I know, I just liked the wording you used and thought I'd make it my example of why not to side with Stormcloak.

I'm utterly sleep deprived, so my bad if it came across like I was disagreeing. I probably worded something wrong.

The Empire is all nations. Heck, even Nordic High Kings (such as Pelagius) have become Emperor.

The Stormcloaks are rebelling because they want:
1: Self governance rather than rule by distant leaders (despite occasionally have their own in charge).
2: The free worship of Talos aka Tiber Septim who was a mere mortal. And a non Nordic Emperor, the likes of which they are now rebelling from.
3: Deep seated mistrust of the Elves from the days of the 500 companions vs the Snow Elves.

Plus a few other things. The point is that Skyrim is just as much a part of the Empire as any other region.

lol no problem.

I totally get what you're saying about the Stormcloaks. Independence wouldn't be good, at least not at this point in time. If the entire Empire couldn't defeat the Thalmor in war, there is no hope of a single Province rising up to defeat them.

Being British it kind of reminds me of Scottish Nationalism, especially with what Strattios just said above about them occasionally having their own in charge of the entire country. In Skyrim and in the real world: Times are hard and there's strength in numbers, it isn't the time to get pissy but instead to put differences aside and weather the storm until we can discuss the issue in a more ideal environment.

But my main character is an Imperial so I am also slightly biased. When I play the game my mindset is one of the Empire narrowly avoiding doom only for these damn Nords to go messing things up, and now it's our job to save them from themselves. Essentially saying "alright, alright, we played nice and looked the other way when you worshipped Talos in violation of the White-Gold Concordat, but your rebellion is attracting a little too much attention so you're going to have to sit on the naughty step [read: the headsman's block]".

Yea. Character dilemmas like these are my favorite. Granted, some characters morally-svck. Then there are conflicts where each side isn't necessarily Good or Bad. They're just Ugly; they need to get sh-- done.

On that note, I side with the Empire bc I like Lawwww and Judge Dredd and all that funstuff.

The system is ugly and all that, but it's worth the fight. Can't remember who said that. Ernest Hemingway or Morgan Freeman.

I was also reading the lore and about how they were in Atmora and came to Skyrim, and how the Elves (Falmer or Snow Elves) noticed the nords growing population and saw it as a threat to the Elves. The Elves then attacked them leaving Ysgramor and his two sons as the last survivors to flee back to Atmora. Then Ysgramor returned with the Five Hundred Companions (created from the armies of the nations of Atmora) and slaughtered the Falmer sending them into the underground. [I could continue about the Falmer but I won't].

These events have created a hatred and prejudice against the humans and elves.

This elves and humans doesn't have much to do with the Stormcloaks and the Empire, but you can see why the Stormcloaks don't like the Elves. When you think about it though, the Nords came to the area where the Elves originally were, then the elves attacked them to get rid of them. Then the Nords returned defeating them and taking over. So the Stormcloaks are sort of trying to say that they now own Skyrim and it's theirs. The Imperials I think are more about equalism and want to share it but also under their laws. They both are good and bad in different ways.

I'm really struggling to decide as well, especially for my Nord who is a Barbarian (2H - Light Armor). I haven't decided if he will be a good man, a bad person, or maybe a person who will help, but will solve his problems in a 'barbaric' way. Maybe he'll do anything for a reward. I don't know. I'm trying to think 'how would a barbarian do things?'. I need to know more about Nord barbarian/viking kind of people I guess... But then I think I want to role-play as more of a heroic warrior (except he seems like a Barbarian with his 2H weapon and light armor so I don't know.)

I think the Stormcloaks are good for my style Nord, but I don't like how they are racist to elves, but then again I understand. The Elves did attack the Nords first when the Nords came into their land to live. But if the Elves let the Nords be they could of taken over the Eves anyway, but we don't know because only in retaliation did the Elves taken over.

I don't actually know enough about the Empire or the Stormcloaks, so I can't actually help you or decide myself for that matter. Especially when boths sides have their goods and bads, I've never been able to decide when the choice is mine and it's a grey area.

I like it how both sides are populated by jerks and also good people. There's no clear side to choose. Well done, Bethesda, well done. Very "Witcher" of them

I haven't yet chosen a side with my Nord, although point is rapidly approaching where I have to, unless I want to clear out wild beasts and bandits until I go gray and have to craft daedric walking stick.

All that said, I'll probably side with Stormcloaks. Now I just have to hatch a plan that includes whacking of that bastard Ulfric after he's coronated and rule Skyrim myself

It's your own choice. An [censored] Nord would ofc go with the nationalistic dumb Stormcloaks (who think they stand a chance against Thalmor all alone), or a Nord with common sense would chose The Empire. I chose to be an [censored] with my Nord, though

It seems to me that Nords are very proud, the empire forbid them to praise their god and the empire is ruled by foreign elves. Any decent nord wouldn't stand that crap.

I read ingame books and apparently ulfric is in fact a spy/plant of the Thalmore. So in fact it is in every Nords interest that the imperials prevail. Ulfric was captured by the thalmore during the war and was then made an "asset" of the thalmore. this is according to ingame books of course.

I think yall need to understand a "family" clan mentality. Most nords would go with those who's clan they are in. In my nords case it is the jarl who made him thane. So my jarl is ridding the fence but leaning toward the empire. He cares only about his little part of the world. My nord is loyal to him and then the rest of the nords as a whole..aka getting rid of the dragons...if he makes a choice it will be empire on the big things and stormcloaks on a case by case. Now the next character is going to be a someone who hooks up with the stormcloaks because he will hold a grudge against the empire for trying to kill him...will also be thief/assassin. 3rd pc will be a brit who is 100% empire from the start and will forgive them for their "mistake" in trying to behead him.
That is the way i feel i can get the most fun out of the game. In real life i am like the nord. family,friends, then country.

I think Nords should run the entire Empire. All the Altmer be rounded up and worked in the mines, all the Dunmer sent back to their smoking hole of a province. THe Bosmer and the Orcs are alright, let the Kajiit and Argonians stay, let the Bretons run the Mage guilds, let the Redguards serve the Nordic Empire as spies and Knights. The imperial Race will be phased back to Nordic genes over a period of a million years. Then all would be sweet in Tamriel

It can't be answered really. It really depends if your Nord stands for Imperial progress or values the traditional Nordic ways and of course where he was raised.

Okay, I just started a new game and sided with the Stormcloaks. I actually dislike the Stormcloaks now. This side made me feel guilty and cruel. The cause didn't justify the means for me. I can't play a proud Nord who has no reason to be proud of his actions. I would suggest Empire. :\

I'm personally leaning fairly heavily towards the Imperials, but the thing that just makes me struggle really, really hard is that I have a feeling a certain person will become the new Jarl in Riften. It may help my guild in the short term (I'm head of the Thieves guild), but it doesn't sit well since I like the current Jarl despite the current Jarl not being fond of the Thieves' guild.


I may just have to bite the bullet. You can't have it perfect either way. Just have to pick the "best" choice for you and/or your story.