Sianama

I have the same problem. In every house I own all items except for low level-items do not belong to me anymore, vanilla houses and custom houses too. Does anyone have a clue or a solution? Edit: Found it myself.. I somehow managed to remove my character from the player faction. I don't know how that happened, but player.addfac 00000db1 1 helped, I own my things again now ^^

That thing about lying was in answer to my discussion about Madanach. :) And apart from agreeing with Anska, I must say, that some things are simply not shown ingame. Yes, there are very probably more non-Nords in the Legion than with the Stormcloaks. But the Stormcloaks are solely made up of people from Skyrim and the majority there is Nord. While the Legion is made up of people from all (former ) provinces. But that is a simplyfication by the game. Or did you see a Redguard in the rebellion? Well, there should be one, because Kerah and Endon talk about their son who joined the Stormcloaks. And Endon at the end of the discussion admits it is exactly what he'd have done, if he were younger. So there are people from other races, just not as many, because Skyrim and therefore its 'rebellion' is mostly made up of Nords.

But there is again the difference: while Ulfrics motivations are subject to debate ofc, as it would be with everyone aiming for a Jarl's, High King's or Emperor's seat, you still can not see anything that he tells his men that is untrue. He is not sending them to fight for Skyrim, while in truth they execute people for the Emperor. He does not lie to his people. He is the only one who doesn't refer to the people of his Hold as 'common rabble' when he makes you Thane of Eastmarch. Ralof at one point says, he has heard things about Ulfric, that he doesn't like, but wether they are true or not, the cause for the fight is still the right one. I, for one, like Ulfric and the way he is shown ingame. Sometimes he is hot headed and I would like to give him a little speech, but on the whole, I think that the ones suggesting he is only doing that for himself are wrong. He really believes in his cause and he has the best for Skyrim in his mind. Ofc I see, why some people can't agree with that. But that is why you have a choice in the matter and that is also why there is enough talk going on ingame to make both sides think they are right ;) But even the Stormcloak Jarls that are being sceptical of Ulfric's ulterior motivations never say he is right out lying or that the fight per se is wrong.

The parallels I see are the ones you pointed out. But I, too, usually kill Madanach, as much as I understand for example Braig's hatred. He does not fight 'the good fight' He kills Reachmen in order to achieve his own ends. And the worst of it, they don't even know that they are not giving their life for the Reach, but for Madanachs personal ends. Nepos' note to Weylin says, he's going to kill the woman for the Forsworn, but in reality he's executing that woman for Thonar. And I bet Eltrys' father, who was a Breton landowner and got killed by 'a madman' (like Margret if you fail to save her) was executed by order of Thonar too. Not for the benefit of the Reachmen, but for Thonar's own personal needs and goals and it was Madanach who made the killer believe he did this for the good of his people. Without Madanach many more Reachmen could still control their own land instead of having died at the orders of Thonar. But maybe that was something Madanach also didn't want, because the more people die to obvious schemes of the Silver Blood, the more he can secure his position, the more dissatisfied Reachmen, the more support he gets. As I said, I do agree that the Nords need to treat the Reachmen better, that they need to respect their beliefs and their ways of living more. But that doesn't make me feel more sympathy for the Forsworn and surely not for Madanach, who is a traitor to both Nords and his people.

You lost me. Who said anything about Ulfric?...And whether or not the Bear of Markarth can be used as evidence, that won't eliminate the fact that the Markarth Incident did in fact happen. The Reachmen still in Markarth make it plain that the Forsworn are "lost", they aren't what they once stood for. And like I said...I had hoped that Madanach would chill them out and unite them again...but they seem to all be scattered and crazy now...and Madanach has sworn to kill all the Nords. Oh, sorry, didn't make that clear, that was not an answer to your posting. The Markarth incident did ofc happen and I am surely not saying it was a cup of tea they all had together ;) I found the Bear of Markarth not outrageous at first, because I didn't question it much. But after listening to people I put it in the same category not with 'Madmen of Reach' but with 'The Talos Mistake' as propaganda. I was only refering to that book because the poster above was refering to it, not you. (Because I think it is debatable if it was indeed Ulfric or Ulfric alone who murdered all those civilians at Markarth.)

