IthacanGaunt

That's the analysis. Tight, Kradus. Cheers, Ithacan

Yes, that was the quest - Missing in Action. Couldn't convince the Thalmor to see reason, so they all had to die. Stormcloaks are the good side from their perspective but you can't officially side with them and be the Harbinger (well, again, you can but . . . ). The Empire takes a more utilitarian view to morality, sacrificing some of its morality in the name of pragmatism and/or the "greater good." This is how the US justifies torture, too, as well as diplomatic relationships with thug nations.

I'm pretty egalitarian in who I slaughter. Mostly I play the good side, though. If you are taking what I perceive to be the wrong side of the issue, I will usually kill you regardless of your stripes. Like those poor Thalmor holding the Nords in prison. They would not see reason; that did not work out so well for them. Or the Imperial torturer. I pretty much kill anyone labeled 'torturer' on sight. Not a lot of "grey" to "I'm a torturer."

Well, you certainly can do it, and certain of the Companions appear well-dialed into the Stormcloak movement if you go that route. But the book I mentioned suggests rather strongly that the Companions should not because it risks pitting Companion v. Companion in battle.

I have started both Civil War faction quests and I've joined the Companions. While looking around Whitemane's room in Jorvassk, I noticed a book about legendary Harbingers. And I actually read it. And as it turns out, the Companions used to let themselves associate with anyone who would pay coin but that led to Companions fighting each other. So one legendary Harbinger put an end to ANY Companion involvement in political affairs. So that answers that. There are some odd circumstances that present once you know that, but that would be a spoiler. Cheers, Ithacan

According to the google thread linked above, the answer is, you can marry if your spouse dies and you complete the "quest" of getting the death certificate.