Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-112.209.243.124-20150106135711/@comment-6326997-20150109033439

Both have  good reasons why you should and shouldn't join them in my opinion.

Looking at the history of Skyrim. It is not the actual homeland of Nords, thus technically it is no more the land of the Nords as it is the land of the Empire, or Aldmeri Dominion. But they have one thing going for them at least. They don't let go of their god, which I know it is debateable whether or not he is actually a god. But a strong conviction and holding on to that faith rather than bending over backward shows strength and resolve in equal measure (IMO). Further more, the speach that Ulfric gives at the end of your invasion of Solitude just kinda seems more epic than the speach that Tulius gives.

On the otherhand, the plight of the Empire is not so desprate as the Stormcloaks or Thalmore make it seem. The Imperial City was sacked, but the elves were driven out BEFORE the White-Gold Concordant was signed. And there is the fact that Talos may or may not actually be a god. This is a matter for Tamrielic Theologians however, so I don't see a real point in starting a whole WAR over it. Another thing is the Empire was started in Skyrim, Tiber Septim may not have been a Nord, but he is honored as a harbinger of the Nordic people. Therefore, turning against the Empire is like turning against Tiber himself in a way. So "We serve Talos, by destroying his Empire." Good logic.

Really Bethesda made it really difficult to see a clear line in my opinion. And the Aldmeri Dominion is not as strong as it likes to boast, as a good leader (The Dragonborn perhaps?) could lead the Empire to a sure-victory over the Dominion. Or bring about the collapse of the Empire, forever.