DrunkenMage
Intoxicated Arch-Mage
I don't think the Nord from Markarth was openly worshiping Talos. He didn't have an amulet of Talos around his neck. He kept it inside of his own home yet the Talmor was pursuing him.
Yet they can't touch him, they can't enter his home. The head of the Thalmor Justiciars in all of Skyrim, has to ask the player for help.
Can you prove to me that this is a fact and not an opinion?
I seriously doubt that.
It is logical, gathered from dialogue of Rikke who mentions the Thalmor are doing an Inquisition while the war is raging, making matters worse. Also in the Thalmor Dossier 'Indirect Stormcloak aid' and when listening to Stormcloak soldiers they talk about someone was grabbed by the Thalmor, wasn't long before they found themselves under Stormcloaks banner.
Explain to me why it would overall harm their position in Skyrim if the Imperial legion won the war by defeating a bunch former legionnaires who gone rogue? What is stopping Ulfric from using the Greybeard training to benefit his army? To teach the Thu'um to his army? Granted it takes many years to accomplish this, but still that's a great improvement for his military.
He won't. He respects the Greybeards teaching, and tries to not use the Thu'um. He mentions a lot of their training stuck, even though he knows his old Master wouldn't agree to his use of the voice.
I don't see a problem with giving Jarls armies. Why is that such a bad thing? Upon Ulfrics death will be a successor to carry on his life long work to keep Skyrim to their old Nordic traditions. If for any reason Ulfric doesn't bare children the responsibilities will most likely be carried on to his next high general to become the new King once the moot declares it of course.
Nine armies. Under Jarls who all see the cause differently, and who either believe Ulfric is selfish and power hungry or believe he's like the second coming of Talos.
The moot never agrees.
Hammwerfell is most likely going to side with Ulfric rather than the Imperial milk drinkers who surrenders so easily.
Why would Hammerfell side with Skyrim? To what seems to be suggested the war is very close. Ulfric will most likely be rebuilding for the rest of his life. The Stormcloaks also seek to lead Tamriel.
Nords leading Redguards? Not even Tiber Septim was able to do that, he had to form a treaty after rebellion. Where the Redguards felt they're part of the Empire, but not a subject.
And what makes you think the Imperial Legion is ready to continue with the great war? 500 nords manage to fought and won the war against the snow elves, and Skyrim became the homeland of the Nords. What makes you think history will repeat itself? The Stormcloaks are already getting a lot of support, and Legate rikke can acknowledge it.
Because nearly the entire Imperial army is sitting on the Dominion's door step waiting for the order. Alright let me tell you about these 500 Nords.
1) They had the best enchantments known to men and mer of the Era.
2) They also had Mages
3) It took a lot more than '500' but in fact it wasn't until the 13th generation of Ysgramor. That they finally won the 'war'.
And you're sadly underestimating Nords.
Fourth Era Nords, most definitely. Stormcloaks have no Battlemages.
Ulfric has no other choice but to fight for the thorne. He was obligated to do it for the love of his homeland. The Empire king wasn't doing a damn thing to what was going on in Skyrim. He was weak and couldn't even defend himself... how on earth can he defend all of Skyrim when he couldn't defend himself in battle?
Torygg could defend himself, he had some martial training. Ulfric was a trained Legionary and he actually used the Thu'um to shout Torygg down, and kill him.
How can a King defend all of Skyrim when he couldn't defend himself in battle? Warriors don't often make good Kings. Majority of the Kings of old, died shortly in their reigns.
He started a war because he had to. The Thalmor put essentially put on a shock collar over the Empires neck, and as a result all of the provinces under the Empires rulings also had to suffer from the treaty that the Emperor had signed.
And yet, the treaty has been in place for twenty six years. How come all this 'suffering' is in Skyrim and only when Ulfric and his Stormcloaks started their uprising? The Thalmor are using the Stormcloaks to weaken the Empire and Skyrim.
If you want a little history lesson. The Thalmor hate the Empire, they hate everything it stands for. They want to destroy the Empire. But they won't stop there. They'll come for Skyrim and High Rock.
If Cyrodiil falls, majority of Tamriel will also. Chances are TES VI will have the Thalmor as the rulers of Tamriel.