Should i join the stormcloaks in skyrim

Speak with Ulfric, who recognizes you from Helgen and will direct you to speak with his lieutenant. Galmar will ask you why you want to join, then tell you that to prove yourself worthy of joining the Stormcloaks, you must travel to the Serpentstone Isle and defeat an Ice Wraith.

If you are below level 20, he will also give you an Elixir of Resist Cold and three Ice Wraith Banes , both of which can be incredibly helpful on this quest if you are at a low level. Travel to the Serpentstone Isle, located far north of Windhelm. Once you're there, kill the Ice Wraith. Using a fire spell or adding the Ice Wraith Bane to your weapon will make the fight easier.

Remember to use the resist frost potion before you engage if you need it. You can also find the Serpent Stone while there. Travel back to the Palace of Kings to speak with Galmar. When you return, Galmar and Ulfric will be discussing your next mission for the Stormcloaks. Galmar will express his surprise at seeing you return and ask you to take the Stormcloak oath:.

One achievement is unlocked at the end of this quest:. Jump to: navigation , search. Within the world of Skyrim , one of the larger immediate consequences of a Stormcloak or Imperial victory is the shift in power across Skyrim's various holds. Jarls that were supportive of the opposing faction will be replaced with loyal supporters instead. Characters such as Ulfric, Balgruuf and Maven Black Briar, many of which players may have strong opinions on, can either rise to or fall from power as a result of the civil war's conclusion.

Fans may want to consider who they want to see on the throne and how it could impact Skyrim's future when picking a side. Even more significant than this is the long-term effects of Skyrim 's civil war. In the event of a Stormcloak victory, Skyrim more than likely becomes independent, freeing itself from the influence of the Empire and the Thalmor. This has the potential of bringing an all-out war to Skyrim, as the Thalmor and their allies within the Empire may try to bring the province back under their command.

While victory for the Imperials is likely to bring more peace and stability to the land, Skyrim would remain under the influence of the corrupt Thalmor. A Skyrim playthrough just doesn't hit right without his customary "good morning" bit.

There's also the more obvious consideration — the Imperial Legion was trying to cut off the player's head. The Stormcloaks weren't. Bygones are bygones if you decide to join the Legion, but the fact of the matter is that they would've happily gone ahead with it had Alduin not crashed the party.

The primary seat of power in Skyrim is the city of Solitude, where the High King used to sit before Ulfric shouted him to death. While it was the Imperial emperor Tiber-Septim who declared Solitude as the capital, players ought to agree with his decision after seeing Solitude's layout. It's only the best and most aesthetically pleasing city in Skyrim sorry, Jarl Balgruuf.

It also appears as the most modern and the most defensible, unlike Whiterun which can be assaulted from all angles. Joining the Imperial Legion pretty much makes Solitude the player's home city, which is quite a privilege. A proper house there will cost the entirety of an arm and leg, however. Nobody likes the Thalmor in Skyrim due to their nefarious schemes and the fact that their noses a thoroughly upturned to the rest of the Tamrielic races.

The Empire, on the other hand, works with the Thalmor for a momentary peace, even though they're also competing against the High Elves for control.

The Stormcloaks' confidence indirectly opposing the Thalmor is admirable in its degree of bravery. Jarl Balgruuf is one of the best Jarls in Skyrim and a true fan-favorite character. Sadly, players will have to oust him if they decide to commit to the Stormcloaks. That's because Balgruuf will always choose to side with the Imperial Legion regardless of which side the players pick. That means he's pretty much the final enemy the players have to face in the Whiterun Siege if they joined the Stormcloaks.

Furthermore, the man who replaces him, Vignar Gray-Mane, is less charismatic, less wise, and needlessly abrasive compared to Balgruuf. One of the main reasons for the civil war was the banning of Talos, a Skyrim native and favorite son who founded the empire and ascended to godhood. The Thalmor are opposed to the idea of a mortal becoming divine and this made a lot of Nords very, very angry.

Fighting for the Stormcloaks means fighting for the right to worship Talos and help continue this religious tradition that is central to Nord identity. You can help the Nords take back their homeland and their culture.

They see the chaos and what to extend it indefinitely so that two enemies are weakened at once. But, if the imperials win, what may look like a Thalmor victory on paper could easily be their undoing. A strengthened empire would have the means to bide their time and wait to strike the Thalmor once they are strong.

If the Stormcloaks win, then the empire is fractured even more and Skyrim is left wide open for an invasion. The first friendly face you see upon waking up, Ralof is another fan-favorite NPC and potential guide to surviving the dragon attack in Helgen.