I always play as an Imperial in The Elder Scrolls and Skyrim is no different. I do have a question about something that you lore guys might know.

I've heard multiple times through different references in the game that the Nords hate Imperials. A Nord told me that he was going to kill the next Imperial he saw. I've also heard numerous negative and threatening comments towards Imperials in Skyrim. My question is, are they talking about the race or the Empire from Cyrodiil? I guess I'm a little confused. I'm really wanting to side with the Stormcloaks, being as how the Imperials (race and Empire I guess) tried to, well CUT MY HEAD OFF at the beginning of the game.

But I have a hard time joining up with a bunch of Nords for the independence of Skyrim if they hate my race.

For some reason the NPCs ignore what race you play as and they treat you with respect.

The Nords love the imperials, the Stormcloaks are extremist racists and I don't really count them since every other Nord in the game claims that even though the Thalmor are making things tough, the Empire is good for Skyrim.

You need to request the Age of Aggression and get your head on straight. Imperials are the dbags of Skyrim. I play my Imperial like he is a tax collector.

(to answer your question, yeah the early dialogue is pretty insulting right to your face if you are an Imperial who escapes with the Stormcloaks)

Well, my question is, do the Nords hate the Imperial RACE or the Empire, which of course is ran by Imperials? I think there's a definite difference. As I'm an Imperial that is more inclined to help Skyrim gain its independence.

probably the Empire, but you know how racism works.

They hate the empire, well the stormcloak nords do anyways (not all nords agree), not the individual people of cyrodiil

They hate Elves.
They hate the fact that the (Human) Empire capitulated to the Elven supremacists and sacrificed their own religious teachings in doing so.

Its not so straight cut and dry racism.

I would assume that they're talking about the Empire. But there is a large overlap between the Empire and the Imperial race, to where they're basically the same thing (as, like you said, the Empire is run by Imperials) but still are distinct or have distinct designations. And I would also assume that most Nords against the Empire would probably equate the Imperial race as the Empire. Though there may be some leeway in that, or it may not be that way at all.

The Empire was founded by Tiber Septim, who was a Nord. His Nordic Name was Talos.
So why would the Nords hate the Empire?

Yep, I noticed that, too. Other than telling my Khajiit that he'll make a fine rug, there is relatively little reference to the player character's race. Oh well, Khajiits are very well done in this installment of the series, so I'm still quite happy.

This is getting into spoiler territory.

How is it?
It's been stated since Daggerfall?

The race doesn't matter really if you're part of the nedic (humans).
And yes they mean the political imperials not the racial.

The question he asked has an answer as part of the story.

But the fact that Talos = Tiber Septim = Nord has always been a fact. Its not new :S

Nor is it what I'm referring to.



This here would be what a good part of the story revolves around.

That's why I said "the Nords that do hate…" (or "Most Nords against" was my actual phrasing) And in the Skyrim (the game) there are Nords that are fine with the Imperials and the Empire and other Nords who want Skyrim (the region) to be independent and free from all that and under their own rule.

Plus what I said in my previous post was a little bit of assumption on my part, as I did say in my previous post.

people hate on me alot in my world its wierd -_- i think its cuz im a werewolf i get remarks of fur in my ears and smells lol and the occasional "you better get out of my way imperial" or something like that . or its because ive done all the mag and dark brotherhood stuff lol

For some, it's the empire, for the other, it's both.

The Nords against the Empire, are against the Empire because its not standing for what it was created to enforce.
So by nature, against anyone/anything that is supporting the essentially false Empire.

Some don't seem to hate on my Imperial, while others give me that line about killing Imperials. Stormcloaks are far more likely to use this line than other Nords. Though, they probably wouldn't mind so much if you joined them and are aiding them, I see no reason to join them though (Not as an Imperial I least. I can worship Talos without being an idiot about it and telling Thalmor all about it.).

I've even gotten this line after saving a Talos worshipper who was being dragged off by the Thalmor, ungrateful jerk...

I just didn't even know if when a Nord talked about wanting to "kill the next Imperial they see" if they meant ANY Imperial or an Imperial soldier.

And that was more or less my point when I said that there was a lot of overlap between the Imperials as a race and the Empire itself. (given that the Empire is run by the Imperials) And I said that while they are primarily against the Empire they view the Imperials as the Empire or equate them to be the same thing.

Or that was my assumption at least on this whole matter.

It's a fair assumption, but I don't think its entirely accurate.
Though it does seem that most of the Imperials in a position of power in Skyrim are sniveling little weasels. So that probably doesn't shine them in the greatest light, in the eyes of the populace.