Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-25343239-20150319182007/@comment-260563-20180411045412

There is ONE way for an independent Skyrim to win against the Dominion, but it'd require a lot of diplomacy and false-flag operations. Things that the Stormcloaks aren't good at.

First off, have Skyrim secede peacefully. Have Ulfric use diplomacy to persuade Torygg to secede Skyrim from the Empire, and assure the Emperor that Skyrim will remain an ally of Cyrodiil, even allow Legionnaires to move around freely in Skyrim. That way, the Empire's northern flank remains secure, the trade from the Empire will continue to enrich Skyrim, but the White-Gold Concordat will no longer apply to a kingdom no longer subject to the Empire.

Second, make overtures to Argonia and Morrowind. Ulfric already has Dunmer and Argonians living in his city, making this easy. Start bribing both groups with gifts, favors, and high positions in Skyrim's government, persuade King Torygg to treat these two groups as allies and friends of the crown, and then send some of these folks back to Morrowind and Argonia as Skyrim's ambassadors to those countries. Promise them the fruits of increased trade and a military alliance between equals to check the power of the Dominion, and they'll be in on the gig.

Then third, spark a war between the Dominion and the Empire. Once both the Empire and Skyrim are ready, send guerillas and provocateurs to Elsweyr and Valenwood. Have the Argonians train Shadowscales with the Skyrim Dark Brotherhood to stage guerilla attacks against the Dominion, while the Dunmer and Nord armies combine their steel and magic with the Imperial armies to make a push into Elsweyr and Valenwood. The Imperial army alone was enough to crush the Altmer armies in the last war. With the Elves still recovering due to their slow birth rate and the poverty of states like Valenwood and Elsweyr, making inroads and taking lands won't take long.

Then once the Elves have been pushed off the mainland, assemble a fleet to invade Alinor. Have the Argonians lead it, since they can breathe underwater. Have them plan night-time raids where they swim underwater and place liquid flammables near Thalmor ships and set them on fire while the allied fleet attacks. Then once that's done, transport troops and supplies into Alinor, and with the Elves' lesser numbers, and with the Nords, Dark Elves, Argonians, and Imperials all working together, a victory is assured.

See? It ain't that hard. All Ulfric has to do to win against the Thalmor is to use his brains, that's all!