I'm just gonna ask what makes you think the Stormcloaks can do against the Thalmor. I think the Stormcloaks are destined to fall apart on their own anyway (Ulfric is a terrible leader) but really, what could they do vs. the Aldmeri Dominion? At least the whole Empire DID end up winning, which I doubt Skyrim alone can.
I mean, barring the fact that whichever side wins has a Dragonborn. But hell, the Elves can just wait until Ulfric and the Dragonborn have died of old age; they have plenty lifespan with which to stall. Then they can reclaim their rightful place as rulers of Tamriel, and as a side effect, living conditions will probably get universally better once they conquer the whole continent (Black Marsh included; I have faith in the magicks). Go Dominion!
Ohz noes, I gotted all srs, sorreh gais. lol, Talos is 4 coolz, go Stormpire! The Thalcloaks and Emloar sux terribad.
The Stormcloaks are much more legitimate than many of this site's members give them credit for, but come now. The Argonian master race laughs at the Nords, and I say this as the person whose profile pic is Ulfric Stormcloak himself. Plus, the Stormcloaks have some great things going for them, but subterfuge is not one of them. I don't think you'll have much luck destroying the Dark Brotherhood with people like Emer and Soneca on its side :/
Anyway, allegiances are a nothing more than a character tool anyway. I laugh at the sight of people taking it quite so seriously, though admittedly, it is a fun topic to debate which group is the best to serve for the preservation and implementation of positive societal aspects and political power. I appreciate the Stormcloaks' lack of giving a flying eff about what other people think; being able and willing to ruffle some feathers is extremely useful on the country-level playing field if you can avoid getting assassinated. Ulfric seems to be the intelligent sort not to go to war over basic disagreements with others when there's nothing to be gained for it. /s
Though speaking of assassinations... Whoops, there goes the Emperor... Hail Sithis, perhaps, but I'm really leaning towards hail the Hist-type thinking. Soon all of Tamriel will be brought to justice beneath the glitchy tails and scaly feet of the Argonians...
Preach it, brother! Nords are fine anythings, especially with the improved system Skyrim offers. And passive cold resistance along with the ability to make opponents run in terror is perhaps even more useful for a mage than a warrior.
Never tried a Nord thief, but that's probably because "Nord Thief" isn't enough for me to build a real character off of. Maybe I'll come up with a good roleplaying build involving being a Nord thief... Hm...
But yeah. Nord versatility for the win! Same appreciation I wish some people had for Nords siding with the Empire, but that's a discussion for another time.
Unfortunately, due to the fanboys of which you speak, the Stormcloaks are heavily misrepresented and not fully evaluated... Often to my sadness. Frankly, Stormcloak supporter has become synonymous with whiny, stereotyping, and unintelligent nationalist, something which desperately needs changing.
But yes, I agree, it's frustrating trying to have a discussion with people who go about "supporting" the Stormcloaks in a manner such as the OP. And it's considered such a cliched and dretched topic that it's difficult to have a rational debate about it without one group of people coming in to say "Nu this is old news stfu" and another group saying "ermehgerd illogical factions support based on derp+derp=derp^2", It appears we have an agreement in fundamentals on some level.
I believe Skyrim became independent during the second century of the first era..
Anyway yeah, the Nords held Skyrim by right of conquest, as good a right as any during most time periods. That is the same right by wich the Empire now holds Skyrim, meaning the Nord homeland might as well belong to the Imperials.