I'm sure this has already been discussed in other threads, but I think it deserves a thread of it's own. In the recent AMA on reddit, MK stated that, "The Thalmor is easily the most dangerous organization in the Aurbis... And they're going to win in the end." What could this possibly mean? Personally, I hope that all it means is that the Thalmor will succeed in accomplishing something close to what the Dwemer did when Kagrenac tapped into the Heart of Lorkhan, and that they will disappear from Nirn, and in that way, "win." However, something tells me it won't be that easy. Could it be that the Thalmor will succeed in destroying the towers, killing off Talos worship (and in the process, Talos himself), and blotting out the very idea of man? What do you guys think?

Here's a link to the aftermath of MK's AMA: http://www.reddit.com/r/teslore/comments/1pv78e/ask_michael_kirkbride_anything_the_aftermath/

I would take that with a pinch of salt, doesnt mean that it'll happen. as for the thalmor being dangerous, yeah they are and im confident that they will have more bigger roles in future TES games. but the word winning have many meanings. and he might be saying it just to get the fans to think about it.

I completely agree, which is what the point of this thread is, so we can think about it together

I don't think the Thalmor will win, but I'll play along in a somewhat serious but not serious manner.

I think maybe MK is stating that the Thalmor are going to cause the end of the current (and if judging by the games, the final) Kalpa. But how, you ask? Well, here's two theories of mine that might make since.

1. The Thalmor Successfully Deactivate All of the Towers: The Thalmor succeed in metaphorically deactivating the remaining Towers. Green-Sap, the walking Tree tower of Valenwood, gets it's stone removed and is burned down (much to the anger of the Bosmer). The Khajiit are forcibly removed from the Lunar Lattice, and the Avatar of Akatosh statue is destroyed in the Imperial City. And the Direnni Tower will be stormed by Aldmeri troops. If there's a Tower in Black Marsh, then it will also be destroyed. The destabilization of the Towers will cause the Aurbis to unmake itself, and all of the races will be erased from the Dreamsleeve in the Thalmor's arrogance. The dream ends.
2. The Thalmor Successfully Activate The Remaining Towers: Basically the opposite of the above. Green-Sap begins walking again. Walk-Brass starts breaking time like it's no tomorrow. White-Gold begins using it's power over Creatia. Oh, and the Khajiit are going to merge into a giant cat god thing. All of this bizarre weirdness is going to result in the Thalmor attaining the knowledge over the Godhead, and decreate Talos and the races of men. The Hist use their awesomeness to escape from the Thalmor by transforming the Argonian race into a giant snake/tower/space shuttle/god/missle and flee from Anu's dream. Anu wakes up, dream ends.

And I'm done. Decipher that, [censored]as. (No disrespect intended)

Speculation:

The AD seeks to destroy the mortal realm so they may re-join their ancestor immortal spirits. In the Provisional House of failure (Sermon 19), Vivec sees the rise of Talos. It is cornerstone 4 that stands out to me. Nine bones removed from a black cat - some are superstitious of crossing the path of a black cat and going beyond. When a man or mer dies, their spirit goes to their aligned AE (remnants of their self-expression). The nine divines (bones) protect us from the hideous, frightening, but necessary points of origin. Each of the nine spirits become more aware, as more knowledge is gained from the mortal ascension (each of the 9 have a link to the centerex "I"). Awareness lends to understanding, which contributes to taking a step closer to oneness (sort of like Haskill's phrase "That which is lost can be found again"). Humans and mer alike give tribute to this. Perhaps the Thalmor will get what they want - but not from their removal of man. Perhaps man, through this concept (along with the mer), will give the AD that which they have sought through the ages.

/speculation

Quick, stupid speculation: Landfall is the Thalmor succeeding and unmaking everything. Everyone else escapes by jumping into the New Man's dream.

Nothing stupid about it. It definitely makes one think!

Your comment certainly isn't stupid, it makes sense and further adds to the overall Landfall speculation which with Kirkbride's latest comment makes me wonder if the Thalmor 'succeeding' and Landfall are connected significantly.