Stormcloaks are too mainstream.

[AdamG3691]

Ahhh guys, don't say The Elves, its not the Elves or all Elves, its a particular group of dick Elves I hope we can obliterate in some future DLC.

Is it wrong I hate the Altmer? I've never met a nice one.

Faralda (the destruction trainer at the mage college) is pretty nice to you. but other than her and your player character, I cant remember any other altmer that aren't either thalmor or paranoid/insane.

by the way, about the "joining the stormcloaks as a high elf" thing: I tried, there's an amusing bit where you are asked how you feel about elves and you have the choice to say something along the lines of "yeah, we really suck don't we?" (or alternatively "everyone is equal"), I think its one of the few times any of them actually acknowledge that you aren't a nord

You play a mage?

I want to get into them, but i've heard that destruction is a dead end.

I've got to about 50ish on destruction, so I'm not too sure how it is further on, but being able to sith up a dragons day with rapid-fire lightning bolts up the jacksy is always fun.
if nothing else, being able to dualcast lightning bolt and launch a corpse over whiterun is always a joy to behold, so is dealing a non fatal blow with ice spike:
"yo, enemy dude, youve got a giant spike of ice penetrating your skull and groin, you going to do anyything about it?"
"nah, its cool"

also, watching an enemy on fire run off a cliff or an electrocuted enemy just plain disintergrate is AWESOME.

(plus, dualcasting a destruction spell with the impact perk basically stunlocks an enemy until it dies or you run out of magicka, so the lack or armor is no problem either)

oh, and you get a perk from alteration that means you get more armor from running around naked, than if you actually wore anything

the main problem I have is not "accidentally" buggering up quests because the person I'm trying to help won't stop getting in range of a conga line of chain lightning.

(also, the fact that the spells have unique ways of gaining skill levels means you actually get into the mindset of a mage as you try and gain as much power as possible with the minimum effort in ridiculously contrived ways, such as my "lets play telekinetic catch with a dwemer gyro in the hall of elements" training, or "equilibrium = less health but more magicka, healing = more health but less magicka, therefore equilibrium + healing = free resto skill levels")


seriously, being a mage is amazing, and thinking of interesting ways of using the spells is its own reward, I was thrilled the first time I realised that it was possible to set oil on fire for a room enveloping inferno, or using my telekinesis as a gravity gun, sure you lack the flashy finishing attacks from melee classes (unless you use the bound weapons), but fuck that, I can turn a fancy restauraunt into a tavern brawl, with my mind, and then turn invisible and sneak away without getting a single drop of blood on my robes

and if all that fails, I guess you can always become a battlemage

 

[Eggsnham]

Ulfric is kind of a dick, but I'm curious to see what will happen if yet another major piece of the empire secedes.

I seriously hope that the next TES game has the empire dissolve and the Thalmor take over everything. Maybe they'd have another "rebel vs. superpower" scenario where you can attempt to overthrow the Thalmor.

That what be kinda cool.

Anyways, I digress, the Empire is pretty much the best choice for Skyrim, but I'm just curious about the Stormcloaks' side of it.

Besides, I'll just go with the Empire on my next playthrough.

 

[MrLlamaLlama]

But...

They give you a bitchin' hat which is the top half of a bear's head. In my eyes all is forgiven.

Sided with imperials. Killed a Stormcloak general and stole his hat.

Sided with Stormcloaks. Earned the first hat and pickpocketed the second from Mr. Stone-fist. Now I have 2 bitchin' bear hats

It's a shame they don't work on the mannequins

 

[pumuckl]

I only just realised...

Nationalistic political entity that hates all races except for the Nordic race overthrowing a foreign, imposed government?

Rise of the Nazis anyone?



OT: Stormcloaks get more support because its cool to be a rebel.

as long as we dont start seeing elven internment camps i think we'll be ok

What about ghettos? Like say the grey quarter in Windhelm or the fact that Argonians aren't even let into the city.

well in their defense, if a giant walking talking lizard walks into your house, speaking a thick eastern european accent, and begins eyeing your valuables, would you be comfortable?

crap apparently i'm racist towards argonians, i'm just like my father.

 

[aristos_achaion]

Most people go with the Stormcloaks because the Imperial Legion tries to cut your head off at the beginning of the game. They're supposed to be the bad guys. It might be reasonable that they would assume I'm with the Stormcloaks, but even so, in that situation, I'd do everything in my power to see them burn.

I don't know if the Imperials trying to cut off your head qualifies them as "bad guys"...you start out as a prisoner in the last to TES games, too, and the Imperials were often nice guys.

 

[aegix drakan_v1legacy]

Most people go with the Stormcloaks because the Imperial Legion tries to cut your head off at the beginning of the game. They're supposed to be the bad guys. It might be reasonable that they would assume I'm with the Stormcloaks, but even so, in that situation, I'd do everything in my power to see them burn.

