What happens if you let Elenwen stay?

If you let Elenwen stay at the meeting, Ulfric will accuse you of betraying Skyrim, even if he gets everything else he wants, although it’s almost worth it to hear Ulfric tell Elenwen to shut up, showcasing Ulfric as a passionate but excellent statesman. This decision has significant implications for the Civil War storyline and the relationships between the Stormcloaks and the Imperials.

FAQs

General Information

1. Do you have to give up Markarth?: Yes, giving up Markarth to the Stormcloaks seems unavoidable, as there is never a dialog presented to negotiate this, which favors the Stormcloaks side and triggers follow-up options to give something to the Imperials.
2. Which is better, Stormcloak or Imperial?: The choice between Stormcloak and Imperial depends on your character’s background and beliefs; if you’re from Skyrim, Stormcloak might be more fitting, while characters from other places might prefer Imperial.
3. Does Season Unending affect the Civil War?: Starting Season Unending means you cannot complete the Civil War until you finish the main questline, but you can continue the Civil War questline after completing the remaining main quests.

Characters and Factions

4. How to kill Elenwen: There’s no specific method or consequence mentioned for killing Elenwen in the provided context, but typically, in Skyrim, characters can be killed using various weapons or spells, depending on the player’s choice and the situation.
5. Who is more evil, Stormcloaks or Imperials?: Both Stormcloaks and Imperials have morally complex motivations, with neither being purely evil; their actions and ideologies can be seen as liberal and conservative, respectively.
6. Is it good if the Stormcloaks win?: If the Stormcloaks win, Skyrim might become more vulnerable to the Aldmeri Dominion, requiring significant resources for the Dominion to conquer, potentially weakening the rest of the Empire.

Gameplay and Consequences

7. Should I give Tullius Riften or Dawnstar?: The choice between giving Tullius Riften or Dawnstar is largely a matter of personal preference, as it does not significantly affect gameplay or story, except in terms of which faction controls which city.
8. Should I give Winterhold to Tullius?: It’s recommended not to give Riften (a major hold) to Tullius, instead offering Dawnstar or Winterhold (minor holds), and not agreeing to Tullius‘ request for massacre compensation.
9. Do the Thalmor leave if the Stormcloaks win?: The Thalmor do not leave Skyrim if the Stormcloaks win; their patrols and activities change, with Thalmor patrols no longer being present, but encounters in the field are still possible and will be hostile.

Specific Scenarios and Characters

10. Can I destroy the Thalmor?: Unfortunately, there’s no real way to completely destroy the Thalmor in the base game, though players might hope for such an option in potential DLC content.
11. Why are Thalmor bad?: The Thalmor are considered “bad” because they aim for total Elven supremacy, manipulating events in Tamriel with significant power and a goal of dominance.
12. Can I betray the Stormcloaks?: Yes, you can betray the Stormcloaks by not taking the oath or by retrieving the Jagged Crown and handing it over to the Empire instead of Ulfric.
13. Who are the good guys in Skyrim?: The notion of “good guys” is complex, as both the Empires and Stormcloaks have morally justifiable reasons for their actions; however, the Thalmor are generally seen as the antagonists due to their supremacist goals.

Game Mechanics and Outcomes

14. Can I revive Lydia if she dies?: For PC players, Lydia can be revived using console commands if she dies, but on other platforms, death is permanent for companions like Lydia.
15. Does the war in Skyrim ever end?: The Civil War in Skyrim can be “won” by either side, but the conflict might not truly end, as the game allows for a scenario where there is no clear winner, and the war can potentially continue indefinitely, depending on the player’s actions and choices.