Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-27007772-20140611204941/@comment-86.24.247.213-20150506225155

Like many here, when I fist played Skyrim I sided with the Stormcloaks for many reasons.

1. Vive la Revolution!

2. I tend to side with the underdogs.

3. The Thalmor are pretty much evil through-and-through.

4. The Imperials were a gnat-fart away from slcing my damn head off.

However, when you fully look into the situation and breathe the elf-hating fire out of your lungs, it becomes fairly clear that an Independant Skyrim would only end in disaster. Civil Wars do nothing but debilitate the Empire itself as a whole, splitting off provinces so it simply makes the Aldameri Dominion practically need to do little more than divide and conquer. True, the romantic perspective of fighting for freedom is certaily stirring, and I would never deprive anybody of their faith. However, the fact that Ulfric slowly shows his true, greedy colours now and then kind of throws a villainous side to his righteous rebellion.

Now, I'm not saying the Imperials are squeaky-clean either. Both sides of every conflict have corruption and bad judgement here and there. However, I'd very much rather have Imperial Legions on my side rather than battle-weary rebels to face off against the terrifying notion of a murderous, spellslinging army of elitist Thalmor.

As a whole - Ulfric shows a great deal of fire and determination to free Skyrim of tyrannical elves. However, Tullius shows a far more tempered stature when dealing with both Nordic rebels and Elven tyrants and he understands that in order to defeat the Thalmor and allow Talos worship in the Empire, they must be patient and await the right time to strike.

I understand the plight of my Stormcloak brothers, but I have to accept that the only logical and strategic side to take is the Imprial Legion.