Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-4290456-20140319121732/@comment-187.67.92.51-20140928035512

I think the Imperials are the best choice, because like it or not, the Empire is the only force in Tamriel that can resist the Thalmor.

Now I know what the Stormcloaks guys might say: "Free Skyrim, that's what's going to be the real Thalmor-stopper, we are Nords, we are warriors, etc etc"

But history shows that separatism is no answer to a common threat. Those who think Stormcloaks are "liberating" Skyrim just don't see the bigger picture. The Thalmor do, however.

The Thalmor simply play on each province's individual lute to make them break off. This is called "Divide and Conquer". Wanna examples? Alright! Alinor? Take credits for what Martim Septim did. Valenwood? Organize a coup and take the Imperials supporters by surprise. Elsweyr? Use "dawn magic" to deceive the Khajiits (we all know the moons are gripped to their religion). Hammerfell? Demand its secession as a condition of the peace treaty, so the Empire will have to betray the Redguards - they'll never trust the Empire again. Skyrim? Use the Nords' religion (reverence to Talos in particular) to make them distrust the Empire and rise up against it.

So instead of "fighting the damn elves" Ulfric and Co. are simply dancing to their tune.