User blog comment:Zippertrain85/"Why the Empire Should Prevail Over the Stormcloaks! Part 3 (Economics)" Refuted/@comment-14027812-20131229230809/@comment-24355185-20131230183207

Why wouldn't Highrock side with Skyrim?

We don't actually know much about what's happening in Highrock at the moment. It is certainly not a fierce Empire loyalist. They are keeping to themselves and could go with either side. Alright, let's assume Hammerfell and Skyrim make an alliance (which is highly likely to happen, considering the circumstances). Where does that leave Highrock? They are now isolated from Cyrodiil with two strong nations in alliance around them. The Bretons are very opportunistic and will surely secede from Cyrodiil to join Hammerfell and Skyrim.

Now you might say wouldn't Cyrodiil stop them?

They might try, but they can't. We know that there isn't much of a legion in Highrock to start with; most of the Legion is situated on the Gold Coast. General Tullius even says that during the Civil War that no help comes from Highrock. It is clear they won't have any chance of stopping the Bretons from seceding with only the soldiers stationed in Highrock. What about reinforcements? They couldn't send them in either. Look at Highrock on a map. Cyrodiil would have to march troops through Hammerfell or Skyrim, and risk a full-scale war which they definately don't want.

The second reason that most people give is that the Bretons will be too angry with the Nords for isolating them from Cyrodiil, as it hurts trade. Well that's easliy debunked. Highrock doesn't trade with Cyrodiil much. They trade with Hammerfell, in the Iliac Bay.

Last, and worst; THE ORCS WILL OBJECT! Sorry, no, they can't.Orsinium was sacked (again) in the early 4th era. It is currently being rebuilt in the the mountains between Hammerfell and Skyrim. Orsinium is no longer part of Highrock! That means the Orcs are longer citizens of Highrock, so they can't object to the Bretons pulling away from the Cyrodiil.