User blog comment:Zippertrain85/Why the Stormcloaks are right part 2/@comment-5020188-20130601201856

General Tullius knew that Brunwulf free-winter was an appropriate replacement because he was respected by both the Nords and Dunmer. Word spreads, and the General would have thought about appropriate replacements before the attack on the city. Secondly, your have taken the point about the Thalmor too literally. The Talos ban was in place true, but the Dominion and the Empire were not actively seeking them out until Ulfric spoke out against it, and began the rebellion. Finally, Sybille stentor mentions that a succesion was not that simple. He would not have done it because without the Empire, Skyrim would not stand a chance against the Dominion. Finally, Ulfric himself admits after his death that he regrets starting the war, and sees that it has only weakened Skyrim.