Ulfric Stormcloak ( Skyrim ) Ulfric Stormcloak , known by some as the Bear of Markarth , is the Jarl of Windhelm and leader of the Stormcloak rebellion . Ulfric supports Skyrim ' s independence from the Empire , which he believes has been corrupted by the Aldmeri Dominion and too weak to protect its citizens . Some describe Ulfric as a hero , while others label him an opportunist . A veteran of the Great War , Ulfric ' s holds deep resentment of the White - Gold Concordat between the Empire and Aldmeri Dominion , particularly the ban of Talos worship . During the Markarth Incident , Ulfric marched soldiers into Markarth under the pretext that this action would re - legitimize Talos worship , but was eventually detained . He is first seen bound and gagged , accompanying the Dragonborn and a few other prisoners of war while traveling to Helgen for their execution . Background . Early life . As a boy , Ulfric was chosen by the Greybeards to study with them at High Hrothgar . He trained with them for almost ten years and developed his skills in the Way of the Voice . He was to become a Greybeard himself , but his life took a different path when the Great War began in 4E 171 . Ulfric felt compelled to help the war effort and left High Hrothgar to join the Imperial Legion , much to the disdain of Arngeir , who believed that the Way of the Voice should only be used for the worship of Kynareth . The Great War . During the Great War , he fought alongside Galmar Stone - Fist and Legate Rikke , however he was captured by the Aldmeri Dominion during the Dominion ' s campaign for the Imperial City . While imprisoned , he was interrogated by Elenwen for information , under which they learned of his potential value ( being the son of the Jarl of Windhelm ) , assigning him as an asset . He was made to believe information obtained during his interrogation was crucial in the capture of the Imperial City in Cyrodiil , even though it had fallen before any information could be gained . The " " on Ulfric says he was then allowed to escape ; whether he escaped on his own and the Thalmor were unable to apprehend him or if he was intentionally set free is not known . The Markarth Incident . In 4E 175 , the Great War ended with the Empire signing the White - Gold Concordat , an act which banned the worship of Talos in the Empire . During the war , the Nords lost possession of the Reach due to an uprising by a group of Bretons known as Reachmen . Igmund , son of the previous Jarl of the Reach , stated his family and their Imperial colleagues sought help from Ulfric in ousting the Reachmen invaders . Igmund ' s father , Hrolfdir , promised Ulfric that if he re - took the Reach , then Hrolfdir as Jarl would allow free worship of Talos . Ulfric agreed and marched his militia to the gates of Markarth and retook the city , supposedly using the power of his Thu ' um . The leader of the Reachmen , Madanach , was captured but was spared by prominent Markarth citizen Thonar Silver - Blood , as he was deemed more valuable alive than dead . The surviving Reachmen fled to the hills of the Reach and became known as the Forsworn . As a result of the battle , later known as the Markarth Incident , Ulfric stationed a Nordic militia in the area to aid in keeping the Forsworn that had retreated from retaking Markarth . Hrolfdir initially kept his promise to Ulfric and allowed free worship of Talos for a time . When the Imperial Legion arrived to restore the rule of law , Ulfric allegedly refused them entry into the city until they also agreed free worship of Talos would be allowed . With chaos supposedly running through the streets of Markarth and the reports of deaths rising every day , the Empire had no choice but to grant Ulfric and his men their worship , thus jeopardizing the peace agreement with the Aldmeri Dominion . Igmund however , implies that the Empire simply hoped that the Dominion wouldn ' t find out about the free Talos worship , and when they eventually did , scapegoated Ulfric and his militia in order to avoid incrimination and prevent a war . Eventually , the Empire rescinded the agreement due to pressure from the Aldmeri Dominion , and Ulfric and his militia were expelled from the city and imprisoned shortly after with Hrolfdir ' s help . This betrayal left Ulfric bitter towards the Empire and is considered to be the initial conception of the Stormcloak rebellion . Jarl of Windhelm . His father Hoag , the Jarl of Windhelm , usually referred simply as " The Bear of Eastmarch , " died during his incarceration . Ulfric , his only son , was forced to deliver his eulogy via a letter that he had smuggled out of prison . Leaving prison , Ulfric returned to Windhelm to find the city in mourning . The citizens were said to have been calling out for justice and war against the Aldmeri Dominion . Naturally , they sat Ulfric on the throne and he became Jarl . After the death of High King Istlod , the Moot convened to elect a new king . During this Moot , Ulfric continually spoke about Skyrim ' s independence in terms just shy of treason . Eventually , the Moot had elected Istlod ' s son , Torygg , as the new High King of Skyrim . High King Torygg . In 4E 201 , after years of brewing resentment for what he and his followers considered the Empire ' s betrayal of Skyrim , Ulfric challenged