You can't compare the Nords and Redguards and say Skyrim would fight off the Aldmeri Dominion like Hammerfell did. We all know those redguards only won because they have curved swords. Curved. Swords.

the empire died the day they put me to the block

Skyrim “war” Battles “5v5” ......

"Skyrim is for the Nords!" Plays as a Khajiit

Guys we’re forgetting the true rulers of Skyrim, the fall damage

I like the Stormcloaks but i always feel bad when you kick out Balgruuf

"I promise, I'm not going to get political." 3 drinks later..... "Ultimately, the empire under the rule of Titus mede the 2nd is a joke and DESERVES TO DIE."

After the Storm Cloaks Win and the Aldmeri Dominion tries taking over - Aldmeri Dominion - We have a thousand soldiers. Storm Cloaks - We have a Dragon born.

Or or or we can just have our overpowered, god-like dragonborns single handedly take over the entire fucking planet like we all want to

"It pissed of a lot of Nords" understatement of the century, it pissed me off and I'm a Breton

The logo for skyrim shows the empire symbol with a chip at the bottom symbolising the empire is not what it was and is crumbling

At least every Stormcloak is wearing pants in cold and snowy Skyrim.

Tiber septim is pronounced tyber rather than tibber

I found a wonderful comment on a civil war video some time ago, and I think it fits perfectly here Ulfric is High King by right. Now before I continue, let me just say - I'm just stating facts. Facts that you can't ignore regardless of your personal opinion of Ulfric or the Stormcloaks. So let's begin; in the ancient times, Nordic custom was that one man can challenge another to an honourable duel. If both men agreed, they can meet up and fight. The first to give up or die was declared the loser, and the winner was given whatever they were duelling over. "But Ulfric walked in and killed him" This is completely false. In game dialogue does prove that Ulfric challenged Torygg to an honourable duel, which Torygg accepted. "Torygg had to accept, he didn't have a choice" Yes he did. As any man has the right to challenge someone to an honourable due, any man also had the right to refuse a challenge, "Torygg would of looked like a coward if he rejected" Doesn't matter, he still accepted. He just put his pride over his life. "Using the thu'um was cheating" This is bullshit. At the time these customs took effect, using the thu'um was not only allowed, it was praised. Even a basic shout like 'Fus Ro Dah', takes years of meditation and dedication to be able to perform. Using the thu'um was just using what you know, and it served as a testament to your dedication and strength. "Torygg didn't know Ulfric had the thu'um" Complete fabrication. Not only is it common knowledge that Ulfric studied with the greybeards. Ulfric is a well-known war hero. And it's well known he used the thu'um in the war. If Torygg didn't know, that's his fault. "The Empire does not recognize this law" There are no records of the Empire changing this law. I could understand why they wouldn't give Ulfric the throne, but charging him with murder while they watched Ulfric duel and kill Torygg is just ridiculous. "This custom affects the smallest things, and no the throne" False. Jorunn the Skald-Kind challenged his brother to the throne, and got it when he won the duel. Now: "The rebellion is stupid, because it divided the Empire, and Skyrim will fall to the Thalmor. With the Empire in control, they have a chance to resume war with the Thalmor. Not to mention Ulfric is a racist" I'm getting tired of healing this. But especially the "Ulfric's a racist" thing. First of all, just to get it out of the way, I'm pretty sure true Nords would rather go down fighting the Thalmor than living under their rule. Second, "they have a chance to resume the war." The war shouldn't have stopped in the first place. The Empire was winning, and they just surrendered. Joanna's battered legions. In the end, the main Aldmeri army in Cyrodiil was completely destroyed, The Emperor's decision to withdraw from the Imperial City 4e 174 was bloodily vindicated. So even if the Stormcloaks were to lose, it's more than the Empire would do. "But Tullius said they are going to fight the Dominion?" Well, Tullius doesn't run the entire Empire, does he? Now onto the racism. Ulfric and the Stormcloaks are not racist. That's a very big accusation. If you think Ulfric and the Stormcloaks are racist, you have not been paying attention. You need to open up your mind on this a bit. There are only two real racists in Windhelm, Rolff and Angrenor, who were first seen bullying a Dunmer woman when you first enter the city. Other than them, what makes Stormcloaks any more racist than anyone else? And seeing people immediately changing factions just because of these two fuckers makes me cringe. So I really need to get this off my mind. First of all, if Ulfric truly was a racist, then why would he let Altmer and Imperials live nice lives within his city and lands? If he really was racist, you would think he would be treating the Altmer (Race of which the Aldmeri Dominion is centred around and consists mainly of) and the Imperials (Race of which the Imperial Legion is centred around and consists mainly of) worse than the Dunmer and Argonians. But there are Altmer and Imperials living wonderful lives within his city (For example: Niranye and Viola). This is because, unlike the Dunmer in the Grey Quarter, they actually contribute (I'll touch on that as this goes on). Speaking of the Dunmer, many Imperials also like to use them being in the Grey Quarter to further their argument. But have you not noticed Belyn Hlaalu? He's a Dunmer who lives a nice life on a nice farm on Ulfric's land. If he wanted to, Ulfric could take that farm from Belyn with a snap of his fingers. Belyn contributes to the Stormcloak cause in Windhelm. This is proved when he says "The only way to win the Nord's respect is through hard work." Indicating that he is working for the Nords who occupy Windhelm, aka the Stormcloaks. He also says "Too many Dunmer complain about the way we're treated. What good does complaining do?" I agree. I don't see those Dunmer in the Grey Quarter doing anything to help out, if they did, they would be living a life similar to that of Mr. Hlaalu. He helps out the Stormcloaks, so he gets to live a nice life. Have you also considered that Ulfric is a bit busy with a war and then preparing for a bigger war to spend a large amount of money on renovating a quarter of a city filled with people who don't even contribute? Now moving onto the Argonians. You also see people condemn Ulfric for keeping the Argonians out of Windhelm. But last time I checked, Brunwulf Free-Winter (Whom becomes Jarl should the Legion win) also keeps them out and his reasoning is that "they must remain outside for their own safety". Have you not considered that maybe that's why Ulfric keeps them out? It appears not. Nothing changes for the Argonians when the Imperials take over. Does that make the Imperials racist as well? Ulfric respects anyone who supports the Stormcloak cause, regardless of race. Also, let's not forget the fact that Nords are a naturally proud race, but that doesn't make them racist. And finally, to the people who read the Thalmor dossier on Ulfric Stormcloak and immediately assume he's a spy. So many people read that and don't understand what it is saying. They call him an asset because his actions are inadvertently helping the Thalmor. They captured him and tortured him for info during the last war. Then they let him escape so that he could stir up trouble with his unrest over the Talos banDoes no one read the "uncooperative" part? It means he's not trying to help them. His actions just happen to benefit the Thalmor since a civil war gives them time to gain strength and take over at a later date. But if the Stormcloaks win it will still be bad for the Thalmor. The dossier says as much. People who say Ulfric is a spy really don't understand the context of that report. I hope this helped to enlighten whoever read it at least a little.

