Thalmor headquarters are in solitude?!?!

[dtmwerks]

Clearly despite reading up on everything, I don't fully understand the political situation. Aldmeri dominion and the imperials JUST had a war, and a treaty was set up that the imperials hated, and the nords hated more.

Yet here in solitude, the base of imperial operations I believe, is the base of thalmor operations as well??? I joined the imperials thinking I would crush the stormcloak rebellion sure, but that mainly we would be doing something against the damn Thalmor. Don't tell me I'm going to be working WITH them or something.

Anyone care to explain the situation? I'm only going to be fighting stormcloaks aren't I... ><

Both sides hate the thalmor, they should just work together lol.

edit: also, perhaps I don't understand everyones motivations. Stormcloaks wants Skyrim to be independent and kill the Aldmeri dominion. Imperials want Skyrim as an imperial province and kill the ALdmeri dominion. The Aldmeri dominion just want world domination cause they hate men? All I see them doing is taking religious prisoners who worship Talos, are they actively trying to fight the Nords and stormcloaks as well? But I guess they are in a truce/treaty right now, so the stormcloaks are the only ones who can do anything, but shouldn't they be focusing their attention on the Thalmor, who have the imperials under their thumb kind of? Instead of just fighting the imperials, as this would weaken themselves when they have to take on the Thalmor later on?

[ZeRoc]

They are at peace with the Thalmor, as was agreed in the White-and-Gold Compact. It was because of the terms of the compact that the Stormcloaks are rebelling in the first place, one of the terms seems to be the ban on worshiping Talos. So basically, war against the Thalmor = Over.

[dtmwerks]

They are at peace with the Thalmor, as was agreed in the White-and-Gold Compact. It was because of the terms of the compact that the Stormcloaks are rebelling in the first place, one of the terms seems to be the ban on worshiping Talos. So basically, war against the Thalmor = Over.

But obviously they harbor hatred over the only other empire/dominion that is taking all the Empires provinces away.

[Wolfie]

Solitude is impreal land... its not owned by the sotrm cloaks

[Gepard]

Stormcloaks hate the Empire for giving in to the Aldmeri Dominion and banning Talos worship. I'm sure they hate the Thalmor as well, but in their opinion the only reason the Thalmor are even in Skyrim enforcing the ban is because the Empire caved in to them. The official position of the Empire seems to be cooperation with the Thalmor, as that's what the peace treaty stipulated, however, many in the Imperial Army hate the Thalmor, but the more readily at hand issue is putting down the Stormcloak rebellion and keeping Skyrim within the Empire. Also, just in case there was some confusion, Aldmeri Dominion is the actual state, the Thalmor are their ruling 'party'. Thalmor, however, seems to be used as a synonym for anything Aldmeri.

[MathiasFlynnias]

The Empire is too weak to fight the Thalmor, that is why the war ended and the reason they are crushing the rebels. A second war is inevitable, the Thalmor made this clear, but this is just a buffer time and depending on the outcome of the Civil War, the Thalmor will take action accordingly. But for now, the empire work quite closely with the Thalmor and unfortunately no Thalmor killing for you. But that's not to say you can't anyway.

[CorneliusFunk]

I believe it's called the White-Gold Concordant. Anyway, seeing as Solitude is the Imperial seat in Skyrim and they're cosying up, it's not that surprising. Maybe it's like Russia and the Allies during WWII, where they were essentially on opposite sides, but had to at least pretend to cooperate for the greater good. I can't imagine the Elder Council is thrilled about being leashed by Summerset Isle/Alinor...

[Squiver]

The reason that the Thalmor base of operations is in Solitude is because the Imperials and the Thalmor technically are at peace right now, even if, in reality, the Imperials hate the Thalmor.

But the Imperials are under the thumb of the Thalmor right now, and the veil of peace (seems to be) very thin to put it lightly. To deny them the right to open shop in Solitude would be an act of political hostility, which is basically the Empire's largest current priority to prevent.

So, in essence, the Thalmor's headquarters are in Solitude, because that's the area of least opposition in Skyrim.

