Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-76.97.80.106-20130811163656/@comment-26394927-20150515165047

Aaaand for some reason I wasn't logged in to make above post.

In all seriousness, even though Time seems to be fluid and can be rewritten (particularly with an Elder Scroll and the right know-how), the final outcome is most likely that the Thalmor "win" no matter which side you choose. The Nirevarine may still be alive (as the Prophecy states Age will not harm him) and may return from his mission in Akavir to help out in some way later on. The Dragonborn, while politically sound and a great Hero, may not be able to push the tide that is the Thalmor from taking over, repeating history with the Ayleids and Nedic race. There is, as someone stated above, the Loveletter from the 5th Era discribing what happens, following on the Six Walking Paths (which is mind-blowing once it starts to make sense). It may be that ultimately, the Thalmor will be responsible (inadvertantly) for the Transcendance of all Men and Mer. According to Out of Game Lore, the Thalmor die. So we can at least be happy on that note. (Please note I refer to the Thalmor and not Aldmeri Dominion, because not everyone in the AD is horrible, just their Nationalists.)

The War itself seemed to be rooted in Talos worship. Rooting Him out of His Divinity by destroying the Faith seemed to be the ultimate goal. While yes, killing everyone in the Empire would have solved some of it, the Souls would still have Faith. Creating doubt is their best weapon. The war was with Talos Himself (a least that's how I see it).