Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-209.7.3.188-20160303204000/@comment-26893431-20161030175521

Sports72Xtrm wrote:

Well the Cyrodillians have three options in case of a Stormcloak victory:

1. continue to fight a war with the Stormcloaks, wasting men and resources to subdue the Stormcloaks while the Thalmor proliferate their strength and eventually attack both factions weakened by war.

2. Negotiate with the Thalmor and let the Dominion cross Imperial lands to wage war on Skyrim. Though this could be particularly dangerous. Now the Stormcloaks may beat the Dominon back like the Redguards or they may lose, but if they lose, the Empire just handed Skyrim over to the Dominion giving them another front to attack Cyrodill from.

3. Just recognize Skyrim's independence, and deny the Dominion access to Skyrim. If they take the long way and attack by sea well Ulfric and Torsten Cruel-Sea are already making plans to strengthen their navy.

Ulfric: "I'm still not sure I understand what you're asking."

Torsten: "A navy, my lord. We could stop the influx of Imperial troops to Solitude, and choke their northern lines."

Ulfric: "But most of their supply routes come south, from Cyrodiil."

Torsten: "But imagine—fleets of ships sailing from Windhelm, all bearing the Stormcloak flag! It would be glorious!"

Ulfric: "And I suppose the Cruel-Seas would be just the clan to provide ships and men?"

Torsten: "You need but ask."

Ulfric: "I'll think on this, but I make no promises."

Torsten: "I can ask no more. Thank you, my lord!" They'll give them time to recover because the Empire's choices are either shoot themselves in the foot, or let things be. 1. They will keep the war going, just not send men.

2. They won't do that.

3. They won't recognise Skyrim's independence.

No navy is superior to the Altmeri Navy, the only thing the Nordic Navy is recorded for is a few puny raids on villages, the Altmeri navy has beat the Imperial Navy and the Maormer Navy numerous times. The 'Imperial Navy' even including Redguards.

The Dominion won't give Skyrim time to recover, Skyrim is weak after the Civil War, economically unstable, with no trade partners and its army is devastated after years of war.