Whats an orc to do?

[Orc Von Ogre]

So Ive made an orc warrior. Trying to pick which side of the civil war to join. Any insights? At first I considered the rebellion. Figuring since I was an orc, it would be great to get a chance to strike against the empire. Although recently after visiting an orc base, it seems that the orcs have enjoyed being part of the empire. This is my first Elder Scrolls game. What do you think an every day orc would do? Join the empire, or the rebellion? and why?

 

[Metallipath]

My Orc character personally joined the Empire, this was mostly because he is a heavy armour warrior which seems to mesh with the style of the Empire. I can see how an Orc would fit both sides of the war though, an Elder Scrolls Orc at least. Sorry, I guess that doesn't help very much.

 

[Orc Von Ogre]

What I didn't want to end up running into is siding with the rebellion and then just kicking everyone but the Nords out. The seem (so far) to be very into their own people and the rebellion only helping them. But the empire must treat the orcs badly, no? I don't know haha. Cheddar Pie!

 

[Metallipath]

In my personal experience with the Orcs in Skyrim they really seem to appreciate power and a sense of duty. To me the Empire holds these virtues closer than the Stormcloak rebels. That's a given though since the very nature of a rebellion is a very emotionally charged and personal ordeal for everyone involved. Because of this there is much less 'order' and 'sense of duty'. *sigh* I don't know how to really explain this, but I feel Orcs fit more with the Empire in Skyrim. You did mention the Nord-centric attitude of the "true sons and daughters of Skyrim!", so that's something to consider. =)

Edit: I've experienced nothing anti-Orc from the Empire so far, so I can't comment on that.

 

[Kerzechtus]

Well Orcs were prized and welcome to the empire, the reason why they are in skyrim so much b/c in Orsinium, the redguards and bretons teamed up for the millionth time and drove them out.

 

[Kerzechtus]

Orcs and Nords have some things in common but they are have very different perspectives.

 

[Orc Von Ogre]

Ah I see. Getting a better idea of things now. Thanks a bunch. Ended up joining the stormcloaks but then brought the Jagged Crown to Tullius instead and thus joining the Empire. Actually like how things turned out.

 

[NENALATA]

As an Orc player, it's tough to say. Sure we're appreciated in the Empire, however after the disaster at Orsinium, at the hands of two Imperial Provinces, many Orcs probably just don't care anymore. True though, the Empire couldn't prevent the attack on Orsinium however they were able to get there in time and get the Orcs the hell out of there, so it wasn't a total slaughter.

Probably the saddest part of this is after all that, the Stormcloaks despise the Orcs having property in Skyrim.

 

[AS88]

 

[CaptMorgan72]

I would think that Orcs would always choose the Empire. The Empire have honored the Orcs by giving them an enemy to fight. Orcs remind me of Klingons, they both have the honor thing going and live for battle. The Empire is the obvious choice. What would Ulfric offer them? He hates everything that isn't a Nord. Definitely go with the Empire.

 

[NENALATA]

@Capt

Yes, indeed. Too bad Orsimium was burnt down. Perhaps we would have seen more Orcs in the Legion.

 

[DrunkenMage]

Orc refugees were escorted into Skyrim by the Imperial Legions after the sack of Orsinium in the Fourth Era. The Orcs have once more rebuilt Orsinium between Skyrim and Hammerfell.

Orcs generally favor the Legions where they are welcomed for their skills as smiths and fighting ability. Orcs are regarded as some of the finest soldiers in the Ruby Legions. In game information seems to suggest Orcs join the Legions to see the world and to gain better smith skills, like the female Orc smith in Markarth who mastered her trade in the Legion.

 

[NENALATA]

Yeah and it would make sense how the Empire helped the Orcs in their time of need, so the Orcs should do the same for the Empire. I had realized Orsinium was 'rebuilt' but to what extent? I took a closer look at the map and I must agree, that is the best place for them to settle... Well, that is unless Ulfric wins. Of course the Orcs would be a hell of alot safer there if Hammerfell and the Empire can sort out their differences.

Of course when you look at it that, way, the Empire did gave the Orcs their Province back. Hmmm... Yeah I agree, Orcs should stay with the Empire.

 

[Bulldog]

When I made my orc I sided with the stormcloaks. I looked at it like this. If the Thalmor are controlling what the Nords and the Empire can believe what is to say they don't try the same with the Orcs later on. I went with the whole everyone has a right to choose who they worship. While I don't like the Stormcloaks persay they have a right to worship Talos if they wish. Plus the Thalmor are very cocky so it is fun to kill them.

 

[DrunkenMage]

When I made my orc I sided with the stormcloaks. I looked at it like this. If the Thalmor are controlling what the Nords and the Empire can believe what is to say they don't try the same with the Orcs later on. I went with the whole everyone has a right to choose who they worship. While I don't like the Stormcloaks persay they have a right to worship Talos if they wish. Plus the Thalmor are very cocky so it is fun to kill them.

After Stormcloak victory I don't believe there are anymore Thalmor walking around.

 

[HappyFaceClown]

imo it makes more sense to join the stormcloaks on any race, because if the empire and thalmor have their way you're going to be a slave or dead regardless.. i've done both questlines and didn't like the imperial story at all, there a bunch of cowardice hypocrites, i suppose their philosophy is "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" and thats why they're allied with the thalmor but thats still no excuse to hand Skyrim over to a group of vicious invaders.. but thats just my opinion, its your playthrough so rather than letting us tell you who's best to join i'd just go with the one you find more entertaining, me personally i never do either cause i find both questlines dull and boring. Orcs are badass tho! some of my best warrior builds have been orcs.