I don't know if the Imperials trying to cut off your head qualifies them as "bad guys"...you start out as a prisoner in the last to TES games, too, and the Imperials were often nice guys.

Yeah, but you're just a prisoner in previous games, not about to get your head removed.

If you're a prisoner, eh, you can get over being locked up. Eventually.

But if someone tries to murder you "just to be on the safe side" with no trial or defense of any kind, you'll be hard pressed to find someone who doesn't take that personally. I know I would

--
Also, coming from someone who is mildly interested in Skyrim (gonna pick it up when the inevitable GOTY version with all the contend and bugfixes comes out), is it possible to complete the game (or the main story, or whatever passes for a main story in these games), without choosing a side? Or can you SWITCH sides partly through it?

 

[seraphy]

Someone didn't read the rest of that dossier...

He isn't their sleeper agent, but his rebellion benefits them as long as there isn't a victor.

Yes I didn't say agent. I said puppet.

And which outcome you think Thalmor eventually prefers? Whole Empire? Or Punch of independent kingdoms.

 

[Outcast107]

Someone didn't read the rest of that dossier...

He isn't their sleeper agent, but his rebellion benefits them as long as there isn't a victor.

Yes I didn't say agent. I said puppet.

And which outcome you think Thalmor eventually prefers? Whole Empire? Or Punch of independent kingdoms.

actually they also said they don't want a StormCloaks victory if I remember correctly. They just want the war to last as long as it can. Weakening both sides.

 

[Spearface]

Been thinking about who to join for a while and I think I made up my mind. Imperials.

There's a lot of parallels to the US civil war here. On the one side you've got a massive, crumbling union of states (Imperial city was captured, War of 1812) struggling desperately to remain in control of its territory in order to defend against outside (european) influence. While it is brutal and ugly it is the only entity which can uphold the law, and therefore a necessary evil.

On the other you've got a ragtag group of rugged naturalists who are more religious, nationalistic and xenophobic, fighting for their way of life (the south).

Sure the empire may not be "good" or barely even worth fighting for but anyone with any knowledge of geopolitics knows that skyrim will in the end be someones *****, whether it is the elves (who take over after the rebels take over) or the imperials.

 

[Vindictus]

On my second playthrough I promised I would roll with the stormcloaks, but I couldn't justify it. Ulfic is a moron, and Hadvar is just too cool of a dude to kill. The Imperials are in the right on this issue, Ulfric is just being incredibly destructive.

 

[wootsniper]

The Empire is weak, a true Nord would rather die than give up their beliefs.

Aldmeri Dominion can go eat a bag of dragon dicks.

I'm kinda annoyed about Whiterun though...

Ehh... Spoiler?

 

[wootsniper]

I have to go with Stormcloak....Why?

BECAUSE I REFUSE TO BOW TO A GOD DAMN ALTMER!

"I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil. I fight for their wives and children, who's names I heard whispered in their last breaths. I fight for we few who did come home, only to find our country full of strangers wearing familiar faces. I fight for my people impoverished to pay the debts of an Empire too weak to rule them, yet brands them criminals for wanting to rule themselves! I fight so that all the fighting I've alread done hasn't been for nothing. I fight....because I must." - Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak

If you copy and paste that speech in youtube, the top video is a documentary about
nazi propaganda

 

[Terminal Blue]

ot: i think everyone misunderstands the Nords distrust towards other races as racism, and hatred. Ulric's a man fighting for his people, he cant go letting other races with hidden agendas getting in too close too him or other high ranking members.

I think what people (at least I) have an issue with is that the Dark Elves in Windhelm for example consider themselves to be part of the kingdom too. Ulfric doesn't consider them to be part of the kingdom because although they live there they're the wrong race.

They wouldn't have 'hidden agendas' if Ulfric hadn't assumed they did simply because their skin is a little dark and they have pointy ears.

In war time, national pride is essential, and the imperials just dont have it any more, the stripping of their gods was the stripping of their power, and the Thalmer knew that. It will take someone more stuborn then intelligent to defeat them imo.

The Thalmor actually seem deeply religious in their motivations, many of their actions really don't make sense except as part of a genuine religious conviction.

They worship the divines (though not by the names humans call them) and it does seem to genuinely offend them that the humans have randomly decided that their old Emperor is a God on a par with them. The Altmer didn't go back and declare all their old kings and heroes were Gods, why should mortal humans get to equate one of their own with (what the Thalmor believe) are the real deities of the world? Deities who, in prehistory, the Altmer supposedly walked around with and talked to face to face.

By the time of Skyrim, The Empire hasn't been ruled by one of Talos' descendents for 200 years, and the world has been fine (because Akatosh stepped in and made it so). What relevance does Talos have to the Empire any more?

I don't think it was a big sacrifice, the Nords aren't pissy because Talos might help them beat the Thalmor, they're pissy because Talos was a Nord and they see his worship as part of their culture, not even Imperial culture.

