[@Andrew Blade] That's going to be really tough, and I'm leaning towards a "no". I'm not stopping you from applying when the RP goes live but it'll probably be noticeable in your character sheet alone that you're lacking in knowledge. 


[@Dead Cruiser] Agents of the Emperor (so Penitus Oculatus) or their "assets", i.e. elite mercenaries. Both are fine. 

We're talking a few years after [i]Skyrim[/i], two or three. The Stormcloak Rebellion was defeated but the Empire still has its hands full putting out fires in the East. Other events don't really matter, High Rock is too far away to have noticed anything.