Skyrim what do the imperials fight for

As I understand it, there are three such choices in the game: at the beginning of the Dark Brotherhood questline, during the Dawnguard questline, and before the Civil War questline. Yet each of these factions have two sides that you can choose between if you choose to engage with them, and it would seem that none is more contentious in the community than the Civil War questline. There are many reasons to fight for either side.

Others, like the author of the following Skyrim Confession, has a very subjective reason for choosing to fight for the Stormcloaks. When I started my first playthrough of the game, I was convinced that I was going to fight for the Stormcloaks, for one reason and one reason only: viva la revolution!

I ended up not doing the Civil War questline at all in that playthrough, but over the course of that playthrough I changed my mind, and in my second playthrough I fought for the Imperials.

I do, admittedly, have subjective reasons to fight for the Imperials. What first turned my opinion against the Stormcloaks was the first time I met Elisif, who captured my heart immediately. Her grief ran so true, and made me began to question Ulfric and his motivations. My desire to fight for the Stormcloaks dropped even further when I found out that, if Ulfric wins the civil war, Jarl Balgruuf is no longer the Jarl of Whiterun.

I truly believe that Balgruuf is one of the best Jarls in the game, because he really seems to give a shit about his people. So with the superficial reasons out of the way, I will venture into the lore-based reasons.

As the Senile Scribbles put it, the only true ideological differences which will make a difference to the day-to-day lives of the citizens of Skyrim between the two sides of the Civil War are that Stormcloaks are for religious freedom but not racial equality, the Imperials are for racial equality but not religious freedom, and both support same-sex marriage.

I would argue, however, that the reality is more complicated. If you fight for the Imperials, you are not fighting against religious freedom; on the other hand, if you fight for the Stormcloaks, you are fighting against racial equality. I do not dispute that. Yet what the White-Gold Concordat dictated and the reality of its enforcement are different things. Characters such as Ulfric, Balgruuf and Maven Black Briar, many of which players may have strong opinions on, can either rise to or fall from power as a result of the civil war's conclusion.

Fans may want to consider who they want to see on the throne and how it could impact Skyrim's future when picking a side. Even more significant than this is the long-term effects of Skyrim 's civil war. In the event of a Stormcloak victory, Skyrim more than likely becomes independent, freeing itself from the influence of the Empire and the Thalmor.

This has the potential of bringing an all-out war to Skyrim, as the Thalmor and their allies within the Empire may try to bring the province back under their command. While victory for the Imperials is likely to bring more peace and stability to the land, Skyrim would remain under the influence of the corrupt Thalmor.

The Imperial Legion is looking to keep Skyrim within the fold of the Empire of Cyrodiil, while the rebellious Stormcloaks are seeking national autonomy and liberation from laws restricting religious worship.

Shortly after the beginning of the game, the player has the option of choosing either side, joining the Imperial Legion leading to crushing the Stormcloak rebellion and solidifying Skyrim as a subordinate province in the Empire. The Skyrim Civil War is largely a consequence of the Great War which took place prior to the events of the game. This is a particular point of motivation for Ulfric Stormcloack, leader of the rebellion and hopeful High King of Skyrim, though many other figures sympathetic to his cause are primarily interested in Skyrim simply becoming an independent nation.

In order to join the Imperial Legion, players have to travel to Solitude in order to seek out General Tullius, leader of the Empire's forces in Skyrim. The Dragonborn has the option of joining the Imperial Legion after Alduin 's assault on Helgen , regardless of whom the Dragonborn followed— Ralof or Hadvar.

The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire, Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs. Most Imperial supporters believe that Skyrim and the Empire must remain united in order to fend off the Aldmeri Dominion if a second war with them erupts.

The Imperial Legion believes that they can only restore peace to Skyrim and the Empire by killing Ulfric and quelling his rebellion. Once the strongest fighting forces in Tamriel , the Imperial Legion has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self by the time of the events of Skyrim. With the near annihilation of the Blades and the emergence of the Aldmeri Dominion as a military power, many view the Legion as corrupt and decaying.

The Dragonborn may join and fight to keep Skyrim in the Empire. The Stormcloaks are at odds with the Imperial Legion, as self-proclaimed liberators of the Nordic people. Because of this, the Legion is also at odds with the influential Gray-Mane family, an old and renowned Whiterun clan, whose views oppose those of the Empire of Tamriel. However, they have the support of the influential Battle-Born clan, also in Whiterun.

This has led to tensions between the clans in neutral Whiterun. Hadvar suggests that the Dragonborn join the Legion at the end of Unbound if he is followed during the escape from Helgen. To join the Imperial Legion, the Dragonborn must travel to Solitude and find General Tullius in Castle Dour , which is found by following the path up the ramps.

Castle Dour will be to the left, guarded by Imperial soldiers. Tullius will say to speak with Legate Rikke.