Stormcloaks win, Emperor recognize Skyrim as independent, and Ulfric and Galmar Stone-Fist start chatting up Hammerfell about bringing some thicc curved swords along when they set out to kick some damned elven ass.

I want to side with the stormcloaks but I love Jarl Balgruf.

One thing you didn't mention in regards to the Thalmor trying to invade Skyrim is that its a logistical nightmare. They don't share any border with Skyrim and even if they did its one of the furtherst point from their core territory. So trying to supply their army would be near impossible. Once they enter the country they are faced with small roads, large forests and hundreds of hills and mountains. Terrain that massively favours defenders, especially since they have the home field advantage of knowing the terrain. The Nords are in an excellent position to use their terrain advantage to set up ambushes, and they've already proven their prowess with guerilla warfare.

ALL HAIL TO ULFRIC YOU ARE THE HIGH KING, IN HIS GREAT HONOR WE DANCE AND WE SING, WE'RE THE CHILDREN OF SKYRIM AND WE FIGHT ALL OUR LIVES AND WHEN SOVENGARD BECKONS, EVERYONE OF US DIE, WE ARE THE TRUE SONS OF SKYRIM, DEATH TO THE IMPERIAL DOGS, SCALEBACKS AND ELVES

Skyrim is actual a great place to hold off forgiven invaders All the land borders are protected by mountain range And though you can access the northern part by sea, you would have to deal with ice and giant rocks jutting out of the water.

Imagine elder scrolls 6 being like "Yeah, Skyrim controls everything now."

Considering how ridiculously overpowered the Dragonborn is towards the end of the game, and that they'd presumably back whichever faction they chose in the war, I think the elves have plenty to worry about.

when i play as a high elf i help the storm cloaks because i want to shatter the empire. divide and conquer. the British did that with africa and the middle east. Worked wonderfully

it depends where the Dragonborn sides with. Imagine Stormcloak army allied with The Dragons.

Personally though, I believe the fact that the dragonborn siding with the Stormcloaks alone would decimate the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, by the end of the game the dragonborn has slain countless dragons, learned the way of the voice, countless spells, and has weapons given to him/her by daedra (not to mention having at least 3 dragons friendly towards him/her) the thalmor would have a fun time fighting at least two dragons and the dragonborn alone nevermind the stormcloak army and Ulfric himself who knows the way of the voice from the Greybeards. Edit: One of those dragons is also undead (Durnehvirr)

The red guard kicked the dominions ass, the empire is weak to fall to them.

