DrunkenMage
Intoxicated Arch-Mage
So you lot get all active without me? It's on *Cracks knuckles* lets go.
The Empire still remains, with or without Skyrim. The Empire was unwilling to abandon such a large number of those wishing to remain part of the Empire. They're doing their job in Skyrim, dealing with the rebellion.
If the Empire truly wanted, they could crush the rebellion in a heartbeat. But it all comes down to which resources are better used where, of course the Empire could send two Legions into Skyrim and destroy the rebellion. The problem is, war is looming just around the corner.
The Empire was never going to defeat the Thalmor in the first round, everything was stacked against the Empire. The Thalmor have been working to weaken the Empire for the last hundred and fifty years, and during that time of the Umbriel Crisis they lost entire Legions, thousands upon thousands of citizens. The Imperial City's walls themselves being attacked by undead.
The Empire was weakened greatly, while the Thalmor weren't touched. They continued, the Empire had to rebuild again after Umbriel Crisis which no doubt gave the Thalmor a head start.
The Empire managed to do the impossible, they put up one hell of a fight during the Great War. Completely stopping the Aldmeri advance in Hammerfell, and then pushing them back across Hammerfell with the soldiers left behind. They also managed to wipe out an entire Aldmeri main army.
For a greatly weakened Empire, unprepared for war. That speaks volumes of the Empire's knack for survival.
Cyrodiil is, and always will be the heart of the Empire. Skyrim is a far flung province of the Empire, one that was easily taken because the Nords are unable to work together for long periods of time.
Sure Ulfric may unite them for a time, but they'll merely go back to clan wars and Jarl petty infighting. It's their nature, conflict and violence.
The Empire could actually in fact be going into the next Great War, stronger than the last.
Allow me to explain, the Empire has had a five-six year head start over the Aldmeri Dominion. They have been preparing for twenty six years.
The last Great War, Titus Mede II inherited a weakened Empire. He was given the forces at his disposal by the Emperor he succeeded, for the last twenty six years. Titus II has been preparing his Empire for war, for round two in the ring. That is completely different to the last round, since the Empire wasn't preparing.
The difference now is, the Empire has spent majority of it's time preparing, and waiting. The death of Titus Mede II, invalidates the White-Gold Concordat. Him being the reigning Emperor when it was signed, means the White-Gold Concordat would need to be signed again. To keep it current, no doubt. Now we know, both sides are going to fight each other.
Skyrim most likely would miss out on the next war, Ulfric's rebellion will cause them to have to rebuild and restore their province. They have no proper Legions, so the reinforcements that they would send, are already in Cyrodiil.
The Empire doesn't exactly need Skyrim, since all it's forces are in Cyrodiil just about. The Empire is going to throw everything it has at the Aldmeri Dominion, and the Legions are scary when on the attack. They are adaptive, creative and deadly. Legions are going to hit them like a hammer, the Great War was destructive, but it gave the Empire something valuable. The Legion knows the Aldmeri fighting tactics and style.
The downfall of the Thalmor will be their arrogance, they underestimate the Empire. They talk tough, boasting, and easily dismissing their enemy. That is a great mistake, one should never underestimate their enemy. Especially an enemy that is fighting to survive, and fighting for revenge. It'll be a bloody war, but my money is on the Empire. The Empire knows the Thalmor threat, they don't dismiss that threat. Tullius even respects his enemy Elenwen.
Every single Legion, is willing to die for the Empire. Are the Aldmeri soldiers, willing to die for the Thalmor? Who treat them like dirt, conduct racial and religious purges.
"Ulfric founded the Stormcloaks years ago, as a sort of private army to advance his ambitions. He's always used the ban on the worship of Talos to stir people up against the Empire. He never succeeded in getting much support, so a few months ago he murdered the High King! That got the Empire's attention." - Hadvar
Few months prior.
Their survival brings life to one and death to another ~ but does not mean the Victor is right. Only that this faction is still alive when the smoke finally clears.
