I wonder if the game will let you opt out of the alliances and you can fight anyone regardless.
Drow? Wrong franchise I think
Northman. That leaves Dunmer, Nord, fishthingy (Argonian), for Ebonheart, and Orc, Breton, and Redguard for Daggerfall.
You don't want to be with a Dunmer or Orc, which eliminates both of the alliances that are somewhat in the "north".
I'm pretty certain you have to pick one of the 3 alliances, and if you don't want to be with either of those aliiances that leaves AD (Aldmeri Dominion, the best one ), which is far from the north. If you want to play ESO you're going to have to pick one of them...
No you are forced into either being apart of the Ebonheart Pact (Nord, Dunmer, Argonian), Aldmeri Dominion (Altmer, Bosmer, Khajiit), or Daggerfall Covenant (Breton, Redguard, Orcs). Whatever race you pick you are stuck to that faction.
Forget the northerners join Elsweyr in the battle for Tamriel! The Aldmeri Dominion is the only way to go!
There's that, or there's playing the race/class you enjoy and ignoring the alliance/civil war aspects as much as you can.
I'm not a fan of the faction setup either. If you want to play the Ebonheart Pact you are forced to be a nord, dunmer or argonian. Playing a breton sticks you with the Daggerfall Covenant which is unappealing. Ultimately I'll probably play either an altmer or kjajiit because I want to see Elsweyr, so I'll be stuck with the Dominion.