Have u not heard of Ulfric being controlled by the Thalmor to weaken the Empire so the Thalmor can invade and take Skyrim????? Because when I heard that I went from a stormcloak character to an Imperial

The stormcloak victory is badass i love how ulfric shouted everyone in solitude

Why Ulfric Is Right 1: The Thalmor banned a form of religion just because they don't see Talos as a God. Imagine if some other religion took over your land and banned your religion. 2: Ulfric IS the true high king. Let me explain, Ulfric challenged the former high king to a battle, something that is completely legal, Ulfric won and by nord code Ulfric is the true high king. 3: Ulfric is a strong warrior and capable of surviving a possible Thalmor invasion if one were to happen. People in the games even talk about how good of a strategist he was. Also, whoever the Dragonborn sides with would beat the Thalmor because of his power, so no, the Stormcloaks would indeed beat the Thalmor if the Dragonborn would help. 4: He cares deeply for the people of Skyrim. He killed the high king so that the empire would take his cause seriously. And read this line that he says "I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil! I fight for their wives and children, whose names I heard whispered in their last breath. I fight for we few who did come home, only to find our country full of strangers wearing familiar faces. I fight for my people impoverished to pay the debts of an Empire too weak to rule them, yet brands them criminals for wanting to rule themselves! I fight so that all the fighting I've already done hasn't been for nothing! I fight... because I must." ―Ulfric Stormcloak That doesn't sound like a greedy, power hungry man. It sounds like a noble hero.

honestly my skyrim character is strong enough to destroy the aldmeri dominion

The Empire demonstrated that they no longer have the best interests of Skyrim in mind. Regardless of whether that's out of weakness or malice, the Empire is clearly on the road to falling apart and it's only right for the Nords to get off the train before it crashes.

Its TIE-BURR Septim

I love Stormcloaks, but also I love Jarl Ballin' :D

The Thalmor and their extreme racisim and extreme superiority complex over men reminds me of the Aylieds and how they viewed men. The Aylieds treated men like beast races. I believe the Thalmor leadership are not who they claim to be. I reckon remnants of the Aylieds "Heartland High Elves" have infiltrated higher Altmer society. It says in the lore the Aylieds melted into the wilderness and societies of the Bosmer and Altmer following their Empire's collapse to Alessia and Pelinal. What if the Aylieds are pulling the strings from the shadow. Their hatred need for vengence over men.

I joined imperials because I can actually wear *full* armor instead of looking like a soldier from a French militia...

I feel as though many people say "if the Stormcloaks win the empire will be divided and will fall easily" without truly understanding that the Stormcloaks, provided with freedom, would support the empire. All the Stormcloaks want is the option to make their own decisions. The Stormcloaks would side with the empire and Hammerfell, effectively leading to a new empire. Given a year or two they would have organized enough to wage a devastating guerrilla war. Hammerfell and Skyrim are extreme climates with citizens who are experts in guerrilla warfare and know the land. The Thalmor don't know the land, are not adjusted to the land, and are less skilled in guerrilla warfare when compared to Nords and redguards. We are essentially looking at Russia vs Napoleon or Hitler and America vs the Middle East; the resources expended by the Dominion would drain them to the brink of defeat. Allowing an organized assault to end the war. Please criticize my opinion as I would love to see all sides to this argument.

I can wipe out the entire Aldmeri Dominion with my character...

this is a game right?? I think elder scrolls series could be made into movies or books.

One thing the game omits is what is the outcome of Skyrim's political climate if you kill the emperor titus meade in the dark brotherhood quest line?

Thought of a good quote, might as well share it. "In war, amateurs talk tactics, trained talk strategies, professionals talk supplies." In the universe of Elder scrolls, it is IMPOSSIBLE for the dominion to start and maintain an open war with an independent Skyrim. And here is why. First, invade skyrim by land is simply not an option, unless the dominion is also at war with Hammerfell, the empire, most likely both. Even assuming the dominion is at war with only one of those powers, a large portion of its troops still cannot be deployed to the battlefield due to the threat of another neutral power. Unless the dominion develops a way to transport, supply, and care for its troops deep in hostile territories, strategically speaking the dominion doesn't even have a chance against Hammerfell alone due to its unforgiving terrain, let alone reaching and fighting in skyrim. So the second option is the attack with a naval invasion, and honestly it's even worse than attack on land. The only one port suitable for a LARGE SCALE invasion and maintain as a supply distribution center is solitude. And it's near impossible for the dominion to maintain a supply line reaching all the way from the southeast corner of the world, travel through hostile waters( hammerfell water and high rock imperial water) and reach solitude in time to supply and rotate its troops. Yes I do realize there are other beachheads that can be used as landing zone, some of them do have villages nearby, but they are not suitable for a large force to use it as a forward base, and here's why. 1, most of these beaches are located near shallow waters, large ships used by the dominion to transport all the way over would not be able to sail into port. 2, if we use the in game calendar, frozen water surface are presented in most of these locations year round, not ideal for troops made up of mostly southern elves and other races. 3, most if not all of them are not near major transportation routes, meaning the dominion needs to literally dig a new highway for the supplies to reach its front line troops. At first glance this is not a problem, however if that's the case, the majority portion of its invading forces would be consisted of rear echelon troops, engineers, workers and none frontline troops. This was exactly the problem the German army faces in WW2, almost half of its invading force during operation Barbarossa were made up of rear echelon troops, consequently they suffered greatly to local resistances, lack of efficiency when it comes to resupplying its combat troops. If that was a case for a near fully mechanized army, just imagine what a disaster would be for an army with medieval resupplying and mobility tech. It is also worth mentioning, skyrim's terrain somewhat closely resembles a modern day shithole on earth called Afghanistan, but much colder all year round, unforgiving. Skyrim's people are even more committed to their cause than the extremists the NATO faces today. Conclusion to my late night comment, in war it's not always the one with bigger muscles wins. Skyrim's independent opens an opportunity for its new political alliance with Hanmerfell, an isolated resisting force that desperately needs a new comrade in arms. Plus the dragonborn, you know.

