So, in a thread i started a few weeks ago i expressed that i was having problems with finishing the MQ, i just couldnt get through it on any of my characters. Eventually tho i overcame my problem and was able to finish it on my Bosmer ranger/druid type character. Needless to say, it wasn't very fulfilling from an RP standpoint. i liked the quests and the ending, thats not my problem, i just didnt feel fulfilled with that character. So i started another character that's focus was going to be finishing the MQ and becoming dragonborn as part of her main RP. i started a Breton warrior/fighter type character and set off.

Things were going well at first, but i decided along the way that i would do things a bit differently and side with the imperials this time around, so after a bit of bumming around and doing a few CW quests i started the MQ, unfortunately im just not finding the motivation with this character either. Soooo i started ANOTHER character, this time a Nord. well ill just say, that aside from just over-all better treatment around skyrim, i feel like my character actually has something invested in the community and a reason to become the quintessential Nord hero. Im actually having alot more fun, instead of just raiding dungeons for the phat loots, im exploring the ruins of my ancestors to unlock their hidden secrets. instead of just arbitrarily joining a side in the war to progress a quest im deciding the fate of skyrim and fighting for the freedom of my kinsmen. instead of just chasing word walls and slaying dragons for access to new abilities i am following my destiny and ridding skyrim of its age old foe. you guys following still?

so my conclussion is, that in order to get the MOST enjoyment out of the main questline, and in order to TRULY feel like your actions mean something after its over, you must be a Nord, you must join the Stormcloaks, and you must be a Dragonborn. this is my opinion anyways. please note im only referring to the MQ, and i am by no means saying this is the only way to have fun playing skyrim.

I agree on the "You must be a Nord in order to enjoy the MQ" thing partially. I mean, Skyrim is the land of the Nords, yep, and it would also make more sense for the guy to be a Nord in order to make the whole Dragonborn thing more believable. Still, this shouldn't limit any character from choosing a Breton, or an Bosmer, or anything. I mean... What I believe is that, if I got it right of course, The Elder Scrolls games are role playing games where you do what you want, absolutely; in THAT regard, you're kind of less linked to the MQ because if you don't take the game for its main story, then you're totally separated from anything like in this case is Dragons, Nords, Barrows, Shouts etc. And that is what a standard RPG is, a game where you are who you want and do what you want, which is something any race can do.

Though, if you take that RPG also including the whole main story, which is often about something specific, then you're kind of instinctively more 'pushed' to choose a character that would fit in that story and atmosphere around it. In this case we have got a story about a man or woman whom they are the Dragonborn, which a certain prophecy says they'll be a Nord, maybe blonde? lol nobody knows. What is certain is that, under an RP aspect, players would genuinely choose a Nord for the MQ, while players who don't care about it would choose other races. This is also incorrect anyway, as many players, like me, who don't care much about the MQ, still choose a Nord.

Resuming: I think that this game generally 'push' players to play as a Nord when aiming to do the MQ. In the other hand, the story flows in the same exact way for any race. Hell, Argonians shouts like Nords, so it wouldn't be much of an issue for one to do the MQ without feeling enough Viking.

I once thought so too. Then I rolled a Nord and remembered why they're my least favourite race in TES - I couldn't stand the character I created. I'm not even sure why, Nords just don't go very well with me. After a few hours I gave up and deleted the saves.

I had much more fun playing a Bosmer who came to Skyrim to find the last branch of the Dark Brotherood and only cared about money and killing stuff - that is, until she was told she's a legendary Nordic hero and is supposed to save the world. She still thinks it's a scam But it's slowly getting to her that maybe there's more to life than murdering all around.

I'm sure I'm going to have more fun still when I get around to playing an Altmer Dragonborn.

I don't need to feel that I'm a part of the society to know that my actions have consequences. "Fighting for my people" is great, but frankly, patriotism never excited me. I prefer other motivations. Besides, a tall, blonde, mead-drinking warrior fighting for her country's freedom is the most boring character I can imagine...