Stormcloaks

"Throw off the shackles of Imperial oppression. Do not bow to the yoke of a false emperor. Be true to your blood, to your homeland."

- Nords Arise! The Stormcloaks are a Faction featured in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Led by Ulfric Stormcloak, they oppose the Imperial Legion and their attempts to force Skyrim into an alliance with the Thalmor and the Cyrodilic Empire. The Dragonborn had the option of joining the Stormcloaks during Alduin's assault on Helgen, if they fled execution with Ralof. It is possible the Dragonborn joined the Imperial Legion instead, during the same event.

Philosophy
The Stormcloaks believe that Skyrim should secede from what they believe is a crumbling Empire. This stance came about due to the aftermath of The Great War and the introduction of the White-Gold Concordat by the Aldmeri Dominion. Many Stormcloaks believe that the Empire is holding, not just Skyrim but the whole of Tamriel back. The believe that if they gain independence times will be hard, but eventually The Kingdom of Skyrim will push through into a new age. Very much like in real life when the Roman Empire collapsed new kingdoms such as England, France and Germany were in hard times but eventually they pushed into the Medieval age, where things were gradually getting better.

White-Gold Concordat
Amongst the legislation of the concordat was the outlawing of the worship of Talos, and giving free rein to the Thalmor to move throughout the Empire and to hunt down any worshipers of this outlawed religion. This angered many Nords, as Talos was highly revered among them and was considered to be their greatest leader, so to shun him in this way was blasphemous.

The Markarth Incident
The Markarth Incident is considered to be the initial conception of the Stormcloak rebellion. In 4E 176, Ulfric Stormcloak and his army retook the city of Markarth in the name of the Empire from Forsworn invaders, under the agreement from the Empire that Talos worship would be permitted. However shortly after retaking Markarth, the Empire rescinded upon the agreement due to pressure from the Aldmeri Dominion thus Ulfric and his militia were expelled from the city.

High King Torygg
The event that triggered rebellion across Skyrim was the death of High King Torygg by Ulfric Stormcloak in 4E 201. After years of brewing resentment for what he believed was betrayal to the Empire, Ulfric now Jarl of Windhelm, to challenge Torygg to a duel in order to usurp the throne.

Ulfric claimed it was a formal duel in the "Old Nord Way", whereas many others in Skyrim, such as General Tullius, believe it was murder. After Torygg's death, Ulfric fled to Windhelm and Skyrim was plunged into Civil War. By using a combination of the outlawing of Talos worship and the Nords' strong sense of nationalism along with their mistrust of the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, Ulfric successfully managed to recruit a great many of Skyrim's populace to the rebellion.

Leadership and opposition
The rebellion is led by Ulfric Stormcloak, the Jarl of Windhelm. His second in command is Galmar Stone-Fist. They are opposed by the Imperial Legion, which is led by commander of the 4th legion, General Tullius.

War tactics
They follow guerrilla hit-and-run tactics to overwhelm the larger Imperial armies. They are mostly un-regimental, not relying entirely on rank like the Imperial Army; instead relying on the talent of powerful Nord warriors in their fold to achieve their goals. They are against all who have any ties to the Imperials and as such hate groups like the Battle-Born. However, the Gray-Manes are strongly loyal to Ulfric and his army.

Armor
Stormcloak armor is relatively basic light armor. It is the same armor set worn by Hold Guards.

Invitation
Ralof invited the Dragonborn to join the Stormcloaks if he or she followed him through Helgen Keep during Alduin's destruction of the settlement. during Unbound. Likewise, Stormcloak Soldiers might have also attempted to recruit the Dragonborn when encountered through Skyrim.

Introductory mission
To become a Stormcloak, the Dragonborn ventures to Windhelm, seat of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak. There, his second-in-command, Galmar Stone-Fist, tests the Dragonborn to ensure their devotion to the Stormcloak cause. He asks the Dragonborn to travel to an island northeast of The College of Winterhold, where The Serpent Stone is located and slay an Ice Wraith. Doing so, the Dragonborn returns, where it is revealed that slaying the Wraith was as much a test of prowess in battle as it was a test of loyalty, because finding the island is dangerous and difficult. As a new member, the Dragonborn receives the customary Stormcloak Armor. One final opportunity arises for the Dragonborn to switch sides and join the Legion. Upon returning the Jagged Crown to Ulfric, the Dragonborn can no longer sign up with the Imperial Legion.

