Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-27126317-20151030115315/@comment-18750685-20151030121335

Both are shades of grey.

Imperials banned Talos worship in order to purchase enough time to rebuild and prepare for another invasion.

They also surrendered Hammerfell for similar reasons, but declared an entire legion "invalid" so they could assist the Redguards. Current political relations between Hammerfell and Cyrodiil remain unknown, however.

Stormcloaks, however, support Talos worship and see Imperials as weak and treacherous for allying with the Aldmeri Dominion.

They also believe "Skyrim belongs to the Nords'", and as you pointed out, care very little for other ethnicies... but can we blame them? Rikke points out that many Stormcloaks are former legionaries; many of whom fought during the Great War.

Tell me: if you'd been sent against a genocidal elven empire that mercilessly slaughters every human man, woman, and child, only to see yourself casted aside and declared a heretic by the very people behind whom you rallied, would you still retain an open mind towards Elves and Imperials?

Ulfric isn't a racist: he suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

So on one hand, you have a weakened Empire holding an uneasy truce with the enemy whilst gathering its second wind -- one which will allow every race to oppose an elitist elven government.

While on the other hand, you have a man whose perception of the world has been distorted and twisted into believing humans -- and solely humans -- can stand against the great enemy.