I had a little headache about Dengeir becoming Jarl at first too. Because, well, he was paranoid and I felt bad for Lod and Thekla. But once he becomes Jarl again, there is no more talk of this. Not at all. He says, he knows Ulfric is probably not as selfless as he claims to be and has his own agenda too, but for him that agenda seems better than what the Empire could do. He is glad, that he can now do the best for his people again, because what his nephew forgot was that it's the Jarl serving his people not vice-versa. And he makes Thekla his Steward. I was very surprised :) But Nenya sure was fine too. I'm not at odds with her being an elf, I usually play elves (yes, even as Stormcloak ;) ). Even Galmar accepts it, when you tell him that Skyrim is home to "more than just Nords" ^^ As for the Reachmen: Ever listened to the prisoners' stories? None of them says a word about Ulfric. They say it was the Jarl who ordered the executions and the imprisonment. I'm not saying Ulfric didn't do anything or is an innocent lamb, but that Bear of Markarth book is so full of contradictions in itself, I just can't believe a word in it. And if you then listen around and talk to people, it becomes even more suspicious. And I don't think Cedran for example would be ok with the Hagravens. He explicitly states that that is the road to ruin. I didn't mean only the Nords were not ok with that, but can you imagine Cedran, Ainetach, Rhiada or Enmon being willingly ruled by Hagravens? I can't. Madanach claims 'their fight is the fight of the people' but that's not true. Or do you think Eltrys' father was not a Reachman?

'The Reachmen' kill their own freaking people. The Nords should acknowledge them more and finally learn their lesson too, about why so many Reachmen feel the need to fight, but as long as the Forsworn carry on killing their own, I don't know if that many Reachmen would want to be free of the Nords. Come to better terms with the Nord? Sure. But be ruled by Hagravens? Surely not! Even though that fight has some astounding similarities to the rebellion against the Empire. If only they'd see. ^^

