Except the book is the ONLY account of what happened, and it's written by an Imperial lmao. Nothing else even remotely hints at such a thing happening, EVER.
It's written by an Imperial? That is why? Race doesn't translate political allegiance. From the side that constantly wants to say they're not racist, that is ironic you would bring up his race as a possible reason.
Nothing even remotely hints at majority of things. Most past events are rarely spoken about, unless often part of the main story.
The book has everything to do with the Imperial agenda. It's one giant article aimed to discredit Nords and Stormcloaks. And it's not like it's a unique thing for the Empire to do, you thrive on propaganda and with your rapidly declining support it's one of the only ways to keep control.
It has nothing to do with the Stormcloaks, the lack of any mention towards Stormcloaks or Civil War in both books indicates Pre-Civil War.
How do you even get "It must be propaganda, and it obviously must be from the Empire!" if it were propaganda, why isn't the Empire put in much better light? In fact why doesn't the second book discourage rebellion and try get people to join the Legion?
The only "propaganda" issued by the Empire is 'The Talos Mistake' that is propaganda encouraging the White-Gold Concordat. You seem to have it in your mind the Empire would publish a book trying to discredit Ulfric Stormcloak.
Can you show me any time the Empire has done that with people it considers criminals? Ralof mentions the Empire prints wanted posters for Ulfric Stormcloak, it seems far more logical they would discredit the Stormcloaks with that. Than with a book that goes on about how the Empire is wrong, and how in the second book we don't investigate things properly.
No, they don't.. Whichever side wins controls Skyrim with the largest force of soldiers.
Ugh, what?
I'd love to know how you come to the conclusion that Cyrodill has 'far more' soldiers than Skyrim, considering the Legions were made up mostly of the Empire's supporting nations, which don't support you anymore.
Simple, the Legions in Skyrim by Tullius' own account is "bare handful" The Legions were made up mostly by every province, the Legions from Skyrim are in Cyrodiil this very moment. (That is the guys in heavy army, and have numbers attached to their Legion) Majority of the Imperial Army is on the Dominion's border and if the Stormcloaks had "far more" why would they worry about upsetting Cyrodiil?
Ulfric can't risk all out war with the Empire, a so called "weak and cowardly" Empire at that.
Cyrodill is probably a hold larger than Skyrim, so this claim you have thousands more soldiers is wrong, you can't even spare a single legion from Cyrodill to help in the Civil War, that doesn't strike me as a force which largely outnumbers Skyrim.
The Empire is currently staring down the Aldmeri Dominion with most of the Legions. They're tied up on the border, it isn't that it "can't spare" it is because they're locked in a Cold War between Dominion forces. They're sending a new Imperial force, anyway.
Pale Pass was blocked, which stopped Imperial reinforcements. An undelivered letter to Ulfric Stormcloak, confirms that Cyrodiil is mobilizing an entire new force.
I have word of a new Imperial force assembling in the south, ready to advance on our position as Pale Pass is clear. Send reinforcements, or all our gains will be for naught. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Stormcloak_Missive_(Fort_Neugrad)
Also are you somehow forgetting the Empire employs thousands of mercenaries too?
How many times do you need to be reminded, there is no more Empire, you're a single region in Tamriel scrambling to keep a hold of what scraps you have left in the other provinces.. Stating facts that would've been correct in the Third Era doesn't make them correct now.
Stating facts that would've been correct in the Third Era? It is your Stormcloak saying the tenacity of the Imperial Legion is legendary.
The Imperial Legion can fly, as noted in Lord of Souls TES novel.
Also as for 'single region trying to keep hold of scraps'?
Ignoring the 'Argonians' section, because someone made this pre-Dragonborn dlc.
The Empire is still pretty decent even when weak.
"Well done. They never knew what hit them. But don't underestimate the Stormcloaks. Many are Legion veterans. They may be traitors, but they know how to fight. We had the advantage of surprise this time, but don't expect it to last. Let's move out." - Rikke
Many, but not most. Close enough I suppose.
Maybe you should get the chronology correct first, I said the Legion is mostly made up of Imperials AFTER the Great War and during the Civil War because of the fact that most Nords left.
Except after the Great War majority recruits are Breton, Nord and Imperial. Local recruitment still shows large numbers of Nords support the Empire, and with majority of the Imperial Army on the border, there would be thousands of Nords in Cyrodiil.
Having a Jarl on side matters little when said Jarl is reliant on Stormcloak loyalist, especially when Markarth is OWNED by Silver-Bloods, stormcloak loyalists.
I wouldn't be one to boast about the Silver-Bloods being Stormcloak loyalists.
No it isn't.. They want peace,
"Peace? When has any Nord ever known peace?" - Ulfric Stormcloak
Peace is for our side.
if they wanted to side with the Empire they would do, like I said before that's why they're neutral.
