I still cant decide on which side to pick. Empire or Stormcloaks. Maybe if someone can answer a few questions it will come easier.

Why exactly is there a need for skyrims independence all of a sudden? With or w/o being a part of the empire they are going to have to fight the thalmor anyways right? The talos thing is obviously temporary and second to the more immediate threat.
Why cant the empire just leave skyrim alone for the time being and propose a treaty so they can both go against the thalmor and not each other?
Is ulfric really racist? Does the empire really not care about skyrims culture? Does ulfric really only care about power?

What is going on!!!??

Neither. I never bother with their petty little civil war. For one thing (probably the main thing really) Beth will decide what actually happened - when they (if they....) get around to doing TES: VI.

Ulfric is pretty power hungry. He killed the High King to further his advances, even though the High King was likely to help Ulfric if just asked. Ulfric also uses the Voice for violence, when he learned from the Greybeards, who hoped to teach him peace through it. Most of the Nords of Skyrim are racist at most, hateful of outsiders at least. The stormcloaks are the "Skyrim for Nords, and only Nords" type. In fact, pretty much everyone worshipped Talos before Ulfric flipped about it, even though it was banned. Empire didn't care, Thalmor didn't know. And even if the Stormcloaks won, they would wiped out the Thalmor a few years later. Empire wants to worship Talos as much anyone else, he founded the empire. Empire realizes that the Thalmor are bigger threat, so they are bidding their time until they can strike back (Pun intended). Compared to Elves, Human races breed like rabbits. It would take the Thalmoor more time to build up again.

So empire is the way to go

Pretty convincing. Guess I'll go empire! Thanks!

Been caught up on this issue for far too long haha.

Go with the Stormcloaks Ulfric killed the High King in fair combat. So what if hes power hungry... aren't the rest of the kings like that too?

The Empire, shamed us all when it surrendered to the Aldermeri Dominion.

I'm leaning Empire, but haven't quite made up my- no, I think I have.
I say Empire.
No. One, the real enemy is the Dominion and a divided empire/skyrim would be easier for them to defeat.
Two, the Empire is a civilizer and a force for advancement and equality, as opposed to the racist, exclusive thuggish Stormcloaks.
Three, the White Gold Concordat will be a footnote when the Second Great War starts, I'm guessing shortly.
So I guess I'm going with the Empire. Don't know if this helps OP, but certainly was enlightening for me! Thanks!

If the Nords don't kill them the cold will. Skyrim is no place for skirt wearing blouses of the Empire.

honestly dont bother asking this question, peopel have asked it SO MANY TIMES , and it always gets into an pointless argument,

if you want to know type in "empire v stormcloaks" , you will get a million serches

fisher

read the books from the game and find out for yourself.

I didn't pick a side yet, but Empire sounds like the lesser evil. Also I've read somewhere that the Thalmor released Ulfric so that he can break the land and weaken the humans for them.

@Kalamari: The empire strikes back, episode V, good one...

I have had a lot of contact with the Stormcloaks. Where do I go to understand the Empire's perspective better? I am about level 28, and have done Companions and College of Winterhold.

I have been to Windhelm and done some sidequests, but have not chosen sides yet.

Thanks,
R

Can anyone recommend some books?