I was wondering if people would still want to be the Dragonborn if they were turned into one of the races persecuted in Skyrim, so I made a poll for it.

FYI, I'm leaving out Dark elves because they only are disliked in Windhelm.

Well, since you can pretty much go "Screw you, I'm Dragonborn!" it wouldn't really matter.

Unless you can't handle the personal psychological trauma that might be associated with being a Dragonborn of said races.

It would be cool to be a Khajiit (night vision, claws, and fluffy!) but I'd most likely be an Argonian (personality and nationality).

While you have a good point, my thought is that some nords would rather kill you than have a dragonborn as one of those races. It's not something that happens in-game, but I thought it would be interesting to think about.

I pick Altmer so I can say "up yours thalmor

It is interesting, especially when you consider that the ideologies of the above mentioned races don't mesh well with Dragonborn.

I've actually RP'd several Khajiit and Argonian Dragonborn, each with varying amounts of acceptance from the populace. One was accepted for the most part (though many still rejected him as their 'saviour'), but since he was already going through an identity crisis for being a Khajiit raised in Hammerfell with Cyrodiilic views, this whole new identity as a dragon really messed him up. He decided that since his true role (defeating Alduin) was fulfilled, he could do whatever he pleased with his power and tired to separate himself from the ideal image of the Dragonborn and be his own person. It didn't end well for the people Skyrim.

My Argonian, on the other hand, used that to her advantage and joined the Stormcloaks with the hope that her people would gain more acceptance in Skyrim. Her early life may have been difficult due to her being very different from other Argonians, but it was worth it in the end. I didn't get very far with her, though.

Hah, I like the way you think!

That sounds just silly.

I picked Altmer. Despite their arrogance and general association to the Thalmor, they're one of my favorite races.

You mean if I would play as one of those races (I've played all 3 of them) - or if I'd become one for real?

If I got the chance to become an elf for real, I could even endure being Dragonborn.

... I guess being an Argonian or Khajiit wouldn't be that bad either (breathe underwater? claws?) But elves rock. I would have preferred to become a Dunmer, though Altmer is second best.

Altmer. The Nords' cultural hero ends up being their villain.

I can't vote. I said no way.

Altmer, for sure. I'm also a big fan of the Altmer, despite those Thalmor savages who besmirch their good name. Never could feel too much of a desire to play as a Khajiit or an Argonian; they're cool and creative, but not enough to make me want to RP as one.

My only non-Nord character in Skyrim was an Altmer, and a brief background idea I had for him cast him as an ex-Thalmor on the run from his former employers, disgruntled with their racism and disillusioned with them due to the brutality with which they treat Altmer back on the Isles. Were I able to give him dialogue to offer to NPCs in Skyrim to justify his actions, it would have been to the effect of "for every drop of Nord blood the Thalmor spill in Skyrim, a gallon of Altmeri blood is spilled on the Summerset Isles". I'd have explained his low skill level with the natural skill degeneration that comes with years on the lam. I'd have explained his eventual Stormcloak allegiance with the position that only by driving the Empire out can the eyes of the average Nord be opened to the Thalmor threat, and also with his growing anti-imperialism, based on the realization that biologically and culturally distinct people should be independent. Also, when he realized he was Dragonborn, the foretold savior of Skyrim, it would only further and deepen his growing humility and his desire to serve Tamriel well by taking his crusade against the Thalmor to one against all discernible malice

Having grown up during the Cold War and being a (amateur) student of Soviet history, I'm familiar with how such state-level savagery can open the eyes of some to the true enemy of all. It's only too easy to contrast and compare the Thalmor with the KGB and other such state entities.

Now that I've typed all this, I'm feeling the Altmeri itch, again...