Ulfric : "am gonna build a wall along cyrodil and make the empire pay for it"

I always pick the Stormcloaks every play through, even as a High Elf. The Empire did the one thing, that an empire should never do. Outlaw the praise of its founder and hero. I think the Roman Empire did the same thing with Julius Caesar, and look what eventually happened to them. Imagine what would happen if the Federal Government banned the worship of Jesus Christ, under the order of some foreign country. Americans everywhere would be taking up arms against the government. Outlawing the first right of the First Amendment, Freedom of Religion. The empire is falling apart in Tameriel, just like all empires. It's time for a new kind of leadership in Tameriel. Free from the tyranny of the Aldmerie Dominion. With the Dragonborn on their side, the Thalmor or the Imperial Legion don't stand a chance against the Stormcloaks. Plus if you refuse to kill Paarthurnaxx, but kill any of the remaining troublesome dragons. It seems likely that a united dragon kind under the leadership of the Dragonborn is possible. With Paarthurnaxx as second in command. The dragons could very easily prove to be very powerful allies against the Aldmerie Dominion.

I like the storm cloaks BUT I like ulfric's coat soooo you know

Skyrims environment of freezing cold mountains also could suggest that the elves would struggle.

I side with the stormcloaks just to kill thalmor tbh...

Empire strong, Stormcloak Weak, Thalmor stronger

"I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil! I fight for their wives and children, whose names I heard whispered in their last breath. I fight for we few who did come home, only to find our country full of strangers wearing familiar faces. I fight for my people impoverished to pay the debts of an Empire too weak to rule them, yet brands them criminals for wanting to rule themselves! I fight so that all the fighting I've already done hasn't been for nothing! I fight... because I must."

In tes 6 I think it'd be really cool if the Stormcloak ending was Canon and it takes place in the Second Great War. End up just as the Empire is on its last leg a messenger runs up or like a Stormcloak soldier and play and implying that the Stormcloaks are here to help push back to Thalmor.

I feel like in the Stormcloak ending, in the near future, it is likely a truce would be made between Skyrim and Hammerfell. Not an alliance per say, but rather an agreement, similar to an entente. It is also likely that in this situation, High Rock would soon join the Northern Entente (my made up name for this alliance). This entente would function somewhat similarly to the European Union, with a trade system and economic zone. While the Empire would see the NE as a possible rival and neighboring powerhouse, it would not attack, as it had seen the loss of Skyrim as a great loss of wealth and power, and would not go into war knowing it could lose more than gain. Therefore I believe a treaty would be made between the Empire and the NE, many years later culminating into a thriving trade system and friendship.

#Skrexit

Did you say fucking tib-er septim? Its like tyber septim

I want to try an empire play through but I can't bring myself to do it.

Funny realization, the opinion that Talos isnt a real god is objectively wrong. In Oblivion, we satisfy the demand for the "blood of an Aedra" with some of Tiber's dried, centuries old blood

Any information regarding the aftermath is irrelevant. Ulfric Stormcloak won in a duel, it was completely fair. You never hear an Empire supporter clearly object to that.

I decided to join the stormcloaks after finishing the main quest, and damn was the invasion of whiterun heartbreaking especially after having done so much for the city, becoming thane, and getting married and moving into breezehome.

Hell as long as the dragonborn lives and Ulfric can actually shout people apart they may have a chance at defending Skyrim. Heck i think with the both of them they could invade the summerset isles. Perhaps send a false force to The imperial capital very obviously as a distraction and send a force led by the Dragonborn and Ulfric into Summerset to crush the High elves and have them scatter hopefully not being able to regroup after losing that much.

