To start the Civil War questline in Skyrim, you need to speak with either Galmar Stone-Fist for the Stormcloaks or Legate Rikke for the Imperials after completing the "Dragon Rising" quest. They will direct you to the next quest in the Civil War storyline based on your chosen side.
Starting the Civil War Questline in Skyrim
To initiate the Civil War questline in Skyrim, players must first progress beyond the beginning Helgen segment of the main questline. Once you have completed the opening dragon attack at Helgen and the subsequent quests in Riverwood and Whiterun, you will eventually receive a quest that takes you to Dragonreach to speak with Jarl Balgruuf the Greater in Whiterun. Completing this quest will set the stage for your involvement in the civil war in Skyrim.
Joining the Civil War
After the Dragonreach segment, you can choose to join either the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks in the Civil War. To officially start the Civil War questline, you need to visit the capital cities of Solitude for the Imperial Legion or Windhelm for the Stormcloaks. In Solitude, you can speak with General Tullius to enlist in the Imperial Legion, while in Windhelm, you must talk to Ulfric Stormcloak to join the Stormcloaks.
Imperial Legion Questline
If you decide to join the Imperial Legion, after you have spoken with General Tullius in Solitude, he will give you the quest "Joining the Legion." From there, you will be tasked with completing various quests to weaken the Stormcloaks and bolster the Legion's hold on Skyrim. Part of these quests involves capturing and defending strategic locations and engaging in battles against Stormcloak forces.
Stormcloaks Questline
Conversely, if you choose to join the Stormcloaks under Ulfric Stormcloak in Windhelm, you will receive the quest "Joining the Stormcloaks" after speaking with him. Your missions will revolve around undermining Imperial control in Skyrim by raiding Imperial caravans, sabotaging Imperial forts, and engaging in battles to secure independence for Skyrim.
Progressing through the Civil War Questline
As you progress through either the Imperial Legion or Stormcloaks questlines, you will undertake missions that involve conquering forts, rallying allies, and culminate in the major battles for key cities. These battles are large-scale skirmishes in which you fight alongside your chosen faction to assert dominance over Skyrim. The Civil War quests are intertwined with political intrigue, personal vendettas, and moral dilemmas that shape the future of Tamriel.
Impact of Your Choices
Your decisions throughout the Civil War questline can have far-reaching consequences for Skyrim. They will influence which faction gains control of the province and impact the daily lives of NPCs in different cities. The outcomes of the Civil War also affect the main questline and some side quests, so your choices can significantly alter the narrative and gameplay experience in Skyrim.
Conclusion
In conclusion, starting the Civil War questline in Skyrim involves progressing through the main storyline until you reach the point where you can join either the Imperial Legion or the Stormcloaks. Your allegiance will determine the quests you undertake, the battles you fight, and the ultimate fate of Skyrim. By immersing yourself in the Civil War questline, you can experience the political turmoil and military conflict that define the region in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.