Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-1600847-20161103125247/@comment-993964-20161118224652

Ulfric's men are more likely to outlast Tullius because Ulfric keeps his men alive and they fight for something, while the Imps fight for a universally resented status quo. The Stormcloaks only rebel because the Empire uses Skyrim as its personal larder. The more they take, the more support the rebels gain. Add to the fact that Tullius sends his men to their deaths because of his flawed strategies, and the Stormcloaks will gain supporters not only from Skyrim, but Imperial deserters as well. Ulfric is not lacking in willing recruits.