I'm loving LOVING this game. Tried playing Morrowind back in the day but it seemed dull and tedious compared to this.

Anyways, my point is I don't have any context in game other than what people tell me as I meet them. I don't know the back story. I don't even understand all the dispositions among the races, etc. (I thought orcs were evil and elves were sacred ala LOTR). So, when the story begins by wanting to chop Ulfric's head off and mine as well (simply for being there) then naturally I'm going to side with him because it seems like the Imperials have no moral foundation to even begin with!

I'm 73 hours in, and haven't even got to the Imperial side of the story yet, but what's a new player to do? Does anyone NOT side with the stormcloaks?? Cuz my point is that any new player will have to basically pick stormcloak because we're lacking any contextual reason why we shouldn't. It seems fairly one-sided. Also, as Whiterun is one of the first towns you experience, their is no reason why a new player wouldn't side with the Companions, for the same reasons. Don't get me wrong, I didn't run out and enlist with the Stormcloaks yet, and it's nice to have the choice and non-linear gameplay... but I just don't think Beth did a great job of REALLY giving me the opportunity to hear each side. Surprisingly, I don't feel like I missed out on too much of the other games... this feels pretty self-contained from the other series.

TL;DR as a newcomer to the series, I don't know any of the ES storyline, and Bethesda has made it so that the stormcloak faction is the obvious choice right from the start.

As someone who played Morrowind and Oblivion? The whole Stormcloak/Imperial/Thalmor thing was new to me too. 200 year break between the games. The whole Thalmor thing, and all the stuff attached to it, came out of left field.

I discovered it the same way I discover anything in these games - by exploring & talking to people.


But, then, as you say - I'm familiar with the general "learn it as you go" style of Beth games. It's not like more linear-story RPGs where you get dragged through the story from cutscene to cutscene. It's more that they design a world, put some plots into it, and let you wander around. Which I guess might be a bit confusing to people who've never played a game like that.


(Me, I went Imperial with my first character. But, then, she was an Imperial. And yeah, I did the Companions. But, then, she was a fighter/mercenary, so it fit. :shrug:)

I should have stated, perhaps, that the only RPG experience I have is Dragon Age: Origins (which I didn't finish).
I'm struck by the similarities in character development... I was a wood elf in that as well, and that character ALSO charmed animals and had disease resistance.

So... who's stealing who's ideas? What playbook is the fantasy genre playing from?

Don't worry.

You're doing everything right.

Enjoy the experience.

Azrael
The Nord with the Sword

Lord of the Rings with a smattering of Dungeons & Dragons.

Fun fact: Arena, the first TES game, was based on the developer's D&D campaign.

It could be daunting for new players to TES series to jump right in Skyrim and expect to know everything. In terms of the civil war between the imperials and the stormcloaks, in my opinion, the reason why it looks as if our hands are guided towards the stormcloaks side of things is because they are sort of the new faction in the series. the so called true and rightful inhabitants of skyrim. the imperials on the other hand have been around since oblivion so majority of the players already know what to expect. in my case, i skipped oblivion so what i found really helpful in discovering the lore of tamriel and of previous games was by reading books! tons of them all over skyrim, filled with history of everything, from gods, to factions etc. it's really helpful, although it takes time to read them, they definitely help you gain an understanding of what's going on. i'd suggest that reading books in skyrim is a good way to shed light on matters for all new players to the series.

Shouldn't every Nord have a sword?

That's kind of what Bethesda was aiming for. Someone who is ignorant of the scope of things and what would actually be the correct course of action would most likely side with the Stormcloaks, whereas those who are more educated in terms of Tamrielic politics and history would know that the Imperial Legion is clearly the better choice.

It's similar to how Mankar Camoran spouted complete baloney about the nature of the Aedra and Daedra in Oblivion. New players were lead to believe what he was saying as true, and as they get more into the lore they realize just how insane Camoran was.

so you experienced ES folk have more tendency to go Imperial ?? They wanted to svcker the n00bs into going the Stormcloak route?

You chose whichever you want, there's no right or wrong side, nor does it have anything to do with previous ES experience. My first character went with the Imperials because he thought Ulfric was a Nord supremacist. My current character is a Stormcloak sympathizer, because of the religious restrictions involved in supporting the Empire.

