Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-69.171.163.44-20131001014148/@comment-121511-20150216001038

A very sensible analysis and summary of events, I think. Two things I think are worth considering, however. There is certainly evidence of internal strife within the Dominion (generally small amounts of unrest across the provinces, though if memory serves more notably in Valenwood), if greatly repressed due to the large resources of the Thalmor, and humankind have a much faster breeding rate than elves. This doesn't quite tip the scales very much, though the fact that the Empire can potentially fuel violent civil unrest in the Dominion and replenish its armies at a quicker rate does count for something. There is also the fact that the Orcs remain a steadfast part of the Empire, and are counted among the fiercest warriors in Tamriel.

At the end of the day however, it is true that the Empire is in a very bad way. The loss after loss that it's had to endure from the Oblivion Crisis to the Great War to the Civil War in Skyrim has had to be crippling on its military might. With Titus Mede II for all intents and purposes dead, the only hope for the Empire would have to lie in a Hero, new or old. What is certain, however, is that a Thalmor victory is certainly in the worst interests of everyone save themselves.