For God's sake when is this utter 'Ulfric is a Thalmor SPY' bullcrap going to end? The dossier says he's an 'uncooperative asset'. For anyone above the age of 6 this clearly means he does not serve the Thalmor as a vassal but his actions indirectly benefit them in one way. As is inevitable seeing as they're more powerful than the Empire and the Stormcloaks on paper. Also, Ulfric isn't racist. He's a Nord nationalist which is to be expected since he's in the middle of a freaking war for the Nords and he quite possibly is suspicious toward non Nords on a personal level but that becomes irrelevant; there's a rich High Elf lady in Windhelm who comments on how a little work earned her a good place as a merchant there. There's also a Dark Elf who owns a farm and even comments on how the Dark Elves of Gray Quarter complain too much instead of doing anything; that the authority expects support from its citizens during a war effort is common sense. Also, the Gray Quarter Elves steal stuff and have Imperial Armour stashed in that inn/house of theirs. Kek. As for Argonians not being allowed inside Windhelm, Ulfric didn't make that rule, someone long ago did. Khajiit, yeah skooma thing.

100% stormcloak all the way but I always feel bad when having to choose between Ralof and Hadvar istg. I like em both. Edit: I forgot to add that I usually go with Hadvar to Riverwood as yk his uncle is a blacksmith. You can get free ingots whenever they respawn lol

You hit the nail on the head man. It was an easy choice for me

My first playthrough was imperial and I regret it

Stormcloaks *UNITE!*

Just a basic question to all of you Stormcloack supporters: If the Empire couldn't beat the Aldmeri Dominion with Skyrim and Hammerfell on its side, what makes you think that Skyrim alone can stan its ground? Cold is not a problem for elves since there are LOTS of troops in Skyrim already and Skyrim would probably have to fight against both Empire and High Elves. While making Talos worshipping illegal is a bad thing, if you are losing you need a tactical retreat: that's just what it is, a temporary solution. Nords are not the best fighters neither the best magic users, those titles respectively go to Redguards and the High Elves; the College of Winterhold is in shambles so no help from that. And let's talk about that topic which is so fun: Ulfric slaughtering the High King. "But it was a fair fight". No it wasn't. Ulfric using the power of the voice in a duel is like a man bringing a gun to a stick fight! I don't see much "honor" in this man. Some of you will say that if you support the Stormcloacks they have the dragon born on their side. I wouldn't be so sure about that. Why? Let's analyze the ending for the Dragonborn DLC: the dragonborn kills Miraak and Hermeus Mora just lets him go away? I don't think so. (Some other youtuber actually analyzed this theory so go search for it) It's quite possible that the dragonborn is the new "prisoner", so no vantage for the Stormcloacks. You know what would be the easiest way? Skyrim TALKING to the Empire and getting their forces together to wipe out the Thalmors, but Ulfric's hot head could not think about that. I'm pretty dure that if Skyrim has the strength to beat the Thalmors the Empire would come to bargain (Dorumammu). I just feel that Stormcloacks are disorganized. Fighting a Civil War is very much different than fighting a full on war between to realms. In the end the Empire is destined to fall, but should it really fall under the Thalmor? The Thalmor would get hold of the biggest province of Tamriel. At that point Skyrim would be fucked anyways, because the Thalmor wouldn't let the Nords go because of Talos worshipping they'll probably keep going to war with them until they wipe out all the Nords, and they will win. Skyrim can become independent when it's not threatened by a much stronger force. While the state of civil war is good for the Thalmor, also Ulfric's victory is good for them you know? I just stated that if the Empire WITH his allies couldn't win, probably all of them divided will surely perish. I'm done.

The best option for Skyrim under the Stormcloacks would be an alliance with Hammerfell considering both have superior knowledge of tactics and strategies for their locations they could very easily help each to help each other if you know what I'm saying. Once the Thalmor are fought back they could then go on the offensive and clean house similar to what Ysgamor (can't remember the spelling of his name) did. Also considering both countries size and power as well as military knowledge (both at arguably the best warriors on the continent) they would stand much more of a chance than they would if Skyrim fought alongside the empire and Hammerfell fought independently.

Stormcloaks every dam time. I mean I’d love to entertain being with the empire for just one play through. Though the stormcloaks embrace fundamentals of freedom. The empire doesn’t embrace any fundamental of freedom but several of coercion and conformity. The Empire seems cool, but all it is is a damn sham

Not to mention if you add in the view of the citizens of Whiterun personally balgruuf the greater is the best option for high king of Tamriel cause he brings tactical insight into the war site

I see alot of Milk Drinkers in the comments

I think the use of 'War never changes' is supposed to apply to all wars.

It doesn’t really matter which side you choose, you’re just feeding Nords to the great hall of feasting and drunken partying in Sovngarde.

