Stormcloaks

Palace of the Kings Insignia — The banner of Windhelm and the Stormcloaks.

"Throw off the shackles of Imperial oppression. Do not bow to the yoke of a false emperor. Be true to your blood, to your homeland."

―Nords Arise!

The Stormcloaks are a Faction featured in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Led by Ulfric Stormcloak, they oppose the Imperial Legion and their attempts to force the White-Gold Concordat into Skyrim, a peace treaty between the Thalmor and the Cyrodilic Empire. The Dragonborn has the option of joining the Stormcloaks after Alduin's assault on Helgen, regardless of whom the Dragonborn followed — Ralof or Hadvar.

Philosophy

The Stormcloaks believe Skyrim should secede from what they feel is a crumbling Empire. This stance came about due to the aftermath of the Great War and the imposition of the White-Gold Concordat by the Aldmeri Dominion. The Stormcloaks consider the Empire as just a puppet of the Thalmor because the Empire surrendered during the Great War and accepted the Elves' terms of surrender. These terms ban the worship of Talos, which most do not support. They believe that if they gain independence, times will be hard, but eventually The Kingdom of Skyrim will push through into a new age.

White-Gold Concordat

Amongst the terms of the Concordat was the outlawing of the worship of Talos, giving free rein to the Thalmor to move throughout the Empire and hunt down any worshipers of this outlawed religion. This angered many Nords, as Talos was highly revered among them and was considered to be their greatest leader, to ban him was blasphemous. It also included that the Empire will continue to exist but must not oppose and even fight against anyone who goes against the White Gold Concordat causing Nords to see this as treason to what the Empire stands for.

The Markarth Incident

The Markarth Incident is considered to be the initial conception of the Stormcloak rebellion. In 4E 176, Ulfric Stormcloak and his army retook the city of Markarth in the name of the Empire from Forsworn invaders, under the agreement from the Empire that Talos worship would be permitted. However shortly after retaking Markarth, the Empire rescinded upon the agreement due to pressure from the Aldmeri Dominion thus Ulfric and his militia were arrested and incarcerated. During Ulfric's imprisonment, his father died and Ulfric was forced to deliver the eulogy by a letter he had smuggled out of prison. Upon his release, he returned to Windhelm, took up duties as Jarl, and began his rebellion in earnest.

High King Torygg

The event that triggered rebellion across Skyrim was the death of High King Torygg by Ulfric Stormcloak in 4E 201. After years of brewing resentment for what he believed was betrayal by the Empire, Ulfric, now Jarl of Windhelm, challenged Torygg to a duel in order to take the throne.

Ulfric claimed it was a formal duel in the "Old Nord Way". Many others in Skyrim, such as General Tullius, called it murder. After Torygg's death, Ulfric fled to Windhelm and Skyrim was plunged into Civil War. By using a combination of the outlawing of Talos worship and the Nords' strong sense of nationalism along with their mistrust of the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion, Ulfric successfully managed to recruit a great many of Skyrim's populace to the rebellion. All of the hold governments of the four Old Holds declared for Ulfric, as well as many wanderers, workers, sellswords, warriors, soldiers and former soldiers.

Leadership and opposition

The rebellion is led by Ulfric Stormcloak, the Jarl of Windhelm. His second in command is Galmar Stone-Fist. They are opposed by the Imperial Legion, which is led by commander of the 4th legion, General Tullius.

War tactics

Stormcloaks Solitude2 — Stormcloak Archers.

They follow mostly hit-and-run tactics to overwhelm the larger Imperial armies. They are mostly non-regimental, not relying entirely on rank like the Imperial Army; instead relying on the talent of powerful Nord warriors in their midst to achieve their goals. They are against all who have any ties to the Imperials and as such hate clans like the Battle-Born. However, the Gray-Manes are strongly loyal to Ulfric and his army. The Stormcloaks theoretically have weaker defensive, but stronger offensive capabilities than the Legion; their use of armour is lighter and thus not as tough, but the Stormcloaks use a wider variety of weapons to make up for this.

Armor

See also: Stormcloak Armor and Stormcloak Officer Armor

Stormcloak armor is basic light armor. It is the same armor set worn by Hold Guards, though there is an officer version decorated with many unique bear parts and motifs, a nod to Ulfric's banner.

Initiation

Invitation

Stormcloaks at The Battle for Fort Hraggstad.

Ralof invites the Dragonborn to join the Stormcloaks if he or she followed him through Helgen Keep during Alduin's destruction of the settlement during the quest Unbound. Likewise, Stormcloak Soldiers might have also attempted to recruit the Dragonborn. Farmers met on their way to join Ulfric can also start the process.

Introductory mission

To become a Stormcloak, the Dragonborn ventures to Windhelm, seat of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak. There, his second-in-command, Galmar Stone-Fist, tests the Dragonborn to ensure both battle-worthiness and devotion to the Stormcloak cause. He asks the Dragonborn to travel to an island northeast of The College of Winterhold, where The Serpent Stone is located and slay an Ice Wraith. After doing so, the Dragonborn returns, where it is revealed that slaying the Wraith was as much a test of prowess in battle as it was a test of loyalty, because finding the island and killing an Ice Wraith is dangerous and difficult. As a new member, the Dragonborn receives the customary Stormcloak Armor. Once the Dragonborn has joined the Stormcloaks, only one more opportunity remains to switch sides, leaving the Stormcloaks for the Legion. When the Jagged Crown has been acquired, the Dragonborn can choose to travel to Solitude where they can give the crown to General Tullius instead. Tullius will then recognize them as an Imperial Soldier and immediately orders them to deliver an important message to Whiterun, while skipping the formalities of making the Dragonborn swear the Imperial Oath.

Oath

All new initiates to the Stormcloaks must recite the Oath:

"I do swear my blood and
honor to the service of Ulfric Stormcloak
Jarl of Windhelm and true High King of Skyrim.
As Talos is my witness, may this oath bind me
to death and beyond...
...even to my lord as to my fellow brothers
and sisters in arms.
All hail the Stormcloaks, the true sons
and daughters of Skyrim!"

Ranks

There are 5 ranks that can be earned if the Stormcloaks are joined during the Civil War questline. Progress in rank occurs at the completion of key battles during the war.

Unblooded - complete Joining the Stormcloaks
Ice-Veins - complete Battle for Whiterun
Bone-Breaker - complete Rescue from Fort Neugrad
Snow-Hammer - complete The Battle for Fort Sungard
Stormblade - complete The Battle for Fort Snowhawk
Battle-Maiden - the Dragonborn cannot achieve this rank

Stormcloak camps

Stormcloak camps are located within each hold throughout Skyrim, with the exception of Eastmarch hold. These serve as outposts for the Stormcloaks and are instrumental in the ongoing civil war.

They are normally commanded by a Stormcloak Officer who can be found in his tent, and also have a quarter-master working at a forge who will also serve as a merchant.

Post Civil War

Stormcloaks Solitude — Stormcloaks in Solitude, after Ulfric's speech.

After the conclusion of the civil war in favor of the Stormcloaks, the player will be told there are still Imperial camps out there to destroy. However when visiting said camps the commanders will still be flagged as essential and cannot be killed, furthermore the Imperial soldiers at these camps will eventually respawn. Additionally, citizens still mention the war. A number of notable changes occur after completing the Stormcloak campaign:

Vignar Gray-Mane becomes Jarl of Whiterun.
Skald the Elder is reinstalled as Jarl of Dawnstar, and Laila Law-Giver is reinstalled as Jarl of Riften, assuming that the player gave Dawnstar and Riften to the Imperials in the negotiations.
Stormcloak soldiers replace the guards in cities such as: Whiterun, Markarth, Falkreath, Morthal, and Solitude.
Jarls who have been removed from their throne due to the Stormcloaks take over are all kept down in the cellar of the Blue Palace in Solitude along with their housecarls, stewards, and a few other notable persons who support the Imperial Legion. Elisif remains a Jarl.
The Forts scattered around Skyrim will be occupied by Stormcloak Soldiers.
Stormcloak Soldiers aid the Dragonborn in battle, if they are attacked by a foe. They do not lend assistance if the Dragonborn initiated the fight.
Though never directly stated, Skyrim is now its own country in Tamriel, leaving the Empire to only Cyrodiil and High Rock. Windhelm is the capital.

Notable members

Galmar Stone-Fist, a Stormcloak officer.

Ulfric Stormcloak - The leader of the Stormcloaks, Jarl of Windhelm.
Galmar Stone-Fist - Ulfric's housecarl and second in command of the rebellion.
Yrsarald Thrice-Pierced - The Stormcloak commander in Eastmarch.
Kai Wet-Pommel - The Stormcloak commander in Winterhold.
Gonnar Oath-Giver - The Stormcloak commander in The Rift.
Frorkmar Banner-Torn - The Stormcloak commander in The Pale.
Hjornskar Head-Smasher - The Stormcloak commander in Whiterun Hold.
Thorygg Sun-Killer - The Stormcloak commander in Falkreath Hold.
Kottir Red-Shoal - The Stormcloak commander in The Reach.
Arrald Frozen-Heart - The Stormcloak commander in Hjaalmarch.
Istar Cairn-Breaker - The Stormcloak commander in Haafingar.
Ralof - A member of the Stormcloaks who was captured alongside the Dragonborn.
Gunjar - A member of the Stormcloaks whose body is found in the Helgen Keep.
Thorald Gray-Mane - After Missing in Action, if sided with the Stormcloaks. He may occasionally appear to help capture Fort Amol.
Angrenor Once-Honored - Once a Stormcloak soldier, but then he took a sword through the chest.
Lilija - The deceased daughter of Nura Snow-Shod. She served as a healer or "Battle Maiden".

Subtypes

Quests

Achievements and trophies

Image	Name	Points	Trophy
	Taking Sides	10
	Join the Stormcloaks or the Imperial Legion
	War Hero	10
	Capture Fort Sungard or Fort Greenwall
	Hero of Skyrim	30
	Capture Solitude or Windhelm