When I play, a lot of the time I like to play as I see the Dovahkiin/Trailerkiin would i.e. a true Nord son of Skyrim. Most of the time I am rude to the daedra, refusing them where possible etc because that is how I imagine most Nords would treat daedra based on the lore I can find and interactions in the game with other nord npcs. They seem to be more worshiped by elves and hence distrusted by nords who look more to the 8/9 divines. However the black star quest has me perplexed.

I'm wondering what would a "true Nord" do in this situation? Azura seems to be a different type of daedra as is alluded to a lot of the time. She seems pure and just, although this could be a ruse. It just seems like it is the "evil choice" to follow the Black Star option because you are essentially finishing Malyn's work, who was a psycopath it seems feeding on the souls of others. On the other hand if you help Azura you are helping a daedra who may or may not be evil, but you are given some rude dialogue options such as saying that Azura should "fix the star herself if she is a daedra" and that you are "not happy about daedra looking into my future" which seem to balance it a little even if you do help her.

I often wonder what is the "canon" choice for this quest (if there is one) and does the fact that the quest is actually called "The Black Star" mean that the black star is indeed the canon choice?

I'm speaking purely from a roleplaying perspective here and don't care about which is more powerful or beneficial to gameplay. What do you guys think?

A "true Nord" would never consort with a daedra in the first place, so your answer is neither.

Failing that, he'd avoid getting mixed up in the quest because magic is involved, so your answer there is neither as well.

Failing that, he'd probably take some satisfaction in bashing some magic users' skulls in, but upon returning would probably tell Azura to take her star and shove off. At this point Azura would probably do something nasty to him or put him in the star to sort things out anyway. Either way, he'd likely take the star and throw it into the sea or bury it or something, so your answer is once again neither.

I would imagine the typical Nord would approach Azura's quest by telling her to 'Get lost and keep your Daedric hands away from my fate!'

That said, if said Nord opted to (for some reason) do the quest at all, I'd imagine they'd go the route prescribed by Azura. Nords tend to honor their dead and the Black Star seems a bridge too far for most Nords.

Just my two septims.

The Black Star is something really evil, so a 'normal' Nord wouldn't let himself in with it I think.

That said, Azura's pretty involved with the ancient enemies of the Nords, the Dunmer. So bothering Azura by defiling her artifact could be an option ..

These Yin and Yang aspects seem to be be in literally every single little quest in Skyrim. Nothing is black or white. It's part of why I love it. There never seems to be any truly good or evil choice throughout any of the quests.

Another thing I've remembered is the soul cairn is where the soul of anyone trapped in the black star goes. Seems a bit harsh for anyone.

Hmmmm. Good and evil often depend on your point of view. I don't see true Nords as necessarily 'good' all the time, even if you try say they are honourable, well a lot of killing is done in the name of honour. Also, true Nords most certainly do use magic, or at least can do. The basic character comes with flame and healing, warrior or not. Another view is that capturing the souls of bandits is ok cos bandits are all evil arn't they! Ha! Ok, well that's begging the question. Anyways, what is NOT evil about killing innocent creatures to fill soul gems huh? I'd rather put a bad bandits soul in the black star, than kill a cute bunny wabbit to charge my bow.
It's moral choices all the way down the line, with no purely right answer!
Yeah! Go Black Star and fill it with Necromancers, that's the best way..........

And you call yourself a true Nord...

Back on topic: i would get The Black Star just to piss her off, but that's what i would do on any character, not just nord...

A "true" Nord would mend Azura's Star since it was she who sent the Nerevarine on a path to exact justice against Dagoth Ur and the three false demon gods who had dishonourably used the power of the Heart of Shor for their own selfish gains.

The mistrust of magic is something modern Nords mistake for tradition, as you come to learn in your visit to Sovngarde.

But I don't think Nord society has ever been Daedra friendly.

And regardless of race, I don't think any morally good character would be interested in soul trapping people.

True Nord would take the damaged star to the Ruins of Bthalft and throw it into the lava there.

The star is a tool of evil which is used for soul trapping. And soul trapping always violates against Kyne.

A 'true' nord is such a silly concept.

Return the star to normal out of honor and just put it away, Azura is one of the few honorable Daedric princes.

It all depends on your characters moral alignment, true Nord or not.

A true nord can range from a cunning archer, a wise sage and loremaster or a warrior of questionable honor as all of these fit ancient nordic heroes. So yea.

I don't think in racial terms. I like to treat my characters as individuals. In my games it's not "What would this race do?" It's "What would this character do?" That's what roleplaying means to me.