CuliacanMexico

A nice twist I thought. I don't care for the different factions much, but some individuals... Balgruuf the Greater: Jarl of Whiterun. My character was good with this NPC. I liked killing them. Does that count ;)

My character is not a historian... just an inexperienced Breton who grew-up on rumor/history in game. I try to make that character react that way. Away in my opinion that seems... 'correct'. Other could/would make other choices. Maybe the Forsworn Rebellion didn't happen, but in game lore... what my character grew-up with... it did. All in game lore states is was Ulfric if not by Imperial direction at least Imperial acceptance who crushed the Reachmen. What happened afterwards/is happening seems 'bad'. Did a massacre occur? The in game information and the attitude of the present Jarl would seem to indicate that it did. So my character reacts to that, especially since all lore related to this region indicates that the local population was conquered in the past... and been restless ever since. In game... in lore... what would lead my character to believe Ulfric, the Nords or the Empire weren't capable of such things?

I don't doubt it is biased, but by all accounts something took place. But in game, what would my character believe or come to believe? "Let us begin with the Forsworn, the so-called "madmen" of the Reach. The Imperial Legion classifies them as little more than brigands, noting their constant raids and ambushes within the Hold. But none of their military reports asks the question of "why?" If they were merely a group of bandits, surely they would be focused on acquiring gold and minimizing deaths among their own. But the opposite is true in Forsworn attacks. Large sums of coin are often left behind, and their fighters easily throw away their lives rather than risk capture by Imperial soldiers." The "Madmen" of the Reach: A Cultural Treatise on the Forsworn by Arrianus Arius, Imperial Scholar

My Breton characters support neither the Storm Cloaks or the Empire because of The Markarth Incident. More of a question of what would be best... an Empire with Skyrim included or an Empire divided with Skyrim positioned between High Rock and the Empire? A weaker Empire would be easier to deal with. Reachmen might be barbaric cousins, but they are cousin never the less. The Markarth Incident would not have set well with many Bretons. "...the Imperial Empire, made a promise to Ulfric Stormcloak and a group of Nord militia in 4E 176 to allow free worship of Talos in exchange for putting down the rebellion and retaking the Reach..." The Bear of Markarth "...Every official who worked for the Forsworn was put to the sword, even after they had surrendered. Native women were tortured to give up names of Forsworn fighters who had fled the city or were in the hills of the Reach. Anyone who lived in the city, Forsworn and Nord alike, were executed if they had not fought with Ulfric and his men when they breached the gates. "You are with us, or you are against Skyrim" was the message on Ulfric's lips as he ordered the deaths of shopkeepers, farmers, the elderly, and any child old enough to lift a sword that had failed in the call to fight with him..."

Everyone plays different. My son always goes the route of the Empire. For me, I really haven't developed a back story that would send me down that path, but I probably will in the future. In my original post, I am not saying there is a right or wrong way to play. You don't have to choose one side over the other... or choose at all. Just pointing out... for me... the developers set-up a situation during the interdiction that seems to push my characters towards the Storm Cloaks. The intro wasn't even handed... of course it doesn't have to be. ;) Note: my characters are usually Breton... they don't really like either side too well right now. The Markarth Incident and all.

I don't disagree with anything you wrote, however... The choice here seems to be whether you are of moral inclination to join the Dark Brotherhood or not. Will you murder... for a reason. A strictly 'Good' character couldn't commit murder and won't go any further down that quest path. Other characters with more flexible values will be given other choices. Note: I like the option you give, but how many character would take it (as being reasonable) and then never open the Dark Brrotherhood Quest?

Why would I expect mercy?

At the start you have to choose to follow a man who supports the rebels or one who support the Empire. In my opinion, without a strong back story following the Empire doesn't makes a lot of sense. Maybe the Captain does or doesn't support the views of the Empire, but would your character take that chance? I am not saying which side is good or bad, just that the opening scene for me takes my character (role playing) towards escaping with the Storm Cloaks... not staying and hoping for mercy from the Empire.

What a neutral (innocent) character would see is that they are being killed... murdered... without trial. It would take a rare character to be ok with that. What ever justification the Empire might have... doesn't mean much to an innocent man or woman.

I guess it depend on your take on events. "... the Imperial Legion managed to lure Ulfric into a trap in order to capture him. The trap worked and Ulfric surrendered himself without a fight..." Dialogue with Hadvar

You wish to justify why the Empire is summarily killing an innocent man/woman, but why would the character being murdered care about that rational? You are not helping an Empire soldier escape... he is telling you to follow him. I am not sure why my character would assume I would get a pardon for that.

I wasn't implying it wasn't bad. Just that a character trying to walk a tightrope of 'Good Morally', wouldn't murder a woman based on the information given. Binary choice: Allow the woman to continue Verbal Abuse or murder her. My characters are not 'Good'... she dies.

Your character was captured in the vicinity of Ulfirc, The Empire's number one most wanted criminal. It's like being captured in the same house as Osama Bin Laden, and then claiming you are not with him. Why on earth would they have any reason to believe you? It is implied that the Storm Cloaks were betrayed by someone, plus they had a list. I wasn't on it. They didn't care, why would I back them at this point in the story? It is a binary choice at the first... stay with the Empire soldiers who were just about to kill me or try and escape. If they were willing to execute me just for being in the vicinity, why would I expect them not to follow through after the dragon left?

:woot: Thank you.

Your not playing a good character if you murder a women because she is 'verbally abusive' to some kids. You have chosen a different path.