Skyrim Civil War: Imperials or Stormcloaks

[Spotty]

If you've ever played Skyrim then you've woken up bound in the back of an Imperial cart on the way to the executioners block alongside Stormcloak soldiers. You're thrust in to the middle of a civil war waging in Skyrim between the Empire and the Stormcloak rebellion.

 

There is a Civil War waging in Skyrim between the Imperials and the Stormcloaks. Skyrim was a Nordic region of Tamriel under the control of the Empire. The Empire lost a war against the Thalmor (Elves) and as part of their surrender the Empire had to agree to Thalmor demands, the White-Gold Concordat. This lead to the ban of worship of Talos, the God that the Nords worship. This lead to a lot of resentment towards the Empire from the Nords who wanted Skyrim to be free from the Empire's control and free from the restrictions imposed by their surrender to the Thalmor.
The Hing King of Skyrim, appointed by the Empire to oversee Skyrim, was challenged in combat for position by Ulfric, Jarl of Windhelm and leader of the Stormcloak Rebellion. Ulfric killed the High King in combat by using shouts and was branded a murderer by the Empire. The rebels consider Ulfric the winner of a duel and rightful king.

These events are what lead to the civil war.

 

Imperials

The Imperials want to squash the Stormcloak rebellion so that they can maintain control over Skyrim and restore peace and order to the land. Though the Empire themselves are under the boot of the Thalmor, who are kinda dicks.

Quote

The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire, Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs. Though most do not approve of the White-Gold Concordat, they nevertheless allow Thalmor Justiciars to enforce the ban in order to preserve the peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. If any legionaries are believers of Talos, such as Legate Rikke who is implied to be a believer, they keep their religion to themselves and pray to Talos discreetly and out of earshot.

Though the Empire has appeased the Aldmeri Dominion's demands, the Imperial Legions in Skyrim claim that the Empire has little love for the Dominion. 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. Some accuse Ulfric Stormcloak of orchestrating the Stormcloaks' rebellion as a selfish ploy to set himself up as Skyrim's next High King. The Imperial Legion believes that they can only restore peace to Skyrim and the Empire by killing Ulfric and quelling his rebellion.

_{https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Imperial_Legion_(Skyrim)}

Stormcloaks

The Stormcloak rebellion wish to fight for the freedom of their country and expel the Empire and Thalmor (and basically all non-Nords) from the region. Stormcloak supporters will often be heard saying "Skyrim belongs to the Nords" and harassing people of other races and species.

Quote

The Stormcloaks believe Skyrim should secede from what they feel is a corrupt crumbling Empire. This stance came about due to the aftermath of the Great War and the imposition of the White-Gold Concordat by the Aldmeri Dominion. The Stormcloaks consider the Empire as just a puppet of the Thalmor because the Empire surrendered during the Great War and accepted the Dominion's terms of surrender. These terms ban the worship of Talos, which most Nords do not support. Many are outraged at this Talos ban and point out the Markarth Incident, as an example of the Empire publicly supporting the Dominion's oppressive influence over Skyrim. Furthermore, their opinion of the Empire is exacerbated with the arrival of the Thalmor Justiciars, who have been granted the authority by the Empire to enforce the White-Gold Concordat within Skyrim.

The Stormcloaks believe they should not have to divert Skyrim's resources to rebuild a diminished Empire too weak to provide the functions of a just government and is under the Thalmor's thumb. Some think that the Empire is maintaining power in Skyrim by propping up loyalist Jarls. Many Stormcloaks have also begun to resent the imposition of what they believe are, Imperial-sanctioned High Kings, who can only act as figurehead puppets and not kings of merit. With so many grievances, the Stormcloaks have concluded that political independence is what's best for Skyrim, since it frees them from the Empire's detrimental policies and allows the natives of Skyrim to determine the fate of their homeland. Though there is much uncertainty that goes hand in hand with their revolutionary aspirations, the Stormcloaks believe that they will remedy Skyrim's wretched state and preserve their Nordic way of life.

_{https://elderscrolls.fandom.com/wiki/Stormcloaks}

Peace Treaty
As you progress through the main story line you are required to use the hold of Whiterun to help capture a dragon, however the Jarl of Whiterun won't allow it as the hold is under threat of attack due to the ongoing Civil War. To proceed through the main story you must organise a meeting between the two factions and negotiate for peace. During the peace negotiations you can trade holds between the two factions in order to strike a deal between the two factions.


Do you choose the Stormcloaks and fight to free Skyrim from the Empire's control or do you fight for the Empire to squash the rebellion? Or do you take the diplomatic route and negotiate peace between the two factions?

