Summary
- The question of who would win between the Empire and the Stormcloaks if the player didn’t get involved is an interesting one.
- Most people believe the Empire would triumph in these circumstances.
- Ulfric simply doesn’t have enough popular support to topple the Empire.
Stormcloaks versus the Empire — a debate that’s been raging on forums across the Internet since Skyrim was released in 2011. If we cast aside the morality and ethics of both sides for a moment, we can ponder the simple question of which side would win if the Dragonborn had never gotten involved.
Knowing the lore of the Elder Scrolls, both sides probably won in a Dragonbreak, similar to the Warp in the West from Daggerfall. However, let’s ignore the probable multiversal explanation for the outcome of the Civil War, and think about who would have won in a normal universe where deific beings weren’t interfering in mortal affairs every second day.
War Never Changes
This question was the subject of a recent Reddit thread by Glittering_Ad_7709. The overwhelming majority of the comments believe the Empire would easily win the conflict if the Dragonborn didn’t meddle.
An easy explanation is that Ulfric Stormcloak would have been executed had the Dragonborn’s presence not drawn Alduin to Helgen during Skyrim’s prologue. This is a simple but effective argument. After all, the rebellion is named after Ulfric. Who’s to say if it could have kept going after his death?
However, theoretically, a martyred Ulfric may have turned more neutral Nords against the Empire. There are plenty of real-world examples where the death of the figurehead of a semi-popular rebellion has sparked widespread unrest, leading to an even larger revolution in response.
If Ulfric survives, his military acumen should still be questioned. Ulfric allowed himself to get captured by the Empire, the absolute worst-case scenario for a revolutionary figurehead. This is potentially an indictment of his ability to lead a successful rebellion. In contrast, General Tullius is a proven commander who, after a few short months in Skyrim, “turned things around” in favour of the Empire.
People argue that the Stormcloaks are more familiar with the terrain of Skyrim, but much of the Empire’s forces in the province are native Nords. This is easily observed in the game’s opening, where Hadvar and Ralof are on opposite sides of the conflict, despite both being from the village of Riverwood.
Second-Creative raises a valid point in that other pro-Stormcloak Jarls, namely Lalia Law-Giver and Korir aren’t the most valuable allies. The real power in Lalia’s hold is Maven Black-Briar, an Empire loyalist. Korir’s hold was mostly destroyed by The Great Collapse, neutering his military and economic power. Skald of Dawnstar is Ulfric’s only useful ally.
The Stormcloaks have a couple of notable advantages: most of the Empire’s armies are stationed on the border between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, and the Pale Pass between Cyrodiil and Skyrim has been blocked by an avalanche, cutting off the primary land route between the two provinces.
However, without the full support of the people of Skyrim, these advantages aren’t enough to win the Stormcloaks a protracted war with the Empire. One of the only feasible paths to victory for the Stormcloaks is by convincing or subjugating Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun, who controls the “bread basket” of the country. However, in Skyrim, Balgruuf ultimately sides with the Empire for the security of his people, meaning the hold will have to be taken by force.
Skyrim
- Released
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November 11, 2011
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Use of Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes
- Engine
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Creation
