Giving Riften to Tullius: The Smart Choice for an Imperial-Aligned Dragonborn
As a passionate Skyrim player pondering which hold to trade away during Season Unending, I‘ve done extensive research into the question "should I give Tullius Riften or Dawnstar?" If you also side with the Imperial Legion, I strongly recommend giving General Tullius control over the wealthy merchant hub of Riften while conceding the smaller port of Dawnstar to Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak.
Riften‘s Importance for the Empire‘s War Effort
Handing Riften over to Tullius provides far more military, economic, and political advantages than giving up Dawnstar. With its position spanning Lake Honrich, Riften serves as the main southern connection point between the northern and southern regions of Skyrim. Controlling Riften gives the Legion a way to limit Stormcloak operations throughout eastern Skyrim while also providing ample resources to fund the ongoing civil war.
As the table below shows, Riften brings in over 2 times more tax revenue than Dawnstar:
| Hold | Key Exports | Tax Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| The Rift (Riften) | Fishing, Mead, Commerce | 18,000 septims |
| The Pale (Dawnstar) | Mining, Port Trade | 8,000 septims |
Beyond economic assets, holding Riften allows Imperial troops to cut off Stormcloak supply lines and troop movements through the southeast. It also acts as an important flanking point against Windhelm.
In contrast, Dawnstar – while valuable for its port and iron mine – does not yield the same level of tactical advantage or wealth. Conceding it to the Stormcloaks helps balance power in northern Skyrim without hampering Imperial operations.
Riften‘s Corruption Thrives Under Imperial Control
While Riften certainly faces rampant corruption and skulduggery from the Thieves Guild and Black-Briar family, evidence suggests the city prospers more under Imperial control. Though the Empire failed to previously crack down on crime there, consolidated power after the civil war allows for greater oversight.
Furthermore, the Imperials‘ centralized monarchy and focus on economic prosperity are better suited to rule Riften than Ulfric Stormcloak‘s decentralized and personality-driven leadership. As a major trade hub, Riften relies on steady regulation and complex administration to thrive – things the Empire can provide. Stormcloak control risks destabilizing this balance in favor of isolationist interests.
So while the city‘s seedy underworld persists, its key location and resources make Imperial control mutually beneficial for both Riften and the Empire.
An Imperial Riften Aligns With Roleplaying Reasons
Finally, a Dragonborn backing the Imperial Legion during the civil war has strong roleplaying reasons to further that cause by enabling Tullius to control Riften. As previously mentioned, consolidated Imperial rule better allows for cracking down on the city‘s shady elements – likely a priority for any lawful-aligned character.
Having the Legion take over can also help oust the current Riften government, who publically deny issues with corruption despite immense Thieves Guild influence behind closed doors. This duplicity further justifies the Empire asserting control.
Conclusion: Riften‘s Value Outweighs Dawnstar‘s
In summary, with Riften‘s economic power, tactical position, and roleplaying relevance, relinquishing it to General Tullius is the optimal choice. Though losing the port of Dawnstar and its mines deals a blow, Riften‘s importance as a crossroads between northern and southern Skyrim makes up for that loss.
For any passionate Skyrim player invested in seeing the Imperial Legion defeat Ulfric‘s rebellion, ensuring Tullius controls Riften contributes tremendously. The historic and prosperous Rift hold fuels the war effort and provides key positioning to advance into eastern Stormcloak territory. Combined with roleplaying motivations, gifting Riften to Tullius proves the smarter long-term play.
