I just wanted to do a nightblade of an elven race (will have an Imperial 1h/shield tank). I narrowed it down to Altmer and Bosmer (no idea why, maybe I like they idea of a bosmer princess using illusion to get people to ignore her). Currently leaning Altmer for the boost to magic and the fury starting spell, but a Bosmer archer/assassin with illusion sounds too good to pass up.

any thoughts?

The Bosmer command animal is good. I think its the only way you can get mammoths to fight with you. The shouts don't go up to the mammoths' level.

Not that I care about getting Mammoths on my side.