Why YOU Want the Stormcloaks to Win, Narrative Wise

[Tingz0r]

(Sorry to whoever is sick of this topic, but seeing more and more bad news about TESVI and the future of Bethesda just puts me in a mood. As more and more old talent leaves and new people are brought in to give their take on Elder Scrolls lore, it makes me very worried about the quality of the writing moving forward. While I genuinely feel that not having a definitive canon story in TESV was a mistake, it at least opened up endless opportunities for discussion. Feel free to correct me with facts or tell me I'm stupid.)

The Empire is crippled. Their subservient High King Torygg is dead, the Emperor was assassinated, their armies were devastated, and bowing to the Thalmor has cost them their dignity and their spiritual connection to the Hero-God of Mankind. The best they can do is try to regain control of their homeland and find favor with their allies, not fight them. However, their subjugation to the Aldmeri Dominion has left them with their hands tied.

If the Empire attempts to take control of Skyrim, there will always be resistance from the native Nords and former Stormcloaks. The Imperials would have more enemies and less resources for as long as they tried to maintain their rule. A Skyrim ruled by the Empire is a Skyrim ruled by the Thalmor, and as long as the enemies of Talos corrupt the land there will never be peace. Despite what General Tullius tries to enact during the opening of Skyrim, killing one leader, Ulfric Stormcloak, would not weaken the rebellion. Another would take his place, down to the last person willing to fight for their homeland.

On the contrary, a Skyrim unified under the leadership of a native Nord hero would stabilize the region. After the restoration of Skyrim's sovereignty, supporters of the Empire would likely either leave Skyrim, assimilate, or openly accept the new High King while peacefully maintaining their allegiances, as hostile Imperial and Aldmeri influences are rooted out and abolished. Only the most diehard of anti-Stormcloak individuals would still cause problems at this point, as they fear that Stormcloak rule and insurrection to the Dominion will threaten their existence.

Of course, the Thalmor would not let this go unanswered. However, they would find themselves fighting against something they hadn't faced when they took Cyrodiil. The Dragonborn, who defeated the World-Eater itself, and with power enough to change the tides of fate, would stand against them. Several of their most prominent agents and their forces had already failed to defeat them, and the strength and influence of the one called "Dovahkiin" is still growing. As the other provinces of Tamriel learn of the Dragonborn and the defeat of the Thalmor-controlled Empire, a new hope is brought on by the rise of heroes and the fires of rebellion kindled by the return of Skyrim to the Nords.

There is huge potential for The Elder Scrolls VI to explore the continent's conflict with the Thalmor and a hero's quest to restore the provinces to their glory, and ultimately decide the fate of the Empire.

(P.S.: If you're curious, my views of this fictional video game story are not influenced by real-world politics. I am not left wing, right wing, or communist, nor do I blindly rally behind sports teams, corporations, or celebrities.)

[legoless]

native Nord hero

You mean Thalmor asset.

[Tingz0r]

native Nord hero

You mean Thalmor asset.

You mean dormant Thalmor asset.

He was used by them once, but aside from the argument that the Thalmor are using the rebellion to further weaken the Empire, he hasn't been of any use to them since. He even insists that Elenwen shouldn't be allowed to attend the truce negotiations during Season Unending. The Thalmor may attempt to make some use of him, but they can't. Cut dialog during the start of the game shows Elenwen failing to take custody of Ulfric. The Imperials hate having to obey the Thalmor and Ulfric wants to kill them. Whatever plans they had for Ulfric are no longer valid, given the appearance of the dragons and the Dragonborn.

Ulfric is definitely worth more to the Thalmor dead than alive by the time the civil war escalates in Whiterun. As I said, the Stormcloaks gaining full control of the province would be very bad for them, especially under the leadership of the Dragonborn.

[Tingz0r]

Here's a well researched video related to this subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6egFINTue_o