Today we're covering a known person of TES Franchise; Ulfric Stormcloak.
I have already calculated Ulfric's age once before, so I'll use that here.
Ulfric was around 4E 140 ~ 150. While he was but a boy, he was elected by the Greybeards to study with them; a great honor for any Nord, and a great privilege. In the 9, almost 10, years Ulfric spent at High Hrothgar, he learned the Disarm and Unrelenting Force Shouts, but then the Great War took place. Ulfric, like many Nords, joined up with the Legion to combat the Aldmeri threat on the Empire, though Ulfric was captured during the Aldmeri campaign for the White-Gold Tower.
He was interrogated by Elenwen, and made to believe that the information he gave led to the fall of the Capital (though it had already fallen before Ulfric had broken), after which he was assigned as an asset to Elenwen, and allowed to escape.
After the signing of the concordat, while the Imperial Legions were still in Cyrodiil due to the aftermath of the Great War, Ulfric had made a small millitia in Skyrim. One year after the Concordat was signed (4E 176) the Thalmor established direct and cooperative contact with Ulfric. Ulfric proved himself as an asset due to the so-called Markarth Incident, though it did result in him becoming uncooperative to further contact with the Thalmor.
The Markarth Incident, for those of you that don't know, took place in 4E 176, while the ban on Talos worship was not yet enforced. Still, due to the contact with the Thalmor, this eventually changed. To elaborate, Hrolfdir, father of Igmund, was the Jarl of Markarth until 4E 174. The Reachmen took their chances back then, and claimed the Reach for their own. With the Legions being in Cyrodiil, Ulfric was the only person with a standing army that Hrolfdir could turn to. So Hrolfdir did, and asked Ulfric for aid. Ulfric accepted to aid Hrolfdir in reclaiming the Reach, but only if Talos worship would be unbanned in Markarth. Hrolfdir accepted, and Ulfric reclaimed the Reach, being brutal to those Reachmen who had alligned themselves with Madanach, executing countless of them. After he had reclaimed the Reach, the Legions returned to Skyrim. When they arrived at Markarth they were blocked entry by Ulfric until they too allowed Talos worship again. Though hesitant, the Imperials agreed due to reports of deaths rising by the day. ''Suddenly'' the Thalmor were at Markarth, having ''found out'' about the deal between the Empire and Ulfric. They gave the Empire two options; imprisoning Ulfric and his forces, or starting a new Great War. The Empire chose the first option, for obvious reasons. After this, Thalmor Justiciars started roaming Skyrim, and Ulfric became uncooperative to the Thalmor.
After Ulfric was set free due to the death of his father, he was able to push his rebellion further, but he never gained much support. He segregated the Dunmer and Argonians from one another, and from the Nordic population. The Argonians were even forced outside the city walls.
As the High King of Skyrim, Istlod, died following Ulfric becoming Jarl, Ulfric was present at the Moot. Though Torygg, Istlod's son, had the right to the throne by Nord tradition, he still allowed the Moot to meet, and they chose him as High King. During the Moot, Ulfric spoke of Skyrim's independence in words just shy of treason, for which Torygg greatly respected Ulfric.
So, when in 4E 201 Ulfric Stormcloak calls for an audience in Solitude, everyone knew what he came to do: Ask the High King to declare independence.... or at least, they thought they knew. In reality, Ulfric challenged Torygg in court to a duel, by Nord tradition, Torygg had to accept. Torygg never stood a chance, and was shouted to his death by Ulfric's Voice, which, by tradition, makes it murder.
Unknowing that he had completed the final step to making Alduin return, Ulfric fled the capital, and General Tullius was sent up to Skyrim to deal with Ulfric, and was succesful. In only a few months time, Tullius was able to capture Ulfric, and almost had him executed, until Alduin intervened and Ulfric escaped again.
When the Last Dragonborn has to make a truce at High Hrothgar, Ulfric is hesitant at first, not wanting to lose support for his claim of High King, nor wanting to appear weak, he did not want to join at first. The Dragonborn eventually manages to convince the man of the need.
That's it for this post. Anybody have any suggestions?
Sources:
Dialogue with Ulfric Stormcloak
Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak
The Bear of Markarth
Dialogue with Alvor
Dialogue with Igmund
Dialogue with Nepos the Nose
Dialogue with Cedran
Dialogue with Hadvar
Dialogue with Scouts-Many-Marshes
Dialogue with Ambarys Rendar
Dialogue with Aval Atheron
Dialogue with Alfarinn
Dialogue with Sybille Stentor
Dialogue with Torygg
Dialogue with Jorunn the Skald-King
The Brother's War
The Book of the Dragonborn
Events of Season Unending