Imperial Legion ( Skyrim ) The Imperial Legion is a joinable faction in . Led by General Tullius , they oppose the Stormcloak rebellion and their attempt to secede Skyrim from the Third Empire . The Dragonborn has the option of joining the Imperial Legion after Alduin ' s assault on Helgen , regardless of whom the Dragonborn followed — Ralof or Hadvar . Philosophy . The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire , Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs , including the provisions in the White - Gold Concordat . Though most do not approve of the White - Gold Concordat , they nevertheless publicly uphold it in order to preserve the peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion . If any legionaries are believers of Talos , such as Legate Rikke who is implied to be a believer , they keep their religion to themselves and pray to Talos discreetly and out of earshot . Though the Empire has appeased the Aldmeri Dominion ' s demands , the Imperial Legions in Skyrim claim that the Empire has little love for the Dominion . Most Imperial supporters believe that Skyrim and the Empire must remain united in order to fend off the Aldmeri Dominion if a second war with them erupts . Some accuse Ulfric Stormcloak of orchestrating the Stormcloaks ' rebellion as a selfish ploy to set himself up as Skyrim ' s next High King . The Imperial Legion believes that they can only restore peace to Skyrim and the Empire by killing Ulfric and quelling his rebellion . Description . Once the strongest fighting forces in Tamriel , the Imperial Legion has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self by the time of the events of " Skyrim " . With the near annihilation of the Blades and the emergence of the Aldmeri Dominion as a military power , many view the Legion as corrupt and decaying . The Imperial Legion in Skyrim consists of local millitia and is based in Solitude , the Dragonborn may join and fight to keep Skyrim in the Empire . The Legion is comprised mostly of Nord and Imperial legionnaires and Legate s , though there are Breton and Redguard legionnaires , along with Altmer , Dunmer , and Breton Legates . The Stormcloaks are at odds with the Imperial Legion , as self - proclaimed liberators of the Nordic people . Because of this , the Legion is also at odds with the influential Gray - Mane family , an old and renowned Whiterun clan , whose views oppose those of the Empire of Tamriel . However , they have the support of the influential Battle - Born clan , also in Whiterun . This has led to tensions between the clans in neutral Whiterun . Similarly , they are in good relations with the Black - Briars of Riften while the Silver - Bloods of Markarth support the Stormcloaks . Joining the Legion . Hadvar suggests that the Dragonborn join the Legion at the end of Unbound if he is followed during the escape from Helgen . To join the Imperial Legion , the Dragonborn must travel to Solitude and find General Tullius in Castle Dour , which is found by following the path up the ramps . Castle Dour will be to the left , guarded by Imperial soldiers . Tullius will say to speak with Legate Rikke . After talking to Rikke , the quest Joining the Legion will start and , when finished , the Dragonborn will take an oath and be officially inducted into the Imperial Army . The Dragonborn will also be rewarded with a set of Imperial Armor from the blacksmith . Once the Dragonborn has joined the Imperial Legion , only one more opportunity remains to switch sides , leaving the Legion for the Stormcloaks . When the Jagged Crown has been acquired , the Dragonborn can choose to travel to Windhelm where they can give the crown to Ulfric Stormcloak instead . Jarl Ulfric will then recognize them as a Stormcloak soldier and immediately orders them to deliver an important message to Whiterun , while skipping the formalities of making the Dragonborn swear the Stormcloak Oath . Oath . All new initiates to the Imperial Legion must recite the following oath : Tactics . Imperial Legion soldiers typically use one - handed swords and shields . Armor . The Imperial Legion almost always uses full sets of Imperial Light Armor ( the armor piece of the imperial light armor set is often replaced by Studded Imperial Armor ) . These are roughly equal to the light armor worn by Stormcloak soldiers . High - ranking legionnaires generally use Imperial Heavy Armor , making them considerably tougher opponents . By default , when joining the faction , three different armor sets can be chosen ( light , medium , or heavy ) . The Legion ' s armor generally has a greater defense when compared to the Stormcloaks . Post - Civil War . After the conclusion of the civil war in favor of the Imperial Legion , the Dragonborn will be told there are still out there to destroy . However , when visiting said camps , the commanders will still be flagged as essential and cannot be killed . Furthermore , the Stormcloak soldiers at these camps will eventually respawn . Additionally , citizens still mention the war . A number of notable changes occur after completing the Imperial Legion campaign : Imperial camps . Imperial camps are located in each of Skyrim ' s Holds , with the exception of Haafingar . These serve as outposts for the Legion and are instrumental in the ongoing civil war . They are normally commanded by a Legate who can be found in his tent , and also have an Imperial Quartermaster working at a forge who will also serve as a merchant . Ranks . There are five ranks that can be earned by the Dragonborn if the Legion is joined during the Civil War questline . Progress in rank occurs at the completion of key battles during the war . Unobtainable Ranks . These ranks cannot be earned by the Dragonborn , but are still encountered in the game .