Why might a Nord choose the Legion over the Stormcloaks?

Politics.

Not everyone agrees with Ulfric and his view of the world.

I wonder how this will turn out.

As CCNA said, not everyone sees the way Ulfric does. And there's nothing wrong with that.

brainwashed by the empire and it's Thalmor masters.


Because he/she doesn't agree with Ulfric
Because he/she thinks Ulfric just wants to be king
Because his/her family has always been loyal to the empire and nothing will change that
and many more reasons.

My character's younger brother had always wanted to join the Legion from when he was a child, and he died in an accident that my character believes he caused, so he joined the Legion in honour of his brother.

The legion has always offered a good career for Orcs. Orcs in turn make good professional soldiers. Follow orders, do your duty, shed some enemy blood; it doesn't get any better than that.

He's talking about his Nord though.

Really, there's nothing more to say here, unless the goal is to be inflammatory.


Question: "Why might a someone choose cake over pie?"

Reasonable answer: "They prefer it."

Typical gamesas Forums answer: "They are a mindless twit."

Well maybe that's your opinion, and you have the right to your opinion, and if that is what you believe, then you don't need to say anything.

Thanks.

Wow.

I blame the drugs.

As for Nords joining the Legion...

Ulfric's 'agree with me in all ways or I'll kill you if I come to power' stance is not universally endearing.

A united Empire may well be the only way out from under the elven heel.

Personal loyalty to one of the Jarls that isn't siding with Ulfric.

Belief that using the voice in a duel was dishonorable.

Lost a family member when Ulfric 'solidified his support' in Markarth.

Hates the Silverbloods and considers Ulfric their lapdog, or vice versa.

Supports the other guy in Windhelm.

Has a hot Breton girlfriend and thinks Ulfric is a racist.

Has a hot Dunmer girlfriend and is sure Ulfric is a racist.

I think there are two perspectives that are important to differentiate between when talking about this: The meta-perspective that is in use when the sides are being discussed on the forums, and the in-world perspective of the character in question. It is unreasonable for any character to have nearly as good an overview as our meta-perspective.

From a meta-perspective, I don't see any reason for anyone to join the Emprie. There was one somewhat compelling reason, but then they added a certain questline in the game and I cannot for the life of me see how anyone can reconcile that with the Empire being the better option. But I'm not getting into that in any detail here.

The in-world perspective allows for decent enough reasons for a Nord to join the Empire. "Remaining united = for the best" is a very instinctive reaction for many people. Maybe this individual thinks that the Empire is still a good thing for Skyrim. Maybe there is a family tradition in joining the Legion. Maybe they believe that it is worth fighting for Talos' physical legacy. Maybe they believe that the Stormcloaks are making things worse by endangering the peace the Empire sacrificed so much for. Or any combination of these.

Another answer that applies to both questions is one goes better with milk

I still can't understand why anyone would join the Legion in Skyrim, they try to wrongly execute you so why would you swear your steel to them? It makes even less sense if you're a Nord, Ulfric is unworthy to serve but definitely the lesser evil for the land.

I agree, but it's not about what I think, it's my character's mind. Controversial characters are some of the most fun.

True, I try to think like my characters as well...maybe a supreme hatred for Ulfric or something similar would justify serving your executioner. The enemy of my enemy thing.

I use Live Another Life, so my characters don't have that execution business to hold a grudge over.

Can you give some info of your character. If it is your characters choice then we need to know what he thinks is good and bad about both sides and a bit about his past.

Interesting...for me this is the total reverse of my thinking. I pick out what I want a particular character to do, then come up with reasoning and background that fits.

Because Rikke is the most reasonable Nord in that whole thing.

Well, his brother had always wanted to join the Legion, and he is now deceased because of an accident my character blames himself for. So that's going to be his primary reason, and he also believes in order, which is all well and good to join. But he is young, and I'm not sure if his mind will change as he grows old. Maybe he will accept that accidents happen and he should receive no blame, or that order and power gets you nowhere.

So I'm seeing other reasons as to way they might serve.

Because my Nord isn't a racist fascist.

You're going to have to prove Ulfric is a racist fascist. There just isn't enough evidence to prove he is.

CCNA's right. My Nord joined because he disagreed with Ulfric, plain and simple. He merely thought Ulfric was too rash in his efforts and decided to either trust that the Empire can find some way to circumvent the Thalmor's decrees or wait until a better leader comes along.

No proof required. As long as the character involved believes it his joining the legion is a pretty natural outcome.

Except for the first, all reasonable points.

ha true, I would love to start out as someone other then a prisoner sometime but Xbox and all that console crap

So you serve the Legion who is there enforcing Aldmeri law alongside the Thalmor?

The Thalmor put a whole new meaning on the word "racist" and the Legion lets/helps it happen.