A Skyrim Faction Over-analyzation

[vincestick 13]

Well, one morning my dude woke up in his lonely hut in the outskirts near Solitude and said to himself "Hey, this civil war sucks. I'm going to end it." Then the question remained on whether or not to join the Stormcloaks or the Imperial Legion.

 

I've had this problem for about half my playing time, which right now is maybe 40-ish hours. After some time, I joined the Stormcloaks. My overall outlook on the situation showed that both sides have their negatives and positives. At first the Imperials sounded good because looking at the extreme revolt seemed idiotic, especially with the current situation an order and strong, striving government was needed. I almost joined Imperial after talking with Elisif in Solitude (Jarl and future Empress). She seemed to understand the negatives that were seen by those who supported the Stormcloaks and was a very orderly and respectful person.

 

I sided with the Stormcloaks for a few main reasons. The Imperials seemed to be collapsing already, and have sold out and surrendered to the Elves, or the Thalmor, and agreed to remove Talos from everyday worship, a god that was the most famous of Dragonborns. I can understand some of the terms that would be dealt, but also not knowing much of the previous war, I don't see a reason to why the Imperials would have to surrender or give up their name. The failure in that war makes me think that the Imperials are already starting to dissolve. The corruption that's present in the game is well shown as well. I've had a few times where the Imperials would demand money from me as I walk down the road, like bandits, and although all government gains corruption to have the soldiers be disobedient enough to force money from people is a problem.

 

Most importantly, well, to myself at least, when I look at the Stormcloak movement and who they are, I see the American Revolution. Yes, America would have been stable and have more support if we didn't rebel against the British Empire, but we wanted our society to have the rights in which we believed to the core, and to have our society guided by a government that was not even part of our nation useless. The Stormcloaks represent this well. Yes, they're a bit racist, though they will accept others after they trust them, and the Stormcloaks bringing order back to Skyrim will be a difficult one, but I sided with them because they know that they way their nation is being abused by the Imperials is not the way they wish to live, the Jarls are tyrants with way too much power and the Stormcloaks are there to finally bring some equality to the people's needs and wants in their society....Even though Ulfric can come off as a douche sometimes.

 

A question, though, is what will come after this? In the end other nations around Skyrim will see this, and just like the American Revolution will other nations realize that if another nation can do it, so can we?

[Arkbennett 16]

Dude. Never thought of it like that.

It IS kinda of like the American revolution.

 

Idk. I was disappointed with the Stormcloaks ending. Not spoiling it, but it seem.. Half finished.

[vincestick 13]

I felt that it kind of ended too quickly and abruptly. Maybe one of the 'grand' dlc packs will have an aftermath questline unlocked after finishing the civil war questline, just to tie up loose ends and maybe actually drive out the Thalmor, kind of like Fallout 3's Broken Steel.

[Arkbennett 16]

Yeah. Its like. The first few mission felt personal and involved. And then-

Have you ever used a Gameshark and blew through a game and like, you feel less involved?

You didn't earn your progress.

 

That's how I felt for the rest of that story branch. Just cut through everything in like. 15-20 Minutes tops.

[vincestick 13]

In Skyrim's case, I felt that way when I finally decided to actually DO the main quests, and by then I was level 52, but that wasn't what made me feel less accomplished. since I play Elder Scrolls games for exploration and not difficulty. It's just that some of the quests for the Stormcloaks were involved, then it just turned into "take this fort after fighting a couple waves of Imperials." A funny thing I found was after putting the Stormcloaks in control, in the lower level of the Blue Palace in Solitude every Jarl that supported the Imperials are down there, and when you walk down there you get an immediate death glare from all of them. lol.

 

It's weird, though. The Dragonborn and Civil War questlines felt the longest to me. There were only like 6-7 quests for the Companions and College of Winterhold, compared to say Oblivion where the Guilds had enough lengthy quests to be a standalone game (The Mage Guild Recommendation part was ridiculous lol). The Faction quests were really interesting and involved, though, Quality over quantity I'm guessing, lol.

 

Not that it's a detriment to my experience in Skyrim in any way, but it was just something I noticed. I still have the Bard's College, Dark Brotherhood and Thieve's Guild to do...and some of the non-marked side-quests have quite a bit of depth to them. Have you heard of Red Eagle? Or the history of Dragonsreach? I actually fought Olaf One-Eye 'cause apparently I walked right into his tomb while exploring.

[Arkbennett 16]

Yeah, I lol'd at those motherfuckers. I'm just glad the Jarl of Whiterun's son is in there. Little asshole. He can rot in there.

 

The Dark Brotherhood Quest Line is like 16 Quests long I think. Because they make you do those side jobs as a prerequisite to the main missions. I haven't finished the main one yet. I fought that certain boss on the Throat of the World and it pissed me off because you can't take him head on, you have to hide like a little girl in the corner and bow him to death.

 

Yeah, I remember going to each Mage Guild and just being told which position I should while that particular guild leader rapes me in Oblivion. Especially that asshole who sends you in the well for that death ring.

 

I did the Red Eagle quest to, it was alright. Maybe if I read the books more. Lol.

 

Isn't Olaf One eye from Oblivion?

 

I hate the Level Up system on the game. I think it is at every 10 level increments it changes the enemies to stronger versions of themselves. I was Level 29 and raided a Bandit Camp and slaughter all of them in one hit. But I ran into the Chief with a war axe and got killed in two hits Reloaded and fought differently and leveled up myself and all of the sudden shit got real and I was getting my ass handed to me.