Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-13417807-20130726204600/@comment-135.19.47.8-20130911014841

Zippertrain85 wrote: 135.19.47.8 wrote: Zippertrain85 wrote: 135.19.47.8 wrote: The Thalmor WANT the Stormcloaks to win, even if it meant their embassy would swin in angry nords possesed of an iron will to burn it down. They know Ulfric's men couldn't take on their army, unlike the Empire, who can call upon reinforcements from High Rock.

Imperials are naturals when it comes to serving as shock troops and Bretons and resist magic, in addition to being gifted in the magical arts themselves.

Nords serve better as light infantry or militia--no magical resistance and no heavy infantry, only bloodthirsty rebels wearing chainmail and leather, while Imperials posses an inborn ability to wear heavy armor and cast restoration spells.

Defending a nation from foreign occupiers is one thing. Digging its grave is another. The Stormcloaks could get help from other nations with similar goals, like Hammerfell and Morrowind. Ulfric also offered an alliance with High Rock already.

No magical resistance? If you played Skyrim you would know they have 50% resistance to frost, that's including magic. Nords have also used heavy armor numerous times with success and respect Restoration magic. When's the last time you saw a Stormcloak use Close Wounds or Healing Hands or any other restoration spells? Maybe if you count their Battle-Maidens, but even then, they'll need a lot more of them. None of them wear heavy armour, either.

Nothing proves High Rock is even remotely interested in allying with Ulfric and Morrowind doesn't really care, they've got their own problems. Hammerfell? Maybe, but they'd still need more. The Redguards beat the Aldmeri using guerilla warfare tactics and knowledge of the terrain, on top of the ennemy seeing their repeated requests for reinforcements denied.

Morrowind is out of the game: most of it is still covered in ash or rubble due to Argonian raids. Also, the Dunmer are elves, so they probably won't be annihilated by the Dominion. It's been heavily implied Battle-Maidens use Restoration magic. Just like it's heavily implied there are female Imperial soldiers. I bet they could train regular soldiers too. Gameplay doesn't equal lore.

Skyrim has problems too. Once they see how big the Dominion's threat is they will probably join. The Dominion is very low on soldiers. Realistically speaking just the Nords and the Redguards could probably beat the Dominion.

Only Vvardenfell is covered in ashes. And they're currently rebuilding the destroyed cities. Haven't spoken to Malborn I see. According to him the Dunmer hate the Dominion. They probably consider Daedra worshippers to be just as bad as Talos worshippers. -The Dunmer don't care much for the Thalmor...

That doesn't necessarily mean they hate the Dominion, only that they don't care about them. I don't think they care about the Empire, either. If you help the Imperials in the Civil War and conquer Riften, some of the legionnaires will say that the Empire should invade Morrowind. This suggests that Morrowind answers only to itself. Like I said, they have their own problems.

Realistically speaking, the Thalmor could always call upon Bosmeri and Khajiit forces to aid them in their fight. Valenwood and Elsweyr are client states after all. Plus, the Dominion excells at something that the Redguards and Nords don't: divide et impera--divide and conquer. They would simply invade Hammerfell from one side and Skyrim from another, splitting the herd. Don't forget that the Stormcloaks will probably burn down the Thalmor Embassy almost immediatly after winning the war, so the Thalmor would invade them first, preventing them from calling upon allies.

I don't support the Empire because I'm a blind Imperial-sympathizer. I support them because it's the most effective solution.

The Thalmor are cleansing Valenwood, so many Bosmer, such as Malborn, are beginning to work against them. The Empire could exploit that to their advantage. With a rebellion in its hands, the Dominion will focus on the Bosmeri homeland. While they're distracted, you do what they did in Skyrim: provide indirect support to seperatist forces, all the while dividing a solution to snatch Elsweyr from the Thalmor's hands. An alliance with Hammerfell would be beneficial, since Breton wizards could accompany them and place themselves in the lenght of water between Alinor and Valenwood/Elsweyr, disrupting reinforcements and supply shipments to and from the client states.

Okay, I'm just thinking aloud here, but point is: a united Empire (preferably with a new emperor... a competent emperor) is the best long-term choice.