 

[DrunkenMage]

Allied with the Thalmor might be stretching it far. From the Imperial City, our war here is just a sideshow. An interlude before the main event against the Thalmor resumes. - General Tullius

Thalmor and the Empire are not good friends, both sides are preparing for war against the other. The Thalmor stirred up trouble in Skyrim to divert Imperial resources and to cause a long drawn out conflict.

"Skyrim is weakened, the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?" - Delphine

"The Thalmor. They stirred up trouble here. Forced us to divert needed resources and throw away good soldiers quelling this rebellion." - Tullius

 

[HappyFaceClown]

Allied with the Thalmor might be stretching it far. From the Imperial City, our war here is just a sideshow. An interlude before the main event against the Thalmor resumes. - General Tullius

Thalmor and the Empire are not good friends, both sides are preparing for war against the other. The Thalmor stirred up trouble in Skyrim to divert Imperial resources and to cause a long drawn out conflict.

"Skyrim is weakened, the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?" - Delphine

"The Thalmor. They stirred up trouble here. Forced us to divert needed resources and throw away good soldiers quelling this rebellion." - Tullius

why would you wanna join an army who selfishly believes nobody should have the right to choose their own religion? and would rather aid an invading enemy in conquering their own people rather than fight them? i could go on an on listing fact after fact but you'd make up an excuse on the fly for every last one, i've watched you do it.. besides, do you really need another reason aside from THEY TRIED TO KILL YOU? join an army who tried to behead me in the VERY FIRST SCREEN OF THE GAME? i think not.. within 20 seconds of hitting start the game did everything but grab you by the hand and say "hey! see these guys trying to cut your head off!? these guys are the enemy!" and your only answer is "b..b..b..b..but ulfric is a racist" which you made up btw, he doesn't make one racist comment the entire game aside from being obviously pissed at elves for trying to enslave mankind but thats beside the point.. you make no sense, GTFO.

 

[CaptMorgan72]

Allied with the Thalmor might be stretching it far. From the Imperial City, our war here is just a sideshow. An interlude before the main event against the Thalmor resumes. - General Tullius

Thalmor and the Empire are not good friends, both sides are preparing for war against the other. The Thalmor stirred up trouble in Skyrim to divert Imperial resources and to cause a long drawn out conflict.

"Skyrim is weakened, the Empire is weakened. Who else gains from that but the Thalmor?" - Delphine

"The Thalmor. They stirred up trouble here. Forced us to divert needed resources and throw away good soldiers quelling this rebellion." - Tullius

why would you wanna join an army who selfishly believes nobody should have the right to choose their own religion? and would rather aid an invading enemy in conquering their own people rather than fight them? i could go on an on listing fact after fact but you'd make up an excuse on the fly for every last one, i've watched you do it.. besides, do you really need another reason aside from THEY TRIED TO KILL YOU? join an army who tried to behead me in the VERY FIRST SCREEN OF THE GAME? i think not.. within 20 seconds of hitting start the game did everything but grab you by the hand and say "hey! see these guys trying to cut your head off!? these guys are the enemy!" and your only answer is "b..b..b..b..but ulfric is a racist" which you made up btw, he doesn't make one racist comment the entire game aside from being obviously pissed at elves for trying to enslave mankind but thats beside the point.. you make no sense, GTFO.

The Empire does believe in freedom of religion, but they have to follow the agreement of the White-Gold Concordat. They don't like having to enforce anti-Talos worshipping and sometimes they don't. I'm sure they know about the shrine of Talos in Whiterun and its still there. You have to remember that the White-Gold Concordat is not permanent, its just a pause before the war is back on. The Empire is not aiding any foreign enemy, the Stormcloaks are. By starting the civil war, Ulfric is weakening the Empire and Skyrim, which is exactly what the Thalmor want. That is the reason why during the war when Ulfric was a POW, the Thalmor let Ulfric go after interrogating him. They knew they could use him to help weaken the Empire before the final great war. About the Empire trying to behead you in the beginning of the game, you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was a misunderstanding. The Empire laid out a trap to capture Ulfric and it worked, they got him along with several Stormcloaks and someone else who has no papers identifying them. You could be a Stormcloak or maybe you're not one. The Empire couldn't risk letting you go and perhaps taking Ulfric's place or spreading word among the Stormcloaks and rallying them. They finally had a chance to end the civil war and concentrate on preparing for the final war with the Thalmor. One more life, whether innocent or guilty was worth that.

 

[Daelon DuLac]

Having done both sides of the Civil War now, I would never have my Orc join up with the Stormcloaks. The miopic xenophobia and outright bigotry just got on my nerves. I can justify it when playing a Nord, but never with any other sort of character. The Stormies will never trust you and never respect you and who the heck wants to live a life like that.

I luv my Orc and he helped to settle the conflict quickly and efficiently and I have to admit, killing Ulfich was and always will be a wondrous thing for me (don't get me wrong, killing Rikke & Tulius are pretty good too when I'm playing a Nord).

I realize that a lot of people have issues with some of the restrictions place on peoples by the Imperials, but, frankly, I just don't see them as that bad. It's not the empire that pursues the religious intolerance and bigotry. There are other groups for that (e.g. Thalmor, Storm Cloaks, et al.).

I just find the whole Stormcloak movement so short sighted. Who is going to support them in the long run. Sure Skyrim is a big place, but it's sparcely populated and almost any army can come in and take over if they have the right numbers and equipment. Humans (and most mer and beast races) have a common enemy and splintering it serves no purpose. Most of the Nords in Skyrim don't even support the Stormies in any case (of course they don't really support the empire either). They just want to live their lives and could give a flyin' fig.

Sorry, just my opinion.