Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-209.7.3.188-20160303204000/@comment-30011802-20161102175144

The Empire is dying!

 “The Empire Brings Peace and Security To Tamriel”

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Before I continue, I’d like to point out that even in the Empire’s glory days this wasn’t the case. Ask the Orcs. So ignoring that, lets point out the obvious. These are  not  the glory days of the Empire and the only real difference between this one and the last was that the last Empire had thicker curtains to cover the problems it had. And then there’s comments like this:

How did Morrowind fare with Tiber Septim when he conquered and united the provinces?

Alvur Relds: Well, sir, of course, having served with the legions for twenty years, and having carried the Emperor’s standard, I’d like to say he was universally loved and respected. But we aren’t much in furriner-loving line like you Westers, and we don’t thank you for interfering.

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I’ve gotten to know some catmen and even lizards in the Service, and some of them are not bad folk. But a people should keep to their own, if you take my meaning. And that’s not the Empire’s way. I look around, I don’t see much benefit from uniting the provinces, unless you’re a fatcat merchant, or maybe a soldier. .

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Morrowind:Interview_with_a_Dark_Elf

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And this:

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http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Eastern_Provinces

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 Now, back to the present. The Empire is dying. They have Cyrodiil, High Rock and half of Skyrim. If they won, how would security in their Empire be any better, when they can’t even prevent a bandit uprising within the very heart of their establishment when there wasn’t a civil war? I’m of course referring to Bravil from Cicero’s journal entries.

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http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Cicero%27s_Journal

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Which I’ll admit, is the only example and evidence of problems in Cyrodiil. Oh, wait:

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<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Valga_Vinicia

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">And why isn’t the Council sending Tullius more support? Or Mede? I get that they’re watching the southern border, but surely they have some men to spare from doing this. Tullius seems to think so when he complains about not getting reinforcements. One reason is that the Pale Pass is closed off:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">The Pale Pass appears on Nataly Dravarol’s map of Skyrim, created in 4E 182, by which time it was once again in use.<span class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="font-size:12px;line-height:0;position:relative;top:-0.5em;">[6]  In 4E 201, the Pale Pass was closed due to avalanches, preventing Imperial reinforcements from helping to secure Falkreath Hold under Imperial control during the Stormcloak Rebellion.<span class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="font-size:12px;line-height:0;position:relative;top:-0.5em;">[7] <span class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" style="font-size:12px;line-height:0;position:relative;top:-0.5em;">[8]

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Pale_Pass

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">But hello, they have ships! This kind of makes me wonder about the Elder Council and who their loyalties lie with. Whether they are just so uncaring of the situation up North because they don’t care about the barbarian Nords, and certainly they can’t defeat the legion! Or, perhaps (perhaps) the Thalmor have a finger in the Council’s honey jar? Which brings me to another point. Mede II.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Mede II’s assassination has a lot of implications. For one, there’s the question of who sanctioned it. Is it possible the council did like the DB mission seems to be hinting at? And if so, is it all of the council or just Motierre? Or someone else? Did the Thalmor want it? Or better yet, does any of this matter? In the question of security, no it does not because at the end of the day this is bad regardless unless the Empire pulls a Caesar out of their hat.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">But this is still a big point against security because even if they do, the transition of power will likely not be peaceful, and regardless, Emperors being assassinated is the biggest red flag against security that you can have, especially in a time of war. If there’s problems like this going on in the seat of power….either way, security being a point for the Empire seems a bit iffy with this going on.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;"> “The Empire is the Best Chance for a Victory Against the Thalmor”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Is it? Are you sure about that? Because I see a few problems with this. First problem is that the Empire has alienated the Redguards by their actions in the great war, and abandoning their province to the Thalmor. That’s going to be an issue when the Thalmor come to fight, because Hammerfell in an Empire Victory unless provoked will likely see no reason to help Cyrodiil if attacked. They’ll have Skyrim, and maybe High Rock, but High Rock has been quiet so we don’t quite know that for sure, and The Empire will be fighting the Thalmor on a one on one front.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Now, in the event of a Stormcloak victory, lets say that Cyrodiil is attacked. Ulfric has made it clear that he intends to take the fight to the Thalmor. And he has been seeking help from High Rock. High Rock may also just be staying quiet to see who will win the great war. If so, that would mean maybe they’ll help either side regardless. Also, Hammerfell is much more likely to side with Skyrim than it is the Empire due to being abandoned. So in the event of a Stormcloak victory, the Redguards have a higher chance of being in the fight. This would put the Thalmor on a multiple front war, and as your high school history class teachers will tell you:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://i.imgur.com/OvC261R.png