High King Torygg to a duel . Ulfric maintains it was to show how weak Skyrim had become under Imperial rule . He also claims that it was a challenge of rule in the " Old Nord Way " and that Torygg accepted the challenge . Others in Skyrim , such as General Tullius , denounced the act as murder and an attempt to usurp the throne . After Torygg ' s death , Ulfric fled back to Windhelm . Some time after this event , the Imperial Legion managed to ambush Ulfric at Darkwater Crossing in order to capture him . The ambush was successful and Ulfric surrendered himself without a fight . Policies and beliefs . Much of Stormcloak doctrine stems from Ulfric ' s views that Skyrim should secede from what he considers a corrupt crumbling Empire ; one that already is defeated by the Thalmor . After witnessing the deaths of an untold number of Nords who sacrificed themselves during The Great War , Ulfric considered the White - Gold Concordat treaty between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion to be a complete betrayal of the Empire ' s citizens . Ulfric also seeks to become the next High King , as he believes there has not been a " true " High King in Skyrim for generations , and that previous kings were puppets that were hand - picked by the Emperor . Some Nords feel that his opposition to the White - Gold Concordat and the banning of Talos worship in Skyrim is simply a facade for him to gain more supporters to gain his true goal of becoming High King of Skyrim . However , asking Ulfric how he became Jarl of Eastmarch will reveal that he is very dedicated in following the ways of traditional Nord beliefs . He says that the throne he sits on is Ysgramor ' s and his father ' s , rather than his , and that he only hopes he can do both of them proud . Furthermore , Ulfric ' s dialogue with Galmar Stone - Fist reveals that he does not relish the lives that will be lost in his rebellion and is considerate of the Nord families who will lose loved ones in his civil war . Even so , Ulfric feels he must see his quest for Skyrim ' s independence to its final conclusion as he sees the Empire as an inept parasite that continues to bleed Skyrim dry to recoup their losses from the Great War that they chose to surrender in . He also sees the Empire as an obstacle which is preventing his people from ridding his homeland of Thalmor influence . In addition to his qualms about how the Empire ' s politics are affecting his homeland , he also resents the Empire for what he sees as unjustly criminalizing the Nord people for desiring to rule themselves and disregarding the sacrifices of all the soldiers who fought in the Great War by appeasing the oppressive demands of the Aldmeri Dominion . With several of his policies being nationalistic in tone , many non - Nord and some Nords consider Ulfric to be prejudiced . He is believed by some to have sequestered the Dunmer population in Windhelm to the slums of the Gray Quarter and the Argonians to the assemblage off the docks , issuing a decree forbidding the Argonians from living within the city ' s walls , contrary to his father Hoag ' s more " soft " policy , however this hostile belief toward outsiders is shared by much of Windhelm ' s populace . Dialogue with Niranye — an Altmer who lives within the city — actually suggests that it is the Dunmer who chose to live in the Gray Quarter due to being " too proud and naive to understand the way things truly are . " Similar comments are made by Belyn Hlaalu , a Dunmer who owns property in Windhelm . Pleas from Dunmer citizens often fall on deaf ears , leading them to believe he has nothing but disdain for them . Some even claim Ulfric refuses to send aid to the Khajiit caravans and non - Nord towns that have been raided by bandits . Dialogue shared between Ulfric and his steward Jorleif indicate , however , that he does not attend to the issues in his city because he is too preoccupied with the Stormcloak Rebellion and the greater issues of Skyrim to worry about them , saying it is the guards ' jobs to deal with such issues . He also allows non - Nords to live peacefully in Windhelm and own businesses , including Altmer and Imperials . He also allows a Dunmer , Belyn Hlaalu , to own a successful farm in the outskirts of the city , and employ an elderly Nord woman . Ulfric admits to having fallen from the Greybeards ' strict teachings about using the Way of the Voice for anything other than the worship of Kynareth , however he still believes that his Thu ' um should not be used lightly and rarely uses his training . He also still refers to Arngeir as " Master Arngeir , " despite not training with them for a number of years . Interactions . Execution at Helgen . At Helgen , Ulfric is among the prisoners awaiting execution along with the Dragonborn . He can be identified easily by the cloth he is gagged with , preventing him from using the Thu ' um to escape his captors . He is scheduled to be executed when a dragon , later revealed to be Alduin the World Eater , attacks the town . Ulfric escapes his execution and survives the dragon attack with the help of his men , and returns to Windhelm to resume his office of Jarl . When the Dragonborn meets him again , they discover that he and his Stormcloaks plot to gain control over all of Skyrim , an act opposed by the Imperial Legion . Stormcloak Rebellion . If choosing to aid Ulfric in the Stormcloak resistance , the Dragonborn is sent to Korvanjund to retrieve the Jagged Crown . Ulfric ' s second - in - command , Galmar Stone - Fist , believes the relic will secure his claim to the throne . Retrieving it , he sends the Dragonborn to the neutral city of Whiterun to deliver his axe , a symbol of challenge , to Balgruuf the Greater , the Jarl . Balgruuf , reluctantly refusing to side with the Stormcloaks , returns the weapon to Ulfric . Not long after , Ulfric sends the Dragonborn to help his Stormcloaks assault Whiterun ; when the city is conquered , he secures Stormcloak control by stationing Vignar Gray - Mane as the Jarl there . To expand the amount of Stormcloak - controlled territory in Skyrim , Ulfric sends the Dragonborn to the various other Imperial - controlled Holds to free them in preparation for the assault on Solitude . Thane of Eastmarch . Upon completing a personal task for Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak , the Dragonborn is offered a place in his court as Thane of Eastmarch . However , a Thane needs to be known by the Jarl ' s subjects and therefore the Dragonborn must complete a series of tasks for the people of Eastmarch . To become Thane , the Dragonborn must purchase Hjerim , a previously condemned estate in Windhelm , and have completed " Blood on the Ice . " Fate . Ulfric can be killed during the Civil War if the Dragonborn chooses to side with the Empire . During " Battle for Windhelm , " the Dragonborn storms his throne room , where a final battle ensues . During the battle , Ulfric uses his Thu ' um against the attackers , the shout Unrelenting Force being among those in his arsenal . When defeated , Ulfric requests that the Dragonborn kill him , as " it will make for a better song . " Upon his death , he can be encountered in Sovngarde as a specter , regretting his decision to fight " a doomed struggle against fate , " instead of turning his attention on the return of the World - Eater , as the souls of the Nords that died in the Civil War only made Alduin stronger . Alternatively , Ulfric can become the unofficial High King of Skyrim after the quest " Battle for Solitude , " if the Dragonborn chooses to side with the Stormcloaks during the war . Ulfric will help in the battle , and will be encountered in Castle Dour in the final scene . Surprisingly , he does not expatriate Elisif the Fair from Solitude after the battle is won , despite her support for the Empire ; she swears fealty to him and continues to live in the city even after the war has ended . After the battle , Ulfric returns to the Palace of the Kings in Windhelm . Equipment . It is possible , after completing the Legion questline , to obtain Ulfric ' s apparel after his death . His apparel is comprised of Ulfric ' s Clothes , Ulfric ' s Boots , and Ulfric ' s Bracers . Conversations . Quest - related dialogue . Helgen . The execution will continue as scheduled , although Ulfric has no more dialogue until Alduin ' s makes an appearance atop the tower , disrupting the execution . Unbound . The next set of dialogue begins inside the tower across the road from Helgen Keep . Alduin bashes through the wall next to the staircase as the Dragonborn is ascending it . Ulfric will also say the following lines to the Dragonborn after this occurs , if they remain in the tower : Joining the Stormcloaks . If the Dragonborn seeks to join the Stormcloaks , they must travel to Ulfric ' s palace in Windhelm . Initially , Ulfric and Galmar may be observed speaking about the war : If approached at this time , the following exchange with Ulfric will be initiated : Regardless of which answer was selected , the following options will always be available : After that , Ulfric will say the same thing regardless of the answer selected : If the Dragonborn exits dialogue at this time , Ulfric will say , After that , Ulfric will say either , " " Speak with Galmar . He ' ll size you up and see where we can best use your talents . " " If the Dragonborn attempts to speak to him after being sent by Galmar to kill the Ice Wraith but before actually doing so , Ulfric will say , " " I believe Galmar gave you something to do , so go do it ! " " The Jagged Crown . After returning from The Serpent Stone , Ulfric will be found in the war room of the palace conversing with Galmar regarding The Jagged Crown and his future claim to the throne . If approached , Ulfric will say in surprise , " " You ' re alive ! I ' m impressed ! Galmar had his doubts about you , but I knew you ' d pull through . You should speak with him . He ' s going to need your help . " " He may also say , " " Speak with Galmar . You ' ll be going on a little errand with him . " " The following conversation will then take place : If one dawdles in the palace for too long after starting the quest , Ulfric will only say , " " Why are you still here ? You ' re supposed to be at Korvanjund , proving Galmar right , or proving him wrong . " " Message to Whiterun . When the Jagged Crown is given to him , Ulfric will be surprised that it really exists , and then the following conversation will take place between him and the Dragonborn : Regardless of which answer was selected , Ulfric will always continue on to say the following immediately after