Leila, Igmund, Skald, Siddgeir are the Jarls that have lost touch with 'common people' in my eyes. I don't even neccessarily mean, they'll have to be all nice and gooddie to them, just... knowing their complaints, knowing their hardships, knowing who got killed and looking into it. If not for their people then at least for their own power. Siddgeir is special even among them, he says himself, that he has no interest in ruling whatsoever, he just wants the benefits of an easy life. But Leila for example. She trusts Maven and her Steward blindly, without ever looking into things herself or even sending someone to see if everything's alright. I came across one scene, where she suggests going outside, talking to people, showing herself and somehow letting them know she is there and cares, but Anuiel (or whatever her Steward is called) talks her out of it at once, saying there's imperial spies everywhere, who'd want to kill her and if not them, then the dragons, so Leila gives in and decides to stay inside. That's when I thought, she might indeed have it in her (despite her get away-carriage-thing, which ... I can't even find the words for it >.< ), but surrounds herself with all the wrong people. Igmund sits on his throne, doing nothing. Listens to his guards (who work for Thonar) who tell him all is in order there are no Forsworn in the city and never looks into it himself. Not even when his uncle _and_ Faleen point out to him, that he should. He doesn't even care how many innocents get sent to the mines. He doesn't care why so many people rather join the Forsworn than keep living in the Warrens. Do you think he knows what it looks like there? I don't think so. Even if he doesn't care for his Breton population, he should at least take care to not fan the fire for another uprising or rather not fuel the one that's already going on. But he doesn't even seem to know how dire the situation is. And that is ignorance at it's finest and I don't think any ruler can afford that. And Skald... well, I guess he is a case of having been born as a Jarl-to-be, too. And he is rash in his words and in his actions. He doesn't think it through and in my opinion he doesn't come across as someone who ever learned to think things through. But the only thing that might prove dangerous with him is, if he indeed carries on with killing giants after he has sent you to kill the first one. I mean, everybody else just leaves the giants alone, in Eastmarch there is even a note haning on apost, telling wanderers and traders to stay away and not bother the giant (can't remember the name of the camp), he has been granted the official right to reside right there and be left in peace. And the guards in Whiterun tell you to behave at Secunda's Kiss. Sure, you are sometimes being sent to giant camps, but not for the sole reason to show them 'who is in charge here and the Nords won't put up with them' like Skald does. Everything else in his Hold seems quite alright, I guess people are glad, he doesn't care too much, cause he'd just mess things up ^^ As I said before, if Skyrim could afford the time needed for that, I'd think it best to replace most of the Jarls with people that might actually lead and think while doing it. As we can't do that, not only because we are never given the choice, but because I think that the Thalmor will not wait for Skyrim to settle and all new Jarls to get used to their task. So experienced people are needed. But the reason why I, even though I do not think the Stormcloaks are right in everything they say or do (but neither are the Imperials), I favor the Stormcloaks. They wash through the country, they are a wake up call, they get the Jarls out of their comfy thrones. I hope when Galmar starts training men and women for the army he intends to build up for the fight against the Dominion, he kicks some still sitting Jarl-butts too. And I think with another war at hand (something that not even Tullius denies) it is bad to make the last country you have left pay for all the government in Cyrodiil. The organisation and the logistics of a nation as big as the Empire used to be comes at a price, which is bureaucracy. And that is expensive. Cyrodiil can't afford it anymore, but all the people in high places still want their money (not only in Cyrodiil, but also the imperials in Skyrim). Mankind doesn't need bureaucrats right now, it needs quick thinking and adapting people. People who act without being paid if need be (or even if being paid less maybe^^). People who are aware of the looming threat and don't foolishly keep playing their games at the expense of everyone only to further their own agenda. If an Amaud Motierre can afford to pay 20k in to kill the Emperor in the face of the looming threat of an Aldmeri invasion, then the lesson of the Great War has not been learned. Even Ulfric tells you not to make a move against the Emperor, as much as he would like to see the man dead. I think Ulfric is right when he says, Skyrim is mankind's only chance in the coming war, because Cyrodiil has gone back to its comfortable, bureaucratic slumber and will be too slow and too surprised to react when it all starts. And it is probably not only mankind's only chance, but the only chance for everyone who doesn't want to be ruled by the Dominion, which I'd say includes a fair share of High Elves too (Lathenil of Sunhold anyone?^^).

I never saw the fight against Alduin that way. I thought it was a great thing to fight alongside those heroes and finally give them their chance to finish what they started. I think it's only fair that they have a part in this. After all, without the Dovahkiin that would simply not happen. I think somehow the strength of the Dovahkiin is not only Dragontongue or fighting prowess, but he/she makes things happen. He lends momentum. And he/she somehow can do things others can't: reading an Elder Scroll? No problem, I can do that several times in a row, nothing bad comes of it (for me at least^^) Crawling for hours through Apocrypha, reading Black Books and carrying them around? No problem, I show no signs of any corruption. To the afterlife and back, no problem, not even as an elf in Sovngarde. All the things that should have a life-changing impact on a mortal simply make me a little dizzy sometimes, but nothing else.

