Which side should i join?

[Kanealpha]

I thought i could negociate a truce with "season unending" but that mission is bugged and i would have to join a side anyway. Are there any huge impacts on the game depending on which side i join or is is just attacking one city instead of the other and some npcs getting replaced by others?

 

And which would be the better choice lore-wise?

 

My thoughts, pros and cons about both sides:

 

Imperials:

Cons first: the first time i met them they want to execute me even though they have no idea who i am

in Helgen you meet a torturer when you follow the imperial instead of the stormcloak soldier

first time in Solitute, witness another execution. (i didn't see one Stromcloak exectioner or torturer so far.)

they are allied with the Thalmor? (Are they allied with the Dominion or are they just keeping the peace to build up strenth so they can launch a new attack and allow the worshipping of Talos again?

 

Pros: lore wise a strong, united Empire could rise up and fight the Dominion and the Thalmor if they wanted to. The Empire is friendly or neutral towards all races

 

 

Stormcloak:

Cons: The stormcloaks are kinda racist towards everyone that isn't a nord and i am playing as a Breton.

An independent Skyrim doesn't fall under the white-gold concordat and the Dominion could attack any time. Hammerfell drove the Dominion out but i am not sure if the Nords are strong enough after the war.

 

Pros:

An independent Skyrim, no more Thalmor

As a German they remind me of the old Germans, Vikings and Celts

Talos worshipping legal again, all deities united

 

Is there any canon source about which side to choose and what is going to happen after the civil war?

Edited June 24, 2017 by Kanealpha

[TheSpaceShuttleChallenger]

Skyrim is the most recent narrative in the Elder Scrolls franchise, so there is no way of knowing for certain what happens after the war, but I can definitely tell you what the outlook is.

A Stormcloak victory weakens the Empire, and cuts Skyrim off from all aide. The Thalmor were able to capture Ulfric Stormcloak once before, and it's suggested that he would not have 'escaped' unless the Thalmor wanted him to, so as far as I'm concerned, Ulfric himself is no threat to the Dominion and with his land and armies worn to threads, he won't have a stick to shake at the Dominion. From there, the strategic path for the Thalmor is gloriously simple. Liberate the Falmeri homeland and secure its numerous magical assets, including the Eye of Magnus, Labyrinthian, and the College of Winterhold--all of which will the Nords will fail to utilize in their own self-defense. Once armies have been established in Skyrim, the Dominion can pinch Cyrodiil from the north and the south, slicing the Empire in half and destroying its heart in a single blow.

Honestly I don't see Skyrim's sovereignty to last for any period of time. If they're smart, they might ply their victory for better standing as they rejoin the Empire. If they're stupid, they'll be the first to fall to the Thalmor.

Besides, if executions are your best argument against the Empire, so what? Do you think the Stormcloaks don't perform executions? Or that they care more about protecting the innocent? Ulfric lets a serial killer walk around his city just so that he can free up a few more hands for the war effort. Innocent civilians don't even figure into his priorities. At least in Imperial holds you see evidence that the Empire actually lifts a finger to take care of the people under their rule. Something tells me that Ulfric wouldn't have been arsed to send anyone to investigate the Wolfskull ruins, and I shudder to think how many innocent people would have died because of it.

Edited June 24, 2017 by TheSpaceShuttleChallenger

[LeddBate]

At the risk of everyone here giving me a World-Eater sized wedgie, may I suggest perusing this thread...

 

(Runs away yelling: "Whoop,whoop,whoop!")

[Kombinator1991]

Lead the Stormcloak to victory, and kill the Emperor. These will most likely DESTROY the empire once and for all. The question is: how the other nations will react to the Thalmor. From what i saw from the Dominion's attitude they aren't going to go far. In a short time: EVERYONE will be against them. They can't take over Skyrim while they fight against the Khajit, wood elfs, Bretons, Argonians, and Redguards.

 

The Redguards would ally with the new independent Skyrim. Creating a new alliance.

 

High Rock has no real choice but to ally them, or remain independent. It's position prevent an alliance with the Thalmor. Tough i really doubt, that it would happen.

 

Dark Elfs would probably go back to the old times. Maybe even ally with the Thalmor if they promise equality with them.

 

Argonians would do what they do best. Defend the homeland. Since the Argonians got their freedom in the first Era. NO ONE was able to defeat them in Black Marsh. Not even Mehrunes Dagon. IF the Dunmer joins the Dominion however, then they might join the new alliance as soon as there is an opportunity to attack the Dunmer.

 

The Khajit are treated like s*** by most folks. They probably go defensive as well, or get crushed, or both, then they would be like the Wood Elfs.

 

The Wood Elfs are already defeated, but they hate the Thalmor. As soon the Thalmor falters their rebellion is guaranteed.

 

The Orcs most likely goes for both sides as mercenaries. They don't give a f*** about Talos, and both sides treat them badly. High Rock and Hammerfell can force them to fight for the new alliance.

 

The Imperials don't like the Thalmor either. It is very likely, that they would rise against them as soon as possible.

 

Dark times coming with a war, that DESTROYS the dominion, and tear Tamriel apart. The Empire falls.

 

What if the empire wins: Skyrim remains part of the Empire, but the Thalmor gains complete control over the Empire. In order to save the Empire most folks would stay put which allows the Thalmor to regain their strength. Hamerfell becomes independent, but it doesn't last long, because the Thalmor with the aid of the legion conquers them. After that they slowly but steadily deal with all opposition with more caution. In time the Thalmor becomes the absolute power, then the other races starts a rebellion, because the Thalmor treats them like s*** thinking, that they won. The Empire falls.

 

As a High Elf main character it is difficult for me to join the Stomrcloaks. I usually make an excuse, that i killed the Emperor, and the whole f***ing Empire knows it. My only hope the gain amnesty is Ulfric. If i don't kill the Emperor, then i remain independent.

Edited June 25, 2017 by Kombinator1991

[jjb54]

Spoiler Alert!!

 

 

  Reveal hidden contents

 

You will find a note in the Thalmor Embassy - that Ulfric has - was working WITH the Thalmor or they were using him, to get their foot in Skyrim. When I found that out, no I was not shocked, I went, " you two faced game player ... "

 

 

[TeofaTsavo]

The reveals during the main quest, the stories of Markarth, and Sybille Stentor's frank description of his actions and motives convinced me long ago just what Ulfric was. He is a petty tyrant whose sole cause is Ulfric Stormcloak.

 

For all of his rhetoric he is nothing but a man hungry for power killing fellow Nord to gain that power.

[Adipose]

The one and only time I played the game all the way to the end I was strictly neutral as to alliance with either the Stormcloaks or the Empire. I saw little attraction in either. I altered that neutrality a bit in order to back the Foresworn and give them a better world to live in. Didn't/Don't care much for their alliance with Hag Ravens though. Filthy creatures.

[RaShea]

http://elderscrolls.wikia.com/wiki/Great_War

 

I always side with the Empire and slay every Thalmor I can find.