For me it is completely irrelevant if those of the Empire get the victory in the civil war for Skyrim, since apart from the fact of its constant state plagued by corruption, & decay in which it is currently, all until now since the death of "Martin Septim", indicates that it is simply destined to collapse completely; In one way or another, we will know in T.E.S. 6. Also.., I only clarify that Martin Septim, the last emperor of the Septim dynasty did not descend from "Tiber Septim" directly, but from his brother "Agnorith Septim". -There is also a prophecy from "T.E.S. 3" said by "Oddfrid White-Lip", which clarifies that when the last of the dragons dies(Martin), the Empire will be condemned to death(collapse), which also predicts some events of the "Oblivion Crisis", & It would not even be the first time that an empire created by humans collapses in the universe of T.E.S., since the first known to date belonged to the ancestors of the Nords, the Atmorans in the continent of "Tamriel".✍️ Oddfrid White-Lip: "When the dragon dies, the Empire dies. Where is the lost dragon's blood, the Empire's sire? & from the womb of the void, who shall stem the blood tide? So long as the Blood of the Dragon Prince runs strong in her rulers, the glory of the Empire shall extend in unbroken years. His heart's blood bleeds in darkness. For once the portals are opened, who shall shut them upon the rising tide? For Lord Dagon forever reborn in blood & fire from the waters of Oblivion. Find him... & close shut the marble jaws of Oblivion."

My prefect independent skyrim: This is set 12 years after skyrim is independent, in lore it's bigger than Poland and has a population of a tax bit over a million. The dragonborn is high king. The dragonborn repaired all major forts and added walls to all cities. Talos worship was reinstalled, all imperial pow are sent back to cyrodil as a sign of good will. Solstheim is annexed. Ulfric at the end of the war doesn't have a lot of support due to him being power hungry, and the dragonborn defeats him and all jarls support him to be high king. Skyrims now has a national guard and their independent military is 80k with 10 being part of the navy due to the blood horkers being allies. All named dragons that don't have to be killed, swear allegiance to the dragonborn kind of how they did with alduin. The calvary consists of armoured saber cats. Orc strongholds join skyrim, they dont have to pay taxes and they can still follow their tribal ways, the only catch is that they have to help skyrim in any war. The forsworn are wiped out and uses as slaves to build forts, roads etc. Harkon is killed. The blades are reformed and number 250 under delphine. Most barbarians are killed or captured then the dragonborn lets them join the military or die, they get pardoned if they join and get to keep all their items they had. Knight paladin gelebor finds a way to talk to the falmer and eventually 2,000 snow elevs are back and they live in the 11th hold of, "The Vale". I feel this skyrim would be very very powerful and in the top 3 of the most powerful nations in tamriel.

would be cool of you could raise an army from all the guilds you lead in skyrim and take cities for your own

Think of this Civil War like the American Revolution. Some band of only farmers and poorly trained soldiers without proper equipment defeat the Empire. Now, you're thinking, "The Americans won because they had Spain and France helping them." That's correct, and that's also where Hammerfell comes in. Hammerfell allies with the Stormcloaks, a weak but effective alliance mind you, and now the Stormcloaks have an entire country on their side. Now, you're thinking, "Another reason the Americans won is because they had an ocean between them and the British, meaning it took longer for soldiers and supplies to come in." And that's where the geography of Skyrim comes in. No major attack force could move through the mountains that surrounds Skyrim. Or, at least, it would take to long. They Stormcloaks could simply pick off and attack force by hiding within the mountain near all the trails. Also, if an Imperial or High Elf navy was to go to the Ghost Sea, well, they probably wouldn't get there. Considering the High Elves would have to go past Hammerfell, and since Hammerfell is an ally, the would attack these fleets. They would also stop anyone going to Skyrim through part of the south, southwest. and northwest. Also, the Black Marsh might also ally with the Stormcloaks. They might not be a total ally, but one that's on standby during an evasion.

If you’re confused like

But then that keeps the Empire fractured, and thus more likely to lose a second Great War

Idc, it's cannon that the Dragonborne sides with the Stormcloaks. The Dragonborne met Ulfric while arrested, Ulfric uses the Voice, you are clearly meant to follow stormcloak after the dragon. Nord is default race. They clearly had written it that the Dragonborne was meant to side with the Stormcloaks. If it's not that way in ESO 6 I'm gonna be mad because it's an obvious retcon.

Long live Skyrim and the Stormcloaks, down with the Thalmor!

stormcloacks win, bretons see this victory and a part of them starts a rebellion, Nords and Redguards helps the rebellion so High Rock gets independant, they three forms an alliance, they take over Cyrodiil, they reform the Empire, placing the Dragonborn as Emperor, the Dragonborn kick elvish asses.