Which option do you choose and why? Does it change depending on the character or race/species you are playing?

[NineEyeRon]

Woah spoilers!

 

Im still levelling up to go get the elder scroll for the greybeards 

[jones177]

I made a choice on my first play through and did not like it.  later did the peace treaty and thought it was worce.

 

Then one of the NPCs in Skyrim said "with all the soldiers fighting in the war who will take care of the bandits". That's me.

 

In my game I don't take sides and the war is only a backdrop. My character's job is to fight bandits, Necromancers, Vampires and Draugr. I use over 250 mods to do this in LE and about 240 in SE. 

 

The most fun is the Draugr battles since some dungeons hold over 700 of them(Wyrmstooth).  

 

This works for me since I have over 10,000 hours in Skyrim. A home away from home.

 

 

 

[Spotty]

3 hours ago, Benji said:

The only thing that I really dislike about entering the Imperials is that this horrendous, puffed-up, megalomaniac b***h Maven Black-Briar gets to be the Jarl of Riften when you fight for the Imperials.

That wouldn't really bother me. I don't even know who the current jarl is. After finishing the thieves guild quest line I rarely find a reason to visit Riften. 

[Spotty]

2 minutes ago, Benji said:

@Spotty I typically visis cities to unload unwanted expensive gear when I am already progressed really far.

It is either Jarl Laila Law-Giver (Stormcloak-affiliated, starts off in the game as Jarl and stays Jarl when the Stormcloaks win) or Maven Black-Briar (when you fight for the Imperials).

Once leveled enemies start dropping ebony gear that's when you start to feel the pinch of the limited funds of traders. If you've progressed through the thieves guild the fences will have 4000 gold to trade with which I've found to be rather helpful for unloading loot, plus they buy all types of items and accept stolen goods.

Money becomes rather worthless once you're a high level. I still can't stop myself from checking every slain enemy for those 4 septims though.

 

5 hours ago, jones177 said:

I use over 250 mods to do this in LE and about 240 in SE. 

I only have about 25 mods installed. Any mod recommendations for the original base Skyrim game (don't have dawnguard or hearthstone)

[Spotty]

1 minute ago, Benji said:

What is really "annoying" is the Crown of Barenziah and the Prowler's Profit that comes from it. You find the most expensive gems EVERYWHERE and you'll never get rid off'em.

"Oh, an unusual gem. I'm going to do it this play through. This time I'll collect them all. I'm here now so I'll grab it while I can to start the quest"

*60 hours later*

Stones of Barenziah: 17/24

"Bugger this stupid quest with its stupid quest items I can't remove from my stupid inventory. Stupid gems for a stupid crown that you don't even get anything cool from completing! Never doing this quest again!!"

 

Every damn time.

 

To get back on to the civil war, if you normally pick the imperials would you change if you've already progressed through the dark brotherhood and killed the Emperor?

[Worstcaster]

I'd like to see the ending at 02:30 into this video (the rest before it is funny too though).

 

 

[jones177]

2 hours ago, Spotty said:

I only have about 25 mods installed. Any mod recommendations for the original base Skyrim game (don't have dawnguard or hearthstone)

I will do a list.

 

My game will only run for about 15 seconds without certain patches and external programs.

 

SKSE http://skse.silverlock.org/

This has Sheson's memory patch

It prevents crashes that occur when the first allocated chunk runs out and Skyrim allocates a second chunk.

It takes 15 seconds for my game to use the first chunk. 

 

ENBoost https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/38649

This is if you don't use ENB.

ENB has an executable that handles vram. Without it the game will crash when swapping out vram.

 

 

If you want dawnguard or hearthstone you need to get "The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Legendary Edition - PC (Imported Version) " on DVD.

The game is not on disk but will install from Steam. The only way I know to get them now.

[jones177]

21 hours ago, Spotty said:

I only have about 25 mods installed. Any mod recommendations for the original base Skyrim game (don't have dawnguard or hearthstone)

I have left out Body mods, Race mods, Custom Armor mods and Follower mods since they are mainly a personal preference.

