The Thalmor After a Stormcloak Victory: Skyrim’s Shifting Sands
A Stormcloak victory in the Skyrim Civil War doesn’t eradicate the Thalmor; it simply reshapes their strategy and presence. With Skyrim seceding from the Empire, the Thalmor lose their official foothold and the pretense of enforcing the White-Gold Concordat through Imperial law. Their presence shifts from overt occupation (patrolling and arresting Stormcloaks) to a more clandestine, hostile approach. You’ll no longer see them dragging rebels off to prison, but encountering them in the wilderness becomes more frequent, and they will be immediately aggressive towards the player and any non-Altmer they encounter. Skyrim, freed from the Empire, becomes a new chessboard for the Aldmeri Dominion, requiring subtle manipulation and strategic maneuvering rather than direct control. This outcome creates a volatile environment ripe with intrigue and potential for future conflict.
The Thalmor’s New Game in Skyrim
After a Stormcloak victory, the Thalmor are forced to adapt. Their Embassy in Solitude will, in theory, still function, albeit in a very reduced capacity. They’ve lost all Imperial support and any remaining Thalmor stationed in Skyrim operate as independent cells. Their aims, however, remain the same: to undermine Skyrim’s stability and maintain the ban on Talos worship.
Operating in the Shadows
The Thalmor are masters of espionage and subterfuge. Expect them to:
- Increase covert operations: Infiltration, assassination, and sabotage will become their preferred methods.
- Fuel discontent: They might attempt to instigate conflict between different factions within Skyrim, further weakening the newly independent nation.
- Recruit agents: Seeking out disgruntled individuals (especially within the Stormcloak ranks) who can be manipulated to serve their purposes.
- Control vital resources: Seeking to control or diminish resources and materials needed for an independent nation.
Exploiting Weaknesses
A Stormcloak-controlled Skyrim, while seemingly a victory for Nord independence, presents several opportunities for the Thalmor to exploit:
- Economic instability: A newly independent Skyrim would likely face economic challenges, making it vulnerable to Thalmor influence.
- Internal divisions: Support for the Empire might linger within Skyrim, creating potential for unrest and division. The Thalmor could exploit these tensions.
- Military weakness: Even after winning the Civil War, Skyrim‘s military strength would be depleted. The Thalmor might see this as an opportunity to apply pressure or even instigate a larger conflict.
A Long-Term Strategy
The Thalmor rarely think in terms of immediate gains. Their plans are long-term, spanning decades or even centuries. A Stormcloak victory is merely a setback, not a defeat. They likely view it as a necessary step towards their ultimate goal: undermining the power of Man and restoring Elven dominance in Tamriel. They will seek to:
- Isolate Skyrim: By weakening its alliances and fostering distrust among its neighbors, making it vulnerable.
- Wait for an opportunity: The Thalmor are patient. They will bide their time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike when Skyrim is at its weakest.
- Continue persecuting Talos worshippers: The ban on Talos worship remains a central tenet of their ideology. They will continue to target worshippers in Skyrim, even without Imperial support.
- Maintain “Justiciar” positions throughout the new Skyrim: Keep officials within the new Skyrim’s justice system who can be used and/or disposed of as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do the Thalmor completely disappear from Skyrim after a Stormcloak victory?
No. They lose their official presence and the ability to openly enforce the White-Gold Concordat. However, they remain active through covert operations and hostile encounters in the wilderness.
2. Will I still find Thalmor patrols in Skyrim after the Stormcloaks win?
You won’t see the large, organized patrols hauling prisoners that were common during the Civil War. Instead, encounters will be less predictable and more hostile.
3. Can I attack the Thalmor Embassy in Solitude after a Stormcloak victory?
Yes, the Thalmor Embassy can still be attacked, but the consequences might not be significant in terms of game mechanics beyond acquiring loot and experience. Doing so can have far-reaching repercussions depending on who is at the Thalmor Embassy.
4. Does Ulfric Stormcloak cooperate with the Thalmor after becoming High King?
While Ulfric was manipulated by the Thalmor in the past, there’s no evidence to suggest he actively cooperates with them after a Stormcloak victory. He is primarily motivated by Skyrim’s independence, even if the Thalmor benefit from it.
5. Can I join the Thalmor in Skyrim?
Unfortunately, no. The game lacks a Thalmor faction that players can join.
6. Will the Stormcloaks declare war on the Aldmeri Dominion after winning the Civil War?
Not necessarily. While tensions would be high, a direct declaration of war is unlikely. Skyrim would be in a weakened state and would need time to rebuild its military. Fighting a war with the Aldmeri Dominion would be a death sentence for Skyrim.
7. Do the High Elves living in Skyrim support the Thalmor after the Stormcloaks win?
Not all High Elves support the Thalmor. Some might disagree with their ideology or fear retribution from the Stormcloaks. The political alignment of individual High Elves would depend on their background and beliefs.
8. Will General Tullius and the Imperials leave Skyrim entirely after a Stormcloak victory?
Yes, the Imperial Legion would withdraw from Skyrim, leaving the province to govern itself. The Empire would likely maintain a limited presence through diplomatic channels and espionage.
9. How does a Stormcloak victory affect the worship of Talos in Skyrim?
Worship of Talos would likely become more open and widespread. The Stormcloaks champion this freedom of religion, and with the Empire’s prohibition lifted, Nords could freely honor their hero-god.
10. What happens to the Imperial sympathizers within Skyrim after a Stormcloak victory?
Those loyal to the Empire might face discrimination or persecution. Some might choose to leave Skyrim and return to Cyrodiil, while others might remain and attempt to undermine the Stormcloak government.
11. Will the Thalmor try to assassinate Ulfric Stormcloak after he establishes an independent Skyrim?
It’s possible. Ulfric, while useful to them in the short term, becomes a liability once he establishes an independent Skyrim. He could be seen as a rallying point for resistance against the Aldmeri Dominion.
12. Does a Stormcloak victory make Skyrim stronger against the Aldmeri Dominion in the long run?
Not necessarily. While independence might initially seem like a victory, it also isolates Skyrim and makes it more vulnerable to Thalmor manipulation. It’s a double-edged sword.
13. Can the Dragonborn influence the Thalmor’s plans after a Stormcloak victory?
The Dragonborn, regardless of their allegiances, always has the potential to disrupt the Thalmor‘s plans. Their actions can significantly impact the balance of power in Skyrim and beyond.
14. Will the Thalmor try to reclaim Skyrim by force after the Stormcloaks win?
A full-scale invasion is unlikely in the immediate aftermath of a Stormcloak victory. The Aldmeri Dominion would prefer to use more subtle methods to weaken Skyrim before resorting to open warfare. The Thalmor will continue to strengthen their forces while diminishing others.
15. How does the Stormcloak victory affect the other provinces of Tamriel?
The secession of Skyrim could embolden other provinces to seek independence from the Empire, further destabilizing the region and creating opportunities for the Aldmeri Dominion to expand its influence. A strong and united world is not in their favor.
The world of Skyrim, much like our own, is a complicated system where even an absolute victory can have rippling consequences far beyond the battlefield. To explore how games teach these concepts, and more, visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.