If you've played both Oblivion and Skyrim, then you know that Oblivion conveyed a sense that the story can make sense however you make your character. It felt slightly odd being something other than a Dunmer in Morrowind, but I was okay with it, because you are an "outlander" no matter which race you choose. For many such as myself though, the storyline of Skyrim, whether the main questline or the civil war, just doesn't feel right unless you're playing a Nord character. I've played many Elder Scrolls title, but never as a Nord. I'm almost always a Breton or a Bosmer, and something doesn't feel right about being a Wood Elf Dragonborn... it's just weird. I think the reason for this is that you are the main character in Skyrim. You're the Hero of prophesy, a champion of Skyrim, a born icon of the most prominent figure in Skyrim's lore. But... you're a Wood Elf? Being a Breton Dragonborn is somewhat passable, because they're more Nord than they are Elf, but it still feels like you were meant to play as a Nord.

In Oblivion, you aren't that person though. You're the person aiding them. During the Oblivion crisis, you're the one that helps save Tamriel from Mehrunes Dagon, but you aren't the one that was meant to play the main role of sacrificing you're life for the good of the Empire. That honor belongs to Martin Septim, the Imperial heir to the throne of the Emperor. So the race, specialization, and such of your character doesn't hinder the element of the story, because he isn't the central point of it. I think this is how Skyrim should have been designed, and I think this should be the design of all the future Elder Scrolls games to come. Don't get me wrong, Skyrim had a wonderfully written story, and a well-balanced civil war questline that doesn't categorize one side as "good" and the other side as "evil", there is just the side you've chosen and everyone else. But when it comes to being a Dragonborn, it feels that only a Nord could fill that role appropriately.

That actually makes sense. If anything, Martin Septim was the true hero that saved Tamriel. Although you're still the Champion of Cyrodiil.

I do feel like this, yes. However it depends on the character, for example an Imperial Dragonborn isn't all that far fetched, whereas an Argonian is. Because of the lack of racial diversity due to separation and racism (Skyrim has a hell of a lot less of beast race NPCs than Oblivion), I just find playing as a beast race a bit strange.

One must just come to terms with the blessing of Akatosh and know that it doesn't matter who receives it. Whomever Akatosh chooses, just be proud that your race was the one he chose for that power and RP along with that, as usual.

Eh I don't feel like this I haven't even made a nord character since release and I have done the main quest on an imperial, HIgh elf and currently working through a bosmer run not once did It feel strange to me, after bosmer I might do a dual wielding redguard women that uses CURVED swords.

Oh people needs to get the idea into their heads that the whole dragonborn thing is up to Akatosh not anyone else if he wants the dragonborn to be an elf its gonna be an elf. If its a beast race its gonna be a beast race.

OP is new, so http://static.tumblr.com/bd0bwas/YnCm9sv1z/have_a_fishy_stick__higher_quality.png

It's not so much that though. I think part of it is the whole game marketing thing. The pre-release material showed this male Nordic warrior (trailers, screenshots etc.), and the DLC coverage shows the same character. The theme uses a barbarian, Nordic sounding choir, and the atmosphere of the game is about being a proud Nord, the main quest taking you to Sovngarde and such.

Whilst Oblivion was obviously Imperial, it was very different in that it was multicultural and there was no real sense of "Imperial Pride". Skyrim's very racially segregated, foreigners are uncommon and beast races even less so. It may be the pre-release hype, or the in-game atmosphere, but the whole main quest just feels rugged and very Nordic.

I play the most as a female Khajiit. The only time it really felt odd for me was in Sovngarde. Not even odd, it just made no sense. At all.

Aka is a giver to all.

He just needs to watch where he puts that thing.

That sounded wrong in so many ways.

Try goin' in there as an Altmer.........

There are those little moments in Skyrim that were not designed for non-nord pc's.

From the top of my head.

I was playing as an Argonian. And I went to windhelm. After 5 seconds a dunmer woman asked me If I hated the dark elves. As an Argonian I said:
"What a [censored] stupid question you slaver [censored]! Of course I hate your kind!"
To which she replied:
"You are a racist!"

And that boggled my mind.

Meh, I'm perfectly fine with the cat. I guess race isn't a big deal but I would like to get some better looks and much more user interface that those on the pc have through making the game more fun by modding.