[dtmwerks]

Alright guys that cleared up a lot of things. Am I right in my rationalizations that by helping the Empire put down the stormcloak rebellion (who I heard supposedly assassinated the high king) the Empire can do a better job fighting the Thalmor (later on of course) with Skyrim as an imperial province, because if I were to help the stormcloaks become independent from the Empire, they would just be fighting off their enemies enemy.

[OblivionDuruza]

Basically, the Empire needs to keep the Thalmor close by so they can monitor them, plotting their next move, while the Thalmor do the same, keeping a close eye on both sides of the Civil War, and aiming to prolong the conflict as much as possible. The Thalmor use their influence garnered during negotiations, to assert their dominance and thus prepare for their own next strike against the Men races.

[Frost Mage]

The Thalmor use their influence garnered during negotiations, to assert their dominance and thus prepare for their own next strike against the Men races.

Let's see that happen .

[OblivionDuruza]

Well, whether it happens or not is immaterial, at this time. The point is, that is their plan, and that is their motivation. Banning Talos, etc. is strategic just as much as it is prideful.

[Squiver]

Spoiler:

The Thalmor have banned the worship of Talos so that they can begin to wipe Men, and all evidence of them, from existence, so they can attain transcendence from the material world as they believe they had been prior to the creation of order.

[Lord Elvewyn]

Clearly despite reading up on everything, I don't fully understand the political situation. Aldmeri dominion and the imperials JUST had a war, and a treaty was set up that the imperials hated, and the nords hated more.

Yet here in solitude, the base of imperial operations I believe, is the base of thalmor operations as well??? I joined the imperials thinking I would crush the stormcloak rebellion sure, but that mainly we would be doing something against the damn Thalmor. Don't tell me I'm going to be working WITH them or something.

Anyone care to explain the situation? I'm only going to be fighting stormcloaks aren't I... ><

Both sides hate the thalmor, they should just work together lol.

edit: also, perhaps I don't understand everyones motivations. Stormcloaks wants Skyrim to be independent and kill the Aldmeri dominion. Imperials want Skyrim as an imperial province and kill the ALdmeri dominion. The Aldmeri dominion just want world domination cause they hate men? All I see them doing is taking religious prisoners who worship Talos, are they actively trying to fight the Nords and stormcloaks as well? But I guess they are in a truce/treaty right now, so the stormcloaks are the only ones who can do anything, but shouldn't they be focusing their attention on the Thalmor, who have the imperials under their thumb kind of? Instead of just fighting the imperials, as this would weaken themselves when they have to take on the Thalmor later on?

I think you've got the Imperials right. They want to re-establish a strong empire and throw off the Dominion's control.

The Dominion seem to be acting as hybrid pupetmasters\religious police. They have enough power to be able to direct the Imperial Government e.g. getting their way in Skyrim, and personally seeking out heretics but they're not fighting a war. Not sure they'd bother with Skyrim if it was an independant province. Maybe they've enough power to take out Imperial City but not enough to wage war against a large area populated by non-Mer?

Stormcloaks want a Skyrim purified of non-Nordic influences. That's exemplified with regards to the filthy natives of The Reach who need to learn their place. What happens outside Skyrim, whether the Empire controls the Aldmeri Dominion or the Dominion controls the Empire doesn't concern them. The more I look at them the less they seem like noble rebels and more racist separatists, or maybe I just sympathise with the Forsworn, those who aren't trying to kill me at least.

[OblivionDuruza]

For a view on the Thalmor, these may be worth a read:

• Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak
• Thalmor Dossier: Delphine
• Thalmor Dossier: Esbern

The Thalmor's primary objective in Skyrim, is to draw out the War. They do not want the Stormcloaks to win, however, but they do see Ulfric as an asset, particularly in weakening the Empire. The Thalmor are simply biding their time, that is their greatest strength, as Elves they have admirable patience.

dtm is right, the Imperials and Nords are foolishly fighting each other, when they should be fighting the Thalmor. The Empire was only able to defeat the Thalmor at The Battle of the Red Ring because they were aided by the Legions of Hammerfell and Skyrim. Now that they have both left the Empire, or are at least trying to, the fight against the Thalmor will be much more difficult.

[Dark Spark]

If your want an IRL historical understanding, the Imperials are like the Vichy administration after the Nazi Germans rolled over half of France.

