I know this probably has been asked many times but no one can really give me the right or even a straight answer without it ending up into a huge argument among lore buffs and Google has not helped Im still very confused on this whole ordeal even after playing TES games since Morrowind.

I'm no lore expert, but I thought I'd heard somewhere he was half of both.

What isn't Talos?

Or should I say "Tiber Septim"

It is intentionally ambiguous. Imperial sources claim that he was a Nord, or even an Atmoran, but that could be propaganda or confusion. http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Lore:The_Arcturian_Heresy claims that he was a Breton, but that could be FILTHY ANTI-IMPERIAL LIES.

The heresy is probably more reliable, considering the author and the fact that this is TES, but think whatever you prefer.

From a High Rock territory != Definitely Breton.

He has a highly Nordic name. "Hjalti Early-Beard". It suggests he was a bit of an early bloomer. Nordic name (complete with H-sounding J) plus nord-style sobriquet = more likely a Nord who was born in High Rock.

And before someone says "Brand-shei!", I will pre-emptively retort with "His birth name is Brandyl Telvanni". Now, does Hjalti Early-Beard have any earlier names than that which would refute his nordic name indicating he's a Nord?

The Heresy states Alcaire is an island kingdom even though it's actually part of the mainland, so it's not completely trustworthy.

Breton-Nord mutt

Why? He was described as having the appearnace of a Breton, yet also has a Nordic name.

/thread

Eh, the ghost of Old Hroldan pretty much confirms the person Hjalti Early-Beard of Aclaire is General Talos of Skyrim.