I haven't played Morrowind in a couple of years and despite spending a couple hundred hours wandering around, I never completed any quest line and only explored less than a third of the map. This time I want to really get into the game with a brand new character. I want to play a Telvanni mage but can't decide between an Altmer or Dunmer.

Altmer has more magicka and some weaknesses that could be fun to work around, but I always played Altmer mages in both Oblivion and Morrowind. Maybe it is time to try a Dunmer mage and try to work around the reduced magica. I will probably go with the Atronach birthsign either way, so I won't be particularly short of magicka with either race.

From a roleplaying perspective, a Dunmer seems like it might be more fitting, especially since I want to join the House Telvanni. I am interested in other people's experiences playing these two races in Morrowind. Without spoilers of course.

Edit: Dammit, I just noticed the typo in the title! I am not good with keyboards. Unfortunately I don't think I can fix that now. It was unintentional and if there is a way to fix it, let me know. My appologies to all you Dunmer fans!

I love Dunmer Mages, even without The Atronach or even The Apprentice. It is perfectly manageable, especially as you begin to level up. If it still isn't in your opinion, and you want loads of magicka, perhaps try a playthrough with GCD as a Dunmer Atronach Mage - you will have tons of magicka and your leveling experience will be much more balanced. Whatever you do, though, have fun!

Well, my nickname's namesake character and my most played and demigodest TES character ever is an Altmer Telvanni. I started him before I even thought about things like whether he would "fit in" or not, or cared. Now that I do and I know it's mainly a Dunmer guild, I'd start a Dunmer myself just to have feel like being one of the pack, and for a bit more immersion. Then again, it could be possible to play a rather alien race and still feel immersive, much like my playing with my character ended up being, I guess.

I'd start a Dunmer myself right now.

But, on the other hand, I've never had more fun with any TES game than I had, and still have, with Nelacayne. Also, my longest-lived Skyrim character is also an Altmer mage! I guarantee it's fun to be an Altmer, but maybe you have fed up being one yourself, seeing you say you've played them many times? So, I'd recommend a Dunmer for you. Mana pool won't be much of a problem when you're at higher levels and use alchemy and enchanting to boost it up if needed.

dunmer, what can I say? Just fits for me and plus they look badass

Thanks for the responses. I think I am leaning towards Dunmer. I agree, they do look badass. I have always favored Altmer mages, primarily because they get the most magicka, so they feel like powerful mages from the beginning. May be time for me to play a Dunmer mage.

I don't usually develop a complicated backstory for my characters, but this time I think I will. Maybe a Dunmer that was born in Morrowind but for some reason was raised abroad and is returning to Morrowind for the first time since he was born.

Do the NPC's still call you "outlander" if you play a Dunmer? If so, then being raised abroad would explain that, especially if he had an accent from another province.

I am also thinking that he has natural talents as a mage, but due to circumstances of his upbringing, he never developed his magical talents. I might start him off using other skills and slowly transition him to pure mage as the character develops and he becomes aware of his inborn talent. If I want him to wear Daedric armor endgame like a certain famous 4000 year old Dunmer mage, it might make sense that he started out as some type of warrior or soldier before becomming an all powerful wizard.

Let me know if you have any ideas for backstory for a character like this . . .