his unique response : If one waits in the palace instead of venturing to Whiterun as is commanded , Ulfric says , " " I thought I gave you something to do . " " or " " To Whiterun with you . " " when neared . Message to Whiterun ( Imperial Side ) . If the Dragonborn sided with the Imperial Legion during the Civil War , you will be given the assignment to get Balgruuf the Greater to side with the Empire . After being told that Ulfric plans on attacking Whiterun , Balgruuf will want you to deliver a message to Windhelm to see if this is true . Specifically , he will have you deliver his axe to Ulfric . Once you have completed your trip to Windhelm and have arrived at the Palace of the Kings , you can approach Ulfric and tell him you have a message from the jarl of Whiterun . Battle for Whiterun . When Ulfric ' s axe is returned to him from Balgruuf , Ulfric will make a concise reply , and then continue on to speak with Galmar on the Jarl ' s refusal to help their cause . Ulfric will then turn to the Dragonborn and give them their orders : Liberation of Skyrim . Liberate Falkreath Hold . When spoken to in the Palace of the Kings , Ulfric will promote the Dragonborn to the rank of " Ice - Veins , " and will then grant them a leveled weapon and give them free reign over how they want to combat the Imperials on their own : Liberate the Reach . Ulfric will again give the Dragonborn a new title and additional orders when returned to in the palace : Liberate Hjaalmarch . Back in Windhelm , Ulfric will offer congratulation for freeing the Reach from Imperial control , albeit in a somewhat uncouth manner , and grant the Dragonborn a leveled shield as thanks for the deed : Liberate Haafingar . After completion of " A False Front " and " The Battle for Fort Snowhawk , " Hjaalmarch will officially be under Stormcloak control . Thus , the only remaining Imperial - held Hold is Haafingar , with its capital city of Solitude . Giving news of the recent Stormcloak victories to Ulfric will result in new orders being given , this time ordering the liberation of Haafingar . Battle for Solitude . After securing Fort Hraggstad , the Stormcloaks ' final challenge is to take the city of Solitude . At this moment , the city is the last Imperial - held city in all of Skyrim , and Ulfric has made a point to be there , to fight alongside his men . Outside the city gates , the soldiers prepare to storm the capital , and Ulfric gives a very emphatic motivational speech : And with that mighty roar , he motions downward with his sword to signal the advance , and sprints toward Solitude ' s gates . Once inside , the slaughter will commence . Often using the power of his Thu ' um , Ulfric will smash his way through enemy lines . Due to a portcullis being down near the Fletcher , Ulfric will take the long route through the city . First , he will fight his way through the Legionnaires close to the city ' s entrance , and subsequently run past the market stalls and toppled well , and eventually under the bridge leading from the South Gate to the Emperor ' s Tower . Still attacking enemy soldiers , Ulfric will pass by the Hall of the Dead and proceed to turn left , away from the Blue Palace , and head uphill to the courtyard . Many more soldiers will be encountered there , and Ulfric will slice his way through them with his axe and his Voice . After defeating all the soldiers stationed in the city streets , Ulfric will enter Castle Dour to confront General Tullius and Legate Rikke . Once inside , Rikke and Tullius will be found in the war room . Tullius , having given up at this point , will offer little resistance . However , Rikke will refuse to allow Ulfric to kill her general , saying that she would rather die for the cause she believes in than surrender . Ulfric can be interrupted during his speech to be spoken to about Rikke : With a prayer to Talos being her final words , Rikke pulls out her sword to fight for what she believes in , as will the General . It is not long before she falls , and only Tullius remains . When the latter has also been beaten , he will surrender to Ulfric : Ulfric will then turn to the Dragonborn and ask if they would have the honor of killing Tullius : Regardless of which option is chosen , General Tullius will die . When the deed has been done , Ulfric will talk of delivering a victory speech to his men : If spoken any time after Tullius ' death while still in Castle Dour , Ulfric will allow the Dragonborn to keep his sword , and ask if they want to be included in Ulfric ' s speech . Ulfric and Galmar will then walk outside into the courtyard for the speech . And with his victory speech at last completed , Ulfric will then turn to Galmar for feedback on it : Battle for Windhelm . After the Legion fights its way through the remaining Stormcloaks in Windhelm , Tullius , Rikke , and the Dragonborn enter the Palace of the Kings to confront Ulfric . He can be found seated on his thrones , with Galmar by his side . After killing Galmar and being sufficiently wounded , Ulfric will surrender . Tullius will then give the Dragonborn the choice of killing Ulfric themselves , or letting Tullius do it . After Ulfric is dead , Rikke will whisper : Becoming Thane . When the tasks are completed , Ulfric will be able to grant the Dragonborn the title of Thane of Eastmarch :