Corbin_Penniman

hope you come back someday

hey dude what ever happened to your MCU vision fic?

RIP

you okay bro

it's been almost a year are you okay dude?

...

Actually he started training in this style after Qui-Gon died.

In the story bro

The problem with that argument is that it focuses on why the Empire made those decisions rather than whether those decisions were justified. I already agree the Empire had reasons for signing the Concordat. My point is that having a reason doesn't erase the betrayal. You say the Empire can separate Talos the Emperor from Talos the Divine, but that's not how most Nords see it. Talos worship isn't some random cult the Empire gave up to survive. Talos is both the founder of the Empire and one of Skyrim's most important gods. The Empire agreed to criminalize the worship of the very figure who embodies its own legacy. Whether that was politically necessary or not, it's still a betrayal of the people who believed in those ideals. As for dividing Skyrim, that's a practical compromise, but it's not one either side would realistically accept. The Empire wasn't fighting to preserve part of Skyrim's independence; it was trying to keep control of the province. Likewise, the Stormcloaks weren't fighting for partial freedom. They were fighting for Skyrim's right to govern itself. I also think you're putting too much faith in the idea that the Empire and in particular it's emperor. The Empire already failed to stop the Dominion once under said emperor. It signed away religious freedom, allowed Thalmor influence within its borders, abandoned Hammerfell, and sacrificed the Blades. At some point people have to ask whether the Empire is actually protecting Skyrim or whether Skyrim is being asked to keep sacrificing for an Empire that keeps losing ground. As for the Dark Elves, I agree alliances are important. But that's an argument about what Skyrim should do after gaining independence, not an argument for remaining under Imperial rule. A free Skyrim can still seek alliances with the Dunmer, Redguards, or anyone else. Independence and diplomacy aren't mutually exclusive. Ultimately, my issue isn't that the Empire made hard choices. It's that every hard choice seems to involve sacrificing allies, traditions, or principles while asking everyone to trust that it will somehow all pay off later.This keeps the focus on the strongest Stormcloak criticism: the Empire may have had understandable reasons, but it repeatedly solved its problems by compromising its allies, culture, and principles.