What are they, exactly? I seem to have, in some way or another, played as other races that I'm interested in, but I still don't know what exactly Imperials can do, their specialties, etc.

Any links or descriptions would be very helpful. :thumbsup:

http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:Imperial

They're one of the four human races, and the most sophisticated amongst them. They favor skills such as Speechcraft and Mercantile, meaning they are more refined and civilized. That's basically Imperials in a nutshell. The link I provided has way more information. That's a really good site about all things Elder Scrolls, by the way. Bookmark it if you're a fan.

I like to picture them as the "Americans" of Cyrodil.

They are diplomatic jack of all trades who can do just about anything they put their mind to. They are liked by just about everyone except Daedra....and Ashlanders.. :tops:

Their skill bonuses are suitable for knights and lorewise they invented battle mages. The Imperials from western Cyrodiil (Colovians) are hardy and often capable warriors while the ones from eastern Cyrodiil (Nibeneans) are cosmopolitan traders and were in ancient times ruled by an aristocracy of mages.

Thanks for the site, Holy Assassin! :biggrin:

I also appreciate the other descriptions. Helped me in my overall knowledge. :cookie:

I'm pretty sure the Imperials are based of the old Roman Empire, and many outside America don't see americans as diplomatic, but rather war-hungry with an belief that they can police the world. Not trying to flame, just putting that out there.
Edit: grammar

Soooo Orcs :tongue:

Ugh, I hate Imperials. So stuck up and elitist. They're like the Altmer in a way: they always seemed kind of elitist. Not to the same extent as the Altmer, admittedly, but to me they always seemed really cocky.

Imperials are, to me, a combination of the Romans and ancient Greeks. Colovia is the "roman-esque" part of Cyrodiil, while Nibenay was the area Alessia revolt began, it was the home of the First Empire and the Alessia Doctrine. The Nibenese Imperials represent the Greeks during the Hellenistic period. The Hellenistic period ended when the Roman Republic conquered Greece or when the Ptolemaic Kingdom finally fell. The War of Righteousness and the Dragon Break led to downfall of the First Empire. Colovia resisted Nibenese rule and broke away during the War of Righteousness and was partly responsible for the fall of the First Empire.

From there on the Second and Third Cyrodiilic Empires have been forged by Colovian Dynasties. Reman I was the ruler of the Colovian Estates before founding the Second Empire and Tiber Septim served under King Cuhlecain, another King of the Colovian Estates. Before the formation of the Third Empire. The Colovian part of Cyrodiil eventually surpassed the Nibenese in terms of power, much like how the Romans surpassed the Greeks as the worlds ancient superpower.

This is my take at least.

i should have said in my opinion, sorry. I don't see my country the way you do it seems.

I'm not american if that is what you are stating, I'm just saying that the world doesn't see you the way you do it seems.
Edit: grammar

Spelling error if that's what mislead you. I'm saying that I do not see America as war hungry. I agree that we do try to police the world, but most of the time it's not us asking for help. That's where I got the Imperial feel to it. They sort of organized everything with the Empire and tried to maintain it, but it obviously failed. I respect your opinion in many ways, as the American government is not perfect.

Seems we agree on a few point at least, and I thank you for not flaming on my opinion.
However I see the Imperials like a fantasy version of the Romans and thair empire, but you are free to have your own opinion.