Board Thread:Lore Discussion/@comment-72.74.78.209-20141019230536/@comment-4947013-20141208030821

I have stayed out of this discussion until now, resolving not to form an opinion about the war until I have been in both sides, and played them both, including the peace treaty at High Hrothgar mission, to try and get all the information I can before I choose to make a stand on whom I would rather support. And even so, there is still the Senile Scribbles series on Youtube that had the basics of each side down:

Racial Equality

SC no, IL yes

Freedom of Religion

SC yes, IL no

Gay Marriage

SC yes, IL Why is that even a question?

I took that with a grain of salt, as the series was a parody series of Skyrim, but that was still true. So I resolved myself and, girding myself for war, went and fought.

First, I fought for the Imperial Legion. Negatives I got: Tullius seems indifferent about Nord Customs and traditions. Crappy gear for rewards (though Tullius's sword was good. Totally broke it for the Drain Health enchant, which is the only reason it was worthwhile). Arrogance towards Ulfric Stormcloak, whom for all appearances, pulled a Dragon out of his pocket to stop his execution, even though we all know that wasn't the case, and therefore shouldn't be taken lightly. Positives I got: Firstly, nobody gave me a second look for being a Dunmer, and instead of sending me off on some pointless errand to kill an ice wraith to prove my worth, got me right into working on dealing with the rebellion, showing a willingness to take anyone willing to fight for the empire. Even a Dark Elf Assassin Werewolf whom is head of the Thieves Guild, and is responsible for the emperor's death (Side note, finishing DB questline doesn't seem to affect CW questline in any way. Probably should.)  Gives ranks in the legion that have actual authority, as witnessed when questioning Captain Eldis about one shield-maiden in Whiterun (Forgetting names, my bad), where, if Persuasion fails, you can say "THAT'S AN ORDER, CAPTAIN I AM NOT ASKING ANYMORE." and that's cool.

Stormcloaks, and the positives I got from it: Honorary Titles like Stormblade, that are given with a deep, metaphorical explanation on how my prowess in battle earned me this title. Ulfric comes to respect me. Negatives: when sent to Galmar, immediately questioned on why I, a foreigner Nord, would want to fight for the Stormcloaks. I normally do Dunmer, and when I went like that, I was questioned on why some Elf wanted to fight for the land, where I got the prompt "So you only take Nords?" Racism abound, with Racial superiority complex over the entire army. "We are NORDS! HARDY AND STRONG!" and stuff like that. But I was willing to ignore that for the sake of the campaign. Upon invading Whiterun, and getting Jarl Balgruuf to surrender, I got treated to a nice convo between, well, former Jarl Balgruuf the Greater and Vignar Gray-Mane. And the Jarl's words cut me deep. "Was it worth it? How many people lie dead in the streets that once called you "friend?"" and stuff, when he finally got to me. Me. The guy who saved his city from a dragon. His Dragonborn Thane. He who had done so much for Jarl Balgruuf the Greater. "And you. A stormcloak? I expected better from you."

Lemme tell you right there. That hurt worse than when a giant's club sent me to the Cloud District, if you know what I mean.

Rest of the campaign was fairly uneventful until the very end. Me, Ulfric, and Galmar storm Castle Dour, and I am honestly surprised by what I see. Legate Rikke, bless her heart, is ready to fight, but General Tullius is... Sitting. I find he's already given up. That he already knows that he's lost, and that there's no point fighting anymore. And he more than likely just wanted to go home at this point. Let the Stormcloaks take Skyrim. He wants to get back to Cyrodill to prepare for the next war with the Thalmor, assuming that whoever's in charge after Titus Mede II even allows him to keep the rank, after his failure to quell a rebellion. Then it's Legate Rikke's words to Ulfric that sends me back to the Cloud District. Asking if all this was worth tearing Skyrim apart, tearing FAMILIES apart. And instead of answering the question, Ulfric waves it aside, Galmar tells her to shut up, and then the fight ensues. Lemme tell you, Theseus Twelve Stormblade sat that one out, and his hands never even brought out the bound swords, his preffered weapon. I was already reeling. I am amazed when Tullius gets up, fighting, willing to at least try. No longer just sitting, he is ferocious, but is eventually overwhelmed. He surrenders, and the reason Ulfric kills him (apart from my refusal to kill him, because Ulfric wanted me to for some damn song)  is because the empire he remembered never surrendered. Not to mention, when Tullius kindly admonishes Ulfric in the end, reminding him that they were not the bad guys, Ulfric and Galmar twists that into how they, the leaders of the rebellion, were the good guys.

Then I took some time to think about the Aftermath.

After the Great War, both the Aldmeri Dominion AND the Empire had some time to rebuild. Not much, maybe, but still plenty. And the AD isn't torn apart from the inside, needing to send troops and resources to try and put down some insurrection, so they can focus on both rebuilding and preparing for the second Great War, which we ALL know there will be one. So they are already at an advantage. Here's how I see the aftermath of both sides of the Civil War

Imperials: Okay. Now we gotta rebuild a province that has been doubly torn up, by both the great war and the Stormcloak uprising. But, because Skyrim is part of the Empire again, they have free access to the Empire's resources to rebuild with, and they need it, because as mentioned, the AD is preparing for round 2.

Stormcloaks: We are self sustaining! Yay! But we need more stuff to work on rebuilding. The Empire is out. We don't like those faithless Imperials. Screw Morrowind and it's damned elves and gray-skins. Also, after Red Mountain went Boom, there's not much they have we can use anyways. the Alik'r desert is a desert. Skyrim is a frozen tundra. Not much they can offer each other, unless Skyrim invents AC and Redgaurds make heaters, and due to their homes being the way they are (Not to mention technology being the way it is) unlikely they'll start making them.

FUCK THE ALDMERI DOMINION WE AINT TRADIN' WITH THEM WE AINT DOIN' NOTHING WITH THEM EXCEPT GET READY TO FIGHT THEM.

So it is my conclusion that going with the Imperials is best in Skyrim's interests, in the long haul and short term. While both end up with majorly upheaved governments, at least Skyrim gets assistance from the Empire with that, and also resources to help rebuild. With the Stormcloaks, they end up alienating pretty much everyone, and making an enemy with not one, but TWO great powers, the Empire AND the Dominion, so they'll have a war on two fronts to deal with. Not to mention, just because the Imperials supported the treaty doesn't mean they're suddenly all buddy buddy with the Thalmor. They're not. Tullius makes that clear, though he asks me to keep that to myself.

Also, as for why I hate Ulfric Stormcloak, here's it all boiled down into a nutshell

A highly motivational and inspirational nationalist with high pride in his race, able to manipulate the anger of his people to bring about great change, a war hero amongst his own people. Feels he and his people are the only ones meant to rule the land.

You know, Adolf Hitler also fits this description, I find.