my allegiance in skyrim was a journey, on my first playthrough i had come from a shallow playthrough of oblivion as a kid, i mean not an actual kid but not old enough to understand politics as well as i do now, i also didn't pay much attention to the surrounding world other than "gotta deal with the big red dude" so my very first skyrim playthrough i played the underdog side and joined the stormcloaks (call it star wars syndrome, whenever i saw the word "empire" it was an immediate red flag) but i was still largely oblivious to TES lore in general after many playthroughs and diving deeper into the lore i came to respect the empire build by tiber septim and i thought it was something worth fighting for thus i became a die hard imperial loyalist keeping with my respect for talos, after i went back to oblivion and had a much more in depth playthrough, which importantly included the knights of the nine which was not available when i first played, i saw how talos was straight up a part of the divine pantheon as talos is literally the divine that allows you to do what pelinal couldn't because talos wasn't around back then add to that my further learning of the lore and how TES gods have their power directly affected by devotion and worship, as well as learning more about tiber septim in life as opposed to learning of the god talos, i realised how talos could effectively be rendered powerless and how tiber would've spat at the notion of peace at any cost i'm now back at where i started, backing the stormcloaks and i can proudly say that skyrim truly does belong to the nords, i don't entirely agree with ulfric's methods or his persona in general but the man has a point when it comes to the empire's bad management of resources, it's destruction and defamation of it's history and religion, and while him using the thu'um against torygg was the greatest dick move recorded probably since the second era, in using the thu'um he showed what the nords were, what skyrim and tiber septim were, and he reminded the world of the true power of the children of the sky and their storm voice big take away: ulfric is a dick but he is right, tiber septim was also a dick and i really respect the guy so stormcloaks FTW EDIT: as far as the mede dinasty goes, they aren't all without their merit especially titus mede II who is/was the current ruling emperor (depending on how far you've progressed into the dark brotherhood quest line) in fact titus mede II seens to be a fairly decent ruler but he was set up for failure due to general instability in the continent that started way before his rule so it's not like he's a shit emperor, he just got dealt a losing hand EDIT 2: as for skyrim being self suficient, well... i'm not so sure that they are but they are a pretty big player in trades, if high rock (likely) follows suit and peaces out of the empire then skyrim has pretty much 2 to 3 trade partners literally bording it (hammerfell, high rock, and orsinium) and honestly those 4 provinces have a pretty decent shot at starting their own alliance, they all hate the dominion, they're all soured by the white-gold concordat, they have relatively little bad blood among them, hammerfell orsinium and high rock once made up the "daggerfall covenant" way back in th days of ESO and were an alliance built on a prosperous relationship and mutual benefit, skyrim would only add to that as for dealings with black marsh, i find it unlikely as the folk from argonia seen pretty cozy down in their swamps and haven't made big plays since leaving the empire (outside of the instance where they rekt southern morrowind for revenge) plus they are far AF from skyrim so they likely wouldn't go out of their way to establish trade relations morrowind is a weird one, they kinda owe skyrim some props for helping them out after the red year, the high king literally gave solstheim to them just because it was the nice thing to do, the borders were largely opened for refugees and outside of windhelm the dunmer don't seen to have it too bad out there on the other hand nords and dunmer really fucking hate one another from way back when, morrowind is only with the empire because the old agreement with tiber septim essentially says "morrowind is part of the empire but gets to go about it's business as if it wasn't" so morrowind is only a part of the empire on paper, on practice they've been doing their own thing since the beginning of the third era and would likely just shut off relations with everyone if shit hits the fan, they seemed to get by just fine by themselves, with the helping hand of some friendly argonian slave labor but the big thing is that morrowind and black marsh are incredibly unlikely to become active enemies of a free skyrim at this time, they have no reason to join the ranks of the imperial legion in an effort to retake skyrim, the dunmer are really into daedra worship and the dominion is really against that stuff so morrowind isn't going to allly with the dominion, and black marsh is just a generally isolated place with very undesirable territory and of little military significance outside of maybe a staging post for invading cyrodill or morrowind, but morrowind itself is pretty undesirable as well so the real use of black marsh is to invade cyrodill which is empire territory anyway so no other province would be bothered to give half a skeever's ass about an invasion, especially if it came from black marsh which is geographically so far from any other province that it presents about zero threat of eventually engaging with anyone other than cyrodill

The Stormcloaks would be destroyed by the Aldmeri Dominiom in weeks. Here are the reasons I think this. 1. The Stormcloaks are a primarily nordic force, made up of volunteers from local towns and cities. 2. Said volunteers are mostly lumber workers and farmers, not soldiers. The don't have the heart to handle a war of that size. Ralof, for instance, when faced woth Giant Spiders says "I hate those damn things, too many eyes, you know?" whole Hadvar, who is from the same town but was trained by the Empire says "What next, Giant snakes?". Imagine them fighting the entire Aldmeri Dominion, which consists of The Summerset Isles, Elsweyr and Valenwood. A much larger force than a few spiders. 3. The Stormcloaks lack a crucial elememt in any battle against elves. Magic. Nords generally distrust magic and any use of said magic, thereby, the only kind they would have would the kind used in possible enchantments, which take magical specialists to create. No way could their armies withstamd Dominion necromancers (I'm certain they have them) blasting away at them with lightning and fire while resurrecting the bodies that can still swing swords. 4. The Stormcloaks lack direction. The only goal they have is getting Talos worship back and pushing Elves out of their homeland, they haven't even looked past that. They want Ulfric on the throne and free Talos worship, those two things can't withstand a force which they are not prepared for and ill bodied to fight. 5. Stormcloaks are glory hoggers. The line "Fight, or die well" is symbolic of that. They don't care what they need to do to die well, they will do it. This could destroy any kind of teamwork that this faux army could muster and let The Domion cruise right through them. They don't stand a chance, and it's those traditions they fight for which cause that.