"You're either a true son/daughter of Skyrim, or you're not. If you are, make your way to Windhelm. If not,
best walk away, friend, before this gets ugly."
"If he's not with us, he's against us." - "He knows that. They all know that."
"Ulfric has made it clear. In his mind, to refuse his claim is to side with the Empire."
Peace will come after either side wins. You're welcome to provide definitive proof that the neutral citizens side with the Empire. Off the top of my head, your Imperla blacksmith isn't even loyal to the Empire lol, he's just loyal to his hold, like most citizens of Skyrim. What does that say when the person who is responsible for outfitting your soldiers couldn't care less, and wouldn't if Toyrgg/Elisif didn't.
The blacksmith never claims to be loyal to the Imperials, the Empire doesn't care if you're "loyal" or if you want them there. It doesn't matter to them. They'll still give you work and treat you normally. Do you expect a blacksmith with a family to support to refuse work?
The Legion get many smiths around Skyrim to create weapons and armor. Doesn't mean they're Imperial flag saluting die hards. plops, the Empire even buys weapons from Black Marsh, you think the Argonians are loyal to the Imperials?
It's far from a "religious army", you said it your self, Ulfric's attempt to rally troops under the Talos ban didn't work, so tell me how is that a religious army?
Because it is part of their belief, they consider themselves fighting a Holy War. Ulfric didn't get a lot of troops from the Talos ban in early days, but after he killed Torygg that can change. It isn't impossible to convert or become religious. They make an oath to Ulfric, invoking Talos in it too.
And even if it is what you say it is, then the Empire is no better considering they're fighting to stop Talos from being worshipped. Army that wants to worship a God vs army that wants said God to be outlawed.
The Empire is fighting because like any Empire, it deals with uprisings. The Legion doesn't believe the whole Talos thing, they consider it a smoke screen for Ulfric's lust for power. Legion believes Ulfric and his circle are stirring up trouble for their own agenda.
Dunmer are refugees who have been GIVEN (That's right, given, not sold, or forced, GIVEN) a portion of Windhelm in the understanding that they maintain it them selves
The Dunmer were refugees two hundred years ago, they all work and is mentioned to pay taxes. As for maintain it themselves? If that was the case, why does a Stormcloak guard patrol through there every so often? The city handles repairs, it requires wood and stone work.
You're forgetting about Argonians.
none of them are 'segregated'. If they got off their arses and dropped their stubborn pride
They work, and they're segregated. Something being a kindness two hundred years ago, doesn't always stay that way two hundred years later. The Dunmer are kept to their area still, which causes racial tensions.
(I'd expect you to know the type of people the Dunmer are, and their feelings towards Nords/Imperials/Argonians/Khajit/Orcs) like some of the Elves in Windhelm, they'd be given land/businesses too.
Type of people Dunmer are? You're generalizing a race. The Dunmer in Skyrim seem to get on well with other races, just not Stormcloaks. Neither do Argonians get on with the Stormcloaks.
Dunmer are just as, if not more, prejudice than Nords.
One Dunmer, prejudice often breeds more. Someone looked down upon you, would you be loving about them? Every Stormcloak Guard uses racial slurs.
I'd also expect you to know how holds work in Skyrim, even before the Civil War each hold was largely independant with their own forces, why is it a problem now?
Hold Guards is one thing, armies different. The problem comes from the nature of Nords, they're conflicting. Stormcloak Jarls aren't the best suited to be leading armies into battle, nor are they all trustworthy. Should Ulfric die, I doubt they'd agree peacefully for a new King.
Perhaps Ulfric won't lead us to victory, but the people have already put their faith in the Empire and have been let down, why should they continue to suffer until your incompetance runs dry?
Because we have Orcs, and Orcs are badass.
But really. People still have faith in the Empire, when the Legion wins the Civil War more races are happy. Even many Nords. The pro Stormcloaks grumble and mention they'll never give up Talos, and hold him in their hearts.
You can't remove Talos worship, even if you're not screaming about Talos. They still pray to him, have amulets hidden. The Empire doesn't enforce the ban, Thalmor will have to back off because Tullius is onto their game. General Tullius does stand up to the Thalmor when he's in a position of strength over them, such as Helgen where they demanded he hand over the prisoners. He probably told them to F off when they threatened to go to the Emperor. He tells Elenwen to shut up in that polite Imperial manner, during Season Unending.
Oh and another thing, one of the first things you run into at the start of the game is an Imperial torture chamber, so stop trying to take the moral high ground.
Torture is commonplace in Tamriel. Ulfric even has torture equipment, doubt he uses it for decoration. "Really brings out the color"
Don't forget the medieval aspects of the game, while many modern values are indeed placed within the game. Not everything is that way. I'm not trying to take any moral high ground, I actually know some of the bad things the Empire has done.
The Empire and Aldmeri Dominion are going to war, and with the death of Titus II, it looks like the White-Gold Concordat would be heading out too.