Oath
All new initiates to the Stormcloaks must recite the Oath:

"I do swear my blood and honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak Jarl of Windhelm and true High King of Skyrim. As Talos is my witness, may this oath bind me to death and beyond... ...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers and sisters in arms. All hail the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim!"

Ranks
There are 5 ranks that can be earned if the Stormcloaks are joined during the Civil War questline. Progress in rank occurs at the completion of key battles during the war.
 * Unblooded - Complete Joining the Stormcloaks
 * Ice-Veins - Complete Battle for Whiterun
 * Bone-Breaker - Complete Rescue from Fort Neugrad
 * Snow-Hammer - Complete The Battle for Fort Sungard
 * Storm-Blade - Complete The Battle for Fort Snowhawk
 * Battle-Maiden - the Dragonborn cannot achieve this rank.

Stormcloak Camps
Stormcloak camps are located within each hold throughout Skyrim, with the exception of Eastmarch hold. These serve as outposts for the Stormcloaks and are instrumental in the ongoing civil war.

They are normally commanded by a Stormcloak Officer who can be found in his tent, and also have a quarter-master working at a forge who will also serve as a merchant.


 * Falkreath Stormcloak Camp
 * Haafingar Stormcloak Camp
 * Hjaalmarch Stormcloak Camp
 * Pale Stormcloak Camp
 * Reach Stormcloak Camp
 * Rift Stormcloak Camp
 * Whiterun Stormcloak Camp
 * Winterhold Stormcloak Camp

Post Civil War
After the conclusion of the civil war in favor of the Stormcloaks, the player will be told there are still Imperial camps out there to destroy. However when visiting said camps the commanders will still be flagged as essential and cannot be killed, furthermore the Imperial soldiers at these camps will eventually respawn. Additionally, citizens still mention the war. A number of notable changes occur after completing the Stormcloak campaign:
 * Vignar Gray-Mane becomes Jarl of Whiterun.
 * Skald the Elder is reinstalled as Jarl of Dawnstar, and Laila Law-Giver is reinstalled as Jarl of Riften assuming that the player gave Dawnstar and Riften to the Imperials in the negotiations.
 * Stormcloak soldiers replace the guards in cities such as: Whiterun, Markarth, Falkreath, Morthal, and Solitude.
 * Jarls who have been removed from their throne due to the Stormcloaks take over are all kept down in the cellar of the Blue Palace in Solitude along with their housecarls, stewards, and a few other notable persons who support the Imperial Legion. Elisif remains a Jarl.
 * The Forts scattered around Skyrim will be occupied by Stormcloak Soldiers.
 * Stormcloak Soliders aid the Dragonborn in battle, if they are attacked by a foe. They do not lend assistance if the Dragonborn initiated the fight.

Notable members

 * Ulfric Stormcloak - The leader of the Stormcloaks, Jarl of Windhelm.
 * Galmar Stone-Fist - Second in command to the Jarl.
 * Ralof - A member of the Stormcloaks who was captured alongside the Dragonborn.
 * Gunjar - A member of the Stormcloaks whose body is found in the Helgen Keep.
 * Hjornskar Head-Smasher - A Stormcloak Captain.
 * Yrsarald Thrice-Pierced - A member of the Stormcloaks residing at the Palace of the Kings.
 * Kottir Red-Shoal - A Stormcloak Captain. Reach Stormcloak Camp. An NPC with Stormcloak Civil War missions.
 * Istar Cairn-Breaker - A Stormcloak Captain located in the Haafinger Stormcloak Camp.
 * Bolund - Brother of Solaf, a merchant in Falkreath. He is verbally hostile against any non-Nords.
 * Lilija - The deceased daughter of Nura Snow-Shod. She served as a healer or "Battle Maiden".

Quests

 * Joining the Stormcloaks
 * The Jagged Crown
 * Message to Whiterun
 * Battle for Whiterun
 * Liberation of Skyrim
 * Rescue From Fort Neugrad
 * Compelling Tribute
 * The Battle for Fort Sungard
 * A False Front
 * The Battle for Fort Snowhawk
 * The Battle for Fort Hraggstad
 * Battle for Solitude