Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-11344160-20160205154012/@comment-11344160-20160206191019

I don't buy the argument that a unified Empire is the 'only hope against the Dominion'. The Redguards have held them back, and the Nords are every bit as dangerous as the men and women of Hammerfell. As for Valenwood and Elsweyr, my guess is they're as likely to revolt as Skyrim was.

The Dominion isn't this all-powerful, unstoppable force capable of conquering Tamriel. If they were, they would have done it. They have a lot of enemies, both at home and abroad. Invading Skyrim would be extremely unwise - it's the province furthest from the Dominion's center of power, and the Nords excell at guerilla warfare on their home turf.

The Empire is a crumbling shell of its former self, with weak Emperors and no more provinces in which to even call themselves an 'Empire' - especially if they lose Skyrim. Like the Romans they are based on, their dominance over Tamriel is at at end. Skyrim has a chance to carve out its own identity, a country whose people are free to embrace their culture and worship who they choose.

"Skyrim belongs to the Nords!" does not mean no one else is welcome, it means Skyrim and her customs are not up for debate. They will not allow the Dominion, or the Empire, or anyone else tell them that Talos, their man-god, is not a divine. It means Skyrim is the birthplace of man and deeply rooted with history. Yes, there is a lingering societal prejudice against the elves. Wars have been fought against them since the first era. "The Great War is still fresh in the minds of many." Yet, elves are found throughout Skyrim. There are no laws against elves. There isn't any ethnic cleansing going on. You don't see Nords walking the roads escorting elven prisoners. The elves of Skyrim aren't told who they can or can't worship. They aren't prevented from prospering. There are elven merchents, guildmasters, housecarls, stewards, and priests. Hell, there's even an elven Companion - a group whose founder tried to eradicate the elves. The Nords have become among the most accepting of other races and cultures - they don't even ban necromancy! They just don't want other races and cultures telling them they can't be Nords.

Ulfric wants to stand up and fight against tyrrany. He's a strong, capable leader that isn't willing to sacrafice his principles against threats or offers of gold. He's a dedicated man with will and patience enough to learn how to shout in the language of dragons. He has known war, imprisonment, and loss - he doesn't want those things for his people. He's not perfect, but I think he's a better choice than the Empire and General Tulius, a man who shows little respect for Nordic culture who seems dedicated to go down with the sinking ship that is the Cyrodillic Empire.