Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-1600847-20161103125247/@comment-993964-20161212164901

Shigeru Thalmor Slayer wrote: @Terawolf119 - The Thalmor could easily invade Skyrim via Sea of Ghosts and before you say anything, don't forget you find Thalmor in Solstheim and the only way to get to the island is to cross the Sea of Ghosts. Also If the Thalmor wanted to use Cyrodiil as a jumping point into Skyrim, they could. The Empire, weakened from a civil war with Skyrim, is in no position to tell them "no", ON TOP of the fact they could feel bitter towards losing the province AND possibly losing their Emperor to Skyrim if the Dark Brotherhood questline was completed in your playthrough.

@Sports72xtrm - How can an independent Skyrim defend itself? They can't for the reasons I mentioned before. "But the mountains", "but the sea", f%$# the mountains, f#$% the sea, NEVER understimate the Thalmor like the Blades did. I'm going to say again, the Thalmor could use Cyrodiil as a jumping point into Skyrim and the Empire and the Empire, weakened from a civil war with Skyrim, is in no position to tell them "no". Furthermore, an independent Skyrim would just brag to the Thalmor they're back to worshipping Talos openly and if you subscribe to the idea the Thalmor are trying to destroy the towers and stamp out men, where do you think they'll turn their attentions to? After the civil war, they would be far too weak to defend themselves alone, since no one is coming to their rescue. It's this type of short sighted thinking that got Skyrim into this Civil war to begin with. And there's something you forget to mention about these Dossier. An imperial victory HARMS the Thalmor, a Stormcloak victory doesn't. The Thalmor is found in Solsteim because the Empire gave them an Embassy in Skyrim and so the Thalmor can come and go into Skyrim as they please without anyone giving it a second thought. If their diplomatic immunity is revoked, they wouldn't be able to tresspass so close to striking distance.

Two, I doubt that the surrounding provinces: Skyrim, Hammerfell, and Highrock would stand by and let the Dominion take Cyrodiil. No leader is so petty or foolish as to let an enemy set up shop in striking distance of their homeland out of spite...well... maybe except the Empire since they gave the Thalmor leave to set up shop in Skyrim but that is all the more reason to oust the Empire from power! Cyrodiil must be protected, but the Imperials should not be the one calling the shots. It must be occupied by Skyrim and its neighboring countries for the good of all.

If Cyrodiil is so desperate to keep Skyrim in the fold in order to have its men protect THEIR PROVINCE, how is it that it is logical that they'd be strong enough to secure Skyrim? The one who is in a state of dependency is Cyrodiil, and that is not a position of power. Cyrodiil lost Bravil and Cheydinhall, their Emperor is assassinated, it's cities war and jocky one another for power, Morrowind is weak and would alienate Blackmarsh to side with the Dominion if humanity protects her, and Highrock took a black eye with wayrest. The hundreds of legions that you think will come to protect Skyrim doesn't exist. Everyone is out for themselves.

And no I'm not underestimating the Thalmor, but the Thalmor does not consider the Empire a threat since Cyrodiil is under their thumb. Ondolemar makes that painfully clear, Thalmor occupy Markarth, have an Embassy and Northwatch Keep, and can sabotage humanity with impunity. Backing the Empire is maintaining a status quo where humanity continues to capitulate to the Dominion and the Dominion continues to grow stronger. Ulfric is right in that if the Dominion is to be defeated, humanity must go on the offensive and keep them off balance. A complete Stormcloak victory is the only condition which they desire to avoid, whereas the Imperial Victory that you say is in his Dossier is only valid at Helgen since their only intention at that moment is to perpetuate the Skyrim Civil War. After the Civil war is won though, their objectives and agendas change. A complete Stormcloak victory is the only forecasted outcome they've stated they wanted to avoid.