So, I have done the Blades questline several times and have read the various dossiers the Thalmor have on Delphine, Esbern, Ulfric, etc., several times over. I was just too lazy to post my findings. What I understand from the dossier on Ulfric is that while he fought for the Imperial Legion against the Thalmor in Cyrodiil, he was captured, tortured, and brainwashed. I believe the Civil War he ignited is an implanted idea from the Thalmor. I can't directly quote it because I'm too lazy to go find it again, but I believe that the Thalmor say they want this because it will further separate the people of Skyrim and help them achieve their goal. Thoughts?

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Thalmor_Dossier:_Ulfric_Stormcloak

Nope. They tortured him until he gave up information. By the time they got info out of him it was already useless.


In short. The thalmor want the civil war, but they don't want either side to win.

The same report also has Ulfric listed as Uncooperative to their goals, and that a Stormcloak victory is to not be allowed to happen.

Finishing the war on the Stormcloaks' side has Ulfric remove all Thalmor and Imperial agents from Skyrim.

Finishing the war on the Empire's side allows the Thalmor to stay rooted in Skyrim.

Damn while writing this Cecliff beat me to it. Haha

The Thalmor dont want either side to win because it would allow the winner to focus their attention back on the Thalmor. Ulfirc is an unwitting pawn of sorts but the exact depth and details are sketchy at best. And as some one who swears by the legion I still dont view the Stormcloaks as being bad or the wrong choice, it all comes down to play style and more importantly, personal preference.

Except, you know their fancy embassy and fortress.

Ah if we're going by forced situations due to the way the story must play out then I guess all imperials are wanton murderors and the empire supports the segregation of dunmer and argonians from windhelm.

In all seriousness, I think if you and some Stormcloaks stormed these two strongholds if you did the Civil War before Diplomatic Immunity or Missing in Action. Would make the game feel more alive.