I'm thinking pretty seriously about it. The Imperials seem to have done some pretty nasty things, including almost executing me in Helgen. This would presumably pit me against the Jarl in Dragonsreach, from whom I received my companion, Lydia. I'm wondering what that might do to my relationship with the Lovely One. On the other hand, she is sworn to protect me, isn't she?

Housecarls are not affected by your choice to join either side.

As for your question. Some characters have joined both sides. Some have joined the Legion more often than the Stormcloaks for reasons I don't want to state.

Most if my past characters have been neutral.

absolutely. the imperials were fools with their "treaty" and their disrespect and cowardice demands a skyrim free of their stench and nord ruled.

I always join the Stormcloaks, but not because of almost being decapitated. That wasn't the Imperial Legion acting, it was ONE captain. One. Of course Hadvar and the other legionnares had no say in it because she outranked them. Tullius didn't know anything about that so he had nothing to say. I join the SC because I think the Emperor resigned his right to rule when he signed the treaty, and also because of the blatant disregard for Nord traditions. Have you ever though about why Nords (well, Stormcloaks) say: "Fight or die well"? A Nord would rather go down fighting than giving up, because giving up is the worst thing you can do. Imperials don't understand that, and Tullius even shows his blatant disregard when speaking to Rikke in Castle Dour.

He says "you people and your damn Jarls", and later he says "you Nords and your bloody sense of honor".

While I don't fully agree with the Stormcloaks (you don't have to to fight for Skyrim), I'd rather see them rule than the Empire. At least for now. What I don't like is the racism among the Stormcloaks or the nationalism and bigotry oozing from them but all in all I find them to be the lesser of two evils. The Empire is but a corrupt shell of what it once was and there isn't even a Septim ruling. We have Titus Mede (

), but he isn't fit to rule in my opinion. I could see Ulfric as the high king and I intend to make that happen because right now I don't see anyone being the better choice.

Signing a treaty that bans the worship of Talos who was once the mighty Tiber Septim (or Hjalti Early-Beard, or Ysmir, or the Dragonborn) because some yellow-skinned uptight knife-ears don't want to recognize him is nothing I stand beside.

It is really a matter of personal preference. Both sides can come up with reasons that support their views.

Personally, I don't like the Stormcloaks. I have yet to take a character through the Stormcloak side.

I haven't played the Thieves's guild yet either, so maybe someday.

Of course, other players have their own opinions.

Thanks to you all for your detailed responses. I'm off to join them as soon as I finish knocking off one of the toughest dragons I've ever faced -- sorry, we've ever faced. Do dragons level up, which I seriously suspect? Or maybe I'm facing a different kind of dragon. I'm getting tired of them, really.

As you level up, you're facing gradually tougher dragons. Most normal dragons are replaced by either frost dragons, blood dragons etc. If you're having problems now, you might never wanna level up past 75...

I don't pick a side cause I don't care about either of em (Not going into details because then the forums civil war might start)

what is the name of the dragon you're fighting?

Tullius despises the Thalmor. One of the reasons is because the only ones "profiting" from the civil war are the Thalmor. The Legion is wasting men and resources fighting Ufric instead of getting set for the real war with the Aldmeri dominion.

After the sack of the Imperial City, a year of Thalmor atrocities against the people, and the Battle of the Red Ring, the legion couldn't keep fighting. The Emperor signed the treaty as a last resort. Even with the treaty the Thalmor continued the "divide and conquer", and caused the split with Hammerfall.

If the Thalmor are going to be defeated, it will take a united force. That isn't going to happen with Ulfric, imo; he might manage to unite Skyrim, but with Galmar's "anyone who isn't with us is against us" viewpoint, he isn't going to gather the provinces.

And the poster above is right, this isn't a civil war thread. Those are never civil, and don't need to start again. My apologies.

it's interesting that the most boring quest - it's not even a quest is it? - generates so much discussion

My characters join the side that is most appropriate for them. Most of my characters do not join either side.

I'm fighting an Elder Dragon who has killed Lydia, so I'm going to load something earlier and leave him alone.

Think of a dragon about two times as powerful as the Elder dragon. Enjoy level 75+ (if you have Dawnguard)

I joined the Stormcloaks.

Killed some Thalmor and poor legionnaire sods who were wasting their time imposing the Empire's crippled reign in Skyrim. Lots of fun.

I hope Bethesda never does another one of these things again.

Depends on your character, but I choose to remain neutral, although I am a STRONG Stormcloak supporter.

I can't bring myself to kill Whiterun Guards, nor can I stand to watch Balgruuf get beaten down and surrender. It makes me feel uncomfortable, plus I dislike Vignar.

It will also destroy parts of Whiterun and maybe Solitude, and they will not get repaired.

It will not affect your Housecarls. Even Farengar remains Court Wizard of Whiterun for Vignar.

To give you some insight, Ulfric was training to be a Greybeard, that's a pretty high honor. He then left High Hrothgar to join in on the Great War, which he fought in and was eventually captured. The Thalmor twisted his mind and would ultimately cause the rebellion. After being freed and after the war ended, Ulfric led a group of soldiers into Markarth, using the Voice to shout open the gates, and retook the city from Forsworn control (who had conquered it 2 years prior while the Empire was concerned with the Great War). He became Jarl of Windhelm and eventually challenged High King Toryyg to a duel, shouted him down with his voice, and pierced his heart. This threw Skyrim into an uproar and divided it, thus beginning the rebellion.

Some say Ulfric is out for power, others say he's true to his cause. I think he IS true to his cause. He was important enough to become a Greybeard, he also fought for the Empire, retook Markarth, and challenged Toryyg fairly. He even surrendered so his men would not die in vain.

EDIT: Many Nords were pissed off because so many of them died in the Great War and then the Empire turned around and outlawed Talos worship. Ulfric finally did something about it, and he proved that Toryyg was not a true High King. The High King is suppose to be a strong and powerful man, not a young man who has little battle experience. Technically speaking, Ulfric is a worthy contender for High King, because he is true to the Old Ways and rightfully defeated Toryyg. He has done nothing wrong. Ulfric killed Toryyg to prove to everyone that he was not a rightful High King, merely a puppet instated by the Empire.

Housecarls don't really get affected by this. You could even RP that Lydia is happy that the Stormcloaks took over.

I personally feel that most Housecarls have a rather "protecting and dedicated" personality in the game. That they only care for their Thane's safety and protection. So there's quite some space left for you to give other personality traits for your roleplaying story. If you enjoy such things, that is.

But for a more basic answer, no, this doesn't affect your housecarl.

Don't always do the civil war quest but with my characters that do, I always side with the Stormcloaks.

I am gonna have to agree with the mod when it comes to what he says about personal preference.

I prefer both sides to be honest.

If I join the Stormcloaks I burn the Thalmor embassy to the ground.

If I join the Imperials I still burn the friggin Thalmor embassy to the ground and then I show Ulfric and Tullius each the burning pile of crap that was the Thalmor embassy.