Skyrim Civil War Better Written Than You Think Imperials Stormcloaks

The Skyrim Civil War is Better Written Than You Remember

If I had a nickle for every time I stumbled upon an Imperials vs. Stormcloaks argument online, I’d probably be a millionaire. The civil war story in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim has been the subject of online debate since the game’s launch in 2011 with both sides presenting plenty of fair and insightful points. However, while Skyrim isn’t exactly known for its writing, the civil war story is, in retrospect, better written than you remember.

Unlike Morrowind and to an extent Oblivion, most of Skyrim‘s writing is admittedly basic fantasy (outside of the few exceptional questlines like the Dark Brotherhood and Dragonborn DLC). However, Bethesda brought a surprising amount of nuance to Skyrim‘s central civil war story – a fiery conflict between the native Nords, the Empire and the Thalmor, the puppeteers secretly orchestrating the entire ordeal. It has mainly been chipped down to the Imperials versus the Stormcloaks, though there’s more political intrigue at play here than the freedom of Skyrim.

Stormcloaks: Xenophobia, Liberation and Treason

Skyrim Civil War Better Written Than You Think Imperials Stormcloaks

The Stormcloaks make a very compelling argument from the opening moments of the game. You, the Dragonborn, are accidentally captured while crossing Skyrim‘s borders in a skirmish that sees the Empire capture Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak, the man accused of murdering Skyrim’s high king, Torygg. The Stormcloaks score sympathy points here because you’re in the thick of the action with them against the Empire.

Of course, you’re free to side with whomever you want after Alduin attacks Helgen, but the game heavily leans towards painting the Stormcloaks as the rebellious freedom fighters trying to fight for Skyrim’s liberation from the oppressive grip of the Empire, who are now uncomfortably lumped with the Thalmor after a war stalemate forced them to sign the White Gold Concordat, effectively banning the worship of Talos across Skyrim.

Since the people of Skyrim firmly believe in the freedom to practice religion like the worship of Talos, it’s easy to understand where they’re coming from. The Stormcloaks believe that the Empire have become weak – mere instruments being strung along and used by the Thalmor, the true enemy of the province, to further the Altmer supremacists’ ulterior goals.

So you set forth to join the Stormcloaks in Windhelm, destined to rid Skyrim of the Empire and free its religious principals. The first thing you see upon entering Windhelm is, well, racism. A Dark Elf (Dunmer) woman is insulted by some drunk Nords. Later you find out that the immigrating Dunmer have been confined to slums below Windhelm – obviously some xenophobic affairs are at work here. It doesn’t get any better once you meet Ulfric and his team.

Skyrim Civil War Better Written Than You Think Imperials Stormcloaks

It has become so easy to dismiss the Stormcloaks because of the blatant racism you experience, often first-hand if you’re playing as an elf or beast race. The game forces you to confront an uncomfortable discrepancy. What the Stormcloaks are fighting for – the liberation of Skyrim and the freedom to practice religion – is very noble. It just turns out that a few less-than-noble figures are spearheading this righteous movement. Morally good acts led by arguably immoral individuals.

This isn’t a sign of bad writing, ladies and gentlemen, but excellent writing. We’re so used to stories painting things in black and white – the good guys versus the bad guys, right versus wrong, that we confuse stories that dare to explore the morally grey area in-between as poor writing. While Skyrim‘s main story falls into this very pitfall of good versus evil, its civil war story constantly challenges it.

On the other hand, a good majority of Skyrim‘s fan base sides with the Imperials (according to the dozens of polls I’ve come across), so it should be easy enough to ditch the “racist Stormcloaks” and join the other side that doesn’t promote such vitriol? Well…

Imperials: Unity, Order and Shackles

Skyrim Civil War Better Written Than You Think Imperials Stormcloaks

When we first meet the Empire, they’re trying to unjustly kill us. What a warm welcome. After being captured by Imperials along with Ulfric, you’re transported to Helgen to be executed. A staunch captain ignores the fact that you “weren’t on the list” of rebels, you’re going to the block anyway. By all means, you’re just a traveler who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time but the Empire doesn’t see it that way. They’re about to execute an innocent person.