What I don't like about the Jarl of Winterhold (Korir, I think is his name?) is that he keeps rambling and rambling about how his family is the only family that still cares about Winterhold at all and that it's all the College's fault and he is going to prove it one day. No thought about the College being the only thing that still makes his town worth noting at all, that keeps money in the pocket of his citizens. No word about his citizens holding on through dire times, no, he and his family are the only worthy people there. Ofc like all rough talking people in the game, he gets a little 'softer' when you do him a favor, but I simply found his attitude somehow ..lacking. I quite like Thongvor too, altough I usually have a faint feeling that his being Jarl won't change things for the Silver-Blood employees for the better. One dialogue between him and Reburrus is about silver and Reburrus complains, that the profits have been going down lately and Thongvor simply says, he's going to talk to his brother about it. And I thought: oh oh. But on the other hand, things weren't good under Igmund either, he didn't care about anything, be it dragons or Forsworn (only the ones that murdered his father) or the circumstances under which his people live, and at least Thongvor waited a long time for his chance to be Jarl, so maybe he is going to put some effort into it after all :) Maven in my eyes is one of the most disgusting people that live in Skyrim. She makes her own grandson a murderer, she kills her employees for simply not being perfect in their job (which you find out by thalking to Ungrien) and she has real ties to the Thalmor, even exceeding Vicci's or Elisif's or whoever else is at the party. She is the only one who threatens to give you over to them there, if you talk to her. She runs around Riften threatening people (Haelga for example, she says that her face won't be so pretty anymore if she doesn't stay away from Heming), tells her son (Heming) to beat people up, tries to get Brand-Shei into jail for standing up to her and so on. And ofc most criminals are firmly in her hands. Plus her power is not limited to the Rift or even Skyrim, as Sibbi points out, her arm is much longer. That is what could make her valuable for Skyrim in a war, but it might just as well be, that she will prove to be a major problem.

I let Elenwen stay one time, because I wanted to see what Ulfric would do then. After it's nothing noteworthy I usually go with my own dislike for her and kick her out ^^. I can't remember exactly if Ulfric makes the first move if you're on the imperial side, but in my case the last time I did SU Tullius starts and demands the Rift, and I get the chance to give the Stormcloaks either the Reach or something small (Falkreath or Morthal, for example). So there I trade big for big. Then I refuse to pay and afterwards I'd feel like a jerk if I didn't give them at least something, so I hand them over a minor Hold. One time it was Winterhold, and last time it was the Pale. I'm ok with both, as I think that the Jarls of those Holds are stupid anyway ^^ Ulfric is usually quite pleased and gives me that sword, that you receive if you act in favor of your allied side, even though I'm unsure, what is the reason for that, because the Empire actually got more than the Stormcloaks in my version, except for the 'minor decisions' (Elenwen and paying). But as long as everyone sticks to their promise it's ok anyway and ofc they always do :) And if you continue the CW you get an angry speech from both Ulfric and Tullius for what you have to get back from the other side, no matter what you did in SU, even if they were pleased then >.<

The first time I did Season Unending I was hoping that you could actually arrange a peace-treaty there. But since you can't I usually try to be as fair as I can manage. Both the Reach and the Rift end up with criminals as their Jarls, and the Empire gets one more minor Hold. As I never find out what massacre they're talking about (there was nothing of the like in Karthwasten, everyone's alive and well including the mercenaries) I usually decline paying anything for it. And if you let Elenwen stay, she only once tries to provoke Ulfric, but he doesn't take the bait. Poor Arngeir has a very realistic view on things from the beginning on. If you tell him you're going to get them to make peace, he tells you he's afraid that's impossible. And after you've defeated Alduin he's very relieved, even though he says maybe the world is meant to end and you should let it before. So that makes me a little easier with all of it then. :)

