If Jarl Balgruuf initiated the rebellion, how would you feel about it?

josnkae132 posted...

yes I know, I feel the same, I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Ulfric is a HORRIBLE political leader.

Actually, he's a very good politician. For a Nord. Look at his designs from the perspective of ambition.

He has his sights set on the position of High King, which means removing Torygg. So he does it in such a way as to call back to one ancient Nordic tradition (not most of the others, but selective historical memory is a good strategy). He incites flames of religious dissent regarding Talos worship, using the Empire's own propaganda regarding Hjalti's history against them (he doesn't know it's propaganda, perhaps, but he'll use it all the same). If you're going through the Stormcloak questline, he'll get the crown, too, since all the Jarls are his toadies by the end of the rebellion. He's all about the spectacle, the imagery, the song of a great leader rising to overthrow perceived tyranny with even the mighty Dragonborn as his right hand (you won the war for him, but he's the one in charge, giving you the orders). He's about the poignant end, the glorious last stand.

"Let the Dragonborn do it. It will make a better song. "
"This moment will be immortalised in song."
"You wish to be left out of the speech? Very well, though it casts gloom on my glorious day."
"When the elves seek to rule the world, the Nords of Skyrim will lead the charge or die trying."
"We'll wait for the Moot to name me High King. It'll be better for all that way, but that doesn't mean I won't start acting like it."
"I can't afford to appear weak."
"I don't need you to teach me how to play high politics in Skyrim."

It's excellent imagery and also shows incredible political cunning (particularly by obtaining the Jagged Crown as a symbol) on Ulfric's part. He's not a fool by any stretch of the imagination, and anybody who thinks him to be one is letting themselves be suckered. He knows exactly what he's doing as far as politics are concerned with relation to Skyrim.

This isn't to call him outright bad, mind you. Ulfric sees himself as a glorious hero of old, one who will have songs written about him (it's very egocentric, but that's to be expected). He wants to be either the storied champion or grand martyr, one who will be remembered throughout all of history. He doesn't care who else goes down, as long as it's glorious. That's why he wants the Dragonborn to do the deed at the end of the Imperial questline. It would make a better song. And he has his moments where you can't help but respect him, such as when he's speaking about Arngeir. Or, in Sovngarde, when he recognises his folly and what his rebellion was costing on a scale far greater than his personal hopes, dreams and goals.
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"We get serious about fictional girl underpants, and kid around when it comes to topics like world hunger." ~Teepo on CAGN