmor. The other brings back Talos worship. Now They would onlt do this after when they feel they are ready to deal with the Thalmor. When they feel ready they will start rebuilding ties with Hammerfell to the point where they would support each other in the war. Same goes for Black Marsh.

I believe the war will start with the empire attacking first. Using Blackmarsh, it wil attack Eslwyir(sp?). At the same time, they will attack Valenwood. Hammerfell( the Redguards are great sailors so I'm guessing a free nation would improve their navy) would do a blockade against the Summerset Isles. Both should have strong navies at this time. Now the Empire needs to take out Valenwood first. The main reason is there is opposition against the Thalmor there. A resistance might happen and the aid of the Empire would help both sides( Bosmer resistance and Empire). If Valenwood is taken out, the High Elves have lost their main power on the mainland. Now the Elsewyr(sp?) needs to be taken out but not at first. It is a very chaotic place. So if the Empire gives some resources to a tribe that is willing to fight agianst them, it will cause chaos.

Now if the Empire does that which basically means they conquered most of Tamerial. The Thalmor will be weaken and the native populace might question their motives(while playing skyrim, I read a book that showed that some were against them). Not only that, the Psjicc(SP?) are against the Thalmor so they MIGHT help the Empire. To be Honest I think they try to invade the Summerset Isles but fail and this leads to a new Whit Gold Concordat. One that Favors the Empire.

Well if you can read what I just posted, that's how I feel. Also sorry for bad grammer, English class is one my worst classes lol

you are missing the point

the thalmor already won the great war

the question is can they be stopped from destroying the world
because this is their goal

someone uncovered the puzle described by the insects in jar
it seems it indicate the goal of the thalmor
the destruction of high wrothgar (snow tower)

then they need to destroy the brass tower...

then it s game over

He needed it to conquer Summerset. And even then, centuries earlier the Altmer paid tribute to Reman rather than risk a war with him. Defeating the Thalmor in Cyrodiil and possibly retaking Valenwood and Elsweyr isn't nearly as difficult. It should also be mentioned that the Psijics are no longer helping Summerset, and may even give some indirect assistance in the destruction of the Thalmor.

To add to that, I think the Empire does not need to conquer the Summerset Isles. It just has to be more powerful that if they went to war, it would be a long, bloody war that they will lose.

My war plan would be this. Forge a treaty with the Empire and Stormcloaks to ally themselves against the Dominion. Do the same with Hammerfell as well as Black Marsh. Instead of a head on assault with the Dominion attempt to mediate an agreement with the Dragons to help defeat the Dominion in order to save Tamriel. Im sure the Dominion has nothing nice planned for the Dragons so im sure they would agree should Paarthunax or Odahviing mediate in the agreement. Possibly search for powerful weapons to combat the Dominion, perhaps research into the weapons of the Dwemer could prove effective. The Spider Control Rod proved promising, imagine that on a grander scale with Dwemer Centurion and such. The college of winterhold would be the primary source for numbers as they would need to start training conjurers for the sheer purpose of summoning Daedric creatures such as Dremora.

Yes its the Summerset that is the main worry not the Thalmor in Cyrodiil or the nations of Valenwood and Elsweryr those could be taken back, but one the empire needs a strong leader, two the civil war in Skyrim would need to cease the Stromcloaks and the empire need to set their arrogance aside and unite to face a more dangerour threat. The Psijics will probably side with the empire yes that would be a powerful ally for them, but the empire will need something a greater object/artifact. I wonder how far the dislike that the Psijics have for the Thalmor will drive the Psijic Order. We will have to wait and see.

I tink the cats will win over thlamer.

I'll present two possible scenarios/war strategies:

first: Imperial victory in civil war.

With the defeat of the stormcloaks, the empire would be free to garrison urban cohorts and loyal militia to maintain control, thus freeing up Tullius and his legion to be redeployed elsewhere. This outcome is likely the most successful, as it will automatically have a greater military body than the stormcloaks. Furthermore, given the events of the previous great war, both Hammerfell and High Rock would pick a side, most likely the empire.

Now, we must examine Tamriel as a whole.

The Aldmeri Dominion, being both an island and land-connected entity, would probably enact a two-front war. They would place a significant force along the valenwood/elsewyr-cyrodill border. This force will be from now on known as the Valenwood Theatre. The size of this force would vary depending on the equipment and training of the troops, so probably either a large, light-medium equipped force, or a smaller heavy-equipped force. The purpose of this force would be to conduct a slow advance north and east, and, depending on the force confronting them, their priority would vary. For example, if the empire deployed several legions to confront the Valenwood Theater, the purpose of the army would be to serve as a sponge, soaking up as many imperial forces as it can to weaken other parts of the empire. This would be where the second force would come in. This force would be amphibious, and would carry out invasions of the empire. The possible targets for this force, which i will dub Summerset Theater, are numerous. It could invade High Rock to knock the Bretons out of the war. It could invade Hammerfell, attempt to cross the region undetected, and flood into cyrodill. It could invade skyrim, which would still be slightly weak from the civil war. It could even invade Morrowind to force the dunmer to surrender and join the dominion. I doubt it would invade Black Marsh, as doing so would instantly create another enemy.

With all this in mind, the Empire`s best bet is to divide into two main forces, one heavily equipped to meet the Valenwood Theater. This imperial force will be dubbed Legion Force Stationary, and would build obstacles and defensive fortifications along the line, especially the gloden coast. The second large imperial force, named Legion Force Mobile, would be a more medium-light equipped force. This force would be equipped with carriages and horses to form a rapid response force to counter dominion forces elsewhere in tamriel. constant communication would be kept with the other provinces, through mages or couriers or whatever, so as to provide intelligence of enemy movements. This force would probably not be in one location, but divided into four quadrants in cyrodill, so that reinforcements can spread out where needed. Once the Summerset Theater force was located, Legion Force Mobile would move to engage and drive them back. At this point, the Imperial Navy, if it exists, would probably move to attack the Dominion amphibious forces, and hopefully cut off Summerset Theater`s reinforcements and supplies, not to mention their methods of retreating. If done quickly enough, this strategy can result in the destruction of maybe a third or even a half of the dominion`s invading forces. This loss would serve to bolster the empire`s respect, and could potentially result in Black marsh siding with the empire. The additional forces from Argonia could tip the battle in the south in the empire`s favor, allowing them to drive Valenwood Theater back into the bosmer homeland and elsewyr. At this point, if the empire sees a gap in the enemy lines, it should exploit it and drive a wedge between the Elsewyr dominion forces and those in valenwood. Doing so would allow warfare`s long desired double envelopment of the elsewyr forces and the removal of the Khajits from the war. the remaining dominion forces would be confined to Valenwood and Summerset Isle. At this point the Dominion would be fighting a fierce defensive war to slow the imperial advance. Peace feelers could be expected from the Aldmer at this time, or from the bosmer individually. A slow war of attrition could cause bosmer support for the dominion to collapse, resulting in a coup of the bosmer government, and their removal from the conflict. The remaining dominion forces, probably all high elves by this point, would occupy Valenwood and conduct a fighting, defensive retreat, the way Germany did in the Italian campaign. The Imperial Navy (if it remains) could carry out an invasion of Summerset isle with Legion Force Mobile. Doing so would put the dominion at war on two "continents", dividing their forces and weakening support for the Valenwood Theater. A withdrawl from Valenwood would be attempted, and perhaps succeed. But, this would result in total loss of continental Tamriel, confine the dominion to Summerset Isle, and likely cause a ceasefire.

my second strategy, for the stormcloaks, will be written at a later time.