LegateFasendil
Imperial Legate
Yes they will defend Cyrodill first, and Ulfric wants to defend Skyrim first.. Why is what's okay for the Empire not okay for Skyrim? I am very, very confident that more of Skyrim is against the Empire than for it, Falkreath's Jarl was replaced by a corupt Imperial Jarl, Markarth is owned by Stormcloak supporters, Whiterun is on the fence until Tullius sends false reports, and Morthal doesn't give a damn lol.. Solitude is perhaps the only staunch supporter of the Empire, and even they have citizens that don't like you, hell your armor maker isn't even an Empire supporter lol. Valenwood is now Dominion territory BECAUSE of the Empires ignorance leading up to the great war, which has lead to, like I said before, an ethnic cleansing.. The Thalmor don't want to rule Tamriel, they're attempting to re-attain their supposed Divine status, by cutting off Talos/Lorkhan's hold on Mundus, to do this they need to abolish all Talos/Lorkhan worship so he ceases to exist as a God thus destroying Nirn completely. You're obviously very confused as to what their end game is...Yes and what did the Imperials sacrifice? The Empire has a history of treating provinces as expendable, Morrowind, Hammerfell, Valenwood(Currently going through a phase of ethnic cleansing, where's the Empire to help them?) and now Skyrim.. This strange concept that the Empire is the only thing capable of stopping the Thalmor and Skyrim is doomed without it, is quite frankly ridiculous. Ulfric's support is mostly from the way the Empire is treating Skyrim, not from the Talos ban(Well, they're sort of two in the same). Manipulating it's own citizens then arresting/sentencing them to death is what's caused the uprising, Imperials seem to forget it was the PEOPLE who sat Ulfric on the throne and cried out for justice/war, he didn't plonk him self on the throne and demand it from them.
The Imperials too sacrificed their right to worship Talos. I'm pretty sure the Thalmor are enforcing the ban in Cyrodiil as well. The Empire's "headquarters" is in Cyrodiil, so they'll defend Cyrodiil first of course? Besides, it wouldn't have changed the outcome in Oblivion if it hadn't been for Martin Septim - an IMPERIAL. Without his sacrifice Tamriel would have been overrun and conquered by Daedra. And, Valenwood? Seriously? Valenwood is Dominion territory. If even a single soldier stepped foot over the border he would be 1.) killed on the spot and 2.) the war would be back on. Remember that Valenwood is not an Imperial province anymore, and neither are Elsweyr/Anequina & Pelletine and the Summerset Isles/Alinor.
Ulfric was never supported by the people (even in Stormcloak territory there are plenty of NPCs who just want peace judging from their dialogue), just his personal army and a few idiots who couldn't keep their mouth shut. Well done, now there's an increased Thalmor presence and there you go, they are driving more members for your little club into Ulfric's arms.
Since it's pretty well known that the Thalmor want to rule Tamriel, and need to defeat the other provinces to achieve that goal, have you ever thought why they are doing their inquisitions? And why many Stormcloaks have a family member "gone missing"? Do you really think the Thalmor would give a damn about what necklaces people are wearing on the other side of the continent if it wouldn't serve them somehow?
WTF is this dude?
Facts man, facts. How is the Emperor ignorant? He pushed the Thalmor out of Cyrodil and personally led the charge to take back IC. If he's so ignorant than why is the Thalmor not ruling in Cyrodil? besides Thalmor are all cloak and dagger and pl***, there's no defense that can keep them out forever. Fool me once your fault, fool me twice mine sucker. ... And Empire is on the border waiting for them. Where the border is... with CYRODIL. It ain't Skyrim it's C.Y.R.O.D.I.L.
So what is you talking about playa?