Stormcloaks The Stormcloaks are a faction featured in . Led by Ulfric Stormcloak and based in Windhelm , they directly oppose the Thalmor , and indirectly the Imperial Legion . The Dragonborn has the option of joining the Stormcloaks after Alduin ' s assault on Helgen , regardless of whom the Dragonborn followed — Ralof or Hadvar . Name . The name Stormcloak was first used to belittle the Stormcloaks ' cause , though it has also been said that the Stormcloaks ' name originated from Ulfric ' s desire for power . Whatever the case , they gladly accepted being named for Ulfric Stormcloak , whom they consider the true High King of Skyrim . Philosophy . The Stormcloaks believe Skyrim should secede from what they feel is a corrupt 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 Dominion ' s terms of surrender . These terms ban the worship of Talos , which most Nords do not support . Many are outraged at this Talos ban and point out the Markarth Incident , as an example of the Empire publicly supporting the Dominion ' s oppressive influence over Skyrim . Furthermore , their opinion of the Empire is exacerbated with the arrival of the Thalmor Justiciar s , who have been granted the authority by the Empire to enforce the White - Gold Concordat within Skyrim . The Stormcloaks believe they should not have to divert Skyrim ' s resources to rebuild a diminished Empire too weak to provide the functions of a just government and is under the Thalmor ' s thumb . Some think that the Empire is maintaining power in Skyrim by propping up loyalist Jarl s . Many Stormcloaks have also begun to resent the imposition of what they believe are , Imperial - sanctioned High King s , who can only act as figurehead puppets and not kings of merit . With so many grievances , the Stormcloaks have concluded that political independence is what ' s best for Skyrim , since it frees them from the Empire ' s detrimental policies and allows the natives of Skyrim to determine the fate of their homeland . Though there is much uncertainty that goes hand in hand with their revolutionary aspirations , the Stormcloaks believe that they will remedy Skyrim ' s wretched state and preserve their Nordic way of life . History . White - Gold Concordat . Amongst the terms of the Concordat was the outlawing of the worship of Talos , and , after the Markarth Incident , the Thalmor were given permission to enforce the ban . This angered many Nords , as Talos was highly revered among them and was considered to be their greatest leader , and that banning his worship was blasphemous . 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 from the Forsworn invaders , under the agreement from the Jarl of Markarth that in exchange for Ulfric ' s military aid , Talos worship would be permitted in his city . However , shortly after retaking Markarth , the Imperial Legion returned to Skyrim in the aftermath of the Great War , but was pressured by Ulfric ' s militia to permit the free Talos worship in Markarth that was agreed upon by Ulfric and Markarth ' s Jarl . The Legion capitulated to Ulfric ' s demand but soon broke the agreement due to pressure from the Aldmeri Dominion . Thus , Ulfric and his militia were arrested and incarcerated . During Ulfric ' s imprisonment , his father , the Jarl of Windhelm , 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 . High King Torygg . The event that escalated the rebellion across Skyrim was the death of High King Torygg at the hands of Ulfric Stormcloak in 4E 201 . After years of brewing resentment for what he believed was betrayal by the Empire , Ulfric , now Jarl of Eastmarch , challenged Torygg to a duel in order to take the throne . Ulfric and his supporters 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 ' s civil war worsened . 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 recruited 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 . War tactics . Stormcloak Soldier s fight using coordinated assaults , with its infantry members relying on their " Shield - Siblings " to defend them as they attack . The Stormcloaks are known to use the shield wall formation , a tactic that has the soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder and form a " wall of shields " , holding their shields so that they abut or overlap . Each soldier benefits from the protection of their neighbors ' shields as well as their own . The typical Stormcloak soldier uses a bow and arrow for ranged attacks , and a melee weapon with optionally a shield , while fighting in the frontlines . During sieges , they employ flaming catapults to whittle away at a city ' s ramparts and fortifications , while the infantry storms the gates and tears down the enemy barricades . The Stormcloak soldiers ' faith in Talos and the righteousness of their cause motivates them to fight with both ferocity and courage . They are mostly non - regimental , not relying entirely on rank as the Imperial Army does ; instead relying on the talent of the Nord warriors in their midst to achieve their goals . The Stormcloaks theoretically have weaker defensive , but stronger offensive capabilities than the Legion ; their use of armor is lighter and thus not as tough , but the Stormcloaks use a wider variety of weapons to make up for this . The Stormcloaks consider themselves more covert than Imperial Legionaries since Stormcloaks soldiers commonly say , " Legion soldiers gleam like fresh fallen snow and clank like a kitchen . " The Stormcloaks have sometimes employed covert ambushes , where they sneak onto higher ground and unleash a barrage of arrows on unsuspecting Legion soldiers . It is suggested through dialogue with Irileth , that the Stormcloaks used assassins in an attempt to kill Jarl Balgruuf the Greater . The Stormcloaks have also been known to plant false information in order to disorganize their enemies . Armor . Stormcloak armor is basic light armor . It is the same armor set worn by Hold Guard s , but slightly weaker . There is also an officer version decorated with many unique bear parts and motifs , a nod to Ulfric ' s banner . Initiation . Invitation . 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 , randomly encountered soldiers might have also attempted to recruit the Dragonborn to their cause . Farmers met on their way to Windhelm to join with Ulfric can also start the process . Introductory mission . To become a Stormcloak , the Dragonborn must venture 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 residing on it 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 : < poem > " 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 ! " < / poem > Titles . There are 5 titles 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 . Stormcloak camps . Stormcloak camps are located in the wilderness 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 Stormcloak Quartermaster working at a forge who will also serve as a merchant . The following is a list of every Stormcloak camp in Skyrim : Post Civil War . 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 if killed . Additionally , citizens will still mention the war . Although the Stormcloaks have won the war , Thalmor and Imperial soldiers can be still found with Stormcloak prisoners during random encounters . A number of notable changes occur after completing the Stormcloak campaign :