User blog comment:Hippogriff12/The Scarcity of Racists in Skyrim/@comment-5302371-20120728161339/@comment-166.82.245.89-20120728215901

I understand Toryyg might not have separated from the Empire if Ulfric had asked him to, but it looks like a good place to start even if Toryyg didn't see Ulfric in such a positive light. Than just killing him and sparking this war, surely Ulfric would have realized just how high the tensions in Skyrim were that if he did something like this it would cause such a bloodbath that would weaken it further if he cares about Skyrim so much. I know the only one who mentions this is Sybille, but right now she's the only person that talks about that particular part and nobody to my knowledge brings up anything to partially contradict it(i.e. Ulfric doesn't say Toryyg rejected the idea of seceding).

If Ulfric is that inconsistent with forgetting to reason with people I find that to be rather outputting, as he could end up being a bit unpredictable, and I don't find that to be a good quality in a leader, a good one would be as Grunt from Mass Effect put it, "Offer one hand, yet arm the other". In other words, try diplomacy, or it's equivalent, and if that fails make sure you have a back up plan in case it fails. I know that's what Ulfric does during the message to Whiterun quest, but again, he's rather inconsistent, so I wouldn't know if he would do the same thing in a similar situation or just skip to the fighting or plan B. Whereas Balgruuf appears to be a more contemplative and consistent, and while Ulfric may be doing this for the benefit of Skyrim, Balgruuf has made it clear the welfare of the people in his charge are his primary concern, and seems to have the long term in mind. Assuming a hypothetical situation where Ulfric and just Balgruuf were competing for the title of High King(no civil war, just simply trying to win over the other Jarls votes). I would think it depends on what's going on, if it relatively peaceful, I think Balgruuf is the better choice given his record, whereas Ulfric would be better suited to a situation where there's a war going on, like say, the heavily implied second Great War, because even if I hate him, I have to admit, he certainly knows how to rally people. Right now during the Skyrim Civil War, there seems to be a bit of cold war going on with the Dominion and Empire. I would say its a bit of a split between Balgruuf and Ulfric, but I find Balgruuf far more agreeable overall. As he doesn't appear to be one to rush in without thinking about it first.

And when it comes Elisif, I really wish Bethesda had added a Moot after the end of the Imperial questline, since I really wish Balgruuf would be elected. Don't see much point in putting the grieving, inexperienced wife of the former High King in such an important position.

While I don't want to sound like I'm defending the execution decision, at least one thing to consider was they had caught the leader of the rebellion, aka the biggest fish they could fry. Anything else probably fell to the wayside and Tullius probably arbitrarily gave the order to tie up any possible loose ends, its not like he had anything against you. But all in all, it is an inexcusable decision, thank you for correcting me. :3