Point is, there are substantial reasons to hate both sides. Chose whatever you want.

Ah, I don't exactly agree with that. Actually, as someone who knew the history of the Empire I realized that they are often overbearing and too strict to maintain all the various lands they supposedly control, so I automatically didn't want to side with them. However, having not known much about what passed in the 200 years since Oblivion I decided to wait to decide. I was glad I did, to an extent.

Without posting spoilers, I'll just say I was about 40 hours in before I chose the Imperials. There's many reasons, most of which I learned by reading various books in the game (History of the Empire, The Talos Mistake, etc...), and by completing quests, and by traveling to the various holds to discuss things with them about why they feel the way they do. I also made it a point to talk to both Ulfric and uhhh... the Imperial General, who's name I forget (Tulius?). If I actually take the story and facts seriously I can't help but side with the Empire because I think it's necessary for Skyrim's survival, despite that I think the Stormcloak cause is more noble, even if their leader svcks IMO.

Anyway, regardless, I suggest exploring more until you can decide. If you can't decide just remember: you don't have to!

My character decided to join the Stormcloaks because he was sentenced to death for being caught crossing the border. He just wants to get even.

Stormcloaks are a disorganized band of rebels led by a racist who all care about a stupid religious figure.

That being said my Altmer is a Stormcloak, but I personally support the empire.

Thing is, there is no good and bad this time around. Once you advance in the game you realize that just like in RL the world of Skyrim is not black or white, the world is always grey whatever side you choose. That's why I'd love being completely neutral but sounds like you can't choose that route in the MQ, or maybe it's just me don't understaning how you're supposed to stay neutral.

Actually as an "experience ES" person I had a hard time deciding. The Stormcloak do have their points in don't wanting the Empire to rule their province and forcing them to give up their all-important worship of Talos. But the Stormcloaks are also racist pricks and don't value the lifes of any race except Nords. Imperials have always been fairly open-minded and tolerant towards other cultures, even though they are expansive and try (and have more than once succeeded) to conquer all of Tamriel under their own rule.

The true evil in the story are the Thalmor, in my opinion, who seek to submit all of Tamriel and reinstate Mer's supremacy over Men.

only the ones without a hammer or axe

Went into the game assuming a lot of things, even as a lore-nut. I knew the races, the factions, and their relationships, but I still expected the Stormcloak Rebellion to be presented as a fairly one-sided affair. I figured the Nords would be valiantly fighting for their independence from Dominion rule by proxy. Then I played a little, spoke to leaders on both sides, read a few in-game books, and realized that Ulfric wasn't the way to go. I went into the game not knowing how anyone could side with the Empire. Now I don't know how anyone could side with the Stormcloaks and still feel good about themselves.

But yeah, tip for any lore noobies, read you some books. There's a wealth of information there. I can't stress enough how important it is to simply read if you want a decent understanding of the world you're playing in. Tamriel has more ins-and-outs than any real-world continent, and Skyrim is especially lore-packed.

Storyline?

*Spoiler*







All you do is kill one black dragon. That's it.

There is books in the game that tell you.

I'm currently not much inspired to join either side of the war. The Empire tried to cut my head off, and even when I went over to talk to them about it, they were all like: "Well, maybe if you run some errands for us we'll let you join our side, Mr. Huge Ass Nord Warrior Who Could Kill All of Us, MAYBE!!

Then I rock over to the Stormcloaks, cause I'm Nord and all, and I get the same spiel: "GTF outta here chump, and go fetch me some icy spirit of a god forsaken island somewhere up north, or don't ever come back," and I'm all like: "Dude, I'm twice your size, I'm lvl 24 and I could kill you with my voice, all I want is join my countrymen against the evil Empire!".....Stormcloak: "What, you still standing around?? My drink is getting warm, go fetch that goddam ice like I told you!"

Asswipes.

I was always with the Imperials.

I've taken to killing all their patrols, just to make up for the inconvenience of putting my head on a block. Plus, I enjoy seeing a man in rags sprinting through the mountains like I'm about to kill him next.

There are dozens of questions you can ask dozens of NPC's about the war. See the Jarls and their assistants for starters. Lot's of info for you to seek out.

LOL @ Phoss... too true I suppose.



kinda reads like the headlines today, eh?