Lewsean
Member
I believe he rejected it because the only reason he would send an axe to Ulfric is if he sided with the Empire, like if he was a Stormcloak sympathizer he wouldn't need to give Ulfric the ultimatum because he'd be on his side, thus he'd have the strategic centre of Whiterun, which is the end goal in this. Yes it may have been considered by Jarl Bulgruuf, but what I'm saying is the sending of the axe doesn't mean a 1v1 fight and wasn't considered between the both of them because the only time you hear anything about challenging in the old way is a line or two of dialogue prior to them accepting Ulfric sending the Stormcloaks. Yes I accept Balgruuf would've fought 1v1, but I'm defending the initial statement that the axe is ONLY an offer to duel and that Ulfric was a coward for sending his soldiers instead.Torygg was the High King of Skyrim, Ulfric's challenge was to either face him in a duel or a new Moot will be called. That is nothing like the axe, and Torygg's challenge could only be issued to a High King.
The face to face wouldn't happen, because Ulfric wanted to test his army in battle. It is painfully obvious, the duel was the very first thing considered.
Of course what happens next is down to the Jarls, which is why Ulfric sends his soldiers instead.
If accepting the axe means they're friends, why does Ulfric reject Balgruuf's axe? Didn't he apparently want to be friends with Whiterun?
Edit: You're not wrong, there is just more to it. The duel considered is indeed part of it.
I would say the lesson to take home here is the axe was a ploy either way, Jarl B would have accepted and intended a duel with Ulfric according to the old ways, although Ulfric had other plans. Still doesn't change the fact that Ulfric was given the axe -meant for him alone- and instead sent someone else to answer a personal challenge.
Compromising on these things is fine, however there are some things you don't compromise on. I remember back in the day, when I first joined the Empire, the Stormcloaks never compromised with use on -anything-. Like Ulfric said in that video, "And don't ever question Me or Galmar".
Well, I think this about does it for me and I'm glad to see how well the Empire has pulled together on here. I am, perhaps a little disappointed about one or two items, however the cause comes first and I'm proud to have been a part of it. Still, I've always believed in change for the Empire as well as it's survival, I've never been an Imperial apologist by any means, or a fan of the Mede Dynasty.
Hopefully, TES VI will be worth all the time and effort we've all put into this. Have fun everyone!
Jarl Bulgruuf sends you to answer Ulfric's challenge too. They are the ranking officers, you don't question orders. I also really, really hope that all this discussion over the years actually means something for the next installment, would be a shame for all this brain power and such to have gone to waste!