Board Thread:Skyrim/@comment-120.28.157.86-20140406014559/@comment-30317136-20170224134712

Blademaster Jauffre wrote: No, neutrality is still doing what the Thalmor want, regardless of how you twist and turn it.

You're basing things on pure speculation, baseless speculation for that matter. The moment Ulfric makes a move to Whiterun is when the tables will turn and the Thalmor will be unable to do anything about it. I don't twist or turn it. I am stating what actions are most brutal and disadvantageous to the Thalmor based on the start of the Skyrim's events. I am not speculating when I believe I stated clearly the best scenario not the canon scenario, is for you become leader of various guilds. Being leader of the Companions means you are the one who choose who to join, you'll have considerable power to train more companions. Do you honestly think all of Skyrim only the Last Dragonborn wants to join the Companions and only the Dragonborn who qualifies to be Companions' leader is qualified to join them? No, the game doesn't reflect the actual population or the size of Skyrim who should by rights be at least equivalent to Germany for Tamriel. That means all Guilds should have at least 5X to 100X more people in them.

In the most likely scenario where the Dragonborn remains hands free from the Civil War, the Thalmor wins no matter what. Even if it didn't go in the most ideal way the Thalmor wishes, the result remains the same. Skyrim weakens itself in turn weakens the Empire causing 2/4 human provinces to be weakened before the Aldmeri Dominion strikes again.

The moment Ulfric makes a move to Whiterun is not when the tables turn, that is when the Thalmor wins but not as much as they hoped for, is that going to stop their plans? No, the goal will be partially achieved no matter what.

The Goal is achieved when the Stormcloaks and Imperials drain each other out slowly. When they do something drastic, they'll be considered doing high damage to both sides in favor of the Thalmor.