User blog comment:Spritydove/Deeper Thought into the Civil War/@comment-5135631-20120704013014

Why would anyone WANT Imperial rule? They are corrupt, backstabbing, have compromised every ideal they ever held dear in return for saving their own skins and have a (deluded) ideal that acquiecising to a politiical bully (Thalmor) will get them off their backs. What's more, they tried to kill you for heading to what is your home (if you are a nord) without any form or trial, let alone a fair trial, and denounced their own founder.

Ulfric isn't everyone's cup of tea, but at least with the Stormcloaks you know were you stand; if you are an immigrant, you are expected to work or contribute to the war effort in some way to be respected, just like locals. The Stormcloaks have clear plans for the war: they want to win, and when they do, they will ready themselves around the country to prepare for a Thalmor invasion should their be one. They will help Jarls raise new armies, reinstate Talos worship and presumably the Nordic pantheon in some way, make Solstheim more synonymous with Skyrim and heal any social wounds left over by the civil war. They will also face down corrupt businesspeople inside Skyrim with loyalty to the Empire, such as Maven Black-Briar.

General Tullius on the other hand, while he also faces mixed opinions, he is different to Ulfric in that he is an outsider, ennforcing his will on a people he has absolutely no concern for whatsoever, despite them being the founders and earliest supporters of his precious empire. I hear that he hints towards another war with the Thalmor, but at the same time he attacking Nords in their name. What is the use of an Empire keeping the Thalmor from attacking Skyrim, but putting their laws above Nordic or even Imperial ones, when Skyrim on it's own could keep the Thalmor out and retain their religious freedoms, customs and way of life?

Which brings me on to my next point. The Empire assumes that because they got beaten in Cyrodill, a vastly different country in terms of geography and climate to Skyrim, then that means they will get beaten by the Thalmor anywhere as things stand. Simply not true. Just look at Hammerfell. They pushed the Thalmor out using the terrain, and that was after a long and destructive war.

The civil war in Skyrim is not half as destructive as the great war, and Skyrim is even more adverse for the Thalmor than Hammerfell. The High Elves come from the southernmost point in Tamriel, to them, Skyrim is hell because it is simply so different to what they are used to and what they thrive in.