That was my impression too, the first time I did Season Unending (for the Empire side then) But the thing is... If you do that very same quest and you are on Ulfric's side, it suddenly goes the other way. Ulfric stays calm, yes he demands the Thalmor get out, but he sits down at the table anyway, even if you decide to let her stay. And later on Tullius is the one who wants to leave, because he doesn't get what he wants, until Esbern intervenes. Ulfric is the one to call his Jarl and Galmar to reason, when they get angry because the Empire wants something. He says they will do what he thinks is best for Skyrim and he will surrender hold to the Empire if that is the price for it. And in the beginning all you do is mention Alduin and he agrees to the peace meeting at once, no more talk of politics. He is still shown as hot headed ofc, but nothing in comparison to how childishly he behaves when you are on the Empire's side. So I'm afraid that it is your choice in the matter that changes not only the course of the war, but also changes the people taking part in it in a way. That would go with Arngeir's statement, that the Way of the Voice helps you in more ways than in combat and combat is really only the least way to apply the Way. And about the desires of the Aedra: Ofc theys don't directly say: go here, do that, etc (Maybe except for Mara and Dibella in their respective quests and Arkay with Florentius ;D ). But you can hardly deny that the Thalmor indeed fight against the human God and you can hardly deny that a Dragonborn was sent to the world by the Divines. And that Dragonborn has the power to thwart the Thalmors' plans for Skyrim. They want the war to continue, their most important goal in Skyrim is that no side gets the upper hand and you have the power to make it stop, because you are the one to give one side the chance to win."... As long as the civil war proceeds in its current indecisive fashion, we should remain hands-off. The incident at Helgen is an example where an exception had to be made - obviously Ulfric's death would have dramatically increased the chance of an Imperial victory and thus harmed our overall position in Skyrim. (NOTE: The coincidental intervention of the dragon at Helgen is still under scrutiny. The obvious conclusion is that whoever is behind the dragons also has an interest in the continuation of the war, but we should not assume therefore that their goals align with our own.) A Stormcloak victory is also to be avoided, however, so even indirect aid to the Stormcloaks must be carefully managed." So really it probably won't matter to the Divines which side wins, as long as one side does, because that is what will disturb the Thalmor plans. And it is also possible that this time it's like with the Ayleids, which was indeed not a war 'elven Gods vs human Gods' but more 'Aedra vs Daedra' (which is probably why some Ayleids allied with the humans too). True, we don't know that. But what we know is, that the Divines sent someone with the power to defeat the Thalmors' cause in Skyrim, simply by choosing sides. So there is divine intervention there and that I think tells us something about the importance of this war. It is not a mere war of succession, it is bigger and it's got something to do with Skyrim and its old mysteries and history. Oh, I found the quote I was looking for earlier, when I said I was only re-translating it :) Here are the original words: "There will be peace for a time, during which we must rebuild Skyrim into the land it once was. Strong. Self-reliant. The center of mankind. Because getting rid of the Empire was only half the problem. Soon, the elves will again seek to rule the world. We must ready ourselves to fight them. For it will be Skyrim that shall lead Tamriel in those dark days, when the fate of the world is finally determined."

I think he was fun. He was the first opponent that really almost succeded in fusrodah-ing me off a cliff... And he is immune to the Iceform-shout, not even Tsun is immune to that xD Had I not needed my fingers, I'd have chewed my fingernails. But I got him, my dear enhanced dwarven crossbow was simply too tough an opponent for him in the end :wink: (aaand my fus ro dah ofc)

The thing is: they are not the first ones to leave. Not even second. ^^ Personal opinion incoming: The Empire is dead. It's been dying for decades, it has lost almost everything that it was made of. Skyrim is indeed the last chance, that there might be a force to lead against the Thalmor, because it is the only thing that is really left of the Empire. Cyrodiil will erupt in chaos, once the Emperor's death will be known. I have recently played the Stormcloak side of the civil war again and in the end Ulfric states, that while there will be tenuous peace for a short time, soon the Nord will be called to arms again, in Skyrim or somewhere else, but they will be ready to once again lead the fight for the human cause (I do not know, if these are his exact words in English, as I am re-translating it^^). I think what is also important is the religious thing. In the game-world it is a _fact_ that Gods exist. You can see what they do, it's not only a vague hope or faith, it is fact. Is is also a fact that those Gods are fighting each other, be it elven Gods vs human Gods or Aedra vs Daedra and they do so largely through armies that they recruit from mortals, at least for their fight on Nirn and at least in the beginning of those wars. I think it is very important that once again the 'human' God is being challenged. And that human God always had close ties with Skyrim and therefore Skyrim has a history of war against elves. That is not only a thing of race or people using religion as an excuse, as it would be in our world, that is Nirns very real history. And at least this time it wasn't the humans that started the fight. ^^