Impossible to tell until I'm well into the game and see whatever factions are there, their actions, and the motives behind these actions, and what kind of character I play.

Anti-Imperial. Forever. Damn autoctonous-culture destroyers...

Nord and anarchy seems like a fine option. Go naked barbarians!

+1 If this Oblivion crisis didn't happen, in the end every province would be a copy of Cyrodiil (on the level of culture).

You're right. Morrowind is also a good example of what you say, and even Redguard. Besides, an Empire worth of it should be united because their government is just and respectful with all the cultures it represents, and not because "There's a Oblivion-portal crysis!" or "There's a Dragon-everywhere crysis!".

Besides, our side has http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEPYlJLvcEM

Anti-imperial.

There is no reason that Skyrim and the empire couldn't be allies, but why do the imperials feel like they need to control everything? Unless the anti-imperial side turns out to be cannibalistic Alduin worshipers, I'm siding the them.

Humanity must stand, united as one Empire, against the Elven menace!

I'd hope you have a choice for "stop all the senseless fighting and concentrate on the really big dragon that plans to eat everything. You can continue the civil war after we survive the apocalypse."

I need more information before committing to a side.

They better thank me. If they don't thank the Dragonborn with all the powers of the dragons for stopping Alduin I'll make sure they realize he was not the biggest problem they faced.

...you've a point..



That made me lol

Voted for third option. Not because I like anarchy, but because I'd like to see it presented at first. I think I'd lean toward independence than the empire, though. Never liked imperials much.

I vote for independence. That way maybe TES VI will be about re-uniting the Empire...

Long live the Empire! Traitorous secessionists must and will be brought to trial and found guilty of high treason.

In seriousness though, I'm completely pro-imperial; voted option 1. Keep the continent together under the empire, unified and at peace... it fosters cosmopolitanism, increases trade leading to economic growth, and probably most importantly stops war from breaking out, or at least makes it much less likely to occur. :shrug:

With the empire in place, we had a Pax Septima in place. With all the provinces free, who's to stop them from getting at each others throats? Case in point: Black Marsh invading Morrowind. :confused:

If Skyrim actually manages to secede, I wouldn't be suprised if they attempted to annex areas of High Rock and Hammerfell as has occurred in the past. :shakehead:

The Empire is needed to prevent this, and to establish continent-wide peace, stability and trade. (Who, apart from some thick-skulled Nords, wouldn't want that? :tongue: )

The "Pax Septima" was based on a single (to their knowledge) bloodline's ability to keep the world safe from a cataclysmic event.

When that threat went away, so too did the ability of the Empire to control the other nations.

If the Empire wants to continue to exist, it needs to form new, far more equal, union which respects the rights and unique needs of it's members. I doubt it can do that until it settles it's own problems first.

I would expect, if you can choose sides, it would only be for the first part of the MQ. After that you're probably a bit preoccupied with the impending apocalypse.

Screw the empire, meddling bastards! Their role in Redguard is pretty much how I still see them.

Oh yeah, I totally agree in that provinces should have much more of a say in how things are run. In that sense, a federally-administered collection of nations (a tamrielic federation or union ) is totally preferable to an empire administered militarily, but such an empire is still preferable to a state of anarchy where war is everywhere and the civilian population suffers. No trade, no safe travelling, no peace, more racism than already exists, a possible return to slavery, etc. I'd rather have the empire than all that anyday.

Oh and I really think that everyone's exaggerating the idea of the Empire imposing imperial culture everywhere. Sure it's against slavery and the skooma/moon sugar trade but because those are detrimental to the general good. And a clear indicator that the empire isn't as imperial-centric as you make it out to be is that, during the oblivion crisis, http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Oblivion:High_Chancellor_Ocato for Talos' sake! An Altmer runs the "evil imperials' empire" when the Septims die and everything goes to ****.

An Altmer who was so Imperial as one can be. Being part of a certain race doesn't mean he's part of his kinsfolk's native culture.
In addition:
I'm also in favour of minding one's own business. There were completely viable tribes and kingdoms in other provinces, inhabited by different races, before they were conquered by Cyrodiil's men. This proves that the argument of avoiding war is invalid. As long as strips of free land are being discovered, the Imperials will be greedy enough to claim them and make profit out of them. Because that's the only logical reason why they would waste lives to take so many far and strange realms.

So Cyrodiil has its own set of moral laws and culture. Even if the cultures of clearly distinct races seem outlandish to them, they shouldn't have the right to come and teach them that their own ways are better and theirs must be destroyed. A warrior culture or a set of cruel or backwards practices to Cyrodiilic eyes has as much right to exist, because that's the way their society works and since they're different races, it may be the only way for them to live. Every individual may feel that the current way society is organized has its uses, because it works and keeps their own beliefs and ideals alive.

My first character will probabaly be a Bosmer and a thief, who doesn't really care either way.
After that, it depends on what type of character I will be playing.
So, I didn't vote.

Ehh... Not really. In Morrowind you became the reincarnation of Lord Nerevar and destroyed Lorkhan's heart. If you mean choosing sides, you mean joining Dagoth Ur. Since you can't do that, no it's not like Morrowind.

@raminus: Are you saying slavery is evil/immoral? If you do, then I declare that using fossil fuels to destroy the planet is evil/immoral. Read below:


There is no right answer to many issues. Slavery and taxes happen to be two of them.

Of course it is! That's why I always use public transport (I don't even have a car ).

Slavery is wrong. Period. There's not even need to think deeply about it. Nobody should *completely* rule the life of any other sentient being member of the beast races, and much less harassing and treating him like he's worse than scum.

And the examples you put are pointless and have nothing to do with that matter. It's like comparing onions and sugar.

Pro-Imperial. I didn't go to Oblivion and back only to see the Empire fail. NEVER!

So sue me. And catch me if you can



So, provinces should give up their native culture and traditions, in order for some wealthy, greedy traders to fill their purses and fill those of the governors, while in the streets people still try to survive working 18 hours a day in a farm, or begging a coin for some pityful cheap shoes? I think not

Besides, how many wars and deaths have the Empire provoked, and how many ONLY at the time of it's creation?



Maybe. And maybe not. Not all cultures are so beligerant as the Nords. Although I admit I find annoying the territorial politic of my fellow kin. If they could just leave Skyrim at it's current frontiers, I think things would be peaceful...more or less. There's no need of an entire Empire to do that, though.

And if not...well, that's life for you Much better than a fake peace and de-culturalization.

The Great House Dagoth shall crush all. :flamethrower: