As an imperial sided individual, I have to say that it's most probable that the canon ending either belongs to the Stormcloaks victory or Season Unending.
As an imperial sided individual, I have to say that it's most probable that the canon ending either belongs to the Stormcloaks victory or Season Unending.
Either way, I might as well correct myself on a post I made here years ago.
The reason that the Third Empire as of now (4E201) can still be called the "Septim Empire" is simply because of who founded it in the first place. The change of dynasty is nearly irrelevant in retrospect, because even some Imperial-aligned NPCs in TES5: Skyrim acknowledge that "this is still Tiber Septim's Empire".
The only way a "Fourth Empire" is coming about is if this one loses all of its controlled territory, and completely collapses by the next game. And I don't see that happening.
Personally, I sided with the Stormcloaks first, but I did create a new profile and play the Imperial side through, just to get a perspective. In my opinion the Stormcloacks, are the goodguys, and have the canon ending, but, it all falls down to opinion.
Looking back at this thread discussion, I still think for the reasons I listed years ago as the ones that I stick with, but I also think that people should have a right to believe in what religion that they want, as long as it's not committing the harming of other people. And that's part of what makes the Stormcloaks the people that I end up voting for, since oppression like that only harms in the end, and kills and divides more at worst.
it's pretty obvious which ending will be canon. Ulfric is struggling to defeat the WORST OF THE WORST of the Imperial legion. Once the Empire sends more armies up north (like the Imperial forces assembling near Pale Pass), it's over for the Stormcloaks.
^^
But religion you can follow in your heart. The opression that the Stormcloaks perform (based on race) is not something that ceases to exist for the people who have to suffer under it.
Additionally, the ''religious opression'' is only temporary.
I love that the Stormcloak vs Empire debate is still raging after 9 years. I remember how furious it was on this wiki after the game launched. I really hope we find out how the war ended in TES 6 and that Bethesda doesn't just have it still ongoing.
@Draevan13 I'm both terrified and interested in how that would play out.
@Draevan13 Because they have to sort of either retcon your actions for imperial/stormcloak side, or retcon everything all together and go with the Season Unending route. OR somehow do a "Dragon Break" which I doubt will happen because that wouldn't make much sense. (not that dragon breaks make sense anyhow)
I think that they'll make it so that no matter which side the Dragonborn chose, it won't really matter because the Thalmor will probably win both sides & elder scrolls VI will take place in a Tamriel with loads of Thalmor influence.
Well, you see, the Thalmor want the civil war to continue, because while the Empire is sending its resources to clean up a rebellion, the Thalmor are preparing for another war, and while other races refer to it as "The Great War", the Thalmor refer to it as "The first war with the Empire" That being said, you can guarantee there will be another war, but I cannot be sure of the outcome, as there hasn't been enough information released by Bethesda on the matter, I'm sure we will hear more at the release of VI
What do you think?