Retarded, you say? I give an opinion, you claim is retarded? What's so retarded about an Emperor who can fight??? In a lot of great stories, the King or Emperor who fights on the battlefield with their armies, are often the most respected and revered. So I'm not too sure of your logic there.
Another thing, the first post makes no mention of being exclusively an Oblivion discussion and that's what I was answering, thus my Skyrim scenario is relevant.
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Those emperors aren't men in their 60's (Then again you give no real examples)and in Uriel Septim's case during a time of relative peace. Ignoring the fact being trapped in Oblivion for a while due to Jagar Tharn's betrayal. My logic, which I could barely describe as such at times, is this. Uriel and in a way Titus are old men their better days are behind them. They are more politicians than soldiers. Though Titus Mede II would have some potential. The thing is making them that "Authority Equals Asskicking" leader doesn't fit them or the Imperial culture as a whole. Both are instead intelligent men who accept their fate.
I suppose what makes it retarded is that it wouldn't make sense, and would be nearly impossible for the writer's to have it make sense with the direction they went with. Seeing how old Titus Mede is. Now if Titus was say 20 or 30 when he lead the battle or Red Ring. Which would make the timeline him being in his forties. Now what is stupid or bad writing is obviously an opinion.
And being in Oblivion Discussion means it is mostly dealing with OBLIVION. Now naturally Skyrim discussion occurs. But still this is for Oblivion or else it would be in General Skyrim Discussion.