Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-25343239-20150319182007/@comment-26145872-20170822073027

The reproduction rate claim is false - that is a staple of the Elves in The Witcher, not The Elder Scrolls.

Anyway, you were right when you said the Dominion's army numbers was in the thousands. As a matter of fact, I once found a source (that I will attempt to find again) which stated that both the Empire's and Dominion's armies were of near-equal number, around 10,000 or so, with the Dominion's being slightly lower, albeit supplemented with superior troops and equipment. It's also true, however, that both sides suffered extreme casualties during the War, not just the Empire.

The Dominion is indeed bluffing during the events of Skyrim - they're attempting to rebuild their armies with young Mer, as are the Empire with fresh Imperial and Nordic troops. Both sides are still reeling and feeling the effects of thinly-stretched numbers and a shortage of resources - the Thalmor presence on Solstheim depicts some troops wearing Leather equipment as opposed to Elven or Glass, while some Justiciars and other soldiers use Steel weaponry. The same is true for the Empire - simple light Leather equipment, with only elite individuals being given steel-clad armor, such as Legate Rikke.

Considering that (roughly) half of Skyrim prior to the Civil War's conclusion remains loyal to Imperial rule, the Stormcloaks' numbers would suffer a heavy blow if they were to battle against the Dominion. It's reasonable to assume that the Dominion's forces have dug themselves into Cyrodiil thanks to the Concordat, not to mention the Empire would almost be obliged to fight for them, lest the Dominion threaten a second Great War. So, it's clear to see a ground assault by the Stormcloaks on Cyrodiil will prove ineffective.

How about a naval assault on The Summerset Isles? Doomed to fail. Being an archipelago surrounded by the ocean, Altmeri soldiers, archers, and mages are born to defend against naval attacks of any type. Relentless assaults by both the Sload and Maormer from the sea have hardened the Altmer into fierce naval combatants, so much so that the Isles have never actually been fully conquered. They have indeed been invaded and blood spilt, but it never reached a point in time where the Altmer actually lost complete control of their homeland. Even after Tiber Septim's taking of the Isles, the Altmeri royalty still held control of the province. All of this doesn't even take into account the counterattack the Thalmor would launch from the shores of Valenwood, should the Stormcloaks attempt their futile invasion.

In short, The Summerset Isles is a nearly impenetrable naval fortress in the form of a serene tropical paradise, and a Mer-dominated Tamriel is damn near inevitable.