The Empire needs to build its strength before the Dominion can (biology is on their side since elves reproduce slower), and the Civil War drains time, resources and blood. If The entire Empire could only just survive the Great War (and while the concordat is unpalatable for all, it did allow them to fight another day). The Stormcloak rebellion helps no one but the Thalmor.Ĭontrary to popular Stormcloak belief, the Empire is not under the control, or even allied to the Aldmeri Dominion, it represents mankinds only chance of being strong enough to defeat the elves. Ulfric is essentially a Hitler figure- a charismatic ruler with a military background riding a wave of nationalism for his own personal power. I went Imperial because while there's some real issues there (yeah that execution was not on.) I find the Stormcloaks shortsighted and unpleasant. That wasn't Rikke, she wasn't at Helgen, that was some nameless 'Imperial Captain' (whom you kill if you follow Ralof). Legate Rikke deserved the knife she got in her gullet later for so casually condemning me to the block.
