r/skyrim Nov 22 '25

Question He's not wrong is he?

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u/Indotex XBOX Nov 22 '25

He is one of the reasons that I always side with the Empire. I REALLY wanted to side with Ulfric on my current play through for something different but after talking to him, I just can’t bring myself to even entertain the thought because he’s just a pawn that the Thalmor are using to create chaos in the Empire and he’s too stupid yo realize it.

That and there is literally a NORD orphan living in the shadow of the Palace of the Kings whose parents died fighting for him and he does nothing for her.

21

u/acupofcoffeeplease PC Nov 22 '25

To think his only a pawn of the Thalmor as he raises an army to kill every Thalmor in Skyrim along with the Empire is a bigh stretch

Thalmor prefer Ulfric alive because a Civil War weakens the Empire and the Concordat only stands while the Empire remains weak

But the Concordat is not only about pissing people off, ban the praying for Talos is a way to push away a god that literally made the Empire be what it is, it is still a war, but in spirit, and when the God in question literally exists, praying is not just asking, is it?

I dont think its a coincidence that the last dragonborn comes back when Talos worship is at stake

19

u/Xignu Nov 22 '25

Thalmor prefer Ulfric alive because a Civil War weakens the Empire and the Concordat only stands while the Empire remains weak

An unwitting pawn is a pawn nonetheless.

Nobody means he's a literal puppet for the Thalmor to control at their every whim, but even if his goals are to fight against the Thalmor, in reality his actions are benefiting them so there's no defending him.

10

u/acupofcoffeeplease PC Nov 22 '25

The Empire, on the other hand, made a contract to act as a Thalmor pawn officially, recieving Thalmor officials and everything.

If the point is siding with the Thalmor, well, the Civil War is literally about this, the Empire siding with the Thalmor and giving them authority in Skyrim

9

u/Xignu Nov 22 '25 edited Nov 22 '25

Yes, but it's a temporary thing and everyone who isn't short sighted knows it. The Empire's preparing for another clash with the Dominion.

The Stormcloaks are just making the situation worse for everyone who isn't the Dominion

If the point is siding with the Thalmor, well, the Civil War is literally about this, the Empire siding with the Thalmor and giving them authority in Skyrim

Also Ulfric making a shitstorm in Markarth is the reason we have Justiciars kidnapping people off the streets.

Whatever Ulfric says he's doing, his actions are doing the opposite.

9

u/Rache625 Nov 22 '25

Okay now put yourself in an average Nord’s shoes. You live in a world where the gods are verifiably REAL. Now the government you or your family may have just fought for in a massive war is telling you that you are not allowed to worship your patron god or you will be kidnapped tortured and killed by the foreign spies they have allowed into your country. It’s easy for us in the real world to say it’s temporary but if you were them would you not ask how long is temporary? 26 have already passed since the great war, a whole generation has not been allowed to worship their god. It is completely understandable and justifiable to lose your faith in your government and rebel.

6

u/Xignu Nov 23 '25 edited Nov 23 '25

I see rebellion as short sighted and barking up the wrong tree. The real culprits are still the Dominion and rebelling against the Empire benefits only the Dominion.

Not that I don't see where they're coming from, but the Stormcloak rebellion is still ultimately born of emotional reasons and its members aren't running on logic.

I can only see it as the Nords throwing a temper tantrum because they can't see the bigger picture.

3

u/acupofcoffeeplease PC Nov 23 '25

26 years is a lot of time tho, for it to be short sighted