The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim features a civil war that takes part in the world. One side of this civil war is called the Stormcloaks, a group of Nords who want to break free of the Empire. The Stormcloaks are based at Windhelm, where the leader Ulfric Stormcloak is jarl.
The Stormcloaks are a relatively new faction in the world of Skyrim. Players who talk to the leaders of the rebellion and to the jarls in support of the Stormcloaks are able to learn more about the group. Depending on which side of the civil war the character is, the player is able to hear both sides' opinions about the group.
10 They Wear City Guard Armor
Any player who visits any of the cities in Skyrim will recognize the Stormcloak armor as city guard armor. This would make sense, as the Stormcloaks are the city guard for Windhelm. All of the soldiers, even officers, can be found wearing this armor.
Despite having weaker armor than their enemies, the Stormcloaks are able to win against them. If they win the civil war, they will keep their city guard armor instead of upgrading to stronger armors.
9 Ulfric Is Still Jarl Of Windhelm
Ulfric became the jarl of Windhelm after his father, the last jarl, died. This isn't anything surprising, but it is surprising he was not replaced after he was captured and sent to be executed. It shows that the people of Windhelm really respect him and his rebellion.
With the city being the headquarters of the Stormcloak, the Empire cannot march in and capture Ulfric again. The only way for Ulfric to be replaced is if the player sides with the Empire in the civil war.
8 Ulfric Killed The High King
The reason Ulfric was captured and sent for execution is because he killed Torygg, the High King of Skyrim. Ulfric challenged the king to a duel, but he used his Thu'um. Because of this, the Empire declared the duel to be unfair and Ulfric a murderer.
Depending on which side is asked, the duel can either be seen as fair or not. The Stormcloaks believe the outcome to be fair, and that Ulfric should be crowned High King of Skyrim because of the results.
7 Ulfric Fought In The Great War
It is revealed that Ulfric fought in the Great War on the side of the Empire, fighting alongside Legate Rikke and Galmar Stone-Fist. Ulfric was taken prisoner by the Thalmor while defending the Imperial City. The reason for Ulfric's survival is because the Thalmor discovered he was the son of a jarl.
After the Imperial City was taken, Ulfric escaped from custody. A dossier on Ulfric can be found in the Thalmor Embassy, giving more information about his imprisonment.
6 The Stormcloak Name Is An Insult
Before the rebellion, Ulfric did not have a last name. By talking to the officers of the Stormcloaks, it is possible to find out it came as an insult towards Ulfric. Instead of being insulted, Ulfric took pride and adopted the name.
The name stuck and the group proudly took on the name. The name is said to derive from the fact that Ulfric had a desire for power.
5 Markarth Incident Considered Start Of Rebellion
Ulfric formed a militia and was asked by the jarl of Markarth to help kick out the Forsworn. Ulfric agreed to do this after the jarl said Talos would be able to freely be worshipped in the city. Despite this promise, Ulfric was betrayed and imprisoned.
This caused Ulfric to become bitter towards the Empire. The Thalmor pressured the Empire to expel him from the city and imprison him.
4 Stormcloaks Want Worship Of Talos Back
With the peace treaty between the Thalmor and the Empire, the worship of Talos was outlawed across Skyrim. This did not sit well with the Stormcloaks, who still wished to worship him. The reason for the banning of Talos is because he was once human, being Emperor Tiber Septim.
Ulfric Stormcloak has tried to reinstate the worship of Talos, such as only agreeing to help Markarth is they allowed the worship. If the Stormcloaks win the rebellion, the worship of Talos will be reinstated.
3 Jarls Replaced When Cities Captured
As cities are captured during the civil war, jarls of Empire-leaning cities will be replaced by Stormcloak supporters. An example includes in Whiterun, when Jarl Balgruuf is replaced by Vignar Gray-Mane. The only jarl who is not replaced is Jarl Elisif in Solitude.
The deposed jarls can be found in the Blue Palace of Solitude with their families. It is good to know the Stormcloaks did not outright kill the jarls who opposed them.
2 Skyrim Can Become Free
By siding with the Stormcloaks and completing the civil war quests, the land of Skyrim will become free of Empire control. While it is not exactly stated, this was the whole goal of fighting in the civil war. Stormcloak soldiers will be found around the cities of the newly formed country.
The worship of Talos will also come back, and priests will now refer to the 9 Divines instead of the 8. Skyrim will become the land of the Nords again after the Stormcloaks are declared victorious.
1 Stormcloak Leaders Can Be Found In Sovngarde If Killed
Sovngarde acts as the afterlife for Nords who performed acts of bravery. Here Nords can take part in feasts, brawling, and seeing their old loved ones. As expected of a Nord, if the leaders of the Stormcloaks are killed, they can be found in Sovngarde.
Ulfric Stormcloak and Galmar Stone-Fist can be found here if the player sides with the Empire in the civil war. They are killed at the end of the quest and sent to their afterlife. They can be interacted with, being friendly and saying eternity is too long to hold a grudge.