About to start a new game, but can't decide which race to pick; Orc or Nord. I usually play as Orcs but I get the feeling that the Skyrim story is more geared toward Nords and that a Orc Dragonborn will look out of place lorewise with you visiting Sovngard and all. Tsun even makes a comment about the Dragonborn returning to Sovngard if I'm right. Also is it true that Nords get treated as "outsiders" in Skyrim, I read that somewhere. Wouldn't make alot of sense in my opinion.

To me, and this is only my opinion, I don't think its "right" for the Dragonborn to be anything but human. Also, just because your character is a Nord that doesn't mean they were born in Skyrim.

Yeah, but how do they know that my character is not born in Skyrim? Do Nords who are born in Skyrim look different from Nords who aren't? Also a Nord not knowing Nords traditions and lore and asking about them is pretty ackward.

I would go with Nord because it makes the most sense for being Dragonborn and you are in Skyrim and no they don't get treated as outsiders but all other races do.

In Morrowind the Dunmer seemed to fit the story better. In OB it was an Imperial. In Skyrim a Nord.

Course you can play anything, but I just feel more attached to the MQ if I use what I feel is the 'canon' race. Most my characters don't do the MQ so it's rarely a problem anymore.

Another quest that to me has a canon race is the Civil War. Nord for Empire or Stormcloak. Imperial for Empire. Other races just wouldn't seem to care IMO, unless I made a very specific role-play for it.

Then just skip the dialogue and "RP" that you already know it. As many times as I've played through this game, I ignore most of the dialogue options anyways. But as far as the whole "not being born in Skyrim thing" that's the only way I can come up with a satisfactory explanation of why our character is treated the way they are by the different NPC's in game, and why we're caught crossing the border into Skyrim at the start.

edit - @ LeBurns to me, Oblivion was the only game that didn't have a "canon" race to the MQ. But, as far as Skyrim and Morrowind are concerned I agree with you 100%. And, as far as the CW goes, I think any race can join the Legion but only Nords should do the Stormcloak side. There's no way I could see a Dunmer going for a stroll in Windhelm and thinking to themselves' "yea, this Ulfric guy is who I should be fighting for." It would be kind of like a Jewish person fighting for the Nazi's in WWII.

I usually play my Orcs as mercenaries, that way they can accept any quest.

@benn I don't know, still leaning towards Orcs. But Nords do make more sense, I just don't like the fact that my Nord will be treated as an outsider.

Try it out and see how the experience feels. That's the best way to know for sure.

That's why I just can't get rid of my Altmer Stormcloak. The experience was just too good.

Would an Orc mercenary fight for the Empire or for the Stormcloaks? I'm guessing Empire because they have more wealth and can pay you more.

Orcs in the Legion are commonplace. It makes sense for an Orc character to join them.

Empire, because as you said, more money

What's up with the Orc shouts though? They pronounce certain shouts different; Furs ro dah instead of Fus ro dah for example.

Wasn't Mankar Camoran a Dragonborn though? He was an altmer, but he could wear the Amulet of Kings and shout, according to his commentaries. I think that's proof enough that even non-human races can have a soul of a dragon.

It can be anything you want really, but if you're strictly fulfilling the Nord prophecy than be a Nord. If you're more open-minded though and realize that the Nordic prophecy is probably just a version of the same prophecy that is told several different ways through different cultures under a different name, be anything you really want to be.

My true Dragonborn characters are Mer (Altmer and Bosmer), and they make perfect sense too because of the rise of the Dominion (and hopefully in the future, the eradication of the current incarnation of the Thalmor).

Empire. A lot of Orcs are in their Legions anyway, and they're treated well there.

I say go Nord for your DB. It just feels right.

The main storyline is aimed too much at Nords in my opinion. Never had this problem when playing Morrowind or Oblivion as an Orc.

And a very easy-to-spot sign of said Nord not being raised in Skyrim.

It really makes no difference if you wear the Nahkrim mask (avatar). What race do you think my avatar is ?

I am not a fan of masks to be honest.

My point is that it makes no real difference what race you play as in Skyrim, the mechanics remain the same. If you play in 1st person there is absolutely no difference, other than the gauntlets you happen to be wearing.

Orsimer that wears nothing.

Not even tattered trousers like the Hulk?

Nope.

He needs to be 100% naked at all times.

Nords are good, but you could also have an Imperial, I believe Nords and Imperials had a common ancestor millenia ago

Argonians make the most sense to be Dragon Born..

They look like Dragons