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;"> “NORDS ARE DEH RACUSTS. Empiyur es deh equalities”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">No. The Empire not only is racist, they’re likely as racist as everyone else if not more. Because of how Imperialism works. Imperialism sets up a dominant culture, and the dominant culture is seen as supreme. This makes the members of that culture feel that their culture is necessary for others to function, or that theirs is just better in general. Like this:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/214/5/c/racist_general_tullius_by_ysmirstormcrown-d6gabx2.jpg

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://cs.uesp.net/index.php?game=sr&formid=0x000c347c

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Which sounds a lot like:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.thefreedictionary.com/white+man%27s+burden

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Replace “white” with Imperial.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">That’s a direct quote from Mr. Tullius. Nevermind that he starts respecting the Nords or whatever later (even though he still shows disregard at the end for nord culture when he says “Wherever it is you people go when you die” when talking to Ulfric), this shows the mentality of the Imperials. And make no mistake, that IS racist. And if you say that the Empire doesn’t have as many racists as Skyrim….

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;"> Oh contraire mon frere!

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Gerich_Senarel

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Wolf_Queen,_v1

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Baenlin Dead

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Mach-Na

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Arentus_Falvius

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Isa_Raman

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Dervera_Romalen

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Countess_Alessia_Caro

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Tsavi

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Alessia_Ottus   Read all of her books.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Julitta_Plotius

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Betto_Plotius

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">A Dunmer with an Imperial? Say it ain’t so!

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Glistel

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:Malintus_Ancrus

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Imperial supporters and their hypocrisy:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://cs.uesp.net/index.php?game=sr&formid=0x000bd71e

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">So clearly…racism is no better in Cyrodiil.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;"> Closing

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Why do you stay with the Empire? Is it emotional? Is it loyalty? Do you like the idea of it and what it claims to be? Honestly I think that real world bias is part of it, I.E. The Romans, but the Roman Empire wasn’t all rainbows and ponies either, and it shows how great their propaganda was that we can still fall into it even in this day. But if I am wrong, please enlighten me. Why is the Empire so worth supporting?

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">“In 4E 29, the government of Valenwood was overthrown by Thalmor collaborators and a union with Alinor proclaimed. It appears that Thalmor agents had formed close ties to certain Bosmeri factions even before the Oblivion Crisis. The Empire and its Bosmer allies, caught completely off guard, were quickly defeated by the much-better prepared Altmer forces that invaded Valenwood on the heels of the coup. Thus was the Aldmeri Dominion reborn.” -The Great War (book) .

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">The Empire allowed themselves to be caught off guard by the Thalmor, and had no idea that they had secretly sided with Bosmer in Valenwood, and was completely taken by surprise when they decided to take it. And now, the civilians in Valenwood are the ones who are paying, as the game has hinted to us through Delphine that the Thalmor are doing some Ethnic Cleansing. Or political purging. After something like this, and after the Khajiit seceded to join the Dominion after they claimed they returned the moons that disappeared (the moons are a big part of Khajiit culture), you’d think the Empire would have taken the Thalmor as a more serious threat. The Blades tried to warn them as well.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

Go back a bit and look at Morrowind. During the Oblivion Crisis, the Empire, according to the DLC “Dragonborn”, abandoned their provinces in an attempt to protect Cyrodil:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Conversation goes like this I believe:

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://cs.uesp.net/index.php?game=sr&formid=0xDB01f2c6

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://cs.uesp.net/index.php?game=sr&formid=0xDB01f2f0

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://cs.uesp.net/index.php?game=sr&formid=0xDB01f2c5

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">“What can you tell me about House Hlaalu?”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Traitors. The lot of them. Their collaboration with the Empire may have given them unrivaled political and economic strength, but their hearts weren’t with the Dunmer people. They had welcomed the Empire with open arms, and benefited from it.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">“I presume that was their downfall.”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Hlaalu deserved every bit of the hatred they received once the Empire released its grasp on Morrowind.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">“What happened to house Hlaalu as a result?”