A side you choose wins the civil war, and can conquer the whole Tamriel. Don't forget that you are the Dragonborn! You defeated Miraak, you can bend will of dragons, you can turn into a werewolf/vampire lord, you have Auriel's bow and shield, your blood is the same blood that ran through veins of Tiber Speptim I! You have all daedric and aedric artifacts that you can find, you have access to ancient Dwarwen machines and weapons, you are the best warrior in all of Tamriel and Akavir and any island or continent that was not yet discovered! You destroyed Alduin the world eater, you have access to perks, you have shouts, you are probably the rightful heir to the throne of the Empire since Septim dinasty has the same blood as you do. If you joined the Empire nothing could stop you, really. Not Stormcloacks, not Thalmor, not anyone in the Aldmeri Dominion, there isn't anyone who can defeat you and your army of soldiers, dragons, great warriors summoned by Conjuration, Khaarstag, blessing of the Divines, Daedra artifacts and their favours to you, nobody can defeat The Dragonborn.

Is it ok to join sides right away when choices available? (Like when after escaping from Helgen with Ralof then joins the Stormcloaks right away).

I think that a Stormcloak victory would isolate High Rock from The rest of the Empire(Cyrodill) and would make a Thalmor invasion much easier. Either way the Stormcloaks must cooperate with the Empire to stay alive even if they do win. So an Empirial victory benefits everyone.

I will always fight the Empire. Skyrim belongs to the Nords ✊

At 12:20 sorry to ask but, how do you not know the bleak falls barrow gate combination by heart?

Although I sided with the Empire, I think both sides do have relevant pros and cons and neither are perfect.

I don't understand people who mispronounce things when they hear it all the time. Tiber Septim. It's like something is broken in this guy's head

It's pronounced tEYEber septim. Just had to point that out. It was said like this in the game.

Realistically, there’s no way the Dominion could conquer Skyrim. The harsh terrain alone would make it a nightmare to occupy. Pre-Skyrim lore also states that all nords, even Peasent farmers, would have a considerable amount of combat prowess due to living in such a difficult area. This means that guerilla tactics would result in the equivalent of a snowy Vietnam War for the Altmer.

hey could someone help me. I have been trying to make a desicion on wither to play as a sleathy archer or a warrior with a sword and shield. But then that made me think i want to do close range and long range so i decided to play as a battlemage and it was kinda fun. But i dont know what do someone please help

Very similar to the treaty of Versailles

everyone: "imperials are needed to stop the dominion" me: stares in hamerfell

Ooh I've always wanted to see a video about the quests where you have to choose between a human and the Daedra/Aedra, like Sinding and Hircine, Molag Bal etc. Love this video

I very much liked how in depth you were in this video. Thank you.

Love your videos, keep it up

I chose the Stormcloaks because of the illegitimate Mede Empire's Big Lies: 1) The Nords are uniquely racist! 2) It's all Ulfric's fault! 3) We are the Good Guys! 4) We have no choice but to obey the Thalmor! 5) We are the only choice to defeat the Thalmor! Did I miss any? Furthermore, continued commerce, and a military alliance between Hammerfell (whose people have a long-standing hatred of Mer), Skyrim, and Cyrodiil is entirely possible. But no more "Empire." Imps cannot be trusted ever again.

The best solution would be, as the Dragonborn, to convince both sides to a temporary truce, gather their strength along with help from Hammerfell, the Orcs, and possibly the Bretons, then take the fight to the snobbish Elves. For Talos!

every action and decision required in Skyrim has so much meaning behind it and is not just random.. imagine the creators and writers to come up with such intense planning and connected plots and conspiracies within the game out of nothing... this is absolutely brilliant... very good research.. I've seen your other video about siding with imperials as well and subscribed immediately because of your intensive research... thanks for the creators of Skyrim and to you...

Long live the empire! For my boi Balgruuf!

I've always preferred the stormcloaks to the empire, the only thing I hate about choosing the stormcloaks is that I think Jarl Balgruuf is abit of a geezer and hate to see him get de-throned, but I guess he bought it on himself really😂

Empire was about to execute you for the hell of it despite your race. I'd side with Ulfric but I do love the dark elf, kajit, and argonian homies

You do what must be done to free Skyrim from the thalmor even if that means kicking out balgruff lol