User blog comment:Zippertrain85/"Why the Empire Should Prevail Over the Stormcloaks! Part 3 (Economics)" Refuted/@comment-5.15.64.89-20140104163145/@comment-24355185-20140104210415

While you do make good points, you've forgotten a few things.

1) You have the typical Imperial idea that Morrowind and Skyrim dislike each other.  No, right now they're fine with each other.  They haven't fought in thousands of years and they were in the Ebonhart Pact together.  They trade with each other, also.  Only 200 years ago, not even a Dunmer lifetime, the High King of Skyrim gifted the entire island of Raven Rock to the Dunmer.  Skyrim was also the only country to help Morrowind after Red Year.

You mention the Dunmer of Windhelm as a reason why the Nords and Dunmer wouldn't make an alliance. Firstly they're mostly members of House Hlaalu so Morrowind don't care about them. Secondly the Nords don't treat them unfairly. The Stormcloak ideology is "you help us, we help you" so immediately we can see that there's a problem. The Dunmer don't do anything for Skyrim, but that's not my main point. It is recorded in the Decree of Moment that after Red Year the Dunmer were given the Grey Quarter for FREE and they don't pay taxes. They were supposed to be self-governed and upkeep the Grey Quarter. Do they? No. They live in housing they got for free, as refugees, don't pay tax. They were homeless and were given free houses and no tax on the condition they were self-governed and upkept the GQ. But instead they are completely lazy, expect the Nords to do it and don't contribute anything to the city. The Dunmer who actually works, earned the Nord's respect, owns a farm with Nord workers on it. Proof that if you contribute you will be respected.

2)  Cyrodiil and Highrock will stop trade and co-operation with Skyrim.  This is false.  Highrock first, Highrock are actually very nearly out of the Empire.  They send no troops to help in the rebellion (Gen. Tullius says this) and only fight the Dominion when they get too far north in Hammerfell (It's in the book the Great War).  They could pretty much side either way, Hammerfell and Skyrim /or/ Cyrodiil and Skyrim (depending on who wins the war)  They will definately continue trade with Skyrim after it leaves the Empire.  They continue trade with Hammerfell, their main trading partners after Hammerfell was kicked.

Cyrodiil will also trade. People act like Cyrodiil will be super pissed after Skyrim leave but there is evidence to suggest otherwise. Firstly the Emperor will visit even after a full S.C victory. Also the East Empire Company is based in WINDHELM the entire game. Solid proof trade does not cease.

3) Skyrim, Hamerfell and Morrowind are the only ones left, and they are weak. Alright so let's say the S.Cs win.

Skyrim.

Skyrim, under new leadership will become strong. Galmar and Ulfric both say several times that there immediate aim is to rebuild Skyrim  into  a  wealthy and prosperous nation. Skyrim has plenty of potential to do so, the Empire of course don't use this as they don't want Skyrim becoming  more powerful than them. Skyrim has plenty of natural resources that can be traded to Cyrodiil, Highrock, Hammerfell and Solstheim, instead of Cyrodiil just taking them. Skyrim has mines, farms, fish, hunting and forestry all which support her economy. Skyrim's economy would flourish with the Empire's greedy hands gone. Money drives nations, and Skyrim can make lots.

Army. The Stormcloaks may now have only half of Skyrim in their army, but when they win it will be all of Skyrim. Baldur Red-Snow explained it nicely over at the Imperial Library 

"a lot of warriors are still undecided, as Ulfric himself says, and if they win, all those people, as well as those who would have joined the legion will join his side and bolster Skyrim's armies greatly. Why?

Because, first, Nords love fighting no matter who it's for and when they see Ulfric the new High King as the only person to join in Skyrim, it will be the obvious choice, if they want to fight the elves at some point. Moving to Cyrodiil isn't an option for most common folk, and even if it was, they're not going to just leave their home to fight for foreigners, who looks like they abandoned them to the Stormcloaks, judging from Ulfred's dialogue.

And then there's all the undecided individuals, and also the legion supporters who as Nords will see it as "might is right", and view Ulfric as the worthy one to serve because he won the war, not to mention the famous fabled Dragonborn is on his side. Ysmir himself.

So in a Stormcloak victory, soldiers will hardly be an issue."

Obviously these armies will need training. Galmar states his intention to train the army into an organised and disciplined fighting force.



<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;outline:0px;line-height:20px;font-family:Shanti,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">Hammerfell

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;outline:0px;line-height:20px;font-family:Shanti,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">Hammerfell hasn't been fighting for around 20 years, and under the united leadership of the Crowns and Forebears is most likely doing the same as Skyrim, preparing for the next Great War.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;outline:0px;line-height:20px;font-family:Shanti,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">Morrowind

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;outline:0px;line-height:20px;font-family:Shanti,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">Now I know Morrowind was pretty f*cked by Red Year and the Argonian Invasion but under the united leadership of the now powerful House Redoran they are probably recovering well, and the benefits of being in an alliance with Skyrim, Hammerfell and Highrock would speed their recovery even more.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;outline:0px;line-height:20px;font-family:Shanti,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">They aren't as weak as you would think.

<p style="margin-top:0px;margin-right:10px;margin-bottom:10px;outline:0px;line-height:20px;font-family:Shanti,Arial,Verdana,sans-serif;">That's all I've to say, but I'm going to expand upon this in a blog so you can check it out.

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