On Topic

It seems worth pointing out, in addition to being a violent bigot, Ulfric also broke the Way of the Voice when he used the Voice for his own political gain.

If the Greybeards are right and the Voice is a gift to humanity from the Gods, then it seems in rather poor taste to sit there and claim to be defending the culture of your people when you're willing to use the most sacred gift given to them simply to make an example of a much weaker opponent, and in doing so to also violate the code laid down by their most sacred and respected order.

I can buy that he was within his rights to challenge the High King, but killing him with the voice seems really difficult to justify to me. Considering he's meant to be a great warrior and High King Torygg wasn't, would it have been too much to ask that he simply defeat him fairly?

 

[ms_sunlight]

I don't have a great deal of respect for the use of the word "mainstream" as a perjorative. That said, I do think the Stormcloaks are a right shower of bastards.

 

[Reaper195]

I think Skyrim should be run by the Dragons. They did save me from decapitation, so why am I now killing them?

 

[BlumiereBleck]

To all the people who say The Empire is with the Thalmor....please actually listen to what General Tullius has to say. He says he needs reinforcements, but can't get any because of increasing men put to the borders of the Empire...hmmmm foreshadowing maybe...and if you do side with the Empire to hold Skyrim

Spoiler

Tullius tells you the peace between the Thalmor and Empire is about to break. That sounds like foreshadowing. Or a bit of The Empire was just playing along. BAM! Sneak attack on the Thalmor and Tamriel is safe.

 

[Brennon Wilson]

after much study on the subject i set my allegiance with the Stormcloaks. i have tried both and studied both as well as the history leading up to the conflict. the stormcloak people mostly seem to be truly fighting for their beliefs, their freedom, and hope for a better future skyrim. many who tend to side with the empire have an outlook on ulfric stormcloak as a power hungry,war mongering nord who seeks to use the beliefs of skyrim to reach his goal but i have yet to see such a charcter in ulfric. sure he has his flaws like his hate of elfs( brought on by hate for the thalmor) but he truly seems to be an honerable man who though hating to have to give the order for war knows it is necessary to bring about skyrims freedom. both sides have their good and bad the stormcloaks are just the better of the two. the stormcloaks are fighting for their honerable cause though some may be racist towards elfs and what some might call more barbaric. the empire i guess have good intentions but are narrow sighted. they dont seem to realize that they have lost to the thalmor. its easier for the thalmor to slowly take more controll of the empire through the implimentation of fear then to break the peace and fight when the war has so devistated them as well. the thalmor are truly evil and seek to enslave all others but i believe they plan for a more sneaky route then all out war again. skyrim like hammerfall does have a chance to stand up against the aldmeri and posibly help reunite the empire after the thalmor have lost their controll over it. and the racism isnt as bad as is said if youve spoken with other elfs like high elf girl living fine and well treated in nice part of windhelm she explains how she was able to get where she was by going with the way things are and says how the dark elfs in grey quarter are to stubern to do so.

 

[Brennon Wilson]

ha ha. verry wrong. i just tried it and it comes up with US propoganda vid called why we fight

 

[Brennon Wilson]

i actually have gone over that and its not quite true. ill explain why in a message.

 

[Brennon Wilson]

after much study on the subject i set my allegiance with the Stormcloaks. i have tried both and studied both as well as the history leading up to the conflict. the stormcloak people mostly seem to be truly fighting for their beliefs, their freedom, and hope for a better future skyrim. many who tend to side with the empire have an outlook on ulfric stormcloak as a power hungry,war mongering nord who seeks to use the beliefs of skyrim to reach his goal but i have yet to see such a charcter in ulfric. sure he has his flaws like his hate of elfs( brought on by hate for the thalmor) but he truly seems to be an honerable man who though hating to have to give the order for war knows it is necessary to bring about skyrims freedom. both sides have their good and bad the stormcloaks are just the better of the two. the stormcloaks are fighting for their honerable cause though some may be racist towards elfs and what some might call more barbaric. the empire i guess have good intentions but are narrow sighted. they dont seem to realize that they have lost to the thalmor. its easier for the thalmor to slowly take more controll of the empire through the implimentation of fear then to break the peace and fight when the war has so devistated them as well. the thalmor are truly evil and seek to enslave all others but i believe they plan for a more sneaky route then all out war again. skyrim like hammerfall does have a chance to stand up against the aldmeri and posibly help reunite the empire after the thalmor have lost their controll over it. and the racism isnt as bad as is said if youve spoken with other elfs like high elf girl living fine and well treated in nice part of windhelm she explains how she was able to get where she was by going with the way things are and says how the dark elfs in grey quarter are to stubern to do so.

gee you didnt studdy it that well. you dont know his "rather obvious" secret i will message it to you sont read if you dont like minor spoilers

i actually have gone over that and its not quite true. ill explain how in a message.