Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-26213507-20150715194939/@comment-26356342-20150901162217

Bronkiin wrote: @Ferris:

As to your point on the value of the Empire to Skyrim, I agree that, historically, trade would have been mutually beneficial. The Empire was good for trade as under its umbrella a variety of provinces and markets could be reached. Now, however, the Empire has jurisdiction over a far smaller area, and Cyrodil itself has been ravaged by war, and I can't imagine it's worth trading with. The East Empire Company gives the impression in  ES V of being in decline, no longer reaching the farthest flung corners of Tamriel (e.g Solstheim).

In regards to Talos worship, while I'll certainly acknowledge that the Empire (or at least local Imperial officials) are inclined to turn a blind eye, the fact that most Talos worship has been driven underground; Thalmor are allowed to patrol Markarth to hunt down worshippers; and Talos no longer has a shrine in the Temple of Divines in Solitude, shows that the Empire is still heavily compliant in a huge restriction on freedom of worship. I can think, from the top of my head, of an example where Imperial persecution of Talos worshippers is directly referenced (even if not witnessed), when Jarl Siddgeir describes his intense dislike for them, hinting himself at a purge, in dialogue during the quest Diplomatic Immunity. Well theres 2 things here, 1) The empire still owns High Rock, trade capitol of Tamriel. SO I'd say they still have plenty left, even without places like Morrowind. High Rock most likely still does trade with them.... Thats ALL they do. High Rock is to trade what Skyrim is to Warriors. 2) If the exchange is "My trade goods for your soldiers" it is a bit unfair to suddenly say "we're keeping our warriors and you need us to trade, so we'll be keeping that too" Thats where heavy taxes start to come in, on both sides. During times of war its not uncommon for a nation to decide ALL trade needs to benefit the war effort and could cut off Skyrim completely.

With the East Empire Trading Company, Solstheim no longer had a mine that produced minerals, and it was covered in ash, theres hardly anything worth going there to trade for. I don't think that means it's in decline.

To the Talos worship, I cannot find any quote during Diplomatic Immunity that Siddgeir says in reference to Imperial forces physically enforcing the ban, or at a purge. He mentions Elenwen finding talos worshippers, but she's Thalmor, thats what she does. He also mentions Talos worshippers being a pain for him and the other Jarls, but theres nothing suggesting the Empire specifically was enforcing the ban. If all they did to "meet the terms" was remove a few shrines, I wouldn't call that enforcing. Also we're specifically saying the Empire being the enforcers not the Thalmor. The Talos worship being driven underground and people being taken from their homes is in direct coloration with the Markarth Incident when Ulfric demanded the Empire "officially" allow free worship of Talos, thereby reneging on their treaty. The Talmor are the ones there now enforcing the ban, not Imperial soldiers/officials. The WGC gives them the right to do so, but they had no cause to come and make sure it was being done till the Markarth incident.