 

Skyrim Mods
-----------------------------------------------------
Gameplay Effects and Changes:

 

Cutting Room Floor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/47327

Realistic Ragdolls and Force https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/601

Alternate Start - Live Another Life https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/9557

Death Alternative - Your Money or Your Life https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/45894

Immediate Dragons https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/9621

Run For Your Lives https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23906

Multiple Floors Sandboxing https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/57376

Skyrim -Community- Uncapper https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1175

High Level Enemies https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/27866

--------------------------------------------------------------
Eat, Sleep, Drink:

Pick one.

iNeed - Food Water and Sleep https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/51473

Total Realism - Basic Needs https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/10843/?tab=description

-------------------------------------------------------
Patches:

 

CTD and Memory patch ENBoost https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/38649

Unofficial Skyrim Legendary Edition Patch https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/71214

ShowRaceMenu Precache Killer https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/33526

HDT Physics Extensions https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/53996

SSME - Skyrim Startup Memory Editor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/50305
For referance only. Use SKSE

Safety Load https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/46465

Dragon Stalking Fix https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/54274

Mfg Console https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/44596
---------------------------------------------------------
Interface:

 

SkyUI https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3863

Better Dialogue Controls https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/27371
----------------------------------------------------------
Utilities:

 

Memory Blocks Log https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/50471

Wrye Bash https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1840

----------------------------------------------------------
Immersion:

 

Wet and Cold https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/27563

Frostfall - Hypothermia Camping Survival https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/11163

Player Headtracking https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23600

Relationship Dialogue Overhaul - RDO https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/74568

Immersive Citizens - AI Overhaul https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/65013

Immersive Patrols https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12977

Follower Commentary Overhaul - FCO https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/52019

Craftable and Placeable Havok-enabled Bedrolls https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19943

Guard Dialogue Overhaul https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23390

Immersive Wenches https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/51189
Hateful Wenches https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/68090
Deadly Wenches https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/60625
Forgotten Wenches https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/72104
Judgment Wenches https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/76289

----------------------------------------------------------
Weather:

Vivid Weathers https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/73937

----------------------------------------------------------
Models and Textures:

 

aMidianBorn Book of Silence https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24909

aMidianBorn wolf armor and skyforge weapons https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/34147
aMidianBorn Elven Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/23125
aMidianBorn Steel Plate Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/20792
aMidianBorn Leather Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/22065
aMidianBorn Dwarven Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24398
aMidianBorn Blades Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/41731
aMidianBorn Steel Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/18272
aMidianBorn Ebonymail https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/37422
aMidianBorn Orcish Armor https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/29831

 

aMidianBorn Landscape https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/37865

 

Static Mesh Improvement Mod - SMIM https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/8655
This is a big performance hit.
----------------------------------------------------------
Dungeons:

 

Forgotten Dungeons https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/57979
-------------------------------------------------------------
For Followers:

 

UFO - Ultimate Follower Overhaul https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/14037

My Home Is Your Home - a mod for followers https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/18045

Follower Goes on a Trip https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/52235

---------------------------------------------------------------
Body, Face, and Hair:

 

Enhanced Character Edit https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12951

ApachiiSkyHair https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/10168

The Eyes Of Beauty https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13722

----------------------------------------
NPC:

 

Travellers of Skyrim - Travelers https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/15501

NPCs Protected Redux https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/53602

Populated Dungeons Caves Ruins Legendary https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/73143
Populated Forts Towers Places Legendary Edition https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/73146

Interesting NPCs https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/8429

OBIS - Organized Bandits In Skyrim https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/31264

--------------------------------------------------------------
Animation:

 

360 Walk and Run Plus https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/34508

------------------------------------------------------------------
Modders Resources and Tutorials:

 

RaceCompatibility for Skyrim and Dawnguard https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24168
(has vanila version)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Creatures:

 

SkyTEST - Realistic Animals and Predators https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/10175

Skyrim Immersive Creatures https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/24913

Birds of Skyrim https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/17723

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overhauls:

 

JK's Skyrim https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/61035
Use remote towns only if you are having performance issues.

Ordinator - Perks of Skyrim https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/68425

Deadly Dragons https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3829

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quests and Adventures:

 

The Notice Board https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/70142

Helgen Reborn https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/35841

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental:

 

Stable uGridsToLoad https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/41592

TreesHD_Skyrim_Variation https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/3812

Pure Waters https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1111

The Skyrim Distance Overhaul LOD Improvement https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/19446

Remove Underwater Grass and other stuff too - A Performance Mod https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/55240

Skyrim Performance PLUS https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/6387

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weapons and Armour:

 

Real Bows https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/64440

JaySuS Swords https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/1002

Lost LongSwords https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/26261

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Player homes:

 

Elysium Estate https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/33939

Mammoth Manor   https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/52460

Riverside Lodge https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/14308

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magic - Spells & Enchantments:

 

Face Light https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13457

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Lands:

 

Falskaar https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/37994

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clothing:

 

Winter Is Coming - Cloaks https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/13486

Cloaks of Skyrim https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/12092

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Buildings:

 

Civil War Repairs https://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/18526