Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-98.247.226.249-20130814184045/@comment-24434525-20140227220922

It depends; if I'm my current LDB and I become Jarl of a hold, I'd take Whiterun, fantastic economy with the ability to effect trade and control trade routes. I'd side with Ulfric, thus securing my trade route from Solstheim to Whiterun and advancing the economy even more. While the war was going on, I'd personally assassinate Maven, leaving a power vacum in the underworld. One I'd quickly fill. Then I would begin building my own private army of thieves, assassins, Blades, Companions, and mages. Ulfric would be a figurehead, any move against me and I'd have him replaced. Once my power was secured in Skyrim, I'd focus on the Dominion, and reestablishing positive relations with  the Empire. (current DB is evil, good DB would decline to rule, her ending would have been her joining the greybeards and following the Way of the Voice" after her children grew up.)

Now if I'm not the LDB and I'm just some Thane who became Jarl, well I'd choose Winterhold. No one seems all that interested in it during the civil war. Most Nords hate magic or at least distrustful of it, I'd be more open minded about it and would reach out to the Arch-mage for better relations. I bet that magic would come in handy in helping to rebuild the city. Also if my people saw the mages trying to help the townsfolk rebuild and make repairs, they may become more accepting of the collage, or they may try to kill me and I end up in exile. However, if my plan worked Winterhold would be much better off.