I'm sure this thread has been done hundreds of times, but it's got good conversation value!

When creating my characters I like to (as I'm sure many of you do as well) create a past for them. Why are they in Skyim? Why are they the Dragonborn? Due to apparent limits on my imagination, I always find it hard to imagine a non-human Dovakiin. That and because I wanted to be a mage this time round, led my current character to be a Breton.

The young Breton was the son of a union between a powerful Breton mage, and a brave Nord warrior. His mother had lived in High Rock her entire life, and had become an accomplished sorceress. His father, a Nord patriot, faithful servant of the Emperor in the Imperial Legion, and part time scholar, had been stationed in High Rock where he met his mother.

Growing up, his father taught his young Breton son the stories and history of the Nord people. He taught of him Hjalti Early-Beard, Ysmir, Shor and Alduin. While he had a biologically Breton son, the proud Nord father claimed his son had the soul of a Nord. However as the Great War raged on, the Nord warrior was called to Cyrodill to join the forces to reclaim the Imperial City. The young Breton's father never returned from the battle, and no Imperial record exists about whether he was killed, captured or if he deserted.

With only his mother to parent him, the young Breton was taught to become a mage like his mother. He found that much like his mother, he had a natural affinity for the arcane arts. Once he reached maturity, he decided he would travel to Skyrim to learn more about his fathers birth place and the history of half his family's lineage. However as he crossed the border, he was caught in an Imperial ambush...

It's a cliche story I know, but it gives my character a reason to be in Skyrim, as well as making it easier for me to see him as the Dovakiin.

So what about you guys? How did your characters come to be?