Call it divine intervention by Talos himself but a second before the axe drops on you, Alduin shows up to reign hell. You’re free to go about choosing sides at this point but why would you side with the Empire, the very people who just tried to kill you? Sure, you get a hearty apology from Hadvar later but is it enough to sway your opinion? Maybe exploring some of Skyrim’s towns and speaking to NPCs will help paint a clearer picture.

The Empire, first and foremost, seemingly promotes unity among races and provinces. In The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, the Empire is positioned as the good guys – no, the best guys. Their long history in Tamriel also positions them as the race with the most world-altering lore; beginning with St. Alessia, the first Dragonborn, and a successive line of rulers that have reshaped the climate of Tamriel on more than one occasion. Even the ascended god Talos was once the Imperial mortal, Tiber Septim.

Skyrim Civil War Better Written Than You Think Imperials Stormcloaks

The Empire we meet in Skyrim, however, is not the same Empire that once united provinces against a large-scaled Daedric invasion. Through decades of war with the Aldmeri Dominion, the Empire has crippled themselves to the point of near-submission to the White Gold Concordat, a treaty signed under the guise of peace between Cyrodiil and the Summerset Isles. This isn’t an Empire strong and noble as it once was; it’s an Empire bound by the hands with its enemy, the Thalmor.

Joining the Imperials seems like a noble cause, sure. After all, it’s very hard to imagine Skyrim sustaining itself for very long under the rule of Ulfric Stormcloak, who has proven to be an incapable leader that acts on impulse. Some harsh intervention is needed if you believe Skyrim is to survive as a nation, even if it means fraternising with the enemy to bring some form of peace to a province that’s already on the brink of implosion after Torygg’s murder.

Yet, the Empire is now shackled with the Thalmor – some might say to them. Again, this is a piece of brilliant writing. If you don’t stand with the Stormcloaks because of their ideologies, your only other option is the Imperials, who at face value, have good intentions of preventing Skyrim from collapsing as a province. The only problem is you’ll inadvertently be siding with the Thalmor too, who clearly have ulterior motives to the Empire that contradicts peace – call it fascism, abolishment of religion, or racial superiority on the Altmer’s part.

Imperials vs. Stormcloaks: Does It Really Matter?

Skyrim Civil War Better Written Than You Think Imperials Stormcloaks

The short answer is no. You’re caught between two opposing factions with differing ideologies that are both noble and corrupt. There’s no clear, decisive good side to choose. You’re simply caught in a war driven by political agendas and conspiracy using “good intentions” as a front. If you think that’s unrealistic, pick up a history book and you’ll be amazed at how frequently similar real-life wars have unfolded.

What Bethesda attempted to do with the civil war story in Skyrim was create unease, not just between the warring sides in the game but with you as the player. I love Skyrim but it deserves to be criticised on its inconsistent writing at times. However, I have a newfound appreciation for the amount of care and attention that went into the civil war. It feels inconsequential in Skyrim because we won’t truly see those consequences until The Elder Scrolls 6.

Yet, it still successfully manages to make you look deeper into your allies and enemies – as a result, it also involves you more in the terrific lore of Tamriel and its provinces. Who you choose in the end is ultimately what you feel is the lesser of two moral greys, in my opinion. Bethesda did a tremendous job creating that inner and outer conflict in Skyrim‘s civil war and it’s definitely an element of the game that’s underappreciated, even today.

Alternatively, you know, you can also just ignore the civil war. We’ve got dragons to kill.

Writer
Editor-in-Chief of Nexus Hub, writer at GLITCHED. Former writer at The Gaming Report and All Otaku Online. RPG addict that has wonderful nightmares of Bloodborne 2.

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