Tiber Wars did not go over completely smoothly. They lost the Imperial City probably from having resources tied up elsewhere, an inexperienced legion had to be sent in to put down the rebellion.
Does any war going over smoothly? Tiber's problems with the Moth Priests were an internal thing. Losing the Imperial City to internal revolt is different to not having resources to defend the city.
I'm saying Skyrim is likely to end up fending for itself anyway if the Empire is off fighting the Dominion, they'll have a small police force left so we might see another Forsworn incident, if not a second Nord rebellion. If Skyrim can't get access to the Empire's resources what's the point of having the Empire in charge?
Except your argument is the same on the Stormcloaks, they'll fend for themselves with little forces left behind as they went off to fight a war. Skyrim has access to the Empire's resources, and they will get more when the war dies down. If the war takes a turn for the worse, the Nords will be no different to how they are now.
I just don't see how Skyrim will be able to reap the benefits of being a part of the Empire during and especially in the aftermath of the next war (especially if the empire doesn't stand anymore).
They share resources, it is still better than standing alone. Skyrim reaps the benefits even now, in the middle of Civil War and while Cyrodiil was in ruins and rebuilding. Resources and food still came, wealth still came. Either bribes or compensation for lives lost, doesn't matter what the gold was for. Better to use it to make your people's lives better than to turn it away out of pride.
Rikke is an individual. This is a pivotal moment for the Nordic people, and the Imperial government who first outlawed Talos, has deployed a general and legate who know almost nothing about the province they make claim to.
Rikke knows a lot about the province? As much as Galmar and Ulfric, they were all good friends. If she was Stormcloak, would you still claim she knows almost nothing?
General Tullius listens to Rikke, hears her advice and often follows through with it.
Rikke is "supporting the new governments". Doesn't exactly sound like she has a great ton of influence.
Second in Command of the Legion, while Skyrim is under Martial Law? Sounds like her influence is acting High Queen for those regions.
And Of course Cyrodiil has the final say.
In what? They don't have a say in the Moot, they don't really get involved in much. Skyrim runs itself, as does High Rock and all provinces there were in the Empire. Cyrodiil doesn't hand hold everything people do, not even close. Skyrim is not this bitch of Cyrodiil that you Stormcloaks try to make out, they've had the final say on things for Cyrodiil. They've had Cyrodiil by the balls in quite a few political situations.
No one in Cyrodiil is rebelling about it,
You have no idea what is going on in Cyrodiil, so it is hard to say what they're doing. There is unrest there, and Cyrodiil was very big on Talos.
and there is an abundunce of evidence Talos is much more important to Nords than Imperials.
The respect and admiration Imperials had for Tiber Septim is nothing compared to the veneration they have for him as a god of the Nine Divines, regardless of the heresies often espoused about him. His accomplishments inspired them to believe they could do anything they set their mind to. - Lore Imperial
It's a very basic freedom removed, and in the future it opens the door for Cyrodiil to do whatever they wish, because the WGC will have proven its all ok.
Skyrim's High King agreed to the White-Gold Concordat. There is no basic freedom, Skyrim isn't a democracy. Istlod's word was law, as is Ulfric's under the Stormcloaks.
Cyrodiil does not control what Skyrim does, they only served the Emperor. Not Cyrodiil. The Elder Council does do most treaties and legislation, but the provinces were represented and the Kings and Queens of the provinces had to agree.
You're really stripping away the interesting politics of Tamriel and of the Empire. You make out it is Cyrodiil telling them to jump and the provinces asking how high... Politics, especially medieval politics is not like that.
Cyrodiil may be the seat of the Empire, but they do not control the provinces. They all bicker and debate, bribe and arrange marriages. Jarls make blood alliances between Jarls, Counts between Counts etc.
What does it matter if Skyrim and Cyrodiil are united? You've said it yourself, the Empire doesn't plan to anything with Skyrim military wise.
What does it matter if Skyrim remains under the Empire? I'm sure the Legion's would still conscript and train those willing to join. The White-Gold Concordat will be out the window and the Talos ban lifted.
Don't allow Ulfric to use a valid cause for a power grab, instead of trying to do things the peaceful way and a political way. Ulfric starts a war, his first act is violence. Kills his High King to bring the Empire down upon Skyrim, and to make sure there is no going back for his supporters.
Skyrim should be ruled by the wise, not by the strength of your sword arm.
"Unfortunately, a sword can't repair damaged buildings, feed hungry people or undo years of prejudice."
