Orsinium is a province of the Empire, and Orcs are citizens of the Empire. In fact, Orcs are loyal to the Empire because they were the first to even consider orcs sentient beings.

I have a vague memory of reading some book that refered to Orsinium as a free-state.
Maybe that was the old Orsinium.
Wasn't Orsinium indipendant in Daggerfall?

Hardly a Free State, with it being nestled in the heart of the Breton Homeland.

No. The orcs are thought of as little more than animals and slaughtered when the others have the chance. It was there and the Bretons didn't like it. Gortwog used the Numidium to gain acceptance and be treated like real people.

Here's what they'll most likely do:

1)republic

2)Martin has a secret cousin or sumthing.

I myself highly doubt a republic. I forsea civil war between possible Cyrodiilic generals or maby councilmen who want the thrown, but I'm sure there will be some kind of bloodshed. A new emperor may be chosen, or the Empire may just desolve (again) and reemerge at a later time, though I hope the empire remains what it is, an empire.

Agreed. I don't always like the Empire, but I like having the Empire. Its about the closest thing to sanity I found on Tamriel so far. Plus, it always makes a good storyline to include an empire.

Orsinium is regarded by the Empire as one of the Kingdoms of High Rock, despite the fact that it goes past provincial lines and includes bits of Hammerfell as well.

Ever since the Warp, the Orcs have been campaiging to have it be granted full Provincial status, separating it from High Rock and Hammerfell.

As such, the Empire could say at any time, "send armies to fight for us, and we'll make you a full Province." I predict the Orcs would jump at the chance.

Jump at the chances of what? to get an emperor on the thrown? I have doubts about that, given most people still think Orcs as beasts more then citizens. I can't see an Orc on the thrown without political and social upheaval.

Edit: Nvm, jump at the chance of becoming a province, my minds scattered today heh.

You know that scene from Braveheart where the nobles yell at each other because they are presenting their lineage trees? That kind of thing will happen among the more "legitimate" (HAHA) nobles (counts will have no shot) while the less applicable applicants will consolidate their power and begin expansion while a continent wide force couldn't respond.

It wouldn't even occur to any noble in Tamriel that Ocato could take the reigns.

Yea, unless Bethesda just decides to throw rationale out the window when deciding the future of Cyrodiil then a republic is not anywhere in the near future. The people are not used any republican forms of government and so aren't going to be quick to jump at any ideas of equal representation and the like, chances are it hasn't even crossed their minds. Given the extreme case that it does come about that there's a republic then, once again unless rationale is thrown out the window, it'll evolve into an oligarchy and thereby back into an Empire. The Elder Council is nothing close to a format for basing a republican government, so no matter how many roleplays turn the Council into a republican Senate, that's just not the way it is. The Imperial line has been broken many times before and pulled through it, I figure it will again; they just need the right person to come along and take the wheel...

I think when most people say "Republic" they mean oligarchy, which is very possible. Republic suggests "representation" which will not happen, but it is very real chance that the Elder Council will rule, not as representatives, but as oligarchs. The Council usually rules until that "right person" comes along. Heck, they usually rule even when there is an emporer.

But its not like they're going to pick a fight with the Imperial Battlemage.

I still think that something indistinct happened, screwing with time, sending Tamriel back into the 2'nd era.

Exactly! There's no reason to.

I doubt the Empire would fight amongst themselves to much for the throne. The Empire knows it has to still be an empire if they want the respect and power that they crave. They might not be quick to pick a new emperor, but they will allow Ocato to keep his position until a new emeror is found. Probably a cousin of the Septim line. The Empire will live in TES V.

I'm not so sure that it will be an empire in anything but name. I wouldn't be surprised if the next player-character is living in a complex time, with the provinces reasserting themselves or (as with the Argonians) retreating and closing their borders. Martin's sacrifice doesn't change the fact that his line is lost, and the Empire has lost what the Chinese called the "Mandate of Heaven".

I think the lines of previous emperors have been wiped out, only to have a new emperor on the throne in a short time. Plus, couldn't the elder council have a tea party with an Aedra and maybe have a new trinket similar to the amulet of kings?

The second Empire was ruled by someone in something like Ocato's position for hundreds of years. The Septim line ended a long time ago. And for the majority of the Septim Empire, the Elder Council held most of the true power and the emporer was just a figurehead.

For your're second question, no. The AoK was made by the Ayleids to be the Stone of White-Gold. Then the Cyrodiils forced Alessia's soul in it. It's gone, and will never come back.

So the Elder Council can hold the power until they find a new emperor. There has got to be at least one person in the Empire, with proper training and grooming, that can be trusted to lead the Empire into the fifth era. Or even if they are just a figurehead, it makes it seem like the Empire has their priorities in order.

But does the Council have what it takes to rule? I haven't been able to play "Oblivion" yet, but I thought they were missing in action during the main quest, not even in the Council Chamber. It sounds as if they were more concerned about their individual land holdings. Maybe someone can fill me in better.

Indeed they are quite non-existant. Ocato is in the Temple of the One sometimes. Why wouldn't the Empire or Elder council or whatever, be able to train a young imperial , of noble blood, with intelligence and ambition, to lead the Empire? All i'm saying is that there should be at least one candidate for what I proposed. And if there isn't, then the empire might be doomed to fall.

Well the most obvious candidates, Uriel's other sons, were assassinated, and with no obvious candidate with a strong claim theres every chance a warlord will make a bid for power and/or provinces will try to break away. Its too early to say if the Empires dead or not but I suspect the next TES will be about reestablishing or replacing it.

That would be really interesting. I can't imagine TES without The Empire. Even if it is in shambles, its better than not having it at all.

i don't think deadra worshippers have laws against having six ? ... so is it possible that martin could have illigitime children during his time as a deadra worshipper... i'f so it wouldn't suprise someone comes up with I am a child of Martin Septim the last Emperor