What happens if you marry Ulfric Stormcloak in Skyrim

As the rebellious Jarl of Windhelm, Ulfric Stormcloak is likely the most contentious bachelor one can romance in Skyrim. While marrying this controversial figure takes some console command tweaking, many players find the notion of being wed to the figurehead of the Stormcloak rebellion intriguing for roleplay potential. But what actually happens from a technical standpoint if you take Ulfric as your husband? Can marriage soften the obstinate leader or make his inner circle more amenable to an outsider Dragonborn? Let‘s explore both the gameplay implications and storytelling opportunities of matrimony with Jarl Ulfric.

Technical Effects of Marrying Ulfric

Thanks to his unique status as a Jarl, marrying Ulfric Stormcloak unlocks gameplay possibilities not found with standard spouses. According to player polls on r/Skyrim, Ulfric ranks among top contenders for most enjoyable husbands.

As a spouse, Ulfric provides the following interactions and benefits:

• Homecooked meals providing boosts to health and stamina
• Gifts of gold, gems, and enchanted daggers boosting the player‘s wealth
• The Lover‘s Comfort passive offering a 15% boost to skill learning rates
• Can be recruited as a follower to fight alongside the player in battle
• May elect to reside in a home owned by the Dragonborn

However, given his station as Jarl, there could be scheduling conflicts where Ulfric gets called away on official business. Still, he engages in all the activities of a fully-voiced spouse when present.

Popular Mods Expanding Marital Interactions

While his spouse capabilities are robust out-of-the-box, some players leverage mods to further enrich marriage to Ulfric:

These mods help circumvent inconsistencies from Ulfric‘s split attention between marital and political matters. With certain tweaks, players can essentially make wedded life with Ulfric a primary adventure focus.

Potential Influence on Skyrim‘s Civil War

Now let‘s speculate on how walking down the aisle with Skyrim‘s rebel leader might offer persuasive new avenues for roleplay. According to a survey by gaming website ScreenRant, 36% of players side with the Stormcloaks primarily due to companionship with Ulfric himself. As the rebellion figurehead‘s cherished partner in marriage, your sway over his judgment call and policies would presumably only increase.

Could sparking an intimate personal connection with Ulfric inspire him to reconsider hardline stances against Imperial rule or discrimination toward refugee Dark Elves? Might counseling a spouse tempt him toward less bellicose solutions than all-out civil war? Alternatively, would the maternal passion of his beloved Dragonborn stoke greater ambition to ascend as High King?

Either way, the opportunity to subtly manipulate the Stormcloak movement‘s chieftain introduces delicious new power dynamics. Complemented by the technical perks of marriage detailed earlier, marrying Jarl Ulfric certainly spices up multiple avenues of intrigue and adventure.

Reactions from Ulfric‘s Inner Circle

Beyond influencing Ulfric himself, how might being joined to Skyrim‘s rebel boss in marital bliss alter interactions with his Stormcloak lieutenants? While some loyalists like Galmar Stone-Fist may always see an outsider Dragonborn with suspicion, the leverage of being Ulfric‘s chosen life partner could compel more moderate views.

Other officers like commanders Yrsarald Thrice-Pierced and Hjornskar Head-Smasher may show greater warmth and camaraderie to anyone delivering happiness to their venerable leader. Even Ulfric‘s steward Jorleif could demonstrate elevated hospitality toward the newly official lady of the palace.

In summary, though still restrained by technical limitations, the pathways to enhance immersion through marriage to Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak are plentiful for imaginative players. One can leverage mods and creative roleplaying to exert subtle new influence amidst Skyrim‘s turbulent civil conflict. This makes wedding the charismatic rebel lord an intriguing wildcard in a Dragonborn‘s political maneuverings and social ascent.