Just before you leave you could be given a magical bracelet that allows you to use a new revolutionary cool feature the denizens of Tamriel know as H.A.T.S. (Happy Automated Talking Sorcery), with this system the player character can finally have a voice in conversations! During conversations you will have the option to use the H.A.T.S. system to communicate verbally with NPCs in slow motion, the H.A.T.S. system will capture all character mouth movement so you can accurately see each character's lips blab as they move.
As you progress through the game, if you have invested in the H.A.T.S. perk you will have a chance to score a critical hit with H.A.T.S. when this happens people's heads will explode when you talk to them!
Oh and the main plot has you running around searching for the Dragonborn guy, he's your father.