I agree and I am not one for thinking Ulfric is blood thirsty and power hungry, he is smart and he see's a threat and he wants Skyrim to be what it once was before the ban. (I think he wants the Empire to wake up but he does not believe it can).

I feel the best chance lies with the Empire becoming stronger, Skyrim alone cannot stop the threat imo.

We will see, its all interesting to me. As a Nord I would be with the storm cloaks, not because of "racism" but love for my homeland.

I found the 9 pages of this thread interesting. People are arguing about a war in a game with the same intensity they'd argue about a real war.

Obviously Bethesda went to a great deal of trouble to make sure there's no obvious pick here. Neither side has the moral high ground really unless you're willing to ignore some things (especially when you find out certain things in-game).

You're never going to discover that one side is the obvious right side to be on, so pick one and go with it.

On my first playthrough as a Redguard I'm went Empire. I'd been planning to go Stormcloak but then I discovered something in-game which changed my mind.

For my second playthrough I plan to play a Nord who'll go with the Stormcloaks.

What I really want to do is go after the Thalmor but you can't really do much of that in this game. I suspect most people on this thread would agree with me on that. I'm sure we'll have a chance to give the Thalmor what for later.

Well due to my unconditional (and I do mean unconditional) hatred of racism in any form, the choice was easy for me (in spite of my lesser hatred for imperialism).

Not a bad way to do it. I personally as an Orc chose the Legion because a) my follower (also an orc) was an ex legionaire and b ) historically many orcs fought either as soldiers or mercs for the Legion. Plus my character really wants to fight Ulfric since he can use shouts too.

Step up the plate bad boy Ulfric. Let's see how tough your shouts are without a jaw!

I am currently playing as an "neutral Nord". I cant stand either side. The stormcloaks has some noble ideas but are many of them are racist and arrogant pigs. The empire also have some nice ideals, but they seem weak, corrupt and are playing their roles as imperialist yes men to the Thalmor with sickening skill.
The Thalmor however, I kill them whenever I come across them escorting Talos worshipers to their dungeons. But not before having a little chat with them about the concept of freedom of religion. They never seem to learn and I always give them the honour of striking the first blow (as they are the guests and challengers in these lands). They usually die very quickly and I stash their helmets and robes in my home as trophies (the rest I sell for gold).

By Nord tradition Torygg's court was obligated to honor Ulfic's claim.



The Empire would have broken the "peace treaty" they signed with the Dominion if they helped Hammerfell, so Titus Mede renounced the entire province.

I'm going to play as a Nord and I believe I should follow the Empire.
In-game my character wants a strong and united Skyrim but knows this won't happen if there isn't a strong enough force to stop the Thalmor.
So his belief is; side with the Empire crush the rebellion help the Empire stop the Thalmor than work fro Skyrim's independence if the Empire can no longer sustain successful negotiations with the other provinces.

Or if you are a Nord with any semblance of intelligence, you should serve the Empire because only a united Empire can stand up to the Thalmor, independent Man states will be easily crushed.

Hammerfell is doing fine. So skyrim will do fine when they are built up and strong and with the dragonborn they will do fine.

If anything the Dragonborn will run off to another continent like the Nerevarine did whenever things begin looking up.

And then Skyrim falls to the Thalmor.

Iam the dragonborn and i will not abandon my people. i think i should be high king. Lol

Yeah, no religions in real life exalt people who once lived to god status...indeed doesn't make sense at all... oh wait..

They both svck, kill them all on sight.

And once the legion is kicked out of skyrim, the stormcloaks will be too.