The Empire still remains, with or without Skyrim. The Empire was unwilling to abandon such a large number of those wishing to remain part of the Empire. They're doing their job in Skyrim, dealing with the rebellion.
If the Empire truly wanted, they could crush the rebellion in a heartbeat. But it all comes down to which resources are better used where, of course the Empire could send two Legions into Skyrim and destroy the rebellion. The problem is, war is looming just around the corner.
Yet they failed to defeat the Thalmor, that is fact, which is what got us into this situation.
The Empire was never going to defeat the Thalmor in the first round, everything was stacked against the Empire. The Thalmor have been working to weaken the Empire for the last hundred and fifty years, and during that time of the Umbriel Crisis they lost entire Legions, thousands upon thousands of citizens. The Imperial City's walls themselves being attacked by undead.
The Empire was weakened greatly, while the Thalmor weren't touched. They continued, the Empire had to rebuild again after Umbriel Crisis which no doubt gave the Thalmor a head start.
The Empire managed to do the impossible, they put up one hell of a fight during the Great War. Completely stopping the Aldmeri advance in Hammerfell, and then pushing them back across Hammerfell with the soldiers left behind. They also managed to wipe out an entire Aldmeri main army.
For a greatly weakened Empire, unprepared for war. That speaks volumes of the Empire's knack for survival.
Skyrim is the heart of this Empire. Which is fitting in that the fate of the Empire will be decided thusly.
Cyrodiil is, and always will be the heart of the Empire. Skyrim is a far flung province of the Empire, one that was easily taken because the Nords are unable to work together for long periods of time.
Sure Ulfric may unite them for a time, but they'll merely go back to clan wars and Jarl petty infighting. It's their nature, conflict and violence.
True. The Empire won't be going into the next war as strong as they were the first, but neither is the Dominion. The Empire also have had more time to prepare this time.
The Empire could actually in fact be going into the next Great War, stronger than the last.
Allow me to explain, the Empire has had a five-six year head start over the Aldmeri Dominion. They have been preparing for twenty six years.
The last Great War, Titus Mede II inherited a weakened Empire. He was given the forces at his disposal by the Emperor he succeeded, for the last twenty six years. Titus II has been preparing his Empire for war, for round two in the ring. That is completely different to the last round, since the Empire wasn't preparing.
The difference now is, the Empire has spent majority of it's time preparing, and waiting. The death of Titus Mede II, invalidates the White-Gold Concordat. Him being the reigning Emperor when it was signed, means the White-Gold Concordat would need to be signed again. To keep it current, no doubt. Now we know, both sides are going to fight each other.
Skyrim most likely would miss out on the next war, Ulfric's rebellion will cause them to have to rebuild and restore their province. They have no proper Legions, so the reinforcements that they would send, are already in Cyrodiil.
The Empire doesn't exactly need Skyrim, since all it's forces are in Cyrodiil just about. The Empire is going to throw everything it has at the Aldmeri Dominion, and the Legions are scary when on the attack. They are adaptive, creative and deadly. Legions are going to hit them like a hammer, the Great War was destructive, but it gave the Empire something valuable. The Legion knows the Aldmeri fighting tactics and style.
The downfall of the Thalmor will be their arrogance, they underestimate the Empire. They talk tough, boasting, and easily dismissing their enemy. That is a great mistake, one should never underestimate their enemy. Especially an enemy that is fighting to survive, and fighting for revenge. It'll be a bloody war, but my money is on the Empire. The Empire knows the Thalmor threat, they don't dismiss that threat. Tullius even respects his enemy Elenwen.
Every single Legion, is willing to die for the Empire. Are the Aldmeri soldiers, willing to die for the Thalmor? Who treat them like dirt, conduct racial and religious purges.
Quick question guys, and I would like an accurate answer...
How long was it between Ulfric killing the High King and Alduin's attack at Helgen??
"Ulfric founded the Stormcloaks years ago, as a sort of private army to advance his ambitions. He's always used the ban on the worship of Talos to stir people up against the Empire. He never succeeded in getting much support, so a few months ago he murdered the High King! That got the Empire's attention." - Hadvar
Few months prior.