Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-27007772-20140611204941/@comment-24999978-20140624142657

Except, you may want to consider the fact that there was little reason to release an utterly unknown stranger found in the prescence of Ulfric Stormcloak. What would be one perhaps innocent life compared to potentially taking out a high ranking Stormcloak officer (after all, they had no way of knowing you were not). At least attempt to the scenario in a real life-setting, rather than attacking the actions of the Empire for little reason. Most people would almost have certainly have done the same in the situation.

You may also want to stop only focusing on the Empire, and take a look at Ulfric's actions during the event. He was not exactly said to be an exalted liberator, considering some claim that he massacred those who opposed him, and even those who did not side with him, upon victory. Besides, it was not the Empire who promised the free worship of Talos in the city, but rather the Jarl of Markarth. After Ulfric had taken the city, what choice did the Empire have? Ulfric hardly acted honourable in his occupation, and basically held the inhabitants of the city hostage in an effort to further his agenda. It is worth considering that the ban of Talos worship was not commonly enforced in Skyrim, thanks to reluctance on behalf of the Legion, and that it was Ulfric's actions which brought the attention of the Thalmor to Skyrim to enforce ban.

In addition, once more actually looking realistically at the situation, an independent Skyrim would obviously fare worse against the Aldmeri Dominion, particularly considering that they would still likely be divided between allegiances and would have been shattered by the Civil War. Civil wars tend not to be inconsequential events, they usually take a great toll amongst the nation, and now the nation would bereft of the support of the Legions.

I am sure that there may be some arguments in favour of an indepedent Skyrim, as there are many pro-Empire arguments, but at least propose some better ones rather than on 'ZOMG EVUL ELVES AND MILKDRINKERS, LOOK AT US MANLY NORDS'.

On a side note, the Dragonborn is not exactly omnipotent, nor is there a particular reason to hate Mer as a whole (as if that would ever be a redeeming virtue).