[dtmwerks]

Imperials are the vichy administration? Then who are the nazi germans? Or do you mean general tullias (spelling wrong for sure...) is like the vichy administration. From what I understand, the leader of the Vichy thing was actually the saviour of France, as he refused to burn down Paris, which were Hitler's direct orders, over and over again. And I think theres a lot more people in Skyrim who want a united Empire and welcome the imperials, than there were French people who wanted a united German Europe Empire -.-

If I recall my history correctly that is. But for now I feel somewhat ok trying to put down the rebellion. In my mind, the faster I deal with this, the faster everyone can get together and deal with the Thalmor. Just have to have propaganda paint the stormcloaks as power hungry rebels, and besides, with a dragonborn on the imperials side, everyone will rally around us! /roleplay

[Sloady]

They are at peace with the Thalmor, as was agreed in the White-and-Gold Compact. It was because of the terms of the compact that the Stormcloaks are rebelling in the first place, one of the terms seems to be the ban on worshiping Talos. So basically, war against the Thalmor = Over.

For now

[Boulderheart]

I think it would make an enjoyable DLC, if whoever you side with (Ulfric/Tullias), after you complete their quest line, you seek to banish the Thalmor from Skyrim and the empire, and take the war to their shores.

I think Bethesda will have to address the Thalmor problem in DLC.

But as i understand it, the Thalmor War'd with the Empire, and gave them an ultimatum. Titus rejected it, and when the Thalmor came knocking on their gates, Titus accepted the ultimatum to banish Talos worship and to accept Thalmor rule. What a coward.

[CorneliusFunk]

To be fair, the Thalmor were the only enemy Titus Mede could not defeat, so perhaps a treaty - however cowardly - was an act in the best interest of the Empire's people. A Thalmor DLC, whether taking down the Dominion or enforcing its rise to power, would make a fantastic DLC. Indeed Hines I think said that Skyrim's DLC would be more "expansion-sized", so it would make sense to have an extended storyline like that.

[dtmwerks]

That would be a huge expansion though, if it were to actually bring the fight to the Dominion. Unless you mean only cleanse them from Skyrim, but people might not like the idea of no new lands. If you mean cleanse them from Tamriel, or even just one province like Summerset Isle, we're talking about another province almost as big as skyrim. Don't know how they would do that.

I would enjoy a small DLC that would deal with them all in Skyrim however. Make the expansion us able to go into Cyrodil!

[CorneliusFunk]

By no means a Tamriel-wide campaign. I'm not one of the unrealistic optimists which expected TESV to be continent-wide; it's not like Beth exponentially increases its scope with each new game - they're just masters at incredible detail and quality design. No doubt a Thalmor DLC campaign even within Skyrim would be great stuff, but if for example we got to see a Fourth Era Imperial City, that would be sweet. Think about it: if the Thalmor did attempt to take the city, it would create a realistic boundary wherein the player once there could not leave the city, as they would be fortifying against attacks, and that would also leave room for a series of missions involving hunting down undercover spies within the city walls. Drool...

[Rhcpftw]

I feel my awesome Breton has to become the Illusive Man of Skyrim.

General Tallius: Human dominance, or just Dovakhiinian?!
*Exhales smoke from a dragon tail cigarette*
Teneth: They're one and the same. Strength for the Dovakhiinians is strength for every human! By giving us access to the Thalmor files, you have ensured humanity's domniance! In Skyrim and beyond.
General Tallius: Just remember, the Altmer are still out there!
Teneth: Don't persume to judge me or my methods!

[Wolfie]

But as i understand it, the Thalmor War'd with the Empire, and gave them an ultimatum. Titus rejected it, and when the Thalmor came knocking on their gates, Titus accepted the ultimatum to banish Talos worship and to accept Thalmor rule. What a coward.

after they sacked the IC, and evrey other city, the Thalmor and Empire had a huge war, the empire lost, he had no choice

[OblivionDuruza]

Yeah Wolfie’s right, the smartest thing for Titus to do was accept, he could not have defeated the Thalmor in combat, what with all of his Legions exhausted in the Battle of the Red Ring, even though it was a victory. He wasn’t a coward, he was a strategist.

Unfortunately though, I doubt Titus will ever face the Thalmor again,

Spoiler:

considering that he is killed by the Dark Brotherhood in 4E 201.