Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-27007772-20140611204941/@comment-187.67.34.210-20150409200349

CatapractofOrder wrote: That brings up another point; I frankly think the Empire handled the Dominion war ineptly. They outnumbered the Dominion, the Empire had the homefront advantage, and yet they still couldn't win. Then Hammerfell fights and wins against the Dominion with less manpower.

Well, I just get sick of people saying "Tyrogg would have made Skyrim independent, Ulfric just wanted the throne," when it's purely speculation. Let me clarify two things:

First, Yes, the Empire couldn't win while the Dominion was on the run. But did they really have the upper hand? Think about it. The Empire had the manpower to invade and take Summerset Isles, but did they have the supplies? No, they didn't. Cyrodill was cut off from the other provinces during the Great War, severely limiting their supplies. Even after they managed to retake the Imperial city, they still didn't have enough supplies for an immediate assault. They would have had to march thousands of exhausted soldiers to the sea and face an undamaged Aldmeri fleet and then take the Summerset Isles. Good luck with that.

Second, The Redguards didn't wipe out the Dominion from Hammerfell just like Titus Mede II did on Cyrodiil. They held the line during 5 years then both forces signed the Second Treaty of Stros M'kai. The conditions of the treaty compelled the Dominion to withdraw all of its military forces from Hammerfell. The truth is the great houses of Hammerfell joined forces to fight against a fraction of the Aldmeri forces. That is why the Redguards could put up a fight.