User blog comment:MacTheDestroyer/Screw the Empire/@comment-2081141-20111220061405

What you've clearly forgotten is that the past 200 years have hardly been predictable circumstances. The Empire was perfectly fine and functional until a few radicals nearly brought about the end of all mortal races (which a certain dashing hero prevented). Then, while the Empire is still reeling, the High Elves, always one of the more potent races in the Empire, decides to go it alone. Sure, the Empire has been bloodied, but the fact that it exists at all is testament to how wrong you are. As long as a single faithful Nord, a sole proud Imperial, one last blood-crazed Orc still breathes, the Empire lives on. Forget Akavir, this is a battle for the Empire, to be fought by the Empire.

P.S., if you're arguing this, you've clearly never seen two orcs crush an entire Aldmeri garrison, or those same two orcs backed by about ten Imperial soldiers take an entire city.