Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-30011802-20170217032502/@comment-31436340-20170322052437

Shigeru Thalmor Slayer wrote: If the Stormcloaks win, The Thalmor will immediately invade Skyrim, since the Nords stand for everything the Aldmeri Dominion does not, they pretty much have a target on their backs. The Empire will be even more weak after lose the civil war, so they are in no way set to refuse the Dominion invasion to Skyrim. How do the Stormcloaks by themselves, untrained civilians and all, defend Skyrim from the Dominion Forces, which include Summerset Isle, Valenwood, and Elsweyr? An Independent Skyrim has no allies, 2 major borders with Thalmor already stationed there, just fought a civil war with its entire force, and Ulfric himself stated they Could not defend against an invasion from the Empire. Can Skyrim fight 2 fronts? Especially after losing men in a civil war? Especially when most of its army consists of civilians and such who have no military or combat training? There are two main reasons why the Thalmor will rather capture Cyrodiil lands than Skyrim or Hammerfell. They even shift primary target from Hammerfell to Cyrodiil during the Great War when they saw the opportunity to do so.

1. Travel distance. Cyrodiil is right next to two of the AD provinces.

2. Cyrodiil has a richer more fertile land in general than Skyrim.

For number one, when its closer, they don't need to spend as much time and as a result resources just to move their military and supplies to launch an assault. Not to mention much easier to launch a surprise attack on their enemy. Please take into account that Cyrodiil is also part of the Thalmor's target.

Number two, by comparing what you gain from expending resources to capture... Cyrodiil and Skyrim. Cyrodiil lands wins by a long shot.