Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-26213507-20150715194939/@comment-26896471-20150901115530

@Ferris:

As to your point on the value of the Empire to Skyrim, I agree that, historically, trade would have been mutually beneficial. The Empire was good for trade as under its umbrella a variety of provinces and markets could be reached. Now, however, the Empire has jurisdiction over a far smaller area, and Cyrodil itself has been ravaged by war, and I can't imagine it's worth trading with. The East Empire Company gives the impression in  ES V of being in decline, no longer reaching the farthest flung corners of Tamriel (e.g Solstheim).

In regards to Talos worship, while I'll certainly acknowledge that the Empire (or at least local Imperial officials) are inclined to turn a blind eye, the fact that most Talos worship has been driven underground; Thalmor are allowed to patrol Markarth to hunt down worshippers; and Talos no longer has a shrine in the Temple of Divines in Solitude, shows that the Empire is still heavily compliant in a huge restriction on freedom of worship. I can think, from the top of my head, of an example where Imperial persecution of Talos worshippers is directly referenced (even if not witnessed), when Jarl Siddgeir describes his intense dislike for them, hinting himself at a purge, in dialogue during the quest Diplomatic Immunity.