The game guide says that markarth is an Imperial hold but it is filled with Stormcloak soldiers. Which side is it actually? After finding out the information for the guy in the Shrine of Talos I fought my way out, i just want to know which side the hold is on so I can join the opposing side and kill everyone the city!!!!

Did you give Markarth to Ulfric during the peace negotiations in the MQ?

The current thane is imperial. But if you take over the city, the silverbloods take over as jarl. So it's not exactly a great outcome.

I forgot all about the treaty. Thanks for the info. Why is it a bad outcome for the silverbloods to take control?

Honestly, no matter who is Jarl of Markarth, it svcks. Both Jarls are awful. The Silver-bloods are slightly worse. They own Cidna Mine and use the prisoners as slaves.

It's sort of like the Riften situation.

The in-seat jarls cares about their people but allow corruption to run in the streets. After the hold is lost, the most corrupt official takes the throne and can more easily legitimize their grip on the populace.

How do you want to kill everybody in the town for the conspiracy and not know who the family behind it all was?