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Having past ties to the Empire immediately turned them into the scapegoat for the Dunmer people’s suffering. When everything was said and done, they were no longer recognized as a Great House and were dismissed from the Council.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1464160-the-empires-relationship-with-each-province/?p=22784624

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">They left Morrowind among other provinces unprotected to save themselves, and left everyone to the mercy of the Daedra. Morrowind citizens now resent the Empire despite it not being the same Dynasty.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">The developers made it a point for us to see that in game npc’s still treat this Empire as the Third and same Empire, despite this one being the Mede Dynasty.This is likely because even though the Emperor is different, the way the Empire or maybe the Elder Council operates is inherently the same. An example of this is Hammerfell.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">. Hammerfell during the Great War was attacked simultaneously with Cyrodiil by the Thalmor. Hammerfell at the time was in a state of constant infighting (note that they interfered in Skyrim’s infighting, but not Hammerfell’s) and were taken by surprise when the Thalmor came in.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">Later during the war when the Thalmor sacked the Imperial city, the Empire ordered General Decianus to abandon his post and return to the Imperial City. If it were up to the ones in charge, the Empire would have completely abandoned Hammerfell right then and there. Luckily, the General decided to disobey his order, and discharged a large force of “invalids” to fight in Hammerfell.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">All this shows that even though the Empire has not always been under the same dynasty, they still treat their provinces the same. As expendable. Valenwood was a mistake on their part, as the Thalmor took them by surprise, but when you look at all these failings, it is clear that the Empire is just unable to protect their provinces whether it be their fault or not.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">After the heroic efforts of the Nords, Imperials and Bretons, even admittedly Titus Mede himself, the Empire finally took back the Imperial city. After this happened, the Empire signed the infamous White Gold Concordat, which would 1. Outlaw Talos Worship, and 2. Give away almost Half of Hammerfell to the Thalmor (admittedly already occupied by the elves.) While the Empire themselves could not afford to fight on, neither could the Thalmor. I used to believe that they could not know the Thalmor were as weak as they were, but the Great War book states that the info in the book was taken from the Thalmor themselves: . Author’s Note: Much of what is written in this book is pieced together from documents captured from the enemy during the war, interrogation of prisoners, and eyewitness accounts from surviving soldiers and Imperial officers. . And the book clearly states: . . In 4E 174, the Thalmor leadership committed all available forces to the campaign in Cyrodiil, gambling on a decisive victory to end the war once and for all. . This means the Empire had a good idea of the Thalmor’s state, but bought into their bluff anyway when they signed the White Gold Concordat. The Redguards of Hammerfell did not wish to give up their land so easy and wanted to fight on. The Empire instead of at least giving supplies to the Redguards or some kind of non combatant support instead just completely dropped Hammerfell as a province. They say they were forced, but the Thalmor, as they apparently knew, could not force anything.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">The Thalmor wouldn’t be in any position to assault Cyrodiil for sending supplies even if they wanted to. You may be thinking that the Empire would need those supplies to rebuild, and you’d be right. But the cost of a whole Province being lost is greater than at least meager support of military supplies so Hammerfell could defend itself, and take back it’s land. Now the Empire is out yet another Province, and they only have two, not counting Cyrodiil. . To reiterate: <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;">“Much of what is written in this book is pieced together from documents captured from the enemy during the war, interrogation of prisoners, and eyewitness accounts from surviving soldiers and Imperial officers.”

K, now read this.

“In 4E 174, the Thalmor leadership committed all available forces to the campaign in Cyrodiil, gambling on a decisive victory to end the war once and for all. During the spring, Aldmeri reinforcements gathered in southern Cyrodiil, and on 12th of Second Seed, they launched a massive assault on the Imperial City itself.”

Now, there’s no way survivors or eye witnesses could know the info in the second quote, so that means they HAD to have gotten the info DURING the war, as the book said they did, because that is the only time they’d have access to prisoners, and that’s when they would have discovered their documents. This means the Empire KNEW how weak the Dominion was and they still caved. <p style="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:16px;color:rgb(204,204,204);font-family:"HelveticaNeue",Helvetica,Arial,"LucidaGrande",sans-serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:normal;">http://forums.bethsoft.com/topic/1453352-taking-sides-between-imperials-or-stormcloaks-but-what-about-the-orcs-and-forsworn/?p=22489750